Overcoming Sang(Paused)

Chapter Four

We had a thirty minute break to eat and use the restroom.

The next test is where majority of the points come from. It's the arena. Which changes year to year but the ideas the same. We start on one end but need to make it to the other.

The problem is getting there. You need to know at least the basics in Strategy and knowledge in a few minor topics. This test is a mixture of everything.

We are currently following Jonathan into a big arena that reminds me of the Coloseum arena with the sand floors. And bleachers full of people watching all the way around what I consider the stage of doom.

Every year it is different. And many fail, but it's the easiest way to earn more points to make up for losing some from other tests. In the middle of the setup are wooden beams and obstacle course. Looking awfully similar to a jungle gym.

I realize it is. Just wooden. But to make it to the otherside with points is you have to stay out of the water the most you can. And each pool and puddle is a different color that will stain you temporarily.

I doubt Gabriel will enjoy trying to cover me if I have stained skin for about a week. So I'm more determined to cross without incident.

The rules are,
1. Touch the water as little as possible
2. Don't harm others
And 3. Make it over before the one hour timer has stopped.

So an hour to do a mile long jungle gym obstacle course. Got it. The announcer over the speakers yells out a go for us to begin and I take off immediately.

I first come to monkey bars. But I notice quickly that if I use them correctly that I will have splinters and blisters before I make it across. So I take off my shirt and rip it in half.

I then wrap my hands as best as I can and climb the beam to the top of the monkey bars instead of on them. That way I'll save more time and muscles strength. Because I have no idea what all there will be to do.

Several people opt to take the monkey bars normally instead of crawling on the top like I am. And several of them hiss and dropp into the deep blue water. A couple even lose balance on top and tumble over.

When I'm at the end I jump and roll. And shake my head at the next part. There are wooden swings that I assume you must swing back and forth until you can jump onto the rock climbing section.

It'll be tricky getting a grip before slipping away to the water. But if you line yourself right it should be simpler. As people run past trying to hurry I watch their efforts and majority are soaking in the red water. Leaving only about ten people before we are even halfway finished.

I jump onto the swing and start swinging steadily back and forth. I keep swinging until I can lift my hand out and graze the intention on the wall. So I take a deep breath and jump when I swing back forward.

For a moment I feel air rushing through and around my clothes. And I think I missed my climbing hold. But a split second later my body jerks as I catch myself. I let a breath of relief out before climbing up to the platform.

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I'm almost finished. I can see the finish line. But I must hurry because there's one other competitor left and she's only seconds behind me.

Currently I am on what I assume to be a zip line. I now have to make it from here to what looks like a rolling pin with handles on the sides. Which will be challenging since the spinner thing moves with small movements.  My only option would be to do in air splits by placing my feet through each side handrail. Then brace with my hands and move on.

I do exactly that right as the girl catches up to me. She rolls her eyes in frustration while I quickly pull myself forward onto a balancing beam that is only about three inches wide but super long across.

When I make it across I see a slide. A very prickly splinter worhy slide that I am not sitting on since it leads to a pool of water at the bottom. Which you can barely even see because it's a dark brown like the wood.

So I use the sides of the slide and slowly maneuver my way down the slide.  When I make it to the bottom I see a rope that I must swing on to get to the safety zone. But I will have to jump on it and hope I make it.

Before I can comprehend what's happening the girl is screaming while sliding down the slide. Giving me only enough time to jump to the rope or risk immediately pushed into the water.

I grasp for anything to hold onto. Hoping I make the rope but knowing I'll fall into the brown water.

Rope. Rope. Rope.

GOTCHA! OH Thank the chickens.

I'm on the edge of the rope feet nearly grazing the water. But I'm still okay. I'm still in. I look around for the girl only to see nothing. Which is odd because I never heard her swimming off.

I look closely thinking I'd just missed her when I see a few bubbles float and pop at the surface of the water.

Immediately I drop myself into the water and swim towards the bubbles. I swim down trying to see in the inky water but can't see anything.

I keep trying. My lungs are a reaming in agony. But I need to help her. I don't want her to die.

So I push forward.  Right when I feel the edges of my vision blur I feel something wrap around my wrist softly. So I move forward in the strands of hair and my hands immediately land onto her shoulders.

I begin swimming up to the surface.

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I never realized how difficult it is to carry someone in water until now. Extra limbs in the way of your own. Unnecessary splashes in my eyes blocking my vision for a few moments. Honestly, I did not expect my body to be screaming and burning in protest at every moment. But I refuse to stop until we are on the safety of the sand.

We finally make it but I'm sure the girl repaired out due to shock. So I'm forced to struggle to drag her onto my shoulders like I see in movies for those damsels.

And I begin hiking the mile and a half to the finish line. The whole time all I can think about is how glad I am she is okay.

My legs keep buckling every step by the time I'm almost there. And I force my shaking and aching body to move forward. I've had worse. This will not be my ending. I am strong.

I continue to sprout hope and encouragement to myself. When without realizing it, I hear a rip and applauds. I look up tiredly and see I made it. And that's all it took for me to just collapse to the ground under the extra weight onto top of me.