The competitors gathered round a large white canopy tent overhead. The runners were divided up into groups of 11, and each group would be sent off to do the thirty-minute, three-kilometre run. In every group, there would be one runner representing each school. I had a challenging time understanding what was so grand about this, it was just three kilometres. It would be boring and maybe a little tumultuous at best.
However, although my brain told me that this race wouldn't be serious at all, I couldn't shake off this growing unease within my heart. It was as if that forest was laced with all kinds of danger. But it was just a regular forest, why was I feeling this way?
Shaking it off, I turned my head to listen to the coach.
"Now here's the catch!" the excited coach screamed, "You'll be running this… IN THE FOREST!~"
To that declaration, there was a collective groan within the body.
"A-ahem… even if you don't like it, we've already planned our course!" he said.
"You'll be running along the path, so you don't need maps, just follow the highlighted area. You'll run in a circle and there will be three checkpoints. At these checkpoints one of us will be waiting! Me! Mary! and Pryce! If you need the toilet during the run, be careful when going off to the side or deeper into the surrounding forest, there are cliffs nearby!"
"Wait… why would you make a course when there is a clear hazard that could result in death nearby?" I asked. That wasn't good in the slightest. I felt a real sense of foreboding as butterflies pooled in my stomach.
"Hey Inuwa!" snapping me out of my catatonic state, was the man, the myth, the legend, Davee.
It seems that I'd forgotten that this race was supposed to be for sixteen-year-olds. Which is why, Davee was here right now. Although, he wasn't in my group. Unfortunately, that means I'd have to brave that forest alone which was definitely something I wasn't particularly fond of.
To add insult to injury, I also had to race against those senior students. In fact, even the most average of them managed to tower above the kids in my year group.
However, I had already lost the opportunity to back out now. There was no point in being worried or scared.
I took a deep breath, making sure to relish the refreshing, crisp forest air that filled my lungs. With that came a new change of mindset.
There was nothing to fret about competing against seniors. After all, they'd be left in my dust anyway.
"Urgh… This morning was rough with you all assaulting me... but! I made it out in one piece!" Davee yapped, thrusting out a thumbs up. Knowing that he was the one supporting our school, I felt relieved.
A lump in my throat suddenly cleared up as I let out a relieved sigh. It was slightly comforting. No matter what, he always stayed the same. Calm, Confident, Cool, Collected, Courageous. All words were applicable to him.
"Well, I'll race ya… whoever finishes in the least amount of time is owed $25!" I said, hanging my arms over my head.
"That's insane...! Are you trying to render me broke?!" He exclaimed. Yet he didn't appear all that shocked, instead there was a fierce glint and a wide grin on his face, "You asshole. All right, It's on. Buuuuut, If I win… I want one more condition!" Davee said, pointing straight at me.
"Yeah?" It was only fair since I got to decide the first condition.
"You have to take Clarissa out on a date!"
Huh. _HUUUUUUUUUH?!_ Wait. Wait. Wait, since when was _he_ so supportive of us? Also how does he know. When did he figure out. That guy! Implementing that sudden-death clause! Well, if he wanted me to be motivated then he's got that.
"A-alright."
"Wait… are you blushing?" He asked, wide-eyed with a shit-eating grin.
It was all over.
"Wow, you're really good at not making these things obvious Inuwa," Davee noted, his tone laced with sarcasm.
His eyes widened for a moment, as if he had just come up with something obnoxious to say. In fact, that's probably what it is.
I tried to cover my ears before he could say the words aloud, but I was too late.
"Clarissa got your tongue?"
I'm gonna kill him.
Why is he talking about his sister like that anyways?
"Hell no!" I exclaimed, shoving the prankster away. Indignantly, I aimed a kick straight at his groin however, he anticipated that and frustratingly, he managed to avoid the blow in time.
"Group 1! Head on over to your stations! The Run will begin in 5 minutes! Drink Water! Stretch your Legs and absorb a lot of sun!"
That sounds recited.
"Alright Davee..." I began, "I'll be seeing you in 30 minutes… I would normally say good luck, but those conditions placed on us are quite damning." I concluded, a light smile donning my features.
"Well, good luck to you too Inu!" he said, "Make sure to win 1st!"
To that, I grinned.
