Finding Soul (on hold)

Spontaneous Teamwork

Maddy

Our free hour was spent stretching, hydrating, catching our breath, and joking around. The others students had been sent to some bleachers where they'd be able to watch the race.

     We'd all gathered in a circle, and were talking idly. Charlie and Kathryn were chatting with the green eyed guy (Dustin) and puppy guy (Chase). The two had been here since they were ten and were partners. Keanu sat on my other side making sarcastic comments that made the group chuckle. When Sara and I joined in, the group went near hysterical. Sara and Griffin were on Keanu's left. On their left were Jared, Adhya, and Kyla in that order. Kyla was talking to the neon twin (El) ant the twin was nodding along in agreement.

     "Hey, may the best player win," I said to calm the group down as Mr Draggerd came over.

     He glared as the giggles died out. "Ready?"

     "Yes, Sir!" We called out in reply (except Sara who I elbowed for her fowl language).

     Luckily Mr. Draggerd didn't hear her, "Get moving then!" Soon, the twenty of us were lined up against the wall again, ready to go. "GO!" A few of us (including me) hesitated at the sudden word, but we all launched over the wall. The wall had grown since last time, and many kids hit their gut on the wall. Those of us who didn't landed on the muddy ground below.

     After doing an army crawl through barbed wire, trying not to fall into a pit of fire, almost getting mauled by a bear, and tight roping across a raging river, the five top times were revealed. Keanu came in first. Kathryn was in second. Sara came third. I was in fourth. Kyla was fifth. I smiled knowing I could work well with this team. Kathryn congratulated Charlie as he crossed in sixth. Dustin helped Chase limp across the finish line because of his bleeding leg; apparently there was something in the barbed wire put after all. Chase simply put his hand on his leg, a blue light spreading across it, his leg healed, but he looked exhausted afterwards. Disappointed, Griffin stormed across the line, but Sara was the one doing the calming this time. El came across happily seconds later; the bear's cub was doing great.

     "Top five," Mr. Draggerd boomed, "get some water and rest; you're up again soon, and I won't make the course so easy this time. The rest of you hit the showers: you smell terrible." He walked away after that along with those who hadn't placed. Charlie gave Kathryn a good luck hug before leaving. That only left the five of us.

     "We did it," Kyla said with a smile.

     "Of course we did," Sara remarked. "We're amazing."

     "We need a plan for the next round of we want a chance at winning," Kathryn stated.

     "Agreed," Keanu said as he plopped to the ground. The rest of us followed suit."

     "Okay..." I felt my mind go into overdrive: I like plans. Plans are good. "We need ways to put ourselves ahead, but also put the others behind..."

     "I have an idea!" Kathryn said as she stood. "Wish me luck."

     "What do you think she's doing," Keanu asked.

     "I don't know," I said, "but I trust Kathryn."

     "I just hope she doesn't get killed because we kinda need her," Sara said.

     Kyla rolled her eyes. "Not like she's our friend or anything," she said sarcastically. We all chuckled, but Kathryn showed up.

     "I confirmed the rules with Mr. Draggerd," she stated. "They basically boil down to no killing or purposeful maiming."