Chapter 38 – CAMILLE
CAMILLE
Eli has the slimmest of leads as they finish the course and snatch the first clues from the waiting course marshals.
Even from here, I can see the exhaustion in their faces, but with one last look at each other, they turn and take off into the forest, heading in different directions, without hesitation.
"This is where it gets interesting," Nathan says. "They can’t see how fast the other person is completing their course, and the clues aren’t in the same order.
They have to find them, solve them, and follow the right path while trying not to let the idea that the other person could be miles ahead mess with their mind. Brains and brawn."
We can't see much of this phase, only catch glimpses as they pass through clearings.
The large viewing screens show occasional flashes, Eli pawing at a hollow log to retrieve a clue, and Kain studying symbols carved into a tree.
At various stages, you think one is clearly ahead, but then gets stuck on a more complex, slower challenge, then the momentum seems to swing the other direction.
Mostly, we wait with baited breath, the crowd's energy building with each passing minute. Until they enter the clearing from the far side, the way back from the final challenge, there’s no way of knowing who’s winning.
Maya cranes her neck to see the latest update. The screens show both competitors in the same frame, each focused on their own puzzle, ignoring the other’s presence close by, but aware.
The minutes stretch. The sun beats down on the arena, and vendors do swift business selling cold drinks, but instead of the crowd growing bored, the tension is building.
Dean's hands grip the arms of his chair, knuckles white. Every time we catch a glimpse of the competitors still running even, his jaw tightens further. Jamie places her hand over one of his, trying to ease the tension, but he doesn't relax.
"They’re coming," someone calls out as the screen shows both men at what appears to be a river crossing. Both competitors study the water intently, figuring out the fastest way across. Eli is first to take the plunge, followed quickly by Kain.
"Still even," Blake murmurs, and there's something like delight in his voice, while Dean’s face drains of colour, and he shakes his head in disbelief.
“It’s still a long run back.” Jamie assures him, but she turns to look at Wyatt, whose wide eyes give away nothing.
The forest portion is the longest, designed just as much to test endurance and agility under pressure as it does intelligence.
We see flashes of them navigating rough terrain, scaling a rocky outcrop, wading through a marsh, and ducking through dense undergrowth.
Both are flagging now, the exhaustion clear in every movement.
But neither slows.
"Final check for all the keys." Callum's voice carries across the arena. "Both competitors are approaching the last checkpoint."
The crowd presses forward, everyone wanting to see the outcome. On the screen, Eli and Kain stand before a massive oak tree, both breathing hard and emptying their pockets of keys, depositing them all into a small box, then, as if synchronized, they both turn and sprint in the same direction.
"Come on, Kain," someone shouts.
Dash bounces on the balls of his feet off to one side, the nerves on behalf of his brother unbearable.
They burst from the treeline at full speed, the finish line in sight. The crowd erupts, half cheering for Eli, and the other half, for Kain. The noise is deafening.
They're shoulder to shoulder, neither able to pull ahead. Eli's longer stride matches Kain's explosive speed. The final fifty yards become a dead sprint, both wolves giving everything they have left. Sweat and blood fly from their bodies, muscles straining with effort.
Twenty yards. Still even.
Ten. Neither gives an inch.
Five. The crowd is on its feet.
"No," Dean whispers. "No, no, no."
They hit the finish line in perfect synchronization, both stumbling and falling past it in exhaustion.
Eli and Kain lie on the ground now, chests heaving and covered in mud as they roll onto their backs, both gasping for air.
The crowd goes silent, confused. It’s a photo finish, and nobody can tell who’s won.
Callum looks between the two men who look equally baffled.
The silence stretches uncomfortably. Then slowly, all eyes turn to the VIP section.
Dean's jaw works like he's biting back words too profane to speak aloud while Jamie curses under her breath and grips his hand tightly.
Finally, he turns to Blake in disbelief, who, to his credit, seems to find the situation slightly more amusing than Dean. “Oh, for fuck's sake."
A ripple of nervous laughter runs through the crowd at Dean’s reaction.
The big alpha shakes his head, looking to Blake for answers. "What the hell do we do now?”