Page 164 of Stormbreaker

Did they see?

59

I stand still for several more seconds, focused on the same spot. Maybe waiting for the Extinguishers to burst through the trees.

When I see no other movement, I tell myself it was nothing. I hope.

I don’t have time to dwell on it.

I climb down the pole and then wind along another path, twisting and turning, before I happen upon another lake with a bridge running across.

A blast of Spark has already severed it about a third of the way down, where the planks smoke with embers. I’ll have no option but to jump. Thanks to the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I barely feel a thing as I stomp across the bridge and then leap, landing on the other side before running again.

I become dimly aware of a telltale flicker overhead. It’s too far to hear the increased buzzing, but premonition tells me the net is preparing to release again. I pick up my pace just as a bright line peels off the net and strikes the bridge almost directly in front of me.

I scream, trying to dodge it. The only thing I accomplish is losing my balance, going over the edge, and plunging into the lake as icy water fills my mouth, my nose, my boots.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I kick and flail, bursting through the surface, grabbing onto a piece of debris. As I catch my breath, I start floating away. The bridge smolders and smokes, tiny flames licking at the edges.

It takes me a moment to remember that if I go off course, I’ll be disqualified. I don’t know where the boundary ends, but I’m not taking any chances. I kick against the water, my boots heavy and dragging, but I can’t take them off. I still need them to complete the exam.

The bridge continues to smolder where the energy hit, so I maneuver away. I consider floating to the far shore, but not only would that take longer, I don’t know if that’s against the rules. It’s too big a risk.

I grab on to the edge of the bridge, but with no handrails, there’s nothing to use for leverage but the slippery planks. I heave a waterlogged leg over the edge, followed by the other, eventually rolling onto my back.

The net above me flickers, almost like it’s laughing.

Or I really am losing my mind. Nevertheless, some part of me registers that if I remain still too long, I’m a sitting target.

With a groan, I roll over onto my hands and knees and then force myself up. The same ankle that I twisted a few months ago throbs as I take a step. I must have reinjured it. Pushing past the pain, I lope to the end of the bridge, then dive into the trees once again.

For a short while, the path continues, skirting around a fountain that’s been smashed apart. I quickly scurry past, reasoning that I’ll be safer from Spark within the trees.

Up ahead, the forest parts to reveal an open field. At the far end, I spot several people shouting and clapping, and I choke out a sob of relief.

But that relief is short-lived when I spot several Extinguishers waiting with the finishers.

I think back to the moment I was hit.

Did I see a person? Did they see me?

I can’t get that flash of someone out of my mind.

I slow down as everyone cheers. Rook is watching me with a line between his brows. He can tell something is wrong, but I can’t warn him.

I limp toward the finish line, focused solely on Rook’s worried face.

If I’m about to be taken, I want this to be the last thing I see.

I pass over the line to a chorus of cheers, holding my breath.

But nothing happens. The Extinguishers are talking among themselves while the E-squad is busy horsing around. Rook embraces me, and I squeeze him back, pressing my face to his chest.

I don’t care who sees us anymore.

“Are you okay?” he whispers, framing my face with his hands.