Chapter Seven
Tori's POV
It has been up to a week since I went through that bullshit. My entire body still ached every time I tried to move, and even breathing too deeply made my ribs sting.
I knew things were definitely going to get worse from here. The only question was when and how.
I dragged my feet slowly as I walked toward the mirror. My steps were uneven, my left leg slightly weaker from the fall during the last competition.
I stopped right in front of the mirror and lifted my shirt a little, my brows slowly pulling together at the sight of the bruises.
My fingers hovered over one on my side, then I pressed lightly. A sharp hiss escaped my lips and my shoulders tensed immediately. It still hurts quite a lot.
It has been over a week, yet they hadn't healed. No ointment. No bandage. No first aid. Nothing. It was like they wanted us to remain in pain so we wouldn't forget where we were.
My jaw clenched and I lowered my shirt slowly, my reflection staring back at me with tired eyes. I barely recognized myself anymore. The girl in the mirror looked worn out, but there was something else too. A stubbornness that refused to die.
A knock suddenly came on the door and my body stiffened immediately. My head turned sharply toward it, my heart starting to beat faster even though I forced my face to remain calm.
The door opened and one of the maids walked in. She gave me a small bow before lifting her head to look at me.
"Miss, you are to get ready. The next competition will be held tomorrow morning."
My brows raised slightly and my fingers curled slowly by my sides. Tomorrow? That fast? My chest tightened, but I didn't say anything. I just nodded once.
I wasn't surprised, I knew they were cooking something and I should be expecting it anytime.
She hesitated for a second, her eyes scanning my bruises before she quickly looked away like she wasn't allowed to pity me.
"I will bring the clothes later," she added softly before leaving the room.
The moment the door closed, my shoulders dropped and I exhaled slowly. My fingers pressed against my forehead while I shut my eyes for a brief second.
*******
I needed to rest and then prepare for tomorrow.The next morning came too quickly.
We were all gathered outside the palace this time. The air felt colder, and the sky was covered with thick grey clouds like it was about to rain any moment.
My eyes moved around slowly, counting the girls out of habit. Only one of us was taken, she wasn't there with us. My stomach twisted slightly but I forced myself not to think about it.
Guards stood around us, their expressions blank like we were just animals waiting to be tested.
Kael was standing at a distance, his hands clasped behind him while he watched us like he was observing some sort of entertainment. His gaze swept across the girls before stopping on me. My lips pressed into a thin line and my chin lifted slightly, refusing to look weak in front of him.
A smirk appeared on his face.I looked away immediately. I haven't seen him in a week which was extremely weird, but satisfying.
A guard stepped forward and began explaining the rules. Each of us would be blindfolded and taken into the forest individually.
We would be given a map and a task. We had to reach the marked point before sunset. Anyone who failed would be eliminated.
My throat went dry but I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. Kael was up to no good, his main goal was to break me.
One by one, the girls were blindfolded and led away. When it got to my turn, the cloth covered my eyes and darkness swallowed everything. My fingers curled into my palm while the guard held my arm and guided me forward.
The sound of leaves crunching under our feet grew louder as we walked deeper. The air became colder, the scent of damp earth filling my nose. After a while, the guard stopped and removed the blindfold.
I blinked several times, my vision slowly adjusting to the sight in front of me.
Forest. It was that fast, we were out of the t
There were tall trees everywhere, no bushes and no clear path. Just nature and danger waiting quietly.
The guard handed me a folded map and a small dagger. My brows lifted slightly at the weapon before I took it. The metal felt cold against my palm.
"Reach the marked point before sunset," he said flatly before turning and leaving me alone.
The moment his footsteps disappeared, silence swallowed the entire place.
My grip tightened on the map as I opened it quickly. My eyes scanned the lines, trying to understand the route. My breathing became slower as I forced myself to stay focused.
"You can do this," I whispered to myself, my lips barely moving.I took a step forward, and I kept on walking.
The ground was uneven, filled with roots and stones. I had to watch every step carefully or risk falling. My body was already weak, but stopping wasn't an option.
After walking for a while, a loud rumble echoed across the sky. My head snapped up instantly, my brows knitting together.
The first drop of rain fell on my cheeks. It started drizzling and it went on and on.
Within seconds, heavy rain poured down violently, soaking my hair and clothes completely. My breath hitched as the ground beneath me started turning muddy.
"Shit…" I muttered under my breath, my grip on the dagger tightening.
I took a step forward but my foot slipped suddenly. My eyes widened and my body lurched forward. I tried to balance myself, but it was too late.
My knee slammed hard against a rock and pain shot up my leg immediately. A gasp escaped my lips as my hands hit the wet ground to stop my fall. Mud smeared across my palms and dress.
I stayed there for a second, breathing heavily while rain continued to pour on me mercilessly. My teeth clenched as I pushed myself up slowly, my knee screaming in protest.
"Get up," I whispered hoarsely, forcing my trembling legs to stand.
I limped forward, ignoring the throbbing pain in my knee. Branches scratched against my arms as I pushed through bushes, leaving thin cuts on my skin. My breath grew heavier, chest rising and falling rapidly while the rain blurred my vision.
Another step.Then suddenly, my foot slipped again on the wet slope.
My body rolled down a short hill, my shoulder hitting the ground painfully. A cry tore out of my throat as my elbow scraped harshly against rough stones. I finally stopped when my back hit a tree trunk.
For a moment, I couldn't move. My chest heaved violently, my fingers digging into the wet soil while pain spread across my body.
Tears mixed with rain on my face but I quickly wiped them away angrily.
"No, no I can't stop," I muttered, shaking my head stubbornly.
I grabbed the dagger tightly and used the tree to pull myself up. My ankle twisted slightly when I stood, making me suck in a sharp breath, but I forced my leg to move anyway.
Each step became harder. My clothes clung to my skin, heavy and cold. My hands trembled slightly from exhaustion but I kept moving, my eyes scanning the map again and again.
After what felt like forever, I finally saw it. A red ribbon tied around a tree ahead
.
My eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat. That was the mark. That was the finish line.
A shaky laugh escaped my lips as I started running toward it, ignoring the pain shooting through my leg. My foot slipped once more but I didn't fall this time. I stumbled forward, my hands swinging wildly to keep my balance.
I crossed the line. The moment I did, my legs gave out beneath me and I dropped to my knees, my chest rising and falling rapidly while I gasped for air. Rain still poured heavily but I barely felt it anymore. The sun was slowly starting to set.
I lifted my head slowly, that familiar scent hitting my nose and I could immediately tell that he was here.
Kael was standing right in front of me, completely dry like the rain didn't dare touch him. His eyes were fixed on me, dark and unreadable, while that familiar smirk slowly appeared on his lips.
It was like he knew it was going to rain today, and he had set me up for all of these knowing fully well about what will happen.
My brows furrowed weakly and my vision started blurring at the edges. My fingers twitched against the muddy ground as dizziness hit me hard.
He took a step closer.
My lips parted slightly but no words came out. My body swayed and my head felt too heavy to hold up anymore. Everything was starting to get really blurry.
The last thing I saw was his figure standing over me before darkness swallowed everything.
Blackout.