A/n: I will be having much more regular updates now that I am on holidays. I have made myself a system where every time I finish writing a chapter (two chapters ahead) I will post the previous one so you all will be getting more frequent updates.
          I hope you are all loving this story and actually like it. I try my best and can't wait until it is finished to see the final result!
          Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter! And check out that song ^^^^ that's my song of the day choice!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND DON'T FORGET TO READ THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy! TaylorLeFay

_____________________________
TAG IN COMMENTS HERE; Please spread the word of this story and tag your friends or anyone who will be interested!==>
_____________________________

Chapter Forty Five:

It turns out that Lucas and I were close to the last people to make it outside in the main quad.

Everyone was already gathered together and were in their own little groups that they had formed at the beginning of the Resdue. Except they weren't really groups. They were more clusters of people trying to make this a high school cliche and use each other when needed to then stab them in the back.

At least, that was what some of the rumours had suggested.

We slowly approached the large group and I quickly scanned around to see if I could find two heads; one with a brown afro, and another with curly black hair. Except I couldn't find them over the roaring crowd and the amount of people around.

So instead, Lucas and I hung around the back.

I observed everyone curious as to what they decided to do at the announcement of this test. I couldn't help but notice that half of the people were prepared where as the other half weren't.

The smarter part of the people which related to me and Lucas were dressed more appropriately for something that seemed to involve more physical activities. They had sneakers on compared to some people with sandals and slides and had large backpacks like me.

Only some had really big backpacks which would definitely be a liability later on and the other half had smaller, more portable backpacks which seemed to be the better option. Like Lucas and myself.

However, the other half of people that didn't seem well prepared looked much more nervous. I could tell by the way they glanced at everyone else who seemed more prepared that they regretted it. It was definitely too late to turn back and change their mind and they were stuck now with what they had. Or what they didn't have.

I felt pitiful as I knew that it would've been a bigger stress to be completely unprepared and I hoped that everyone could somehow be okay.

But that was not how it worked.

I sighed in despair and instead looked upwards towards the calm night sky.

To say it was a nice night was an understatement.

There were no harsh winds that rushed through the air, sweeping chills throughout the area making the hair on everyone's skin stand tall. No clouds clouded the sky causing the moonlight to illuminate the whole area making it easier to see. I could clearly define all the features on Lucas's face from the worry in his eyes and the wrinkles of skin as he was confused and frustrated not knowing what to do.

The air around was pretty light too with no humidity making it easier to breathe and not to hot that I was sweating through the black long sleeved leather shirt I had on. The denim blue shorts I had on made me seem more airily and didn't cause me to overheat making my body temperature almost perfect.

As Lucas and I waited I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread take over me. I was horrified at what this test was and what would happen. I wasn't a hundred percent certain with my ankle still and was terrified at what this test was about.

I began to feel my body overheat and started taking slow calming breaths to cool myself down. It wasn't right that I had to feel like this. I shouldn't fell like this. No one should feel like this. Especially at my age, or at any age. It just sucked big time that I had to deal with this. That everyone had to deal with this.

But I stood in the unmoving atmosphere around me. My panic soon let down after Lucas and I waited for only a short amount of time. Gailsman finally made an appearance in front of the dining hall in his professional overused clothing with a glowing smile on his face.

He had a microphone in hand and raised to his lips as he addressed everyone who had become quite at the sight of the cruel man in front of us.

"Good morning everyone, and welcome to the sixth test. Now, we are going to keep this very short as we are on a time schedule. When you arrive more will be explained. So let's go." He said cheerfully.

I glanced at Lucas briefly with a worried grim look which he seemed to replicate back at me.

Here we go.

• • •

I wasn't exactly sure where we were.

I mean, there was a giant stadium in front of me that was obviously bigger than a football stadium, however, it was surrounded by nothing. And by nothing, I meant literally nothing. Only a faint dirt road which was how we got here, but empty plains as far as the eye could see.

It was well past midnight now and was approaching dawn and I knew we had been driving for hours, at least.

As I stared at the gigantic stadium that raised higher than a ten storey building, I realised it must've been some sort of arena and not a stadium.

It was pure metal with no windows allowing you to peer inside. It looked as if it was brand new as it had no rusting along the metal rings that held the large scraps of metal together and almost looked like it had a freshly painted coat of white paint that rose from the bottom to about a quarter of the way to the top.

I couldn't exactly say or see how large it was, but could only predict that it was bigger than two soccer fields combined together.

