The third challenge for Anthony was simpler than the second. Here, Jay told him that he needed to cultivate his skills in archery. He instantly got the idea. The third task would use bows and arrows.However, there’s a twist in the challenge. And it involved two of his friends.“Wait, is this allowed?” – Anthony askedHe, Asher and the two sons of Marion was on the new location of their training. It’s a place he stumbled upon while searching the meadows. It was smaller than the one they’re used to, but at least here, they’re safer. That’s worth the risk.Asher wasn’t around when he asked Jay about the details of the third challenge. He went to the roundhouse to get a gallon of water for them. Under the prickly heat of the sun, their thirst couldn’t worse.“Yeah. I heard from the meeting that Damon even agreed to do this.”He scoffed. Damon, huh? Does he have that much of a trust in him that he’ll agree to something like this? The challenge that Harper and Norton would be tied to a tar
Marion laughed nervously. He heard rumors about the Redmayne’s unfriendliness with everyone, but he didn’t realize he would experience it firsthand. “I don’t think you understand the weight of this. It’s your friend’s last challenge. Without this, he won’t be the same as the rest of you. He’ll be a stranger in the Virgo. He has to pass this last challenge to belong. Like the rest of you.”Harper sat down at the edge of her bed. She didn’t bother to invite the alpha to sit down.“Is Norton in his room right now? I need to speak with him regarding the matter too.”Without waiting for Harper’s answer, Marion walked to the adjoining rooms. The one on the right was closed and locked. “That’s not his. That’s Asher’s.”Marion nodded and got to the other room. He knocked once… twice… thrice and it was only on the fourth time that Norton opened the door for him. As soon as Norton realizes the identity of his guest, he bowed and greeted him good evening. He had no idea there’s nothing good a
Harper noticed that the moon’s brighter tonight than the usual. Perhaps the moon goddess thought it’s only proper to make up for the other night of the eclipse. Perhaps that’s why the moon now’s on its full bloom, illuminating the premises of the Virgo with golden white light. At least, Harper doesn’t feel too pathetic at the moment. If the night’s as dark as usual, she would feel too low, thinking that on Damon’s hierarchy of priorities, her welfare’s the last one. She’s starting to get used to that idea. She ran to the forest, where she could cry and scream and howl and no one would be around to hear it. The soles of her feet stepping over the twigs, her mind’s divided on the thought of the next night. She imagined herself tied to a huge trunk of a tree in front of the entire Virgo community, with an apple on her head, with the sight of Anthony with his bows and arrows, waiting for it to hit. Just thinking of it makes her angry. The running got a little faster now as she heads t
Harper didn’t mind the “pathetic” comment from Brayden. She’s already used to him calling him anything he wants without him meaning it. It’s like Brayden has a rich vocabulary for all the negative adjectives he could just throw at any given moment and he would be justified by saying it. Just that. It didn’t need to be personal or offensive.“Thank you. I think you’re done here now. You can go back inside.” – Harper said, using the shirt to wipe her wet neck and the back of her legsBrayden raised an eyebrow.“You didn’t tell me anything about why you’re out in the woods yet.”Harper continued wiping her body and this time, looked up at him to shake her head.“You’re pushy, you know that.”Brayden shrugged. So what?“I won’t leave until you tell me. Besides, none of these areas belong to you. You cannot order me to leave or go somewhere.”Harper knew Brayden’s right. She has given up. what harm would that cause if she tells him anyway? Tomorrow, everyone would know about the third tria
The night of Anthony’s last trial came quickly as a flash. Harper still hasn’t talked to Damon, not even after the half-asleep apology he has given last night. She didn’t say something when he said that. Instead, she removed his hand from her waist and slept facing the other side. It’s the worse thing for Damon, to have an invisible icy wall between them, but he respects her choice. He knew he also have lapses and that it would take time for Harper to finally be okay with it. He decided to give her time, and that’s all he could do for now: respect her. “Harper?”She was looking at herself in the mirror. Her hair was tied up into a neat bun and secured with hair pins and hair net. It’s to keep it away from her face. She stared at the mirror on the person behind her. Norton looked awful. His face was unreadable, but fear was painted everywhere. “Hey… ““I’m trying not to worry, Harper. I don’t want Anthony to worry about us when we stand there. we can trust him, I have no doubt in t
If only Harper could tell her heart to stop being so nervous at the moment, she will. Yet that’s not something she has some control over. Here, she could only stand in front of the whole Virgo, arms and legs tied individually, her back hurting from the hardwood placed at her back. On her left was Norton, his eyes closed, humming a song. To be honest, it’s not what she expected from him. She expected him to be worried, and scared, and regretful. But here, between the two of them, Norton’s the calmer one. “You seem calmer than I expected, I have to say.” – Harper mentioned and Norton stopped humming"It's all fake, Harp. I feel like I'm being skinned alive inside."Oh, Harper thought. It doesn’t show at all. Perhaps that’s the thing with exterior confidence. None could really tell if it’s just for show. That’s how dumb people sometimes are. “I hope this ends soon. I can’t keep still.” – Harper admitted and Norton looked surprised.Norton stared at her for too long. He opened his lips
Anthony readied the second arrow. The last one was too close to Harper’s right eye. His heart almost stopped when it hit the board.Come on, Anthony. You can do this. Don’t miss.The thing is, the small size of the apple atop Harper’s head was the hardest part of the test. Not to mention that it’s placed twenty-five meters away from where he’s standing. The second arrow ready to shoot, the sweat from his forehead rolled down her cheeks. He held the arrow’s nock and aimed at his target. Once again, he tried to focus not to injure. This time, he has to be extra careful, even more careful than the last one. He looked at the clock and it showed he only had 1:04 seconds. Two shots. One should be successful, the other one can either be a failure or a spare.Come on, Anthony. You can do this. Don’t miss.He stretched his hand backward, together with the arrow. It’s starting to strain but Anthony knows he can only let it go once he’s sure it’s going to hit the correct target. Harper gulped
Harper and Norton stayed in their rooms for the entirety of the next day. Norton has recovered faster than they’ve expected but Harper’s the one who’s affected by the challenge. She could not focus on her supposed rest because she kept on replaying the moment the arrow almost hurt her.“Are you hungry, Harp? Do you need anything?” – Asher offered. He asked from the other side of the closed doorHarper looked at the door.“I’ll get it myself later, Ash. Don’t worry about me.”The person on the other side of the door walked away. Asher respected that and left. Perhaps Norton would be hungry so he transferred to another door. One day after the trial, many of the Virgo wolves have been talking about the use of the live targets. It has never been done before and it’s only used now. Thus, explains everyone’s enthusiasm on seeing it last night. Brayden could hear these whispers and hated Marion and the Virgo way of initiation more. It’s not that necessary and if the purpose is only to creat