Chapter 29
Surprise tastes Sour
“The final will test everything you’ve learned,” Instructor Garcien gestured to a map she’d pulled out.
“Your score will depend on your speed and skill. Top scorers will receive the strongest Skinscripts. You must complete the objective before sundown to pass. Those that do not will fail.” She pointed to Lake Mirae.
“Your goal is to reach the center of Lake Mirae before then. The exam starts as soon as the gate opens.”
The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. This was too easy, sundown was more than a dozen hours away, and Lake Mirae was only three hours away on foot. Something wasn’t adding up. Tilting my face up, I searched the sky.
It was still the wet season, and charcoal clouds cloaked the sky. Any rain today wouldn’t be until this afternoon. It was already cold, and foresight had me wearing the scarf Mama had made just in case it got colder.
Pulling a loose hair off my braid, I lazily held it up to check the wind’s direction while Instructor Garcien continued. Beside me, Sarina leaned against me, watching the hair too.
“Northwest” she murmured with a yawn. I nodded my agreement, yawning as well, hers was contagious. You’d think after several months at the outpost I would have adjusted to the early lesson hours, but I was still groggy.
“The final exam claims more lives each year than any other test, so proceed with caution. Remember, the goal is simply to reach the center of Lake Mirae. There, Instructor Penbrook will heal any injuries you may have received during the final.”
I smothered another yawn, eyes heavy. This was important, I needed to pay attention, but I could barely stay awake. Beside me, Sarina’s head was heavy on my shoulder. What type of injuries did they expect us to get from getting to Lake Mirae? It wasn’t exactly a dangerous route.
“Lake Mirae is at the base of–”
Someone a row in front of me tipped sideways, unconscious. Instructor Garcien kept talking, appearing not to notice. That wasn’t right. Something was off.
My own head’s weight was substantial, more than normal. Why was I so tired? Sarina let out a small snore on my shoulder.
My plate gleamed in front of me, residue of sticky syrup still coating the edges where ants gathered. Three others clumsily teetered into the ground, as graceful as rolling rocks. They’d drugged us.
I clung to that thought, tried to rally enough strength to stay awake. Concentrating was impossible though, blackness edged out the outer peripheral of my vision and my thoughts drifted away like leaves on a lake.
Staying awake felt like trying to swim through molasses uphill.
I caught my weight and Sarina’s on my elbow as I tipped sideways, gritting my teeth and straining not to give in.
Darkness mugged me.