At least.

Everyone had finally arrived and there was a buzz of noise which was directed towards the stadium/arena. We were dropped off in front of one of the outer tunnels which would lead into the actual stadium. It was almost like the dramatic tunnels which your favourite soccer team would walk out of making some dramatic entrance.

Only now, it was our turn.

From beside me, Lucas let out a low whistle and I turned my head to look at him as he gazed up almost in awe but also fear.

"Wow," he commented and I nodded in agreement as I was in some sort of shocked state as well. Whether at the stadium or fear? I didn't know.

"I know," was the only thing I could respond.

I watched as his head turned down towards me and his lips were in a straight line as if grim. "We'll be okay," he said but I felt a little hesitant. Will we though?

Suddenly, a high pitched noise wailed out loud, a screeching noise being heard from everywhere making everyone cringe and a few quirks and boys screaming out in shock.

The speaker system.

I heard the sound of someone fumbling with a microphone before a voice was cleared, the loud screeching noise now fading away.

"Attention all Resdue contestants. We will now explain the test today and the rules that are in place. Three different schools will be announced to compete in this test. Out of the three schools, only one school, or pair if you will, will make it out."

He paused letting the information sink in with everyone.

Only one third of us will live to see another day.

"If you haven't figured out already, only one third of you will be left. The 53,740 of you will become 17,916. That is 26,870 schools will become 8,958 schools left."

I felt my heart stop to this. I knew that only one third will be left, but from 53,740 people to 17,916 left. That was crazy! Over 30,000 people weren't going to make it out of that arena today.

I felt myself gulp and subconsciously took a step back where I bumped into Lucas. I heard him groan in pain slightly as I stepped harshly on his foot and as I went to quickly take a step away I felt his hand grip my waist and squeeze lightly in reassurance.

I would be lying if I said i didn't feel some sort of relief.

"Now," the male announcer continued.

"There is however only one rule in place of this task. As you know, you have to make it to the other side. You may feel confused now but that is alright. You will understand when you are inside. Now, the only rule in this task is—" he paused for dramatic effect. "To get to the other side."

In other words, there were no rules.

"Now good luck, the first lucky three to enter will be—" there was a ruffling of papers before he rumbled his voice and announced the first three schools. "Glensfield High, Engldeen High, and Frenshaw High."

Just like the fighting test, everyone was quick to look around and discover which schools were announced.

My eyes scanned the crowd before they became glue on the exact people who were called.

It was quite obvious by the shock and fear clearly evident on their faces, and by the way the strolled towards the large metal gates which were sealed shut with no room to see what was on the other side.

The first two of six to arrive at the gate were two boys. One was a little scrawny compared to the other buff kid beside him. However they both seemed horrified. They were closely followed by two pairs of two girls. All six of them looked frightened and none of them seemed prepared.

No backpacks, no nothing.

Everything was silent as we all watched on, peering as the large gates swung open and an empty tunnel appeared. It was dark and seemed almost damp. There was no light ahead and it looked like one of those tunnels out of the horror movies you would have watched.

I watched closely as slowly, the three pairs walked ahead and the gates closed behind them, swinging shut and locking in place.

Their time had begun.

Only two were going to make it out.

It seemed as if the spell that had frozen everyone in place had suddenly released and everyone was moving around and talking again. Yes, we were all talking in fear and shock, but at least we weren't shells stuck inside of a body.

I turned to Lucas as his hand still gripped my waist, only spinning in his arms.

He had a grim look on his face and didn't bother swiping away the loose strand of black hair that fell into his electric blue eyes.

Oh, how hard was it not to do it for him.

"What are you thinking?" He whispered to me softly, my eyes closing as his breath fanned my face.

I tried clearing my mind from all the muddled and confused thoughts that crossed then. Lucas being one of them as my eyes opened and I answered truthfully.

"I don't know."

His eyes pierced into mine and I felt something inside of me almost break down and found myself spilling my true feelings.

"I'm scared," I whispered looking down letting my brown hair curtain my face. "Terrified, worried, and I don't want to die."

I felt my breath shake as I willed myself not to cry and felt his fingers grip my chin and pull my face up towards his. "You are not going to die," he said quietly but had so much conviction in his voice. "We are going to be apart of the third that survive."

I felt myself nod in response and quickly stepped back as I realised just how close we were. That might've explained why my heart was beating so fast.

