Aster and I were positioned in front while Tilly and Ed were walking behind us. Because Ed was injured, we decided that it was best if we remained ahead of him, just in case something dangerous jumped out at us.

I looked at my team, the corners of my lips twitching. I never thought I would have one ally, nonetheless three. No matter how much I didn't want to, though, my mind always came back to the one question: could I trust them? Ed and Aster showed up at the right time, with the right support. As much as I wanted to believe it, coincidences didn't exist, and this was just one big coincidence.

I cursed under my breath as my foot landed in a pothole, shooting pain from my ankles to my shin. Fortunately, Aster didn't seem to notice. And if he had, then he didn't bother to show it.

"Hey, look."

I looked at what Ed was pointing at. A wall stretched nearly to the sky, causing me to crane my neck to see the top. If the wall I climbed earlier in the course seemed tall, then this wall was colossal.

"How are we supposed to climb this monster?" Aster asked. I shook my head. The wall was flat, except for a few cracks slicing through it. All four of us surviving seemed unlikely. No, impossible.

"It looks like this was meant to help," Aster kicked a thick rope, which was lying on the ground like a dead snake, "but someone cut it."

Ed shrugged. "I'll climb up, and you guys can climb the rope."

"What?!" I exclaimed. The thought of him climbing up the wall, nearly making it to the top before slipping off and...

"Your shoulder," I pointed out. "You can't climb."

Aster scoffed. "You're talking to a guy that climbs rocks for a living." He rested his hands on my shoulders. I tensed at the touch. I couldn't help but notice the pleading look in his eyes. I knew what they were saying. Let him do this.

With a sigh, I stepped back. Ed snatched the rope with a determined look. He slipped it over his shoulder, tying the end to his waist. Once it was secured, he gave us a nod before facing the wall.

At first, Ed hesitated, but once his hands and feet found their rhythm, he soared up the rocks like a spider monkey. My heart was pounding so quickly that I swore it was going to stop. Tilly clutched my hand. I squeezed hers reassuringly, but I couldn't help but feel restless myself.

Ed had nearly climbed a quarter of the wall when he got stuck in a gap. His shoulder blades tensed under his suit, and I could only imagine how much his body was trembling.

"We have to help him," I said.

Aster shook his head. "He's fine, trust me."

There were those words again. Trust me.

My mind focused back on Ed, and I saw that he was climbing once again. He looked like an ant on the wall as he climbed higher and higher.

I only released the breath I was holding once I saw him slide on the top. I couldn't see him, but after a pause, the rope flew down.

I offered to go first. Aster agreed since he would also be carrying Tilly on his back to ensure that she made it up safely. I tugged on the rope, pleased with how sturdy it was. Aster helped me as I tied the rope around my waist.

With a deep breath, I placed both feet on the wall. My heart hammered when the rope grew taut. When I didn't land on my tailbone, I lifted my foot, placing one in front of the other. I continued moving up but constantly stopped to make sure that I didn't slip. The pattern continued on. Walk, stop, keep walking, and repeat.

I was hardly halfway up when I paused, clutching the rope with one hand and using the other to tighten the knot. I could see Ed and how he was clutching the rope with shaky arms. The rope was wrapped around an object to support him, to my relief, but the sight of him holding it made me climb faster.

Sweat was soaking my body and adrenaline was pumping through my veins by the time I swung my legs over the top of the wall. Ed sighed in relief and relaxed his muscles. I pivoted my attention to the knot around my hips, untying it as quickly as I could. Once I finished, I dropped the piece of rope down. I watched it disappear before my eyes, hopefully landing in Aster's hands.

"You got up here quickly," Ed said.

I scoffed. "I wouldn't say quickly." My legs were throbbing, caring to oppose Ed's comment. The climb felt like a hundred—maybe a thousand years—long. Anything but quick.

It was quiet between us as we watched Aster and Tilly come into view. Aster's head was facing the wall while Tilly's wide eyes stared up at me. I gave her a reassuring smile, hoping that she would loosen her grip around Aster's neck. The lack of blood rushing through his face made it look like he would pass out any minute.

We didn't bother to unknot them once they reached the top. Instead, Aster sucked in a deep breath as he placed his feet on the other side of the wall and slid down.

Aster jumped down before giving what I assumed were two thumbs up. Ed and I reeled the rope back to us. We took turns coming down. It was easier getting down than getting up. I stumbled when I landed, but I was on the earth without a scratch.

Ed yanked the rope to the floor, allowing it to land by his feet.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"To stop other people from coming," he explained. "You have to weaken the competition, Kat; it's the only way to survive."

Don't trust anyone.

I only nodded. We continued walking. I staggered behind the group.

Don't trust anyone.

Even your allies.

Happy Tuesday! Sorry that I didn't get this up yesterday, it took a while to write for some reason.

Also, happy Pi Day! I hope all you mathematician/nerds enjoyed today as much as me.

If you did enjoy this chapter, please comment, love, and share with your friends. Don't forget to vote with your untrustworthy friend. Stay cool. :)

I couldn't find a song that represented this chapter, so here's Mountain Sound by Monsters and Men. I hope you like it.