The Challenge. (Started; accepting w/permission)

Andy|TTraverse

The race is close. Brigid, Warren, and Mario are making their way across. They’re almost here. The whistle blows. Mario arrived before the rest. Brigid comes in tied with Warren. I take Brigid’s hand and help her cut her harness off. I wrap her in an embrace. Rylet was our friend, our teammate… I see a helicopter lower itself into the canyon. Katherine puts a hand on my shoulder.
“I guess Rylet’s out,” I say, letting go of Brigid. Katherine nods.
“She might not be dead,” says Brigid sounding hopeful. Just then there’s a crackling on Katherine’s walkie talkie. After a few phrases exchanged she turns to us.
“Rylet is not dead. She’s unconscious and they’re taking her to a hospital. She’s a strong girl. She’ll make it.” I try to believe Katherine’s words but I just can’t.
“Come,” I say taking Brigid’s hand. We make our way to the side of the cliff we’re standing on.
“Ok guys,” says Katherine. “Rose and Mario will be taken down in the helicopter when it comes back. In the meanwhile, the rest of you will repel down. We are providing you with the equipment since we don’t want another tragedy today. Noah,” she turns to him. He’s sitting cross-legged with his hands clutching his head.
“Why her? Why her?” He chokes and begins to silently sob, his figure writhing in anguish.
“Noah,” Katherine continues. “I’m sorry Noah but your team lost…” she pauses. “I’m afraid you’re eliminated. You will be taken back to the base camp as soon as the helicopter returns.” She looks around to address us all. “Teal is back at base camp. She suffered some wounds but she seems to be ok. My brother Max is at the base camp to oversee the eliminated players.” She hands out repelling gear for everyone. We’re on our own again. No teams and to partners. Everyone for themselves. We all prepare to go down, well all except Rose, Mario, and Noah. Noah is in the same position as before. He didn’t move the whole time we set up. Rose and Mario are sitting side by side leaning against a rock chattering about some sort of fruit Rose found. I look over at Brigid and give her the O.K. sign and we both launch backwards. We slowly make our way down being careful to not hurt ourselves. It’s a long way down and we don’t have much time until it gets dark. Even now the sun is setting and mosquitoes are buzzing in my ears. I wipe my sweaty brow. That’s three down, six people l

Brigid|Cliff

I finally relaxed when Katherine told us that Rylet would be alright. I let Andy grab my hand and lead me to the edge of the cliff, but inside, I was fuming. We had lost the race to Rose and Mario--because I had gotten distracted. Just a second--a single second of hesitation was all it took. I had frozen when Rylet fell. It was just too--too...

Too much like that last day on my island. There had been a mistake, with another airship. It had gotten a little to close to the Challenger, and Dad and I had walked out on the fins and jumped over to the other ship to tell the captain to get out of our airspace. We weren't even that high off the ground--just a hundred feet or so, out over the water.

And then the flying panthers came. It was a swarm of them, swooping in out of nowhere. I managed to get out of the way in time, but Dad was knocked off the fin of the airship--

I shook my head and focused down at my boots. Katherine started explaining the next task, and I listened to the instructions, but tuned out the rest. We would be rappelling down the cliff, with the gear she gave us. At least there wouldn't be any chance of falling.

I put my harness on, and looked over at Andy when I was ready. Katherine had said that we would all be on our own, but the sense of companionship was reassuring. We nodded to each other, and pushed off at the same time.

I was experienced when it came to rappelling--that was how we moved about out on the skin of my dirigible. I let my tether unravel freely, keeping myself in control with a light skipping step down the side of the cliff. About halfway down, I looked at the knots in my harness. A simple figure-eight shape--not my first choice, but sturdy enough.

I reached up and grabbed my tether, slowing my fall as I reached the bottom of the cliff. Once my feet were on solid ground, I took off my harness and waited for Andy. The sun was already setting, and it was never a good idea to go walking alone at night.

Mario

Rose and I waited for the helicopter, but the whole time my heart was pounding. I had been following my own advie- stay focused on the rope and my body. I hadn't seen her fall...
Rose stood palidly, and I wondered if she had seen the drop. Katherine announced that there would be no more teaming up. The thought terrified me. I couldn't bring myself to look at any of them as enemies. I hadn't talked much to Andy, but I couldn't think of him as an opponent. Warren and Zohan were also so timid looking, and Bridget. And Rose... I definitely couldn't think of her as the enemy. Ever.

I realized if I lost it would be out of emotional weakness rather than any physical or mental shortcomings. But I had to win for my sister, I had to!

