I’m not the best survivalist. In fact, I never really wanted to be one. But being the daughter of Windstorm, one of the best survivalists alive, I didn’t really have a choice. I was almost killed a few years back by a level 3 winged-arachnid during a test. I barely made it pass the exams a few months ago, so I wouldn’t have qualified for this test except that some students were badly injured in a freak train accident. Also, I hate to admit it, but my dad used his high-up authority to tweak a few rules.
The test is made up of 8 squads, each containing 5 students and one captain. Only three squads can pass the test. The goal is to make it from one side of the Black Forest to the other, hiking 50 miles of rough terrain while fighting monsters. First squad to make it to the other side gets 30 points, second gets 25, third gets 20 and so on. 3 points are lost for each missing/dead member. Tougher routes have temples along the way where you can pick up relics worth 5-15 points.
Killing is allowed.
Here I was, Nim, a fourteen-year old girl with blue-green eyes, caramel hair and little experience in the wilderness. I was assigned to squad six along with the following members. Devin, a blood-thirsty teenager with blond hair and blue eyes. Shawn, a talented 20 year old with brown eyes, brown curly hair, and goatee. Josh, an average student with green eyes, black hair and a bad temper. Ashley, a small, quick-witted redhead with amber eyes. Lastly, our captain, June Earthfire, a 20 year old and an experienced survivalist. She had golden hair and blue eyes.
It was the fourth day since we set out, and we had crossed roughly 13 miles into the forest. So far, we hadn’t come across any monsters or any other squads. The sun was rising high in the sky and the air was buzzing with vicious flies. I, more than anyone else, was worn out from hiking over mountainous soil for 4 hours, so I was relieved when we stopped on a treeless hill right above a cool stream for lunch.
Shawne and June pulled out a map and started planning which route to take next. Devin sat beneath a tree sharpening his scythe and planning how he’d torture his next victim. Josh and Ashley went down to the stream to cool their feet and catch some fish. Wanting to be helpful, I gathered some brush and started a fire. I’d never tried sushi before, and I sure didn’t like the idea of trying it anytime soon. The fire started crackling pleasantly.
Then June noticed my fire, and storming up angrily said, “You idiot! What’re you thinking, starting a fire?!” She kicked a bunch of dirt into it then stamped out the remaining flames. I had actually done a good job starting a fire and she had put it out! I crossed my arms.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCjquW3cVV
“How else would we cook the fish?” I snapped in annoyance. She gave me a look as if the answer was obvious (because it was) and retorted, “You don’t.”
After a moment of silence, as I tried to figure that out, she finally snapped, “Smoke you damn moron! You really want to attract monsters, let alone the other squads?” That’s right, I had completely forgotten. Tip #27 in The Survivalist’s Handbook states, “Fire causes smoke and a burning smell that attracts the attention of monsters and possibly other humans.”
Suddenly, a scream sounded from the river. June shot me a piercing glance then grabbed her weapons and rushed over the brink of the hill. An excited look was on Devin’s face as he and Shawne jumped up and followed June. Looking around frantically, I finally spotted my javelin in the grass and retrieved it.Then I peeped over the hill in the direction of the stream. A level 7 wolf-anarhichas had crept up out of the stream, taking Josh and Ashley by surprise. Ashley was keeled over hugging her sides, so I assumed she was injured.
Devin, Josh and Shawne were presently fighting the monster, but June was nowhere to be seen. Devin charged forward, about to strike with his scythe, but the beast swung its tail into him, sending him flying into a tree. Josh crept up from behind and thrust his electric trident into its back. He left a bloody mark in its slimy skin, but because it was part eel, the electricity only gave it more energy. Roaring angrily, it sent Josh directly on top of Devin, then it faced Shawne.
He held his sword ready with an eager fire in his eyes. The monster slashed its talons at him, but he dodged expertly, then swung around, hitting the monster’s slimy hind quarters. The monster spat burning acid towards him, and he dived to the side, but tripped on a tree root and tumbled to the ground. All of a sudden, June leapt from a tree with a cry and brought her gleaming battle axe heavy on its head. There was a splitting sound as it sliced through the beast’s skull, and a purple ooze came gushing out. The monster roared its final cry, then fell into the river, dead.
Shawne glared at June, but said nothing as he turned his attention to Ashley, who was still kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily. I had been so caught up in the fight that I completely forgot about her! I rushed over to her. Her face was white and a stream of blood was trickling steadily down from her side. She was shaking and her breath came in short, wheezy gasps. “Boys, give the girl some privacy while I check this wound,” said June in a concerned tone. They backed away from sight around the hill.
June’s face was grim as she carefully cleaned and wrapped up the gash in Ashley’s side, who every now and then suppressed a groan. All I could do was awkwardly sit and hold her hand, whispering what few comforting words I knew. I wish I could be as hopeful as I sounded. She suddenly looked so small and tired - she could almost be my younger sister. When June was finished, she helped Ashley stand up, then sent me to get the boys.
“More monsters will be here any minute. They will have smelt the blood and heard the death cry of the wolf-anarhichas.” she mumbled.
I found the boys sitting on some rocks a little ways down the stream, their heads bowed in silence. We packed up and removed any traces of our camp as quickly as we could, then continued our hike through the jungle. June and the boys took turns helping Ashley along the rough ground. A heavy silence was in the air as we tramped along, and my guilt for Ashley's injury grew with every step.
We had traveled 5 more miles by sundown, only stopping a few times for breaks. After a cold dinner of squirrel and berries, we settled down for sleep. I got the first watch - probably because everyone was mad at me for starting that fire, but were too weary to think of another way of punishing me. Of course, they didn’t trust me to do a good job, so June secretly stayed awake. At least, they thought it was secretly. Whatever. I couldn’t sleep anyways.
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