Chapter 10

Blaire’s hair whips back and forth as she searches the forest. This way? Or maybe that way?  She sprints through the trees, not caring about the branches cutting up her arms.

Breathing heavily, she stops again. Her eyes scan all around her, looking for any sign of life. Still nothing?

Once more she takes off in a sprint. As her heart beats faster and faster, the panic inside her grows immensely. Her leg gets caught on a root, sending her tumbling to the ground. Her arms and knees all bloody, she stands, unsure which way to continue. She just keeps moving forward.

That’s it! She sees an opening in the trees. She scrambles toward it, limping and bleeding.

Her hand reaches out, grabbing the rope. She rings the bell loud for everyone to hear. “I DID IT! I DID IT, YOU BASTARDS!”

She turns around to see a slightly older girl appear, running out from the brush. Their eyes meet as the girl falls to her knees. Blaire’s face turns pale as men in ski masks surround them. She knows what’s about to happen, she’s seen it twice before.

It’s not my fault. If I don’t win, that’ll be me. I have to keep winning. She watches as the men drag the girl away, kicking and screaming.

I’ll do whatever it takes to make it home alive.