Aster was hesitant to ask, but he talked to Tilly about continuing on. She agreed, reassuring us that her wrist could handle a little more pressure. I knew that what Aster had told her earlier had encouraged her to keep going. We couldn't get out if we just sat around.

We all drank a couple of sips of water and refreshed ourselves before continuing on the trail. Tilly's bandage was darkened from blood.

It reminded me of the time that Aster had wrapped his fingers with his sleeve. It had been bloody and torn, too. I could have properly bandaged both of their wounds if I still had that first aid kit that had been taken weeks ago.

Man, if only that backpack hadn't been stolen from us.

Aster's shoulder was inches from mine. He grabbed my hand, squeezing it reassuringly. I placed my other hand in Tilly's. She forced a closed-lip smile. I could tell that our team was slowly falling apart. Ed would have never allowed Tilly to get shot in the arm. I wouldn't have felt as dubious about continuing. I wouldn't have wondered if losing was an option.

I sighed. How could I feel so attached to Aster, and yet not feel attached to our group? Sure, we've had plenty of hiccups, but that had never stopped us before. We still need to adjust, I reassured myself. Everything's going to be fine.

"It's going to get late soon," Aster said. Frowning, I looked at the sky. The sun was still high in the air. How could it possibly be anything past twelve? I nodded, though. He was the guy with the watch. I couldn't question it.

We spent what felt like years walking. That was another problem with the Pestilention. Practically three-quarters of the course was made up of tributes walking. We would go at least three miles alone until another obstacle came. It was impossible to get through three obstacles without having to go on for another couple of hours.

I had never noticed it when I was watching the Pestilention. I didn't pay attention to any of it, though. I would've realized how sick it was to throw people into their deaths if I had. I would've sent wishes to the families that had lost their children. I wouldn't have laughed and had eaten junk food, being grateful for a month without school. I wouldn't have bet with Caden on who would've died first.

Or maybe I would have, anyway. I never realized the brutality or the plain entity of the deadly obstacles until I had to face it myself.

I took a couple more steps before the ground grew soft under my soles. I halted. The dirt didn't just change unless something was about to happen. Aster's face contorted into a frown. He noticed the discrepancy of the dirt, too.

I shrugged. We would have to cross it sooner than later, anyway. Stomach knotting and heart pounding, I took the first step. Nothing.

A sigh of relief came from behind me. I shook my head. It wasn't over yet. I continued walking, grimacing as my heel dug into the grainy earth. Aster moved in front of me. Relieved, I allowed myself to walk a few steps behind him.

Aster yelped as his foot dug deeper into the dirt. It crumbled, forming an aperture the size of my fist. I ran to Aster and grabbed his wrists. I used all of my strength to pull him out. His foot slipped away easily. He toppled into me. Aster touched my shoulder as a sign of apology.

He was focused on the hole that was growing, crawling towards our toes to speak. I shuffled backward. My shoulder collided with Tilly's.

"I think we have to jump," she told me. Eyes widened, I looked at the growing crack. I didn't have time to think her comment through. It would take only a couple more seconds until it wasn't jumpable. With closed eyes and clenched fists, I ran towards the edge, leaping to the other side.

My feet kicked the air as my chest smashed against the edge. My brain smacked into my skull. Dazed, I started to fall. My fingers clawed at the dirt with no success. The toes of my boots curled into the wall, only managing to slide myself farther and farther into the gaping hole under me. I could hear screams above me, pleading and crying.

A hand was stretching towards me. I tried to grab it. My fingertips couldn't grasp it, though.

Aster's face came into view. He leaned further in until his knees were the only thing balancing his body. His glasses slid down his nose and off of his face. They dropped limply past me. My eyes welled up with tears. It couldn't possibly be over. I couldn't die. Not yet. Not when I was this close.

Aster shrieked. I looked up to see Tilly's feet soaring through the air. My heart sank. She had jumped, too. Why? I wanted to scream. Why would you risk your life when there was obviously no hope? And even though I was expecting it, I couldn't help but feel my heart shatter as I saw Tilly smack her temple on the side. Her eyelids fluttered as she regained her vision.

Once she did that, Tilly looked straight down and let go of the wall.

My heart skidded as I watched her fall with the dirt. "Tilly!" I cried. I placed my forehead on the wall. My grip was loosening, and I knew that it wouldn't be long until I would join Tilly.

I heard Aster's scream as he dropped down, following Tilly. My eyes widened. Was there something I was missing, or were we all attempting suicide? 

I couldn't think about it too much, for the dirt that was keeping me stable had crumbled with the rest and was taking me down with it.

Hey everyone! I hope everyone's having a good morning/night/afternoon. Why do you think they all jumped? Was it an attempt to save Kat? Or did they see something that Kat didn't see...?

If you liked this chapter, please comment, vote, and share this story with your friends. Make sure to vote with your feet. Stay amazing.

This song is calledTopsy Turvy by Family Force 5. I really hope you enjoy.