give myself another deep breath before I climb down the other side.
I’m almost done, almost out of this place and back to my dorm room to die in peace, away from all of these judgmental eyes.
Not that there’s anyone left in this place.
I don’t think anyone else is having the trouble that I am getting through the course, and it’s been at least an hour since I last saw someone. Considering this is supposed to be a race, that’s not so strange, but as the ropes dig into my hands as I slip and scramble my way down, I find myself a little frantic to get out of here. I’m so close to being done, so freaking close, and I don’t need to fall into a trap now and ruin everything.
I have to jog for another quarter mile before I finally see the fence and the gate through the trees. I want to yell out in victory but my lungs are screaming in my chest and I think I’m going to vomit everywhere the second I cross the finish line. I need to get in shape if this is going to be my life now but knowing that I’ve actually managed to survive my first class without dying or making a fool of myself?
Incredible.
The moment I reach the tree line, my guard is down, so I don’t see the shadow of the girl until it’s too late. The fist to my head knocks me out cold.
Chapter Six
I wake up in a white room.
White walls, white floor, white sheets on the white bed. Jesus, it’s like a nightmare I’ve woken up in and I have to tell myself that being knocked out means I must be in the medical bay area of the training center.
Then the white door opens and it’s definitely a freaking nightmare.
North walks through, a sour look on his face as he stares down at me with disapproval. “If you’re planning on hurting yourself to get my attention regularly, I should warn you that I’ll be happy to throw you in a padded cell until you grow out of the compulsion.”
It takes me a second to realize that he’s angry at me, that he’s not here out of some sort of concern for me and that he thinks that I was assaulted on the freaking course as a way to act out against him.
“I know you’re not here to ream me out right now over some bitch taking a cheap swing at me. I know you wouldn’t be here for that because if you are, I’m going to lose my fucking mind.”
His eyes narrow at me as he watches me struggle to sit up, one of my hands clutching at my pounding head and sure enough, there’s a lump where the girl’s fist connected with my skull.
My head is spinning and I can feel my stomach churning, bile creeping up the back of my throat as he takes a second to look me over properly. It’s clear he doesn’t believe me and that he’s not at all impressed with this supposed charade.
I could freaking scream.
“Why would I wait until the last quarter mile to pull a stunt like that? Why would I wade through the river, crawl on my belly over rocks and dirt, and climb that stupid, stinking frame if I was planning on… wait, what exactly do you think I did to knock myself out? Jesus fucking Christ.” I fling my arm at him in frustration and instantly regret it when my head starts screaming again. I gag a little and have to swallow quickly to stop myself from puking all over his shoes.
North is hard to read with his cold eyes and expressionless face but for a second, I think I see him doubt himself, but it’s such a fleeting thing that it’s gone before I’m sure I’ve seen it. “I’m not so easy to fool, you’re desperate for attention and with two of your Bonds present, you couldn’t help yourself.”
If there was ever a time I needed my gift, it’s right the fuck now. I no longer care about his shoes, if chewing him out means I’m puking on them then so be it. “How was I getting attention from either of them if Gabe ran off ahead of me and Gryphon didn’t even acknowledge my existence?”
The look on his face says there’s a nerve there I’ve hit, but hell if I know what it is. “You should be thanking him. Gryphon had you