Page 70 of Galaxy Games Four-Book Box Set (Galaxy Games)

70

A Steep Climb

A nubis

We grab what we think will be two days’ worth of meal replacement bars and water from the tubs they set out on the porch, pack them into the backpacks that are already stuffed with the silver blankets they provided us last night, then jog to catch up with the rest of the pack. Sadie and I want to get out of the canyon where we’ll be easy pickings for the great lizards.

Yesterday, it was relatively easy to make our way down the steep side of the canyon after we all arrived at the flagpole. Climbing up is much harder.

Sadie is in excellent physical shape. I never got a chance to ask her about dancing from the rafters on silken sheets, but whatever it is, it prepared her for this competition.

Although we arrived at the canyon wall after all the other contestants, we’re now ahead of most of them. My animal DNA is helpful. My claws allow me to use my hands to gain purchase in the dirt as I climb. My primate genes help me scramble upward even when I have to pull myself up by sheer strength alone.

Sadie just has tiny-human DNA, which I’m discovering is powerful despite her limitations. Her balance allows her to jump and leap as if she was born to traverse rocky landscapes. My heart is spilling over with pride.

Before we bound onto the flat soil at the top of the canyon, we peer over the edge and look for predators. Seeing none, we climb up, get our bearings, and proceed on our way.

All of our competitors pass us on our right as we head toward the rocky foothills to our left.

“You’re heading the wrong way,” the big, green farm boy calls to us. There’s something about his enthusiasm and, yes, optimism, that cuts through my defenses. One of us is heading the wrong way, and for Sadie and me to win, he’s going to have to lose. I hate this.

Hate. It’s a strong word. Have I ever felt an emotion this powerful before?

All my life, my handlers have told me, told all of us geneslaves, that we had no emotions. Maybe what I’m feeling aren’t really emotions, but what else would these be?

I despise Zedd and the network. Now that I’m no longer on the genefarm, I allow myself to experience loathing toward the Feds, my handlers, and all the staff who hurt me on purpose, called me names, and never ever let me feel good about who I am.

I feel sad for the disqualified contestants. We didn’t see them all die on camera, but I’m still convinced anyone who wasn’t at the dining table last night is dead. Dead at the hands of the network.

And what happened in bed with Sadie and me last night? What was that emotion? Passion. That’s what I felt for Sadie. Passion and desire.

Is that all? I prod myself. Are lustful, carnal cravings all I feel for Sadie? I take a moment to glance at her and allow my body to feel its emotions without me ordering myself to stand down.

Affection rushes through me like a river overflowing its banks after a summer rain. Lust is like a drop of rain in the deluge that is my tenderness and warmth.

Another emotion—guilt—races through me. I want to get to the end of this competition alive. With Sadie. And if that means all the other contestants must die for that to happen, so be it.

I glance at her and my heart expands. Then I notice she’s panting from the effort of getting to the top of the canyon.

“You did great, my Sadie. And you’ll do great when we get to the field of boulders. Right now, though, I’m going to carry you so you can regain your energy. You’ll need it later.”

I don’t even wait for her to protest. I shift my pack to my front, lift her, and wiggle her into position on my back. My tail wraps securely around her waist.

“I won’t take no for an answer. You can thank me later.” With that, I take off at a run, all the while laughing.

Who said I couldn’t feel emotions? I’ve never laughed before, but I am now.