The Race Against Time

Chapter 19

Brooklyn

Ready or not here we come. We were finally prepared to apprehend their flag. I was really positive about the energy we have created here, and this plan was definitely going to work. All Yori and I had to do were distract them and try not to get captured doing so because that would ruin the plan entirely.

We stealthy moved through the forest, keeping our eyes open for the red flag, also looking out for our opposing team's members. Even though I felt more than ready to go through with this plan, I was extraordinarily nervous.

All the reasons not to do this come flooding in, as if my body chemistry just sent them a blanket invitation. I felt the soft panic that grows or fades depending on if I did my part correctly or if I failed. I couldn't let these thoughts get me too nervous where I can't function properly because I made this plan, and I need to go along with this, or we could lose this challenge.

Despite me uplifting myself, I still couldn't help but think about all the wrong things that could happen, which made me just as nervous as I was before. I clenched my fists so tightly, my nails dug into the palm of my hand, trying to take my mind off all the negatives as I swiftly moved through the snow-covered forest. The only thing I was really aware of is the sound of my heart palpitating against the cage of my chest.

The anxiety is like being hooked up to a cow fence-not enough voltage to kill you but sufficient to keep things uncomfortable. The more anxious I became, the more pronounced became my intellectualization of the whole plan. I rationalized and viewed the plan from different viewpoints making sure I knew what I was doing.

I quickly shook myself out of whatever trance I was in because I needed to concentrate on my surroundings and what I was doing before I entirely lose track of time. I looked over at Xander, noticing how there was no emotion on his face. He looked like he was ready for any challenges that came his way, and that is one thing I relished about him. He was always prepared, unlike me.

I wasn't even ready to wake up every morning a six a.m. for school. I was late, almost all the time. Also, if I tried exercising, I might give up the next day. And Yori had so much conviction that it shocked me. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind or give her thoughts on something. If I wanted to win this challenge, I needed to have their attitudes. I needed to be braver and more confident.

We had to try and win this thing and give it our best. I'm still curious about how we got here and what's the purpose of us being here, but I guess we'll have to wait. Anyway, I should stop with the pep talk and focus and the real game.

As we went further into their territory, we were getting closer to the flag, meaning that we were also getting closer to our rivals. Xander abruptly motioned for us to stop. I glanced at him strangely, wondering why we had to stop, it seems like we were anywhere close.

"I can hear someone speaking. I think the remainder of the red team is nearby." He murmured.

"I don't hear anything."

"Neither do I, "Yori mumbled.

"I think it's the thing they gave us if I heard and you all didn't that means that they're not too close by but we still have to be careful. Try to stay behind trees as much as possible because if they spot us before we commence our plan, it's over. When we are a few feet away from them, I will signal you all, and we'll separate."

Nodding, we continued walking between trees trying to stay as hidden as possible, also keeping our eyes open for the red team.

I wasn't sure how Xander was so calm about him being able to hear from such a far distance. I know that they told us that these things would happen, but I was still in awe because I didn't believe that it would happen. At first, I thought it was fake. Even I seemed like I was changing, I felt stronger and more energized than usual. I was shocked when I knocked out that girl.

This didn't feel like virtual reality at all. This felt remarkably real. I know they told us that we were in virtual reality, but should I really believe this organization I never even heard of or knew nothing about. They could be some kind of criminal organization for all I know. But what could I do about that now? I already got myself into this.

"I can see them!" Yori whispered.

"I see them too."

"Okay, so from here on we're going to split up, Yori you take a left and Brooklyn, you take a right. Make them stray from their flag as far away as possible." Xander stated.

We then parted. Being as quick and hidden as I can, I took off in the forest to the right so that when I approach my target, he would think that is where I initially came from.

I went a bit deeper into the forest, making sure I wasn't being seen. I was finally in position, and I could also see Yori and Xander in theirs.

After counting to five together like we practiced before we all set out to do our job at the same time, I glided to the forest, getting closer and closer to the boy ahead. I would admit he was a bit scary looking, but I didn't let that hinder me. I took up some snow in my hand and balled it into a snowball. I held it in one hand and brought my arm back as far as I could and aimed it towards the boy.

The snowball hit him, making him watch in my direction. He narrowed his eyes at me and took out his gun to shoot me, but I took off quicker than a lightning bolt zig-zagging through the forest. I watched over my shoulder only to see the boy pursuing after me with his gun still raised high, aiming to shoot me. It startled me how fast I was going. I never ran this fast in my life. He soon realized that having his gun raised only slowed him down, so he dropped the weapon making it hang on his waist similar to mines and began to run full speed ahead equaling my pace.