Walking over to my assigned section of the race, I took a second to marvel at the participants in my group. This was because, being titled 'Group 1' guarantees that only the greatest and most competitive could race against each other. The teams want to flex their muscles first.
Suddenly, snapping me out of my stupor, the coach made an announcement.
"This pupil is new to the school, but his astounding grades and array of achievements qualifies him to be here the most," he said, pointing towards a tuft of purple hair and resting one hand on the figure's shoulder, there was a sense of foreboding in the way he carried himself.
"He'll be aiding Elizabeth's Cathedral in the race. His name is Vector… with no surname," he said. is he for real? Turning around, the figure introduced himself. Bursting out into a bright smile, his eyes portrayed a glint of mischief and lips curved into a light smile.
"Hi...! I'm Vector, I'll be standing in for Elizabeth's Cathedral, hopefully it'll be a great race," he beamed.
Didn't I see him before? I don't remember him sounding or looking so… soft.
Why would he need to introduce himself? We're not bonding. We're racing.
"Oh! I recognise you! Inuwa! It's quite a lovely day to race, isn't it? Let's help each other out to do the best!" He proclaimed.
What kind of creature was he...?
Picking me out from the crowds, he waved enthusiastically. At once, I could feel the glares of the other races on me. He just did something there didn't he? 'Let's help each other'? He's just saying that to give the other racers the impression that we're totally cheating. They'll probably try to bend the rules now– or worse.
"I do agree that we should be kind to each-other, but I don't know who you are, nor do I think you even belong on this team," I said, smirking. Problem sorted. He's probably fuming. That weirdo.
Or maybe he's actually nice and I've been rude to him. No. That can't be it. That feeling I get when I see him. There's no way.
His smile died down a little, I suddenly had the urge to apologise for my statement. That's what I've been taught right? But I couldn't muster up the strength in my throat to let it out. So, I remained silent.
"O-oh," He sulked a little. The rather adorable puppy-like reaction to my statement seemed to illicit an irrational sense of justice within the onlookers.
What? What is this? Why do I feel piercing glares on me now? Wait… sure he may have implied he was cheating but by rejecting him like this did I give off the impression that I was an ass? That's totally not good. I bet all these older guys will give me hell during the run.
I turned to face one of the older guys, he was bald and roughly six foot in height. His wrinkles were overly developed and supported by even greater wrinkles as if bound and worn by war and his eyebrows were furrowed. His build was developed and stocky, with mountains for calves and boulders for thighs. His shorts looked like they could rip from the pressure at any moment. At any accidental tense.
_NO WAY 16 YEAR OLDS LOOK LIKE THAT?!_ Was my initial thought. Examining his expression, he held a stern glare, his thick eyebrows and stubbled chin tensed. I didn't know chins could be tensed till today…
"You. Apologise to your peer now, how old are you?"
"Consider it rude of me, but I don't actually want to apologise," I thought I had said. Turns out the words had died before even leaving my throat. Leaving me to stare dumbly at the giant. Taking note of my dim stare, he grunted approvingly.
Clearly, giving me the chance to see him was all he needed to do. Then, he marched back to his position in the start line near the coach. All I could do was stare in silence.
Subtly, my eyes trailed towards the Vector just out of my eyesight, in order to ascertain his reaction. However, his back was turned as if he already knew.
"Everyone! Get to the starting lines! The race will begin now!" the coach said with a hint of disappointment.
Was that due to my actions?
"Unfortunate," the big guy huffed, before getting to the starting line. "I'll crush all of you."
"As if Ivan!" Another student laughed. This time he didn't appear as obtuse as 'Ivan', donning his generous sized green t-shirt and lime shorts.
He was quite lean however, one look at his starting stance indicated a sense of experience that'd take months of strenuous effort to muster. He appeared friendlier than the rest, yet when my eyes laid upon his there was a slight sharpen.
What did I do?!?!
Was my rejection that bad? Looking over to 'Vector' again to ascertain the effects of it, I saw him ruminating. I think he's crying. We aren't even that close. Maybe I was wrong, he seems like a soft guy. Maybe our initial encounter was his way of acting 'tough'.
"I'll count down to 3. When I've shot my gun after 1, that's when you'll begin."
Dropping down to a sprint start position. I readied myself to accelerate full force.
"3."
I raised my hips.
"2."
I took a deep breath.
"1."