Rosette| In Helicopter
We rise into the air, then drop down. When we reach the bottom, we step out of the helicopter, and look around. It's dry down here, and a bit dusty too. I see that the other contestants are barely starting to climb down. I look around, and see Katherine.
"Hey, Katherine. Are we going to have to find our own food, or is there food prepared?" I say. She motions for me to wait.
"Rosette, could you wait a moment. I need to keep an eye on those who are coming down." I nod, and she walks off. Mario looks at me, and I look back.
"Rose... How did Rylet fall? I mean... Did she slip? Didn't she have a harness on?" I look down. I motion for him to sit down, and we do.
"She did slip... She slipped, then her harness broke. She screamed, and fell. Oh Mario, it was awful! I saw her figure wriggling in the air. I saw her fall to the ground... I saw her crumpled shape!" I say. It's a hard topic to talk about.
"Oh." He replied.
"At least... At least it didn't happen tomorrow... What an awful bi--" I stop myself. Then, I look away.
"Tomorrow? What's tomorrow?" He asks. I sigh. I might as well tell him now.
"Tomorrow is my-- it's my birthday. My 15th birthday." I say. "Special huh?" I say sarcastically. "I won't have any celebration this year. I didn't have any celebration last year. Nor the year before... Actually, I've never tasted cake... I've never had a big party... I've never had balloons." I say sadly.
"Why? I mean, why haven't you had any of that stuff?" He asks, staring at me.
"My family, and my whole village... We don't have any food left... We scavenge for food. We definitely don't have any money." I look down. It's kind of embarrassing for me, because I haven't had the chance to live a good life. I stand up. " Let's go see about food, huh?" I say, trying to sound nonchalant.

Mario

I gape at Rose, trying to understand. My parents had money, they always paid for massive parties with ridiculous presents I would never use. And on top of that I always had my friends, the ones from the street, who often stole a bit of sweet bread and some fancy drink, and we'd have another party. Then my mind swings back to Rylet, who could have had her last birthday ever. The challenge was becoming more dangerous.

"Yeah, food," I mumble, following Rosette. Her figure seems so small and fragile. I notice Katherine is still nervously watching out the window, so I touch Rosette's shoulder. "First let me look at your leg again?"

She nods, but hesitates before sitting down and rolling up her pant leg. "It isn't so bad." I can tell she's lying, especially when I see the green tint that's spread all around her leg.

"It's getting worse, Rose. Maybe you should tell Katherine." I freeze, knowing that Rose can't quit, can't give up. Her reasons are so much better than mine. "If I win it all goes to you."

She smiles, but shakes her head. "I won't let them make me give up. I can still go on. Besides, there are only six of us left. Soon more will be eliminated, and then... then I can win and go home."

Rosette
I sit down, and show him my leg.
"It isn't so bad... Really." I say, trying to look unconcerned. The truth is that it's getting greener, and I'm getting weaker.
"Really, I think you should tell Katherine..." says Mario, looking a bit concerned.
"No! I can't do that... They'll eliminate me! I can't be eliminated... At least, not yet..." I say, standing up. I'll be fine, I hope. I half limp half walk to a shady area. I sit down, and take out the bag with my oranges in it. I pass him one, and eat one myself. They are still good, but I must eat them soon or they'll rot. I have been thinking... about these challenges. What if I lose? What if I don't make it?
"Mario... You know I would rather die than lose, right... I can't go home as a failure... I just can't. I-" I pause, not knowing if I should continue. "-I know what I want though. I want you to win... You deserve to win. If it weren't for you, I would have gotten eliminated a long time ago... I'll try hard, but if I fail... Don't feel bad. I know I probably won't win..." I turn away. If I fail, I fail... But if I win, I will save my family. Let somebody else win, Rosette. You can live without... Or else, would you prefer to die? Yes... or, no, or I don't know...

Brigid|Woods

I sat at the bottom of the cliff, waiting, carving designs into the dirt with my knife. After a short time, Andy and the others landed, and pulled their harnesses off. Standing up, I surveyed the group. We were considerably smaller now--just me, Andy, Zohan, and Warren. And Rose and Mario, but they were in the helicopter.

"So what now?" I asked. "Are we supposed to set up our own camp, or are we getting more instructions from Katherine?"

