AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was still a little weird playing nice with Remi, but he’d slowly been let into our group. Though, watching him and Makayla made it easier to accept him. It was clear they were crazy about each other and he spoiled her. Which I fully approved of. If anyone deserved a man to wait on her hand and foot, it was Makayla. She wasn’t the type to take advantage of it and Remi loved doing little sweet things for her. Who knew he was just a big softie?
“You all ready for this?” Remi asked with a grin.
“We’re ready,” I said, not feeling my words.
“Can you believe we’re all going to be graduating next week?” he asked.
“I am so ready to get out of here,” Makayla said.
I wasn’t sure how to respond. Things had been so good with my mates that I hadn’t brought up the plans for what we were going to do when we left. Now certainly wasn’t the time.
A whistle sounded and I blew out a relieved breath. Then I remembered that the whistle meant it was time for the trials. My pulse raced and my palms were sweaty already and I didn’t even know what we were facing yet.
Coach Miller slithered to the front of the group. He was accompanied by three women in suits and Dr. Green.
“Welcome, students,” Dr. Green said. “And honored members of the school board.” He nodded to the three women, then turned to us.
“You have all been waiting for today since the first day you stepped foot in our doors. Today you will put your years of practice, training, and lessons to the test in real life situations. Nothing you encounter today is an illusion. Everything is life or death.”
The words hung in the air. Nobody moved and I was pretty sure we were all holding our breath.
“The trials are an ancient tradition dating back to the first supernaturals competing in the Olympic Games. In those days, it was for promoting peace. Today, we use them as a way to determine that you have enough control and cunning to call yourself a graduate from this prestigious institution.
“The Academy of the Elites is the best school for supernaturals in the world. And we have a reputation to uphold. If you fail these trials, you will not earn your diploma.”
“If you fail the trials, you will likely die,” Coach Miller added.
Dr. Green nodded. “The trials are dangerous. There is no way out once you begin. You must finish.”
“Or die,” Coach Miller added.
Dr. Green seemed to ignore him. “You’ll have three hours. Coach Miller, will you do the honors?”
Coach Miller’s chest expanded as he straightened his shoulders. He was clearly enjoying his moment in the spotlight. “The school board has outdone themselves this year. You are all getting one of the most interesting and dangerous trials I’ve ever seen. Even I’m impressed.”
“Thank you, Coach,” one of the women said.
He nodded toward her then turned back to us. “They created a course that’s loaded with things that want to hurt you.” He slithered along the gathered group of students and stopped in front of me. I tried not to shudder at how close he was.
“All you have to do is get through it. You finish, you graduate,” he said. “Questions?”
The room was silent.
“Walk,” Coach Miller said. “Outside, all of you.”
As we passed through the doors of the gym, I expected to be met with spring sunshine. Instead, I was greeted by a tunnel made of vines and leaves. “What the?”
Ahead, the tunnel split off into two directions. Coach Miller waited for us at the fork. “Two minutes between each of you. I better not find anyone waiting for someone to catch up. Remember, this is a solo trial. I don’t want to spoil the surprise for you, but I’m pretty sure the board put in some extra surprises just for people who try to go in groups.”
“This should be fun,” Luka said.
“Can’t wait,” Ben said.
“Just think, when we finish, we’re done,” Zach said.
“I’ll meet you all at the end?” I asked.
“We’ll be waiting for you,” Ben said.
