Head Wolf

Chapter 7

The rhythmical side to side sway along with the unfamiliar tumult welcomed Blenda's senses as she gained consciousness. She opened her eyes to the dark dome of a starless sky. A silver path on the surface of the water, leading to a small moon right above the horizon, was the only source of light.

A bustle intensified the swaying of the boat to a point that threatened to threw Blenda in the water. She shot her hands to hold on anything, but everything she touched was a foreign body part.

Pain erupted in every part of her body as she moved from the odd position she was in. The figures in front of her blurred with every jarring movement. She launched to the edge of the boat, tripping over the unconscious bodies. The water level was too high that every time the boat tipped sidewise, water filled in. Blenda tightened her hold on the edge, looking at the moving waves, feeling the cold water on her skin and clothes. She drew in a long, steady breath to calm her stomach and force the bile down. When her senses cleared, she turned around looking for answers in her surroundings and in people's faces. Someone shoved her leg, glaring at her. She rasped her apology to the half-conscious man she was stepping on.

All twenty participants were on the boat, in every state from consciousness to complete slumber. The boat was packed, no one can move from their position.

Three bodies were piled in the middle like useless weights, and the water was ankle high inside the boat.

The one on bottom can drown, Blenda thought as she sprang from her position, shouting.

"Help me move them."

She reached for the closest person, checking his breathing. She sighed at the steady pace. She rolled him and dragged him to the side.

"Move. Make some space." She gritted through tight lips.

Some of the warriors snapped out of their confused state and rushed to help.

There were no room to move. The boat's capacity was nine people, maybe ten, at max. They were twice that number.

It was clear by now that this was a part of the competition, but that didn't help with the fire surging in Blenda's veins.

How can they drug us and leave us unassisted in the middle of the sea and without life jackets?

The whole thing didn't settle well with Blenda as she eyed the three participants who started to gain consciousness.

"What's the task?" She asked to no one in particular.

"We need to bring the boat to the beach. I found this note on me when I woke up."

Josh, the winner of the first day, said, showing a crumbled, wet piece of paper.

What a joke.

"How are we supposed to bring the sinking boat to the beach?" Kavya asked. Blenda's gaze shot to her, roaming her little figure to make sure she was okay. When she found no injury, she nodded at her to which Kavya returned a small smile.

"Are there paddles or a bucket or something?" a black woman asked, rummaging under her feet. Blenda recognised her as Adana due to the tribal marking on her face. White dots aligned her eyebrows and eyes, stopping on her cheekbones. Every participant confirmed that there were none, only few robes and a fishing net.