decisions could be made.
Yeah, I thought, biting down on my fork. I’m
sure they’d already made their decisions, and the meetings were really just for
handing down orders. I glanced in the direction of the Bellingham Circle but
couldn’t see over all the heads. I wondered if Jason was thinking the same
thoughts I was and if he was just as cynical. Sometime during my reverie, the
microphone was handed over to Dakota’s parents. They explained the procedures
for the competitions and reiterated the importance of good sportsmanship. At
one point, we were asked to grab the sign-up sheets and pens from the center of
our tables and fill out which competitions we’d be taking part in.
Ash and I decided that for the linked
competitions we’d be strongest in kayaking, archery, and the 10K. He really
wanted to do mountain climbing but knew my experience was limited to the
Bellingham YMCA’s 67 foot climbing wall. I’d been passed several times by kids
and seniors alike. I felt bad for Ash, because he rocked extreme sports on a
weekly basis. I wouldn’t be surprised if he took first in the individual
competitions, but I just wasn’t as practiced as him.
“Sorry, I’m afraid I’m the weakest link here,” I said to him.
He chuckled. “That
is really very funny.” Then he grabbed me by the chin and said, “But really, we have the strongest link of
everyone here, so why don’t you feed off that positive energy for a while .”
Eventually, the evening program ended and
Dakota wheeled Ash and I outside so fast, I never got a chance to catch up with
my friends. Before long, I’d donned a helmet and was sitting on a bright yellow
ATV, holding onto Ash as we zipped along mountain trails. Dakota and Luke lead
the way on their own ATV, and I wondered if this little escapade was just an
excuse for them to spend time together. Earlier in the evening, Kohana had
mentioned something about him and Dakota showing us around, but we’d flown out
of the dining room so fast, I figured Dakota had always planned on ditching
him.
The property was expansive, and we explored many
areas with Dakota pointing out the locations for the different competitions.
There were open fields for archery and contests where Guardians like Ash and
Madison could try to hit long-range targets utilizing their Flairs. I was
surprised that a stream-fed, freshwater lake was the destination spot for the
swim meet. While the setting sun bounced off its surface and insects gathered
in swarms above the water, I shivered to think how chilly this black void would
feel in the early morning hours. As we traveled through a natural avenue of
trees, Dakota pointed out a heavily forested area where the paintball
tournaments were held. At one point, our ATVs got a workout as we made our way
along some very muddy, rocky terrain. Surrounded by huge rock formations and
deep ravines, I held my arms clasped tightly around Ash and wasn’t too excited
to hear this was the setting for the obstacle course – an individual event he’d
signed up for. After exploring for another hour or so, the sun finally dropped
behind the hills, and we made our way back to the Lodge.
Bumping along with the loud roar of the engines,
I leaned my head against Ash and yawned continuously. I was ready to get some
sleep. The first events were set for the crack of dawn, and I didn’t want to
miss one bit of the action. Individual schedules were going to be delivered
sometime in the middle of the night and slipped under our room doors, but I
already knew none of mine started that early. Due to the fact there were so
many competitions, many would take place simultaneously. I felt sorry for the
people who were going to be up all night arranging these schedules.
Ash and I said our good-nights to Dakota and
Luke and walked up to our rooms. Decorative and attractive, the recessed floor
lights were a nice touch, lighting our way without blinding our eyes. We walked
in silence and I skimmed over the
Yeah, I thought, biting down on my fork. I’m
sure they’d already made their decisions, and the meetings were really just for
handing down orders. I glanced in the direction of the Bellingham Circle but
couldn’t see over all the heads. I wondered if Jason was thinking the same
thoughts I was and if he was just as cynical. Sometime during my reverie, the
microphone was handed over to Dakota’s parents. They explained the procedures
for the competitions and reiterated the importance of good sportsmanship. At
one point, we were asked to grab the sign-up sheets and pens from the center of
our tables and fill out which competitions we’d be taking part in.
Ash and I decided that for the linked
competitions we’d be strongest in kayaking, archery, and the 10K. He really
wanted to do mountain climbing but knew my experience was limited to the
Bellingham YMCA’s 67 foot climbing wall. I’d been passed several times by kids
and seniors alike. I felt bad for Ash, because he rocked extreme sports on a
weekly basis. I wouldn’t be surprised if he took first in the individual
competitions, but I just wasn’t as practiced as him.
“Sorry, I’m afraid I’m the weakest link here,” I said to him.
He chuckled. “That
is really very funny.” Then he grabbed me by the chin and said, “But really, we have the strongest link of
everyone here, so why don’t you feed off that positive energy for a while .”
Eventually, the evening program ended and
Dakota wheeled Ash and I outside so fast, I never got a chance to catch up with
my friends. Before long, I’d donned a helmet and was sitting on a bright yellow
ATV, holding onto Ash as we zipped along mountain trails. Dakota and Luke lead
the way on their own ATV, and I wondered if this little escapade was just an
excuse for them to spend time together. Earlier in the evening, Kohana had
mentioned something about him and Dakota showing us around, but we’d flown out
of the dining room so fast, I figured Dakota had always planned on ditching
him.
The property was expansive, and we explored many
areas with Dakota pointing out the locations for the different competitions.
There were open fields for archery and contests where Guardians like Ash and
Madison could try to hit long-range targets utilizing their Flairs. I was
surprised that a stream-fed, freshwater lake was the destination spot for the
swim meet. While the setting sun bounced off its surface and insects gathered
in swarms above the water, I shivered to think how chilly this black void would
feel in the early morning hours. As we traveled through a natural avenue of
trees, Dakota pointed out a heavily forested area where the paintball
tournaments were held. At one point, our ATVs got a workout as we made our way
along some very muddy, rocky terrain. Surrounded by huge rock formations and
deep ravines, I held my arms clasped tightly around Ash and wasn’t too excited
to hear this was the setting for the obstacle course – an individual event he’d
signed up for. After exploring for another hour or so, the sun finally dropped
behind the hills, and we made our way back to the Lodge.
Bumping along with the loud roar of the engines,
I leaned my head against Ash and yawned continuously. I was ready to get some
sleep. The first events were set for the crack of dawn, and I didn’t want to
miss one bit of the action. Individual schedules were going to be delivered
sometime in the middle of the night and slipped under our room doors, but I
already knew none of mine started that early. Due to the fact there were so
many competitions, many would take place simultaneously. I felt sorry for the
people who were going to be up all night arranging these schedules.
Ash and I said our good-nights to Dakota and
Luke and walked up to our rooms. Decorative and attractive, the recessed floor
lights were a nice touch, lighting our way without blinding our eyes. We walked
in silence and I skimmed over the
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