Page 66 of Spirit Trials

“We’re going to run out of time,” Kinsley says.

I keep pushing forward. I know how important a role the trees we choose are going to play in this trial. And then I see it. Three perfect trees—branches low enough to climb but high enough to keep some wild animals at bay, closely aligned, with big thick branches, even at the top. “Those three. Go, go, go.” I take the lead, running for the three trees I’m looking at. I take the one with the highest first branch, knowing it will be harder to climb. I watch Kinsley for a moment before I call out to Harper. “Help me give her a boost; she’s too short.” Harper runs to us, and we both cup our hands together and boost Kinsley up and over the first branch. Harper runs to hers. “Are you good?” I watch as she jumps and grabs the branch and begins the slow process of pulling herself up and over. Knowing she’s going to get it, I run to mine. I hear the trumpets begin to blow, and I panic. I run right at the tree and up the side before I turn sideways and jump at the nearest branch. I land on my stomach and pull myself up and then straddle the branch. I jerk my head towards the girls. “Are you both up?”

“Yes,” Kinsley calls out.

“Yep,” Harper says, not quite as enthusiastically.

“That was close,” Kinsley says breathlessly. “You almost didn’t make it, Farrah.”

“I know.” I'm still trying to slow my racing heart. I stand up on my tree branch and take it in, studying its strengths and weaknesses since it’s going to be my home for however long this trial lasts. “This is going to be good. We just have to stay up here, and we’ll be fine.”

“Says the girl who loves being in the trees,” Harper mumbles.

I smile. “I do, but you have to admit, it’s better than being on the ground and constantly running or fighting for our lives.”

“She has a point,” Kinsley points out.

“Yeah,” Harper begrudgingly admits.

I start to climb my tree, anxious to check out the rest of it. “Do you think there are any snakes in these trees?” Kinsley asks nervously.

“There definitely could be,” I admit. “Just check each branch first before you grab hold.” I continue to climb.

“What are you doing, Farrah?” Kinsley asks.

“I’m just checking out my tree; I also want to see if we can see anything in the distance from up at the top.”

“That’s a good idea,” Harper admits, and I watch as she begins to climb too.

“How about you check it out and let me know what you find?” Kinsley calls out.

“You okay, Kinsley?” I call out from much higher up.

“I don’t like heights,” she admits.

I pause. “Oh, that’s not good.”

“Yeah, definitely not good,” Harper echoes. “Just don’t look down.”

“Sure. No problem. It’s not like we’re stuck up here for the next few days or anything,” Kinsley mutters.

I keep climbing. I'm very careful to test each branch before putting my full weight on it, especially towards the top. When I make it up as high as I can go, I look out and sigh in disappointment. “Well, that’s not helpful,” Harper says a few moments later.

“Yeah.”

“What is it?” Kinsley calls out from below.

“You can’t see anything,” I call back. “The trees are so close together, and the leaves are so thick. It’s crazy; I’ve never seen anything like this.” I look at the tree next to me. The leaves are wide and as long as my arm. I pluck one from the tree. “Look how huge these are.”

“We should collect them,” Harper says.

“That’s a really good idea.” I reach out and snag a few within my reach.

“Be careful,” Harper calls out in warning.

I study the tree for a moment before looking back at Harper. “Terron just said our feet can’t touch the ground, right?”

She nods slowly. “Yeah. Why?”