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When steps come in my direction, I’m already so on edge that my first instinct is to run and hide. I don’t question it and scramble up the wall beside me. It provides me with the perfect view to watch the birds circling overhead while I wait for whoever might come into sight.

Some of the birds are with riders, some without, and I’m sure I’m making a fool of myself, but rather that than…what?

What am I afraid of?

It’s not like anyone is going around killing runners.

But I still hold my breath when the steps come closer, and Livia comes into view accompanied by a rider. The small hairs on my neck rise, and a shiver runs down my back. Riders are not allowed on this mountain during Picking unless they pick up a body.

They walk past me and in the direction I came from. A rumbling roar in the distance has me appreciating the wall I’m sitting on even more.

Maybe Dar’s worries have been more substantial than I gave him credit for. Up until now, I mainly worried about not getting picked or falling to my death if a bird deemed me unworthy, but now…

“You are not taking this seriously enough,” Dar’s words ring in my mind like a warning bell. Okay, I get it now. I am no longer laughing at all the safety precautions he tried to jam into my brain that night.

When the building is once more silent around me, I hurry on.

My thirst far outweighs hunger by the time the midday sun burns down on me.

I grimace at the salty, metallic taste while my tongue slips over my dry, cracked lips.

My gaze catches longingly on the green of the tree line whenever I’m up on a wall.

I haven’t seen Livia or the rider again, but since none of the runners passing me so far have been from my flight or squadron, I didn’t bother making myself known.

At least half the day has passed by the time I make it out of the buildings, and the sun is already declining.

My feelings are torn when I look over the large open space in front of me.

I’m glad to leave the death trap of stone, but I have to cross that to reach the other ruins farther down the mountain slope.

I tightened my hold on the dagger I found in one of the rooms. I have no choice. If I stay here, I will not only get the sunburn of my life but also die of dehydration before the week is up.

I set out in a sprint, and just when I reach the first crumbled walls, a deep roar prompts me to spin to my right. The biggest damn cat I have ever seen emerges from the tree line. It probably shouldn't surprise me, considering the size of the birds found in these mountains, but still.

I back away slowly and cower down behind a wall, hoping the beast can’t scent me.

Shit. Shit. Shit. What now?

The size of the dagger in my hand is ridiculous compared to that creature.

My muscles are tight and rigid with tension, and I hardly dare to breathe. I stay as still as possible, my own heartbeat drowning out every sound around me.

My grip on the dagger is so tight that my knuckles turn white.A stone skitters over the ground behind me, and a hand lands on my shoulder.

I whirl around, swiping out with the dagger.

Someone jumps back, making a sound of surprise.

“Easy, Gray, or you will hurt someone.”

Calix’s smiling face fills my view when I look up.

“I thought you were going to kill me,” I tell him.

“And I thought we were over the trust issues by now.” He chuckles.

“I didn’t know it was you…obviously.” I roll my eyes.

“So I haven’t somehow made it on your bad side, then? I’m relieved to hear that.” He grins. Calix leans past me, his eyes searching our surroundings. “It’s gone.”

I lean back against the wall, sighing. With the adrenaline gone, I suddenly feel weak and tired.

Calix eyes me. “You look like you could use some time out of the sun,” he says. “Follow me.”

He heads straight for a crumbling building with some parts of its roof left.I follow him on slightly wobbly knees, glad he found me and I have survived the first day so far.

I let my gaze wander over him. He somehow got his hands on a sword, which is now dangling by his hip, and he moves with ease so he doesn’t seem injured.

I’m relieved… working together as a team will make surviving this week a whole lot easier.

The inside of the building is blissfully cool after the sun's glare, and that isn’t even the best of it. Calix hands me a waterskin filled to the brim. The water tastes slightly metallic, but it’s cool and the most delicious drink I have had in forever.

I nearly drain it before I catch myself and look at Calix apologetically.

He laughs. “It's alright. There is a stream right after the tree line starts. We can get more.”

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“That’s what friends are for.” He sends me a crooked smile.

“Where did you get the waterskin?”

“I hid it by wrapping it around my leg.” He smirks.

“Sneaky.” I grin at him. “And the sword?”

“I found it.” He eyes my dagger. “And it seems that was not the only weapon lying around. Did I miss something in class while we were talking about Picking?”

I shake my head. “I can’t remember hearing anything about that either.” In combination with the way Livia was looking for something, accompanied by a rider, it left a bad taste in my mouth.