Savage Run

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

I don't know how in the blink of an eye my throat got so dry and how extremely difficult it has become to sit still and not fidget. The entire room has become so quiet. If I closed my eyes and didn't know where I was, I would think that I was alone.

"The first phase of the Savage Run will be held in the Nation of Normark!" President Volkov announces. The spectators burst into applause—the rest of the participants from Culmination and myself also clapping dutifully—but I sense that some of the enthusiasm displayed by the other participants is more to drown out their fears than from any real excitement. Three women and one man enter the stage carrying Normark's flag—a green flag with a white and blue cross through it. They eventually make it to their seats and sit down.

President Volkov continues. "Normark, as you all know, has never been part of any republic or united order. They could be labeled loners." He laughs, and the gathering joins in. "As an independent nation, they have done very well, and we salute their leaders for holding to the traditions of the old world. Normark is in short famous for its beautiful soaring mountains and gorging fjords, and it is in this dramatic environment that you will begin your journey to freedom. In the first round of phase one, you will run a marathon—twenty six point two miles—across a landmine-speckled field. In the second round of phase one, you will swim ten miles in e-conda infested waters—a genetically altered anaconda that is capable of generating one thousand volts of electricity."

I've never been a good swimmer, or a fan of any type of water predator, but President Volkov continues to talk before my mind comes up with all the scenarios in which I'll drown.

"Last, but not least, in the third round of the first phase, you will climb Devil's Cliff, and complete phase one by jumping into the fjord two hundred feet below. For those of you who don't know, Devil's Cliff is the deadliest cliff known to man."

I look over at Arthor, wondering how he feels about jumping off the cliff. Arthor's face is composed—ashen—making me think there's a storm brewing inside.

"Is it even possible to survive a two hundred foot fall?" I whisper. No one answers.

"The second phase will be held in the Republic of South Newland!" President Volkov announces. Two men and two women step onto the stage, parading around with smiles on their faces, waving the Republic of South Newland's flag in the air. Finally, they make their way to their seats and smile, nodding to the leaders of Normark.

"The Republic of South Newland has a plethora of caves and waters." President Volkov greets each of the leaders with a handshake, his smile coming across as a forced grin. After they sit down, he continues speaking. "During the first round of phase two, you will find yourselves balancing across floating disks, high above Black Valley. During the second round, you will literally be elevated to new heights, and during the third round, you will encounter a surprise obstacle course. Finally, the third and last phase will be held in..." he waits for the crowd to grow anxious. "Do you want to know?"

"Is he seriously asking us that?" Arthor whispers. I stymie a despairing laugh by clasping my hand over my mouth. I'm so nervous that my hands feel like icicles and they're trembling.

"I can't hear you! Do you want to know?" We cheer, though we are far from enthusiastic.

"The O-Region! And the Eastern Republic will be benefitting this program." Murmurings go through the crowd while the final four leaders—all men—parade the stage with the Eastern Republic flag waving above their heads. Like me, many of the Laborers in Newland still consider the super nation traitors because they didn't send help when the rogue Unifer army usurped our country. I don't understand why the Eastern Republic didn't stop the rogue Unifers, but my father says it was because the rogue army had grown so big that the Eastern Republic was just glad to be rid of the threat of attack.