However, as I was a step away, I suddenly felt myself being flung forward back into Lucas's arms as someone shouldered past. I couldn't help but feel annoyed and turned around to see who had shoved me and was only faced with the back of someone who seemed oddly familiar.

She was tall, maybe just an inch taller than me. She had long auburn hair which appeared more red if anything. It was tied in a high pony tail and I watched in confusion as she sauntered away almost mockingly. As I peered after her trying to pin point who she was, I was distracted as I was suddenly turned around to face Lucas's concerning eyes.

"You okay?" He asked and I nodded.

Lucas and I then spent the few hours, whether it was five or more, just talking quietly next to each other. Slowly, people began filing out as they were called to compete in the sixth test.

As we spoke we could hear faint screams ringing in the background and I felt chills rise on my neck, back and throughout my whole body at the horrendous noises. Lucas seemed to as well as his eyes closed in pain at the gruesome sounds.

It felt like forever until we were finally called up to compete ourselves. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I was terrified and had no idea what was going to happen and how.

The only thing I really processed was our school name ringing through the speakers.

"Up next is; Merrickville High, Kremlin High, and Redlake High."

It was now our turn.

"Hey," I heard faintly as I grew into shock. "Hey, Bryce!"

I felt someone touching me faintly and turned my head slightly to face a distraught Lucas. "Hey, Bryce, it's going to be okay."

I nodded slightly and stood up slowly as he began dragging me to the front where the gates awaited. Already the two other schools we were competing against were standing there, waiting for us to arrive.

"We will be fine Bryce," Lucas whispered to me while walking and dragging me along. "It's going to be okay." I nodded my head along with his to help reassure myself and shut my eyes.

"It will be okay."

We stopped in front of the gate which seemed newly constructed and I looked at the swirling patterns which weren't identifiable from far away. Beside the gate was two other pairs, one was two blonde girls, one with short hair and another with long braids, whereas the final pair was just like me and Lucas. Boy and girl. The girl had long black hair tied back and the boy had a blonde short buzz which was still identifiably blonde.

They sent a grim smile our way and I couldn't help but sigh in response. Before I could have a real reaction towards them, the gates began to squeak and slowly swung open.

It was very loud at where I was staring and felt my heart drop at the sight of it.

This is it.

As I stared mesmerised at the gate, I suddenly felt hands twirl me around until I was in Lucas's arms and he lent his head onto my forehead. "We will be okay," he murmured as if knowing I needed that and quickly kissed my on my forehead before pulling back aa if nothing happened.

I faintly felt my hand reach up and lightly brush against the spot on my forehead where his lips were. I couldn't help but feel a slight blush raise on my cheeks at the thought of him kissing me again.

But the thoughts quickly vanished as I watched the two other teams take a step into the tunnel and slowly vanished from sight.

I felt myself gulp as I knew we were next.

After pumping myself up, giving myself a pep talk, I went to take a step forward but stopped when I felt a hand slide into my own. I froze and glanced at my hand which was now connected with Lucas's and felt a faint blush rise on my cheeks again.

Although, I didn't dare look at him with the blush on my cheeks, instead, I took a step forward and Lucas slowly trailed beside me.

We walked down the few steps into the tunnel where it was pitch black; dark. And I turned back for the last time seeing the light behind me vanish as the gates closed behind with a squeak casting us in full darkness.

The only thing I could hear was mine and Lucas's heavy breathing, along with the drops of water falling in the damp tunnel. I felt my breathing grow heavy, the noise echoing throughout the tunnel and felt Lucas's hand squeeze my own. In comfort or reassurance, I didn't know.

"Come on," he said quietly. "Let's go."

So we walked for a good minute in the darkness. We couldn't see or hear anything other than the two of us in here. It was quite cold and think I imagined white air coming out of my lips. But it must've been my imagination as it was pitch black in here.

It was almost a massive relief to see the end of the tunnel and a bright red light appear. The light danced on the staircase as if teasing us about what laid ahead. I didn't really like the colour of the light, red just seemed to represent danger ahead.

However, I couldn't wait to get out of this treacherous, dark, damp tunnel and wanted to get this test over and done with.

As if reading my mind, Lucas and I ran towards it still clutching hands. Our backpacks bounced on our backs as the chains rattled and made a lot of noise, echoing throughout the tunnel and chasing after us.

The red light grew larger and I knew we were almost there. We approached the stairs and quickly ran up them to stand still at the top where the other two pairs were and stared off into the distance at what this test was.

I instantly felt a hundred times more terrified.