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Chapter 23
Judging from the lack of sunlight streaming through the rippling folds of the scarlet curtains, I had awoken before the sun began to rise. As soon as my eyes fluttered open, my heartrate increased. Thoughts and wild expectations of what the day would hold raced through my mind. Those who played Iridian in the past had never given more than a few details. No one, other than those who have played, knew what the Iridescent Pack held.
I hadn't a clue what to expect, but after my encounter in the forest last night, I knew nothing was off the table. As if to remind myself it happened, I dug through the pocket of the shorts I wore and fished out the obsidian marble. I could see a tiny version of my face reflected in its smooth surface, my bright eyes wide and my glossy hair a flaming shade of orange. I looked frazzled and nervous, tired yet awake. I also reached up and grazed the cold stone of the necklace I wore,
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Iridian Chapter 24
Night's words had the entire room speaking, murmuring heatedly about what that might mean. Even Helena, Camille and I were stunned by his words. I knew that anything could happen in the game, but I at least expected some basic rules that kept the contestants from offing each other. It seemed everyone else was thinking the same thing. If there were no rules, there was nothing stopping us from eliminating each other. I couldn't imagine it, that someone might take matters into their own hands and remove some of the contestants from the game.One of the men leaning against the wall raised his hand, and the room fell into silence as Night nodded his way. The man leaning against the wall was only a few years older than Camille and I, thin but held faint traces of muscle. His shaggy hair was a washed-out shade of brown and hung down to his shoulders in limp strands. What set me on edge the most, was the downright excite
Iridian Chapter 25
I didn't have time to process the abundance of heated thoughts that ran through my head at the sight of Grandpa Kents box. The shop keeper had chosen that moment to emerge from the back, sending out the fresh scent of burning wood. There were a few smudges of soot on his dark brown skin, but his smile remained radiant. If he noticed the unease on my face, he said nothing."See something you like?" He smiled, following my eyes to my Grandpa's box.I fumbled for my words, trying to sort through the mess my mind had become. The Game Maker had stolen Grandpa's box and made it part of the game, but here it was. It was too easy--far too easy. I knew there had to be something more and yet I couldn't shake the shimmer of hope that I had just won the game. Disappointment followed behind the brief hope I had felt. This entire town was beautiful and I had hardly explored this pack and all it had to offer. I wasn't sure I wanted the game to be over yet.No, I told myself. W
Iridian Chapter 26
I was certain the sign had read Open when I first entered, and there was no way the shop keeper could have made it to the door that fast. He hadn't followed behind me as I left, yet the door was locked. For a second, I contemplated setting the basket down and walking away, but I needed Grandpa Kent's box.Letting out a small sigh, I turned back towards the street. The sun was still shining in abundance. It heated my skin, and I hadn't realized how cold I felt. While the sun was blistering, the cool breeze that wafted by prevented sweat from forming behind my neck. It was the perfect balance; one my home town did not have.The warm sound of chattering filled the air, and I inhaled at the various scents deeply. There were many vendors on the streets, selling a wide number of products. One man had a machine, with something oddly similar to popcorn crackling away. A petite woman with golden hair was selling a wide array of body products. Two of the contestants, both female
Iridian Chapter 27
The drifter from Stella's Diner sat on a large plaid blanket with two other girls. Books were scattered along the blanket, some open and others closed with hundreds of little sticky tabs poking out. I couldn't discern what the title's read, but each book seemed old and somewhat dusty. The girl noticed the basket in my hands first, and look of understanding crossed her heart-shaped face."Did my Dad send you?" She asked, setting the book she was reading down on the blanket. "I can't believe I forgot the basket again. The more books I read, the more I seem to forget."I managed to tear my eyes from the unusual lake as the second girl laughed, "Your brain is making space for everything we've learned so far!""It's incredibly inconvenient that I can remember nearly one hundred and thirty-five ancient, extinct species but not where I last left my car keys." She snorted, setting one of the books down to slip her long hair into a bun."Hey, aren't you one of the
Iridian Chapter 28
After my strange encounter with the shop keeper, I ran into Helena and Camille. I tucked the wrapped box in my bag and gave both of them a friendly smile. Helena looked her usual happy self, but Camille’s shoulders seemed slumped in defeat. Her neat ponytail had been taken down, replaced by a poor attempt at a messy bun.Camille had visited nearly every fountain in town, but hadn't found a single clue. Helena knew her clue was in the library, but after searching all day, she hadn't found a single thing. Helena wasn't too concerned with winning, and planned to make another trip to the library tomorrow. Camille on the other hand, seemed a little put out.I had told her about the lake I visited today and how her clue could be anywhere near the large body of water. While winning wasn’t my goal, I was determined to give this competition everything I had. I refused to let myself turn into some of the other competitors, those who guarded everything they learned wi
Iridian Chapter 29
I looked down at the little boy, and was instantly reminded of my younger brother. This child looked nothing like my brother, but they both held that innocent mischievousness that all young children seemed to have. That look that made you wonder what they were up to, only to go to bed that night and find out they put sand in your bed.The boy had thick, golden hair that sat on his head in a fanciful wave. I was sure his Mom did his hair like that, just as I knew she chose his outfit for him. The young boy wore a pair of dark slacks, and a crisp black blazer. What I found most startling were his eyes. Black around the outside and iris, with a startling shade of navy blue in between. It was the most unique set of eyes I had ever seen, though I was beginning to expect things like this in the Iridescence Pack.I turned my attention to what the young boy held in his hands. A thick, rounded cup sat in his hands. Steam spewed from the cup and into the crisp air around us. The
Iridian Chapter 30
The moment my head hit the velvet pillow, the world around me faded from view. I was left with the solace of the darkness, and the tune of that haunting song. It followed me into my dreams, filling me with melancholy and dread. I briefly wondered who had written the song, and what they had endured to create a piece so magically beautiful.Since coming to the Iridescence Pack, I hadn’t had a single dream. Back at home, I savored each ridiculous and crazy dream. My dreams had been my own personal escape from my pack. I could be anything, anyone in my dreams. Since my arrival, all trace of my own dreams had vanished. Apart from the time I had met the Game Master, I had dreamt of nothing but darkness.This time had started out as no different, until the bright flashes of color stained my vision. The darkness gave way to images, millions of flashing pictures behind my eyelids. The first image was of me, falling through the sky like a comet of pure fire. It was right a
Iridian Chapter 31
That morning, I spent a few minutes contemplating what to do with the picture. It was clearly a clue of sorts, though I had no idea if it would help me recover Grandpa Kent’s box. I was beginning to see that there was no rhyme or reason to Iridian. The Game Master threw whatever he wanted at us, and sat back laughing as we all struggled to figure it out. My second conversation with the Game Master gave me a newfound sense of motivation. He had manipulated me from the very beginning. The drifter that came into Stella’s diner, stealing my Grandpa’s box and the crystal necklace that sat at the hollow of my throat, and even when he placed the invitation on my bed. It was all a large-scale manipulation, quiet little nudges in the right direction. I wouldn’t be another chess piece he could move. I’d win his game and have the pleasure of finally seeing the face behind that illusion, if there even was a face to be seen.What seemed to vex me most was tha
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