Down End Road
Chapter 38

The horn blared and we were off. My hand was held tightly in Ally’s grasp as we sprinted, using our gifts, to the cover of trees.

Rule #1: when fending off an enemy always find cover.

It was hard to remain inconspicuous decked in orange suits, that was why we needed all the help we could get. Alex and Maverick were in front of us, leading the way, whilst Tom and Jason were on either side of me and Ally. Genevieve and Heidi had been put in the back, where they could easily attack any opponents coming towards us.

The wind was crashing into me and my braids sailed behind me like long lengths of strawberry blond ribbon.

With one of my senses prohibited, all my other senses had heightened to make up for the loss. I could hear the bellowing squawk of an eagle above me, the grunts of the runners around me. The spongy ground sprang beneath my feet. Crisp, snowy smelling air burned my nostrils. The taste of mist and earth mingled in my mouth.

I felt a a few branches brush past my shoulder, signalling we were under cover. We slowly jogged to a stop and I stumbled over to the crouched group, my hand still enclosed in Ally's.

"Listen up team, the map says that our treasure is in the caves." Maverick commanded our attention. "That just so happens to be where a lovely little nest of Grim reapers are." He deadpanned.

Grimers: nicknamed grim reapers because of their deadliness. They were a mystical mix of a tiger and eagle. They had the head and wings of an eagle, but the body, size and colouring of a tiger. Their body was covered in orange feathers striped with black. They had deadly talons instead of claws. They had originated from the Jefferson portal but, like the Whiztails, had to migrate to Colorado because of the deadly fungi that had grown there and killed off the animals.

"Ugh!" Genevieve groaned. "First this stupid challenge and now this. That's just wonderful." She exclaimed sarcastically. I couldn't help but agree.

"It's fine. All we have to do is avoid the nest. This is our route. We go from here, to there to there then make a left here and we're right there." He explained, I could imagine his fingers deftly pointing down to the places on the map.

"After we retrieve our treasure, we attack Washington and take their treasure." Alex explained. I heard several sharp intakes of breath, but Ally surprisingly crouched calm and still. "Everyone will go for Franklin and Maddison and most likely Washington will have both, we can fight them off take the treasures and have a sure-fire win." He elaborated.

"That is ridiculous, Griffin there is a reason why they are known as the sword and shield of the Society. They are literally walking weapons." Tom argued. I heard several murmurs of agreement and imagined them nodding their heads along.

"We're ready." Alex said, a commanding undertone in his voice. I heard the rustle of movement. I felt the weight of everyones gaze on me.

"Fine, but we got to be quick, so let's get going." Jason huffed. Ally tugged me up and we sprinted away. We darted through trees and jumped over boulders. I stumbled a few times, which was incredibly embarrassing, but ultimately arrived at the place we needed to be.

Roaring screeches were heard from overhead. My head automatically snapped up to the sky, my sight still taken from me. "What was that?" I whispered.

"Grim reapers," Maverick grunted out. The shifting of rocks and foliage sounded around me, and I was tugged over to a rocky bank that was close to a stream, judging from the loud rush of the water.

"Over here!" Heidi yelled. Ally left me by the stream. The smell of pine and oak interfused with the sweet aroma of bluebells and silky lupines.

I quietly sighed, leaning on the backs of my hands and enjoying the blind relaxation. There was a faint rustle to my left.

Snap! A twig snapping crackled through the trees. Shwoo! Water splashed to my right. Squawk! Birds screamed as they fled from their trees. Just as I screamed out a warning, two sets of arms engulfed me.

The shrieking roars of the Grimers, increased in volume. "Let go of me you Gorillas!" I demanded. I squirmed in their tight hold, spewing insults at them.

"Give us your treasure." A feminine, southern accent dictated. It was Kelly. Maddison and Franklin had been merged to one team. The must have heard I was new.

I felt a rush of air, before I fell to the ground. I leaped up and drew my sword. The crunch of pebbles resonated from my right, and I blindly swung at the person. My sword hit its target with a thud, and a loud moan escaped my victim.

I rolled my eyes behind the black goggles. It's only a blunt sword, wimp! I thought. I heard a chuckle echo from my left, I recognised the deep melodious sound as Alex's laugh. I smiled. "Never." He promised.

I felt Ally's hand engulf mine before she sped me over to, what I assumed was, the treasure box on the other side of our enemies defence line. I blindly felt for the treasure box. Cool twisted metal, chilled my finger tips. I dragged my finger down to the lid. I slowly lifted it up and felt around the inside.

The box was lined with a plush velvet. Knowing the order of Washington, it was most likely red. I made contact with a cold stem like twig. I moved my hands up the hardened twig and brushed my fingertips against a bushy fur like fibre that covered the entire upper portion of the item. A feather? I thought.

I took it gently out of the box, and tucked it in the pocket on my thigh. "What is it,"Ally whispered in my ear. I cupped the shell of her ear and relayed my assumptions. No one had seen the prize.

"Give us your treasure." Kelly boomed again. I stood up and was guided gently down to our formation line. I felt a shoulder brush past mine as a body stepped forward.

"No!" Maverick rebutted. I felt something tighten in my chest when the command echoed through the forest. I desperately wanted to cheer behind him, but knew that was not the wisest or most professional thing to do in that situation.

"If you don't surrender the treasure, we shoot pholosynthesine arrows into your systems."

Pholosynthesine- a pain simulator derived from the folio's sap in the order of Jefferson's portal. We had discussed its medical and military uses in History and Science class.

I heard the click of a cocked crossbow, having become accustomed to the sound in training. A shiver rattled my spine as fear and a brisk breeze swept through me. I heard several breaths stop and speed up.

"Don't shoot!" Alex yelled. I felt a tinge of relief and anger. Why would he give up so easily!? My thoughts screamed. He's saving me. Another thought swooned.

I shook my head and focused on the task at hand. Low murmurs could be heard from where I presumed Alex and Maverick were. "We have a proposal," Maverick shouted across the clearing. "We have our most gifted fight your most gifted in hand to hand combat." Maverick proposed.

My eyes bulged out of my head. ME against someone twice as trained and probably sized as me. I felt my mouth dry at the prospect. My mind distracted me with instantaneous tactics, courtesy of my gifts.

I wanted to know where my opponent was at all times. I wanted to get their treasure and I wanted to avoid any injuries. Whilst my thoughts raced at an inhuman speed, Alex and Maverick negotiated the rules.

#1: no weapons.

#2: we had to know where the treasures were.

#3: no assistance from either side until submission or victory.

I felt hesitant after hearing rule number 3. Great, so I could be dying and I wouldn't be allowed help. Wonderful! I thought.

I was ushered to a flat clear space of land. Ally gently tugged me to my spot. I heard low murmurs and dull whispers of excitement. I place my hand on his shoulder. I remembered Alex briefing me on all the other contestants the night before.

Kayden Attley; from the order of Franklin. Score: 47.

I felt the heavy weight of his hand on my shoulder, that was the last rational thought before the countdown began. The only thing that was on my mind; winning and getting their treasure.

"Three," Kelly began.

"Two," Maverick bellowed, a solemness to his tone.

"One," Alex said lowly.

"Fight!" Kelly roared.

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