Katherine|Canyon bottom

“Ok guys, good job up there! It’s terrible what happened to Rylet and we can learn from her mistake. Now, first of all, no tents tonight, there’s not trees around here either through. We have to stay away from wolves so I believe caves are our best bet. There are a few around here and if we cover the entrance with rocks, the wolves shouldn’t be able to come in. Second, since there is obviously no easy food to find around here, the base camp has sent us a pack of food. There are apples and sandwiches and a bottle of Gatorade for each of you. Tomorrow we’re hiking up the mountain so I would advise you guys getting to sleep now. Who knows what we’ll find tomorrow.” I smile and look at our now quite small group. I’m not sure who will win. There has been a large turn of events since the Challenge started. I just hope no one else gets injured as badly as Rylet. I hand out the packs of food then head to the helicopter where I will be spending the night. Weather forecasts predict severe heat tomorrow so we’ll start even earlier than usual. Before climbing the steps into the helicopter I turn around and shout to the rest.
“4:00 a.m. tomorrow guys! It’ll be very hot out.” When I’m inside the helicopter I lay down, wondering what tomorrow will bring and who will be eliminated next.

Spoiler

Whoops. Got it now, KRose.

Brigid|Canyon

"Caves?" I repeated, my entire body tensing. "Are you sure we don't have time to look for trees?" But Katherine didn't hear me; she had already started off toward the helicopter.

I hated caves, and I hated the idea of closing up the entrance. It would be safer, yes, but I didn't like being trapped. As I followed the others toward the caves, I grabbed a few handfuls of long grass. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep well, so I thought I might as well make myself a straw hat, to protect myself from the sun. If we didn't keep ourselves cool, we could collapse from heat stroke.

Inside the cave, I took out my ball of twine and started stringing up a hammock between two stalagmites. With the hammock, I could at least give myself the illusion that I was sleeping in my old cabana back on Dad's island. I felt myself growing more and more anxious as some of the others piled rocks across the entrance. What if there wasn't enough air, or something?

Well, that would actually be good for me, I thought. I'd last the longest without air. I'm used to it. I practically live at 20,000 feet.

"G'night, guys," I said, taking a swig of my Gatorade. I hopped into my hammock and began weaving my hat together. There was just enough light coming in through the rock barricade for me to see the little straws. I took another sip of Gatorade, resolving to finish it tonight. After all, who knew? This challenge was getting crazy. Even the simplest precaution could be the difference between success and elimination.

Rosette|Cave
I walk into the eerie-looking caves. I hate bats. They must be the only animal that I'm afraid of. As we walk in, two fly out at me, and I duck. Covering my head, I sit down. This is going to be a very long night... I look up, and see more coming down. I push myself against a wall, and try not to look up at the many bats. I cover my eyes with my hands and sit as still as possible. Suddenly, I feel a hand tapping me.
"You afraid of bats, Rose?" I hear the familiar voice of Mario. He puts his hand out, and I grab it. I stand up.
"Yeah. They just freak me out." I say, a bit shakily. I know they probably do no harm, but I just the same hated them. I shake. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight... I mean, I hate the idea of them watching me...." Tomorrow... It's not so far away. It's my birthday tomorrow, and that's something to look forward to, I guess. "I'm really freaked out..." I say. I hope he will reassure me....

Brigid|Cave

It took me an hour to finish my straw hat, and by the time I was done, it was so dark that I could barely see my own hands in front of me. I set my hat under my hammock, with my backpack, and settled down into the hammock, trying to relax. I closed my eyes, listening to the bats chirp. They were calming--I was used to sleeping with a little noise, after all. But they didn't change the fact that I was in a cave, a tight enclosed area, with no way out except the sealed-up entrance.

I tried my deep-breathing technique that my crew and I used when recovering the Challenger's hyperbaric chamber. In...2...3...4...out...2...3...4...in...2... 3...4...out...2...3...4... And finally, I was able to drift off to sleep.

Mario Cave

I watched Brigid for a while, curious about how quickly her fingers moved through the straw. It was nice to let her distraction distract me. Warren and Zohan sat in a corner, both silent and nervous. Andy was doing sit ups, I wondered vaguely if it would be a good idea for me to do some kind of work out too. I needed to be prepared for tomorrow. At the same time, I kept watching the others, all terrified, and yet determined to win. My initial confidence was fading, though probably there's was too.

"You afraid of bats, Rose?" I took her hand and lifted her, noticing how shaky she was. I hoped it was just out of fear of the flying creatures, but some part of me knew it was from her leg. I gently touched her forehead, she was burning up.
"It's hot in here," I mumbled, trying to pretend away the fever. We walked to the wall and sat as high up as we could, looking out through the holes. I could see shapes moving, probably wolves, and the trees waved back and forth. Tomorrow we would be above treeline, at least there wouldn't be quite as many freaky shadows.

"Are you okay?" I asked Rose, and she shrugged.
"I'm fine. Are you?"
"Great," I lied, then stopped, "Actually, this is all getting too much. I know I won't ever give up, but a part of me just wants to go home."