Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter 7: Part Two

Chapter SEVEN:  Part Two

Autumn

A light illuminates the spot where we are standing and about a 20-feet radius around us. How did the room change like that?  We are surrounded by what looks like a thick, wooded forest, which is a strange sight because there aren't many left in the world.  A voice starts speaking and a hologram appears from nowhere in front of us. 

"Stay in the path of light.  If you get lost within the darkness, you will not be able to complete the riddles and you will be eliminated.  There will also be creatures you have never seen before attempting to sting you.  If you get stung, you will be semi-paralyzed for an unspecified amount of time and will find it very difficult to follow the path. The first riddle you will soon see before you. When you solve this one, the next one will appear further down along your path for you to solve. But be quick, you will only have one hour to complete both riddles before the light runs out.  Follow the light and, good luck, Barloc family, time begins now."

The first riddle appears on the hologram.

What is greater than God,
more evil than the devil,
the poor have it,
the rich need it,
and if you eat it, you'll die?

"What? The final assessment is two riddles? Stay in the light and you won't be seriously injured? What? This is crazy!" Hannah is definitely not pleased with the final part of the assessment.

Okay, let me think, "Greater than God, more evil than the devil? Look at the riddle, you guys. We don't know how long it is going to be there.  Memorize it NOW!"  I say this last part forcefully, but, hey, we don't have time to panic; we chose this. Time starts........ NOW!!!!

"Eat it and you'll die....the rich need it, the poor have it?  It doesn't make any sense. Money, dirt, hate, poison? I don't know...."  Kyle is clenching his fists, I can tell this is not the challenge he was hoping for.

"We need to follow the path of light, maybe there will be some hints that will help us along the way.  Either way, we need to keep moving.  Come on, Heath," Mom grabs Heath's hand and pulls him out of his trance.  I was hoping he would just shout the answer, but when I fall in line behind him I can tell he is just as stumped as we are.  What is greater than God?  A rustling noise in the darkness around us motivates us to think and run at the same time.

It is hot and the air is thick, but it feels so alive around us.  I know this is like my worst nightmare running in an area a little larger than a spotlight surrounded by darkness and monsters trying to sting us, but what little I can see is so wild and....beautiful.  I wish my family could start over in a different world...

"AHHHHH, OMG!" Hannah screams, and I turn to see her collapse and start convulsing on the ground. 

"Hannah!" Mom screams, panicked, and starts rushing toward her body.  "Griffin, help me get her," Mom cries.  I turn to tell Kyle we have to slow down and help them.

"Kyle, where the hell are you going?!  Hannah is hurt, we have to help!"  I see him continuing on down the path of light.  

Without slowing down he calls out, "We have to finish this, Autumn, to even be considered. Hannah is going to be fine, everyone wakes up in their bed unscratched. We need to hurry and keep going!" 

I run after him, and when I catch up, I yank his arm as hard as I can.  "I don't care how it ends or what we have to do, what we are going to do is finish this thing as family, or we aren't finishing it at all! I mean, where are you even going? You know the answer to the riddle and just aren't saying? Going to finish this thing all on your own?"  I stare at him hard and unflinching, "I didn't think so. Now come on and help us with Hannah before we waste any more time."