Chapter 20

The back of my legs was aching. I had difficulty breathing and it felt like my vision would fade to black at any moment. But the pain in my left arm wouldn't let me rest. I forced myself to stand straight. My entire world shifted as my foot hit the ground again. My knees buckled and I struggled to catch myself on one arm. The pain flared even worse when I tried to stand upright again.

Twenty minutes was starting to feel like an eternity. So many girls had fallen behind me, some were injured, and barely mobile just like myself. The roars of the crowd seemed to echo in my ears. It was hard to concentrate. We had less than ten minutes left and I hadn't set my sights on the finish line. I lifted my head to catch sight of Paige. Her hair was a tangled mess around her face, and tiny bruises littered her skin from the hit she had taken moments ago, but her eyes still shone with determination and concern,

"The blade cut you deep," She offered me a hand which I gratefully accepted, "We have to