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As she emerged from the stream, several of her fellow competitors had already made it across the bridge and collected one of a dozen weapons. There was still a large group fighting to make it across the bridge, but it wouldn’t be that way for long. Nadzia raced toward the nearest pedestal. Seeing a gargantuan woman stampeding toward her, she pushed herself to run faster.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Without daring to slow, she grabbed the disrupter and the strap of the flask as she passed the pedestal. She was tugged backward, her arm nearly jerking out of the socket, when her opponent snagged the flask itself. Nadzia aimed her disrupter and fired. The stunning blast hit the woman square in the chest. The shot was absorbed by the armor, but it was enough to surprise her opponent. The instant the woman’s grip loosened, she yanked the flask away then wasted no time taking off.

Run, bitch!She cursed at herself as she headed for the gauntlet of stone pillars ahead.

If she didn’t reach the rocky pass with her prize, she wouldn’t make it to the next stage. As she ran, she zigzagged back and forth. It was dumb luck she saw the shadow on the ground cast by the opponent gaining on her. Nadzia dropped, rolled to her back and fired. This time she struck her opponent in the thigh, effectively stunning the woman, who froze and collapsed. As she scrambled to her feet, she fired at two more unarmed candidates hoping to steal from the successful players.

“Come on,” one of the successful candidates shoved her toward the stone columns.

“Thanks,” she said as they stepped through the rocky corridor into the neutral zone.

That was when she realized it was the woman who’d spoken up for her earlier.

“Don’t thank me. When we get to the arena and it comes down to one of us, I’m betting on me,” Good Neighbor informed her as they walked through the stone pass.

They stepped aside and let another candidate by.

“Then why help me?” She looked sideways at the woman as she put some distance between them.

“You’re the first candidate that’s not Osivoire. There’s a reason for that.”

“I see.” Nadzia nodded, understanding the woman’s curiosity.

“You’re a guest from a distant world, not even one of the many races the nation encompasses. And though you started well, you don’t seem equipped for this competition.” The woman stared at the way she was heaving, already winded, as they walked through the neutral zone.

“All very good observations,” she replied.

“And you’re not going to tell me anything, are you?” Good Neighbor asked incredulously.

“You’re kind, athletic and smart. That’s a good trifecta.” She smiled at the Osivoire woman.

Good Neighbor chuckled and shook her head. The woman’s expression shifted and she groaned. Nadzia glanced over her shoulder to see Miss Congeniality sprinting toward them.

“If you’re afraid you shouldn’t have joined the Trial,” Miss Congeniality taunted as she brushed past.

Good Neighbor glared at Miss Congeniality and started to go after her.

“Just hold back.” Nadzia grabbed her newfound friend, slowing her stride.

They followed the rude candidate, staying several steps back. And sure enough, Miss Congeniality froze as she emerged from the rocky pass, her body trembling subtly, the only indication the bitch had been shot by another player lying in wait. She’d played enough multiplayer games where some dick killed people the moment they spawned, to know exiting the neutral zone was going to get dicey.

Nadzia dropped to her knees and shot at the assailant, using Miss Congeniality as a shield, while her friend-for-now fired past the woman’s shoulder. They scattered as their meat shield fell.

“It should be clear. I got the one perched on the rock.” Good Neighbor pointed.

“And I got the one crouched over there.” Nadzia nodded to the candidate laid out behind another rock.

She scoped out the scraggily brush, various hills and rock formations, looking for the other candidates or Aculus’ sisters, while she got her bearings.

“That was a good call. I knew there was something about you.” Good Neighbor smiled and nodded. “Makissa.” The woman patted her chest.

“I might’ve played a game or two like this. I’m Nadzia,” she introduced herself before darting out onto the playing field, heading for a rise.

Twenty-Eight

I Hate Lizards