Page 20 of The Song of Sunrise (The Prentice Teller #1)
The Swim
“ G lowing fingers is hardly an accomplishment,” I say to Ramona as I flop my book satchel on the desk and climb up onto my bed.
“Come with us and drink away your sorrows then! Everyone is going to be at Anita’s tonight.” She pauses before adding, “Castor will be there.”
I ignore her comment. “Sounds like fun, but I need to rest. Maybe sleeping will help me subconsciously channel magic better.”
“Fine,” Ramona says exasperatedly, “suit yourself.”
I wait until she finishes changing into her short, skin-tight, dark purple dress and ridiculously high combat boots and walks out the door.
While I am tired, resting is the last thing I planned on doing tonight. I change into my extra set of battle leathers and head out the door.
The Lower Field is completely empty as I lower myself down the hatch. Glowing orbs light up the space from high above, floating and bobbing as if blown by a light breeze.
Determination sets in as I approach the obstacle course, set down my dagger from Bane that I now carry everywhere, and the unpack of some first aid supplies I “borrowed” from the infirmary.
“I can do this. Be someone worth Telling, Akemi. Marrow would want this for you,” I mutter, as if that will quell the feeling of my heart rising to my throat.
Only thing stopping me is learning to swim first , the voice inside my head snickers.
“Shut up,” I say aloud. “Don’t listen to that bitch.”
My inner voice quiets, and it’s just me and the water. I sit near the edge and lower myself into the pool. My leg twinges with pain, as if remembering the spot where it was previously slashed open.
Other cadets have had more time than me to practice on this course. I only had one try, and I failed. Epically.
I hold onto the side of the pool and kick my feet. Most of my body is submerged up to my chest.
After a few minutes, I’m exhausted but am starting to get the hang of it, fluttering my feet back and forth until I bravely remove my arms. I immediately sink beneath the surface, some of the water going up my nose and down my throat at the same time.
I flail again a few times and break the surface.
Fuck. This is so much harder than it looks. I splash frantically and grab onto the side.
After hours of strenuous effort, I can finally tread water without immediately drowning.
“Yes, yes, yes!” I’m happy, crying, exhausted, but… I’m swimming!
Barely , my inner critic chirps.
I pull myself out of the water and flop down to catch my breath. After a few moments of rest, I’m ready to face the course. At least now I know that if I fall in, I can marginally swim.
The obstacle course floats ominously in the silence. I need to make it across. Only those who make it are allowed into the Presentation, and after that, compete in the Summit.
An image of Marrow’s limp and broken body flashes in my mind.
If not for Goldenpine, then for the future of the human towns that don’t have protection. This New World is broken, and I’ll be damned if I don’t do anything about it.
My eyes narrow on the first small square platform, and I ready myself.
Time seems to still as I leap through the air until I land on a wobbly leg.
I quickly recover, bending my leg to take the impact and readjust to the next platform.
With music always centering me, I cannot help but hum a tune as I concentrate.
I make it to the final platform and onto the large floating barrel until it spins in the water and I lose my footing.
“Ahh!” I scream then fall into the water. My usual panic ensues until I recall all of the work I just did. I flutter my feet and circle my arms until I reach the surface and pull myself out to try again.
And again.
And again.