Chapter 25
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Tim done! I need a break–I can’t walk anymore! Livia Sinclair declared, plopping down on the trail.
Selene Lancaster, collapsing beside her, groaned. “Same here! We’ve been training all day. I’m exhausted. It’s not like I care about the prize money or that single dorm room. Maybe we should just give up.”
Stella Mun around, irritation flashing in her eyes. “Are you serious? We’re a team of four! If you slack off, you’ll drag all of us.
down!”
Livia shrugged indifferently. “So! Not my problem if you all suller for it.”
Selene smirked. “Exactly. Blame the instructors who teamed you up with us. Not like we chose this.
They exchanged a conspiratorial glance, knowing full well they’d planned this to sabotage Eliana,
Before the assessment began, Willow had approached them under the guise of “family loyalty” “We can’t let Eliana place too high,” Willow had whispered. “If she doesn’t score well, she’ll have to come back to the Garcia family, which is what my parents all want
Selene and 4ivia were convinced.
Willow’s offer had included a handsome reward: fifteen thousand dollars each, enough for Livia and Selene to readily accept.
They didn’t need to place in the competition to earn the money, and on top of that, they could easily score some goodwill with Willow. It was a win–win situation, and they were more than happy to take advantage of it
Now, barely into the hike, they were dragging their feet, determined to slow Eliana down.
Eliana knew the fastest route across the mountain
If everyone stayed on pace, they’d have a fair shot at placing in the top five.
But with Livia and Selene dragging them down, finishing without ranking last would be a miracle.
Eliana, however, was keenly aware of the situation. She guessed it was Wollow’s plan.
Stella tried again, exasperated. “What will it take for you two to keep moving? The prize money of fifteen thousand dollars isn’t tempting?”
Livia and Selene rolled their eyes, ignoring Stella.
“Yeah, not tempting at all. I can just sit here and still get paid, they thought.
Ignoring Stella’s frustration, Eliana abruptly stepped forward and ripped the shoulder patches off Livia and Selene’s uniforms.
The two girls sprang to their feet, glaring at Eliana. “What do you think you’re doing. Eliana?” Livia shouted,
Eliana held up the patches, her voice calm. “These patches have CPS trackers. Without them, you’ll be on your own out here, If you get lost in the woods, no one will find you.”
Her tone sharpened as she turned to leave. “The mountain’s big, and there may still be wild animals lurking around. Stay if you want–but Stella and I are moving on
Stella eagerly followed her lead. “I’m with you!”
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Chapter 25
As they walked away, Livia and Selene exchanged uneasy glances, shadows flickering across their faces. A shiver crept down their spines as Eliana’s warning sank in
“Wait! Don’t leave us they called, now scrambling to catch up, fatigue apparently forgotten.
Stella couldn’t hide her amusement as they continued down the trail. “Elana, that was brilliant! But how did you know the GPS was in their shoulder patchesTM
Elana shrugged nonchalantly “I guessed”
In her previous life, after the assessment, the instructors had collected each parch. It was enough for Eliana to deduce the trackers location.
Livia and Selene wouldn’t risk gambling on their safety, so they had no choice but to follow.
For the next hour, Eliana led the group without a word, conserving her energy.
Livia and Selene, meanwhile, kept attempting to slow the pace, though Eliana, with the patches securely in her hand, held
They had no option but to keep up.
The dense forest stretched endlessly, with towering trees that blocked out the moonlight, casting everything in shadow.
Falling behind even for a moment meant being left behind completely. Eliana wasn’t the type to wait for anyone.
After an hour of relentless running, she didn’t show any sign of slowing down.
Finally, Livia huffed in frustration. “Are we even on the right path? We’ve been walking forever, and nothing’s changed: You better not be leading us in circles.”
Stella, though exhausted, shot back. “You’re free to leave. Eliana didn’t ask you to tag along
Livia scoffed. “Well, she’s got our patches! You think we actually want to be here?”
Selene chimed in, her voice sharp. “Yeah, she’s probably lost and just dragging us along!”
Ellina took a long drink from her canteen and then tossed the patches back to them. “Here. You’re welcome to go your own way
Livia and Selene’s eyes brightened as they retrieved their patches–until Eliana spoke again.
“One thing, though. We’ve strayed off the original mountain path. So if you decide to turn back, good luck finding your way. Or, you can just wait here until morning for the instructors to find you assuming the wolves don’t get to you first,” Eliana sud casually
Selene paled “Wolves? Are we off the path And you want us to just turn around? I can’t remember the way back!”
Livia rounded on her. “You’ve led us straight into a trap, haven’t you? You’re bad luck, Eliana!”
In her previous life, Eliana had studied the mountain routes thoroughly.
Hack then, no one trusted her directions, and she’d been forced to follow the group, wandering for hours until dawn.
As a result, she missed out on both the cash prize and the opportunity for a single dorm room.
Not this time. She planned to break the record, not for the prize, but for her own resolve.
“Eliana, you seriously have no idea where you’re going, do you? Selene shouted, her voice filled with frustration. “Are you
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trying to get us all killed?”
She gazed back at Livia and Selene with a serene, unwavering look. “I’ve given you your patches. Whether you stay or leave is up to you.
Without waiting for their answer, Eliana turned and strode into the shadows of the forest, Stella keeping pace beside her.
Fumbling with their gear, Livia and Selene hurriedly fell in line, their earlier bravado replaced by palpable fear.
They didn’t dare stray too far behind now–not with the fear of wolves haunting their every step.
The promises they had made to Willow earlier seemed like distant memories. Right now, survival was the only thing that mattered
