CHAPTER 15

"Hurry up Nessa," Ria said.

"Come on you can do it," I encouraged.

"But it's so hard!" Nessa whined and both Ria and I grudgingly turned around then pulled her up from the lower ground.

"You're really not up for this." I pitied Nessa as she wiped the sweat that was on her forehead, her face looking exhausted as if she just ran a marathon.

"I'm really not good doing physical things, I get tired easily," she explained.

"Which is why she never get across the first challenge," Ria bluntly said as Nessa slapped her on the shoulder.

"Don't be mean, I'm already frustrated enough." Nessa pouted.

"Okay guys, we better get going, otherwise we'll be total losers."

"Damn right."

"Language Ria!"

We continued walking on the trail, getting deeper in the woods. Apparently the race began when our majestic airplane landed on the platform. The moment the door opened, everyone rushed out into the forest. I don't even know where we are and just followed along. Ria said that it was always the same first challenge. The goal was to get to the finish line which was supposed to have a big banner of K & Q somewhere on it. But seeing how big the forest was, it might take us forever to find it and get there.

I could feel someone watching us. It was not only now though, even when I was in the academy, I get the feeling that there's a pair of eyes watching me. Is it the enemy?

I turned around quickly, but to my dismay there was no one, just the innocent trees, plants and the ground we were stepping on. Damn, the stalker got away.

"What's wrong Clarissa?"

"Someone's watching us," I told them in a hushed tone.

"It's probably just the bodyguards," Ria said as she swatted a plant away.

"What do you mean?" Why would there be bodyguards here?

"Well you see, they're there to protect us if any harm comes in the way. You wouldn't really want a princess dying from a challenge."

"So nobody actually gets hurt."

"Yeah that's their duty, and you can give up anytime, just press the red button on the id," Ria explained and I nodded.

"Oh god we're here," Nessa exasperated, looking at the steep bridge. I could hear water running and I looked down the opening, a river full of rocks was rushing fast below. The bridge creaked, the rope on its sides looked like it would give away anytime and the wooden planks had holes on them.

"Ummm guys, don't you think this is a bit too dangerous?" I asked, feeling adrenaline rushing to me. We were far high up, and falling down might kill us because of the sharp rocks below.

Nessa clutched on my arm nervously. "Eeep, this bridge is scarier than last year's, but we don't have a choice."

"How can you be so sure that there's no other way?"

"Well I was able to get across the bridge, then over the swamps, through the rocks, and hiked the mountain before," Ria said as she placed her hands on her hips, "It's very tiring though, but I was able to get to the finish line at 180th place last year."

"How about the second challenge, what is it about?" Hopefully it wouldn't be like this again.

"It's a talent show, and I still sucked at painting then so I wasn't able to get to the next one."

"Wow, you paint? Why didn't you tell us before?" Nessa asked, her eyes wide as I groaned. A talent show, what kind of talent should I show? But then I dismissed the thought, I wouldn't even get there if I didn't finish this challenge first, and I'm determined to pass us through this.

"It's just a bother." Ria rolled her eyes and from that I zoned out from the conversation.

I looked behind us, it was the same-trees, plants, big rocks, but there was no alternative route or path. I'm pretty sure if we look around, we'd just get lost.

'You shouldn't think too hard to find a way out, Clarissa' my dad once told me, 'There will always be another way, think of where you could pass through, a human body isn't that big. Know that wherever you are, there will always be someplace you can exit, and a shortcut'

Shortcut. . .

"Hey guys, last time, how long did it take the first person get to the finish line?" I asked them.

"I heard he got there after an hour," Nessa answered.

"How long did it take you Ria?"

"4 hours." Ria looked at me confused, not getting it.

"What are you trying to say Clarissa?" Nessa asked, her face as confused as Ria's.

"Don't you guys get it? There must be a faster way to get to the finish line. The path you guys have been going through is probably a route that goes round and round which consumes not only the time but also energy. Ria you said you got there after four hours while the first person got there in an hour but impossible to get there in an hour if we take this route. Therefore there should be another way, a shortcut'."

