{Banana Smoothie} ✔️

Chapter 78 (Atlas's POV)

February 26th

Grayson- 45 weeks

Atlas's POV

"Come here baby" Papa pulls me into a tight hug. I hugged him back shivering into the cold. "Papa I'm going to be okay" I kiss his head, he just nods. "Whatever could they be doing with the Forbidden Forest" Seren joins the hug and I look over to the dark area.

Taking a deep breath I shake my head.  "I don't know" all I know is I need to say my goodbyes to everybody. "I love you Papa you too Seren" I remind them before turning to my Dad.   "You are going to beat everybody... beat everybody's ass" he murmurs squeezing me in a hug.

Only then do I feel my tiniest brother grabbing at my pant leg. "Hello, little Gray Gray" I coo picking him up. "It's too cold on the ground go back to Papa" I smiled kissing his cheek.  He gives me the cutest smile patting my cheek which seemed to disappear as I handed him back to Papa. "I'll be back soon," I tell him rubbing his head before turning to my other siblings.

I quickly give the girls hugs Em threatening to beat me if I didn't win. Lastly, I go to EJ who is rubbing his eyes tired. "Can we go home?" He asks and I give him a sad smile. "I wish" I murmur kissing his head. 

Not even a second later Ash is jumping into my arms. "I love you b-be careful" he refuses to make eye contact his hands gripping tightly to my arms. "Let me see your eyes before I go" I mumble.  He hesitantly looks up at me his eye full of tears he was trying to fight.

"I'll be right back" I whisper kissing his forehead. Turning to find Iris, she was staring at the tree line shaking. Grabbing her hand we walk past the crowds of students and others watching, cameras flashing as we tried to ignore them.

Finally, we break apart making it to the small tent the other competitors already here. "You're late" Lev chuckles nudging me. I let go of Iris and roll my eyes. "When you have a family as big as we do..." Iris trails off so I finish for her. "It takes a while"

"Attention, children!" Mimi calls looking between us all. "This task will be different" she raises her chin.  Iris clings onto me as I pat her shoulder. "All competitors will be going into the forest" she smiles and I quickly scope out the room.

"It will be everyone against everyone" she continues and my eyes widen as I look at Iris. Please no. "To win you must be the last one standing. You will be eliminated if you are, tagged by the others or... knocked out" she sighs.

"Atlas" Iris looks up to me, grabbing my attention. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to you" I reassure her. She nods as we're all lined up to exit the tent right... into... the... forest. "Remember the forest has many creatures roaming through it... and beware the traps" her voice goes quiet as we all erupt into scared chattered. What does she mean by traps!

"You have 5 minutes to run before the game starts" she shouts, and all of us are released into the forest. I grab Iris's hand and we run. "Game? How could Mimi call it a game" she chuckles sadly. "Malfoy! Zabini! Please wait for a second!" A voice calls for us.

I freeze and hold Iris behind me protectively. "What do you want Granger!" I shout, she stops in her place. "I-" cutting herself off she steps closer. "Please, be careful around me, I- my parents- just don't go near me, please... I don't want you hurt" she cries holding her jacket around her body.

I look to Iris who seems speechless. "Easy, but if it comes down to it I'm going to win" I look around us. We're already surrounded by trees. It was dark, cold, misty, and just scary. "O-ok" she stutters before running the other way.

Iris and I continue to sprint until Mimi's voice is heard around the forest. "5 minutes is up you are considered out if touched by any other competitor," she explains. Iris quickly takes her hand off of me.