Page 125 of The Commons

I am approaching closer.

Oh God.

I try to keep my weight on the front of the boat.

I don’t know what else to do.

I am now approaching the steepest part of the waterfall, so I close my mouth tightly to avoid any liquid entering in.

At the edge of the water, I fold my lips tightly again and…

Splash! The boat plunges over the fall and lands in the lake below.

The water splashes around my face, but thanks to my mask, only a few drops enter my mouth. I spit it out instantly, ripping the mask off, terrified of swallowing Conzamine. A few droplets are still in my mouth, but I can’t touch my tongue with my Conzamine-filled hands, so I just keep spitting, but I don’t have time to waste.

I look around, scanning the premises, shocked to now discover that the water around me wasn’t big at all. Of course…

I take a deep breath and look ahead. Right in front of me are several rocks, so I jump off the boat and onto one of the rocks, then begin to make my way through the rockpile. I sprint, knowing I don’t have much time left.

Levon’s life is in my hands.

“I can do this. I can do this. I can do this,” I repeat to myself as I reach dry land.

I keep running, darting through the forest, moving through the trees… until a straight path appears ahead—just like the one on the map. I zoom through, splashing through the muddy ground… Then suddenly, I start to feel uncomfortable.

I notice myself sweating with each dash, my breathing becoming labored, so I come to a stop, panting, fighting for air. I know it cannot just be the running making me sweat this much. “Why is it so hot?” I look around, and that’s when I see it… A volcano in front of me. I hold my gasp, knowing I can’t get close or I will be burnt to ashes. But what is the next step?

I look around for clues, darting my eyes around every corner to see if I notice any doors or similar things that I had encountered on the tests.

But no. Time is ticking!

I look at my wrist tosh to see I only have five minutes left.

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my focus, yet nothing. Suddenly, I notice movement next to me… or around me in the mud? I am not sure.

Then, it occurs to me.

Oh gosh.

That must be the crocodile that attacks when a person is still. I want to draw back from it, but I don’t know exactly where it is. I stay still, looking everywhere intently. I see bubbles in front of me. I know that has to be it.

Slowly, I reach for a sword, aiming it toward the crocodile.

Just as I do, the crocodile crashes forward, charging toward me. Bloody beast. I strike hard and fast, repeatedly, but the blade glances off its scales, barely leaving a mark. The final impact rattles my arms and sends mud erupting from the ground, jarring the sword from my grip and sending it spinning through the air.

Oh no!

I just lost a sword.

And it’s Levon’s.

My eyes dart to the right to see the crocodile resetting into the water, its eyes locking onto me.

I can’t lose another sword.

Picking up a rock from the ground, I try to aim for where I think its eyes would be. I continue to throw rocks at it. Yes! It’s retreating into the water.

I look toward the direction of its appearance to see a rock-like door. I sprint to the edge of the cave, trying to move the door away, but it’s too heavy. I wonder what kind of door this one is. It’s literally a rock. It couldn’t be one of those invisible doors, could it?