You're a legend

Victoria’s POV

Balthazar stepped up and moved to the front of the line.

“You’ve prepared for this: every scenario, all twists. Now get out there and seize those flags,” he said, his voice assertive but not harsh. “It’s merely a friendly game, so don’t kill each other. Four teams. Split up.”

I pulled Kara close, and two more girls approached us.

“Can we join you?” one asked, glancing between us.

“Can you follow orders?” I replied sharply, lifting an eyebrow.

They nodded quickly.

“Alright then,” I said, gripping the small glow-in-the-dark flag.

Balthazar gave each team a number. Ours was three. The whistle went, and we took off running.

We stopped by a creek, where an old tree root made a good hiding spot. The dirt had worn away enough for us to crouch underneath.

“Here’s the plan,” I said. “I’ll stash the flag. You two cover yourselves in mud and stay put until I get back.”

I knew exactly where to go: the cave. I walked in and took a long breath as the cool air hit me. Thane crossed my mind, and I hated how much I missed him.

But right now, I was too angry at Drystan to think about it. The anger burned inside my chest, steady and strong.

I got back to the creek and smeared mud all over myself like it was sunscreen.

A stick snapped. We froze.

“We've got to hide it,” one girl whispered.

“Where?” another asked, panicking.

“Over there, that tree. Can you climb it?”

“Yeah, I can,” the first girl said, like it was no big deal.

We waited until it was safe, then slipped out. The flag was still there. “Too easy,” I spoke softly. Kara was about to grab it when I stopped her. “Beehive,”

She looked at it, then picked up a long stick. I used it carefully to knock the flag down without disturbing the bees. I folded the flag and put it in my pocket.

We kept moving. The other group was so predictable, it was almost sad.

“Sienna’s a viper,” I thought, and the word stuck in my head. A snake hole? Perfect.

I signaled for the girls to get down. Another group walked by, completely unaware. They never saw us.

We had three flags. I couldn’t help but smirk. The whistle blew, and we headed back.

Balthazar glanced at me, his mouth twitching like he was holding back a grin.

“Alright,” he said, holding out a hand. “Let’s see them.

I pulled out all three flags, and my team cheered and laughed. Then Sienna stormed over, her look fastened on me. I dropped into a stance devoid of thought.

Balthazar stepped between us, as calm as always. “Sienna, you got something to say?”

“No, sir,” she spat, though her look could’ve melted steel.

“Good,” he said, raising his eyebrow. “It’s just a game. No hard feelings, right?”

“Of course not, sir,” giving me one last look that said this wasn’t over.

After everyone left, we went to the river, took off our muddy clothes, and washed up. That’s when I saw Sienna. She grabbed my clothes with her typical smirk.

“Don’t be a bitch, Sienna!” I shouted, my voice reverberating across the water.

I closed my eyes and muttered a curse. Then I heard a low, rumbling growl.

A bear came out of the trees behind Sienna and her group. Her sneer disappeared as she threw my clothes and ran. I couldn’t help but grin.

Kara froze, eyes open wide. “Victoria, the bear, is coming toward the water!”

“It’s fine,” I said calmly. “Just stay still.”

The bear stopped, sniffed the air, then walked back into the woods. We got dressed and headed back. The tension seemed dense. Inside the cafeteria, Sienna sat with her friends, glaring at me.

She stood up, walked over, and leaned in close. “You got lucky this time. Next time, no one’s going to save you.”

I moved forward and met her stare. “Bring it on, bitch. Try me.”

Kara grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “She’s planning something. We need to be careful.”

“Yeah. I can smell it.”

Later, when everyone was asleep, I snuck out, jumped the fence, and took off my clothes. I didn’t shift often, however, tonight I needed it. The cool dusk air brushed my skin as I ran, free and untethered. It was perfect, until it wasn’t.

After I shifted back and got dressed, a sharp pain hit the back of my head. My sight blurred, and I heard voices mumbling around me.

“Move faster,” someone sneered.

I felt myself being dragged, then tossed. I hit something hard, and pain radiated through my body before everything went black.

I opened my eyes to a mist of trees above me. Still alive. Good start. I moved, and my leg screamed in pain. Probably broken. Great.

I lifted myself slowly and brushed my fingers over something wet. Blood. Fuck.

I tried to stand but wobbled and fell back down.

“Sienna, you fucking bitch,” I said loud enough for the woods to hear. “I’m going to end you.”

I crawled over to a solid, solid stick. With a grunt, I set it upright, tore a strip from my shirt, and tied it to my leg as a splint. Pain shot through me like fire.

Then I realized they’d thrown me off a cliff. How was I supposed to get back up? I’d have to take the long way.

My stomach growled, my throat was dry, and my head spun. Shit. Get it together, Vic. Use your training.

I closed my eyes and called for help.

When I opened my eyes, there he was, huge, covered in fur, and annoyingly calm.

“You sure you can handle me?” I asked.

The bear blinked.

“Fine. I’ll owe you a lifetime supply of fish.”

I climbed onto his back, moving slowly and carefully, and he started walking.

“Just drop me by some water. Oh, and can I name you? Huckleberry? Teddy? Ted?”

No response.

“Ted, it is. You’re a legend.”

When we reached a stream, I slid off, my leg still throbbing. I leaned in and placed one on the top of his nose. “See you around, Ted.”

So there I was, alone, aching, and lost. Perfect.