“These assholes don’t care if there is danger as long as it gets ratings for their show.”
“True,” Mara agreed.
She reached for her packet of food and waved it in front of the fire to warm it. There was no sign of Vaelor.
“Have you seen Vaelor?”
“Briefly. He was one of the first up early this morning. When the technician showed up and told us about the night challenge, he left.”
Mara hesitated eating her food. Why would he just leave her here without saying a word? Did she do something wrong last night?
“He asked me to look out for you until he returned,” Gora added.
Her shoulders relaxed. She hadn’t realized how tense she had become. Letting out a breath she had been holding, she opened the packet of food and began to eat.
“So, are we all just hanging around camp until it is time?
Gora took a sip of her water. “That’s what it looks like.”
“What do they expect us to do here?”
“You could go back to your tent to rest. I would but I am having trouble sleeping.”
Mara frowned as she looked at the female who was the only one besides Blaine to befriend her in a way.
“Are you okay?” A horrible thought occurred. What if other players were being sabotaged. “Is everything okay? Tent and bedding keeping things warm?”
“Just restless. I close my eyes, but I can hear Beast yell out.”
Mara reached out and squeezed Gora’s hand. “I’m here if you need me.”
The other female looked surprised, then smiled a genuine smile. “Mara, you are too soft for your own good. But I appreciate your concern.”
“I’m stronger than I look. I’ve had to be.”
“Why have you had to be strong?” Gora asked.
“My father got sick about five years ago. I had to leave my new job to move in with him to help care for him.”
“What about his partner, your mother?”
Mara looked at her food. “She left us when I was just a baby. My father raised me.”
“I see. Your father must have taught you like he would have a son, how to fight and be a warrior.”
That made her laugh. “My dad was nothing like a warrior. He’s an educator of different cultures and history. He did teach me about camping and surviving in the wild if necessary. But he had a calm and nurturing manner. A gentle and wise man is the best way to describe him. I was the angry one, quick to temper. I ran track in school and earned a scholarship to college. But he was at every track meet, cheering me on.”
Gora’s eyes lit with understanding. “You’re here to win the money for the treatment for your father.”
She nodded.
Something in Gora’s attitude toward her changed to appreciation. “That is an honorable goal. I hope you achieve it.”
“Thank you.”
Mara finished eating then cleaned up. “Now what?”
“Hey, I was going to do a round with Felon. Just a little warm up to stretch my muscles. But I think we should have a go.”
