I only hear Nolan laugh before he says, “You’re prepared for the final trial, Mori.”
33
EMERY
Twelve of usare led outside at the mouth of the bunker. It’s not snowing today. The sky is clear and birds have the audacity to chirp like it’s a cheerful morning.
We were marched out here the moment the lights turned on. No showers, no breakfast… No Cameron.
I nervously glance around, but can’t find him. Where the fuck did he go?
Bree stands beside me and fidgets anxiously too.
“Where’s killer boy?” she asks without looking my way. We’re all studying the armed soldiers that create a wall to either side of us, leading up to the forest. The only path unblocked is straight ahead.
Sweat beads down my back and makes my breaths shorten.
“I have no idea.” My response is clipped, and my unease only makes hers worse.
Damian has his arms crossed tightly and grumbles, “Why is General Nolan here?” My eyes quickly find Nolan strutting up the ramp from the bunker, speaking with Drill Sergeant Adams and Lieutenant Erik.
“No clue,” I mutter. Bryce is awfully quiet. It’s unlike him, but he seems very nervous about this trial in particular. He issmaller than most, like me. So I get it, especially if it comes down to a one-on-one fight.
Adams makes his way to the center of our small group, a bright smile plastered on his face, one that I know holds no actual warmth.
“Congratulations for making it to the final trial, Cadets. This is the first implementation of a challenge like this, so I hope everyone takes pride in being here today.” We all shift uneasily. Even Wraith and Arnold seem on edge, not eager and power hungry like they were during the first trial. Adams says loudly, “You will be tested in how well you can evade a pursuing enemy. One of you will be the prey, running for your life, weaponless, to the checkpoint. The other will be the predator, armed with a combat knife. If the prey gets to the checkpoint before being murdered, you win, and the predator will be terminated. But if the prey is killed beforehand, well, that’s obvious.”
My stomach sinks. The others seem grim as well, looking around at the faces of their fellow cadets one last time.
Only half of us are going to make it out of this.My eyes search the identities of the guards once more, but I don’t see him.Cameron, where are you?I worry my lower lip.
Drill Sergeant Adams walks down and circles us slowly as he continues: “Six groups in total. You will remain where you are until you’re called up. If you try to retaliate, you will be terminated. If you refuse to obey?—”
Bree huffs under her breath. “Let me guess: you will be terminated.”
Adams hears her and snaps his head our direction. She stiffens, eyes widening as her attention goes straight to the ground.
“I’m sorry, it looks like Cadet Pazely would like to go first.” He motions his arm for her to move to the front of the group.Her jaw slacks and her pupils dilate with horror. “Get up there!” Adams shouts when she hesitates.
I’m reminded in this moment that we don’t have any choices down here. Not when it comes to obeying our superiors. It comes crashing into my chest—the fact that I’m still where I’ve always been, only under different management—I’m still a little executioner.
My heart sinks as I watch her stand, trembling like a leaf before everyone.
“You’ll be okay,” I whisper, hoping that my words of encouragement give her a little confidence. She nods at me and offers a worried but thankful smile.
“Cadet Belkin, head up there.” Adams’s voice is nothing short of a roar. Arnold slowly moves up and stands uncertainly next to Bree.
Oh God, why Arnold?My palms are clammy, and I can’t help but shift from leg to leg with unease.
I shut my eyes and try to soothe my nerves. It’s almost like the more I try to calm myself down, the worse it gets.
“Cadet Maves.” Every muscle in my body tenses, and a soft gasp escapes my lips. Bree gives me a nervous nod as I stand beside her. I let my gaze meet Arnold’s—he’s as callous as he always is, looking unmovable and without emotions. I’m not sure if it’s an act or if he really doesn’t feel fear like the rest of us, but I swallow, hoping that this won’t end with either Bree or myself dead.
Cameron was right when he said I’d die if I didn’t take those pills last night. There’d have been no way I could run through the goddamn forest with the wound I took yesterday.
General Nolan stands against the wall of soldiers and inclines his head forward when I look his way. His eyes dance with malice, for what reason, I’m unsure, but I have a horrible feeling coiling in my gut like a pit of snakes.
“Cadet Bale,” Adams calls Bryce up, and he visibly pales as he slowly walks up beside me. “Maves and Bale, you two will follow after Cadet Belkin and Pazely. These are pretty short, so you won’t have to wait long. You have ten minutes to get to the checkpoint or die.” Bree looks like she’s seen a ghost. Arnold only firms his fists at his side.
