VERENA
"Welcome, Verena." Therman greeted from the glass box above. The units surrounded him, Crave next to him with the biggest smile on her face and a thumbs up raised at me.
I nodded my head once in acknowledgement and he continued. "Laid in front of you are four objects."
I looked down at the table a few feet from me. It hadn't been here when we first entered, and when I saw it when they called me, I already knew what they wanted me to do.
"You must use these objects to reach the top of the wooden pillar and find balance on the Scale of Justice atop."
An entwined rope around five feet long laid beside a glass vase, heavy duty gloves, and three arrows made from pure metal.
"You may use other items on your person to complete the challenge, but these items must be used within the given five-minute duration to complete this trial."
My lips tilted upwards slightly. If I pulled out the dagger from my boot, would he hesitate? Probably.
"Any more questions, Verena?" Therman asked. I searched the glass room for him, but it was a fool's gambit. He wasn't even here to watch it.
Hiding my disappointment, I gave him a smile and shook my head. "Very well." A television screen below the room turned on to show a five-minute timer.
"Your time begins... now."
I moved to put the gloves on and grabbed the arrows immediately. Walking to the nearest quartz pillar, I had to tiptoe to tip the arrow to the fire.
After a few seconds, I repeated the process until I had three molten arrows.
I walked to the pillar and pierced two of the arrows just high enough for me to heft myself up and place the third arrow just a few feet shy from the top of the beam.
I dropped from the beam and walked back to the table. Without relenting, I grabbed the glass vase and tossed it to the floor.
Dropping to a crouch, I scattered through the shattered glass and picked up a couple of shards, the gloves thankfully protecting me from its sharp edges.
My feet moved and my hands grabbed the rope and I made my way back to the pillar. Tossing the rope as high as I could, I tied it securely and began my climb.
I took a quick glance at the screen and moved faster as it made its one minute mark.
After a few seconds, I finally reached the top. The small space gave me little support, but it gave me enough reprieve from the exertion.
I laid the five glass shards I had picked up earlier and placed each quickly on the empty side of the scale.
"Fuck." I muttered under my breath. They were all too heavy, even the smallest one.
The metal box that tipped the other side felt incredibly light in my hands. How could metal feel like air?
The thirty-second mark flashed and I cursed once more. My mind immediately thought of an idea, but it was too risky.
YOU ARE READING
brutal
Romance"What do you want?" he whispered. I knew I should've stopped then. A part of me wanted him so bad, which was why I knew I shouldn't let myself have him. The rational side of me was begging for me to stop. "You," I whispered. It was too bad my desire...