Their mouths hanged open. "So are you saying that all this time we've been going through the hard route," Nessa gasped as Ria groaned.

"Yes, but the problem now is where the hell is that shortcut." I crossed my arms, looking around and they did the same.

"I wish the rumored bear would find us," Nessa sighed.

"What bear?"

"They said if you find the oh-so great bear, it'll lead you to the finish line in no time. Don't worry though, it's a tamed one," Ria explained.

"That's cool. I've never seen a bear before."

"So what should we do Clarissa?" Nessa asked.

"I think we should go back a little and look for clues. If you guys find some snapped twigs, or broken branches, that should be something for us to look into," I told them and they nodded.

But it turned out we didn't need to look far. I heard a rustle of leaves, it was faint but since my senses were now heightened with adrenaline, it was noticeable. Someone was coming.

I quickly pulled Nessa and Ria to the side, behind a leafy bush. They were about to say something but I covered their mouths. "Somebody's coming," I whispered, "And maybe he or she knows where the shortcut is."

A tall figure appeared, and I saw the same psycho smile. I gulped, it was Prince Jarvis, the guy who had the dangerous and really dark atmosphere.

Nessa gasped and I clutched her arm, shutting her up. We all tensed like statues for a moment when Prince Jarvis looked around, his tongue licking his lips, and his eyebrows raised.

Seeing that nobody was around, he smirked and shrugged while our shoulders sagged in relief. He turned to his right, getting off the path and I was feeling scared and excited at the same time. This is it, finally. He knows where the shortcut is.

He went further until he was in front of a bunch of vines, then made on opening for himself. I could see an opening of a dark cave. So that's where the shortcut is.

I looked at Nessa and Ria and we all smiled at each other. I could tell Nessa wanted to jump up and down because she looked so overjoyed, Ria and I held her arm just in case because Prince Jarvis was still there. And he was chuckling, no more like laughing. Huh? What the hell was wrong with him?

He finally went inside and we waited for a few minutes until we stood up, stretching our arms and legs.

"Oh my god, that scared me to death!" Nessa touched her heart and squealed.

"He's really weird, like a psycho," I said, cringing my face.

"I know right," Ria added, her face as usual expressionless.

We all trudged our way inside the cave. It was really dark and a little small but wide enough for the three of us.

"Did anyone bring any flashlight?" I asked.

"Oh I did," Nessa answered and a second later a stream of light came from her, blinding both Ria and I.

"Nessa not on our faces," Ria and I complained.

"Oops sorry, here Clarissa." She handed it to me as she held onto my arm, while Ria on my other arm.

I blinked my eyes, facing the rocks before me. Bats were on the ceiling, draping their wings on themselves, as they hung upside down (I swear how could they sleep like that?) while our shadows danced on the wall, looking like glued walking sticks as we walked further in the dark cave.

I bet I wasn't the only one feeling nervous and scared. Ria and Nessa clutched on both my arms hard as I held the flashlight but I didn't complain, I was too focused going around some rocks, or hopping over them.

"What's that?" Nessa asked, pointing on a shining ball that was stuck on the wall. It was small, metallic, and shining. "Maybe it's a clue!"

She rushed over it quickly, probably feeling like Detective Sherlock, but for some reason I had a bad feeling about it.

The thought of Prince Jarvis laughing like a psycho suddenly invaded my head. Why was he laughing? Wait, who is he again?

"That's Prince Jarvis, prince of Russia. His family also owns a big bomb company. . . "

"I heard he got disqualified last year because he bombed the place where the competition was supposed to be held."

"And he doesn't care if he wins, he basically joins just for the thrill of it."

Then it suddenly hit me, as if cold water was splashed on my face.

He knew we were watching him. And he was laughing because of it.

"Don't touch it Nessa!!!" I cried as I ran to her desperately but it was too late. A loud booming sound erupted, shaking the cave we were in.