The boat loomed before us as we said our goodbyes on the dock. Atticus was the only one who could say anything to me. Pridux stopped Mother's outward behavior, but the feeling of betrayal that she carried must have run deep for her to let me leave without saying goodbye. Father tried to, but he simply opened and closed his mouth several times, looking confused. I guess I can't blame them for not knowing what to say. They have been mentally practicing their speeches to Pridux our whole lives. In contrast, until recently, we all thought I would be on their side during this goodbye.

When time with our families was over, we started getting shuffled to the boat. The guards at this event had guns in case any of us tried to run. But why would we? This was an honor, right? Right? Off the bat, when they started closing in, a kid, probably from a farming area on the island, tried to run. I didn't know him, but watching them shoot him in the leg and be dragged onto the boat was a bit horrific. Of course, if you try to choose the cowardly way and run, you don't get away, but you start this competition with a disadvantage. It just isn't worth it.

I grab Kellen when I see her and start walking her onto the boat, hoping that she won't fight me about getting on. The boat was old but large, a wooden cargo ship with massive sails. Normally, a ship like this would need a massive crew to run it, but it was enchanted to sail on its own to the smaller island and back at the end of the battle with the winner. It would go nowhere else and would not set sail until all but one was dead. But that is none of my concern because I would be long dead before the sails of this ship catch win again.

We were all funneled into the cargo area as one of our old teachers stood on the stairs and started talking to us.

"I would like to congratulate you all on your immense talent and potential. It is our tradition to challenge the strongest of our people, and you have been chosen," he announced like a victory, and no one cheered. "this boat is a safe place for you during your trip. If anyone hurts you, they will receive the same wound. It is an enchantment on the boat, so killing one of your fellow competitors is rather self-defeating. But this enchantment only lasts 24 hours after the boat hits land. Then that enchantment fades off, and anyone can kill you on this boat if they want to. be wary and keep that in mind. Once you are off the boat, there are no rules except that only one of you can return home on this boat. Live well, children." He then disappeared up the stairs and closed us down here. We all stared at each other for a moment before moving around to find a place to sit. This is when Kellen started to act up. She did not like the boat's lurching movement and kept pulling at me to let her leave, but I knew there was no leaving this hold. Her screaming gave us one thing, though. It gave us space, and no one wanted to be near us. I dragged her to a space under the stairs near a port hole where just the smallest bit of water splashed up, filling the air with a hint of salt. It reminded me of fishing with my dad. I held onto that small bit of solitude for the journey.