I looked over to Vector; there was a broad grin across his face. What's his deal?
A shot blared throughout. Resounding in a harmony, the collective group accelerated forwards, leaving me distracted and behind.
Crap!
Accelerating after them, I began to lament the reasoning that possessed me to stare at Vector.
Goddammit! I rushed forwards, pushing my legs to their limits. Increasing my stride lengths steadily. The surrounding forest had become an inconsistent blur to me, the green meshing with the browns.
I accelerated ahead of one stocky runner; he probably wasn't supposed to be here… another sub. I could feel the wind whispering into my ear, she was telling me only one thing: Win.
I accelerated faster and faster. I felt inhuman, godlike. A being above mortality.
One curve, one twist, hop over this log. Rinse -repeat. It was so simple, so simple. I lost myself in my tunnel-vision. It all came naturally to me. Darting through the forest under a time limit, against others. It was something I was made to do. The forest was a blur to me.
Up ahead a large puddle emerged into my line of sight, to the right there was a muddy path, to the left, there was a dense forest. Clearly, this wasn't part of the track. What do I do? I can't just jump over that puddle, it's too big.
It stretches about as wide as a small lake-front, maybe 300 metres or so, which is strange because it hasn't rained recently. It's the middle of the summer as well, practically scorching hot. Maybe the puddle was caused by aquifers? That's the only way to explain how big it is. I can't go through the mud as well, If I remember correctly, it's clay.
Isn't that really bad for walking? I shuddered, as memories of history lessons re-emerged.
The puddle had rapidly begun to expand as I got closer, there was no time left to stop. I side-stepped to the left, slowing down my pace in order to gain enough agility to dart between trees. The emerald green of the forest engulfed my vision and the wind howled with an ethereal roar. I focused on trying to keep in line with the course.
There wasn't any mobile data here, so I had to remember what the course looked like from memory. In about 400 metres, I'll swerve even further left. If I follow that then– I should cut the distance of this run by about 200 metres, and I'll re-enter the proper track. I wonder how that stocky runner behind me is doing, is he facing the same dilemma?
My breathing remained constant, my lungs had never been so full in such an emptying situation before. I felt powerful, confident, athletic. I kept accelerating and accelerating, ensuring that I was still slow enough that my agility could keep up. It was bliss.
It was like I had achieved a divine state of focus, as the world itself around me seemed to tear at its seems.
The forest warped around me, becoming a dark verdant dreamscape. In an instant, I screeched to a halt. Mushrooms and toadstools were littered about, the forest itself becoming a palette of greens, luminous blues and twinkling. I didn't know where I was anymore.
"Huh," I monotonously said aloud, however the involuntary shaking of my wrist and inability to decide in this scenario told a different story.
I screeched to a halt. This area wasn't familiar at all. It seemed oddly reminiscent of a fantasy forest of fantastical fairy tales. It smelt of sea incense. I wandered the premises; the forest had blanketed the ground in shades. Mushrooms, roots and berries all pulsated in a synchronised bout akin to a choir. Flurries of animals passed by, from green ladybugs to blue squirrels. This world was a fucked-up fantasy.
The sky overhead hang like a guillotine, the stars had dusted the skies, pulsating expectantly. The sky was a still, dead, dark yet, the forest couldn't be anymore restless. In the midst of it, I remained sat.
"This fantasy land doesn't appeal to me at all," I said to no one in particular. Since I was stuck here, that would mean that I couldn't possibly continue the race therefore, I lost. That did sting. Very much so. I could already imagine the shameless look on Davee's face as I would be forced to confess to Clarissa. Not that I want to confess to her anyway. It's just that a man honours his bets. That's why.
With a vastly reduced pace, I weakly plopped down onto a stump, picking up a nearby long stick and playing with it.
I really wasn't in the mood to explore. Maybe if I waited for an hour or so, I'd be sent back?
As I ruminated, I drew little smiley faces in the dirt. It was exceptionally moist. Was there a river nearby? Did it flood recently? The stick made imprints with such little effort. There must be a lot of animals here then, since there's a water source. Would they be blue because it's fantasy? Or black becaus-
GRAAAAAAAAW~!
Blue it is. A boreal bear, about twice the size of a regular grizzly with clearly bulging muscles structured like a hippo's emerged from the azure enclosure of the flora.