The Race Against Time

Chapter 24

Brooklyn POV

Esmerelda came into the room right after everyone was unstrapped from their chairs and stable.

"Congratulations to the blue team for winning the first challenge. Nevertheless, this is not the end of it all. There will be two last activities to partake in that will secure your place of getting the money so don't think for a moment that because the blue team lost this challenge, they don't have any chance of winning the money. You've all had a long day today so Carl will take you back to the room where you all could rest up however bright and early tomorrow you will begin training for the next activity."

A tall muscular man who was known as Carl lead the way back to the room we were in when we first came into this building but as I was about to exit the door Esmerelda pulled me by my shoulder making me stay in the room with her. What was up with this woman. Why did she keep me back? Did I do something wrong?

When everyone was finally out of the room she spoke up.

"You're probably wondering why I kept you back. I need to speak to you about something that happened when you were in virtual reality. Follow me."

I followed Esmerelda through the building and into what seemed like her office. What could have possibly happened that she needed to inform me of all people?

She gestured for me to sit on the chair opposite her. I sat on the black leather chair feeling very uncomfortable but with energy in this room.

"So, I have noticed that many of you have acquired some abilities from the serum however something else has happened to you that our serum wasn't supposed to make you be able to do."

I was quite confused about what she was talking about because to my knowledge nothing else has happened to me.

"My team and I have been observing everyone individually throughout the entire challenge and we noticed that when the gun hit your head you got a bruise on it but when we came to check up on you it was completely gone."

I hadn't even realized that when Andrew hit me with his gun it made a bruise on my skin. It was confusing at first but them my brain flooded with memories from when I was in the cave.

"I got stabbed a few days back and the next day when I took out the bandage it was completely gone, not even a scar was left in replace of the wound. This was way before you gave everyone the serum."

She stared at me quizzically. I was just as confused as her. It was strange that the wound healed so quickly. This has never happened to me before but you don't see me complaining. If the wound didn't heal quickly, I would have still been in pain.

"We would have to run some tests on you so I will have one of my men carry you to the lab in the morning and please do not speak of this to anyone."

After Esmerelda and I talked a man escorted me to the room with the others. When I entered the room immediately made my way across the room to Yori avoiding Tyler and the others in the process. She was basically the only girlfriend that I could have right now because I was certainly not going to talk to Xiomara at all costs. I took a seat next to Yori on the couch where she sat.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm ok only a little bruise to my cheek. That Isabelle girl is brutal but so am I."

A smile made its way to my face, it's funny how she could be so positive despite what happened in there. I didn't want to think about it too much but Tyler was acting weird ever since I came back to our home base in the virtual reality. He would never shout at me like that before. He is like the only friend I ever had.

For some reason, it seemed as though it wasn't Tyler anymore. I needed to go talk to him about it before it's too late. He was sitting by on a chair by himself. He didn't look like he wanted company nevertheless I went and sat down next to him. He looked up at my face and acted as though he never saw me and turned the next way.

"Tyler I'm sorry about what happened but can we just get past this, we're best friends, you can't be mad at me forever," I said nudging his shoulder.

I tried to lighten the mood but it wasn't quite cutting it, he simply ignored me.

"Tyler, answer me, why are you ignoring me? Did I do something?"

"We're not friends. Can you just get out of my face your annoying me, I just want to be alone."

"You can't just shut me out like that, it's not fair we are supposed to share everything with each other, if you're mad at me tell me why," I spoke growing irritated by his attitude.

Tyler's knuckles were white from clenching his fist too hard. What in the world is wrong with him? Why is he so angry I didn't do anything but try to help.

His hunched form exuded an animosity that was like acid -burning, slicing potent. It was evident on his face that he was trying to suppress his anger and rage. When I set a finger on his shoulder, he swung around and mentally snapped.

This isn't the same Tyler I know. He has never acted this way before, even when he was angry at me, he wouldn't be this angry. He got off from the chair and stood tall over me, involuntarily I stood up to.

"You need to sit and relax Tyler, breathe."

"Don't tell me to relax, who do you think you are?"

By now everyone's concentration was on us and it made me feel even more uncomfortable than I already was.

His customary warmth went faster than summer rain on the tarmac. My blood drained and my heart hammered erratically. I was never afraid of his anger when it came but this time was different. The fear traveled in my veins but never made it to my facial muscles or skin. I couldn't make him see that I was scared. I can't be scared if I wanted to calm him down.

"Tyler if you calm down, I'll leave you alone I just wanted to make sure you are ok."

It was as if every time I spoke, he got even more enraged. He came forward towards me and I tried my best not to take one step backward. He placed his hands on my shoulder and squeezed It tightly.

Tyler put his mouth by my ears and whispered, "Don't come near me again I'm not your friend and I never was."

Was he trying to piss me off right now? All the time we spent together was just some kind of game.

"Are you kidding me right now, of all times and places you had to say this now!" I growled pushing my fingers against his chest.

He simply shrugged his shoulders angering me even more.

I couldn't control my anger anymore I've put up with this for too long, I slapped him across his face leaving a red handprint on his face.

Let's just say that this wouldn't end too well for me. I just dug myself a grave.