Chap. 3

"You and me in the rink now, get ready for a sweet duel!" I yell pointing him in the face.

"Why are you squishing your eyes like that, it makes you look constipated." Katherine nudges me with the blood bag in her hand.

"You said and let me quote you, 'challenge anyone' who shows attitude, this is the way I do it!" I exclaim staring my dark clothed reflection in the mirror. This girl decided to be first by waking me up with cold water all over my bed, so now grumpy and erratic she had me dressed up in black sports gear, almost a replicate of her style and also was teaching me how to deal with others while being in the exam.

"This school is tough, my group of friends is a pair of cute unicorns compared to the actual students that go here. It is important that you show your evil side." She purses her red lips licking away the blood that slowly escaped the plastic donor bag.

"Are you sure about that?" I reply, Warren seemed quite frankly scary, and so did Daisy when she needed to be. Also, Adrian which I didn't know really but he gave me chills.

"Hundred percent. The Heads like violence and attitude so give the best one you've got, they'll like that." Katherine dumps her 'breakfast' into the small bin near my bed and smiles sweetly.

"Alright, let's say you're right, I don't even look scary!" I rant watching as the dark haired girl crosses her knees in a very lady like manner, then she taps her chin thinking hard.

"We need you in an emotional wreck." Katherine guessed standing up from the bed and taking the bloody red pillow from my made up bed.

"That doesn't sound pleasant, Katherine." Realizing she wasn't listening I stop talking focusing my attention on the brunette in front of me.

"Has anything troubled you in the past, Blair?" Katherine wonders curiosity seeping into her features immediately.

"No." Denial was a reflex.

"Hmmm. Did you enjoy killing your first man?" She ponders, standing closer to me now. I frown harshly, my eyebrows dropping just above my eyes, my forehead creased.

"I did not-"

"He was innocent. Probably had a wife and children. The little girl doesn't have her father any more. Because you killed him." Katherine throws her long locks behind her shoulder. I listen quietly to what she says, "Do you think she cries at night? Missing the way her family used to be?"

"Do you miss your family Blair?" Her voice came out next to my ear with a threatening whoosh. I swallow hard, my heart beat rings loudly.

"What happened to them?" She sneered her sharp nails digging into my shoulder, my mind was racing, my heart was thumping.

"Stop. That's enough." I hear Ariel's voice from the doorway but my eyes wouldn't look up. Then I heard a slam of the door and Ariel gently shakes me.

"Blair, what did she say?" Ariel pleads her voice is small and soft, something I did not hear from people often.

"Nothing." Hailing out the answer was a pain, especially with the stupid cat strangling my throat.

"By the looks of it, it doesn't mean like nothing." Ariel carries on but I push my hand up stopping her.

"When does the exam start? I want to get it over done with." I know she sees how I'm trying to change the subject and she let's it go, saying something about it being now.

We leave my room and Ariel takes me to the underground stairs. There isn't much light here but once we reach the basement the whole place is surrounded my sparkly LED lights.
I notice there are about fifty if not more people here, all forming a large crowd.

"Now that everyone has arrived i would like to make a few introductions, my name is Jasper, and as one of the Heads I will be monitoring the first assessment." The bulky man with sharp spiky haired head speaks, glancing around the room with a wide welcoming smile.

A tall female within the group marches forward her white hair is slicked back into a neat pony tail and her sparkly glitter gown shines proudly when she raises her hand in a positive gesture. "I am Jennifer, also one of the Heads. Today we're completing two sets of tasks. One requires your physical ability  and other assesses your mind. We will off course start with Jasper, the last task will be controlled by Lawrence." The tall woman waves a pale hand in the direction of a very unusual man. He had light blonde hair that curled around the edges, red blotted eyes made me crawl when he scanned them crowd. At first I thought he was staring directly at me until I realized he was in fact looking at Ariel.

"For those of you who do not know, mind tasks are draining and can take a few hours to complete, so we will split you in groups and do it that way." Lawrence says in the familiar voice, but he was still looking at Ariel which was making me all too uncomfortable.

"Alright, my lovely students, heading this way!" Jasper calls swinging his hand in a waving motion towards the gates which lead to an enormous gym like place.
I notice some of the rock climbing walls, a pool, some hula hoops, and  small sand filled bags. This appeared to be a relay race of some sort which included some of the additional strength parts. It wasn't too bad considering I used to do this of similar sort back in my high school, and I had a very sturdy rank in those too, so there was a chance for me to show myself.

"That's okay, I can easily do this." Someone said from the crowd, Jasper hears it clearly and whips his head in the direction of the sound.

"Oh I'm sorry I wasn't explicit enough, this is the track we are using!" The Head exclaims excitedly and we look behind us, now what I saw,  was beyond of what I was expecting.

"Is this legal?" A female vampire asks, whispering floods in waves.

"Off course not." Jasper answers motioning us over.

It was still a race track alright. But including some extra facilities.
"So we have hundred racers at a time. You start of running 100m, then climb over that 10 foot brick wall, I don't care how you do it, but going next we have a lovely ice cold pool with eh..give or take twenty king cobra snakes, swim through that." Jasper mutters walking across the track, showing everything around.

"Following by are my honestly favourite...the fire rings. One incorrect angle and ouch! But don't you worry we got that medical station over there for your boo boos, and an air conditioner to get rid of the burning flesh stench-"
Ariel nudges me with her shoulder, and I look at her, my jaw dropping open when she gestures to the prison wires running along each track also.

"-we also have the tiny tubes you have to crawl through, which I'm sure y'all claustrophobes are going to love." A few vampires groan hoarsely, I did feel claustrophobic at times, because if I couldn't move my arms then I'm a goner. But I will just suck it up and do my best, mind away from the matter.

"Then we have another 500metres to run, you have to finish the track in no over than ten minutes to pass, the results will be displayed on the ranking board tomorrow morning." Jasper finishes and clasps large palms before offering a smile. There is no way I'm finishing getting out alive, let alone make it under 10 minutes.

"Any questions?" There is a brief silence and then someone clears their throat steadily.

"Is this the Hunger Games?"

Jasper shakes his head with a stiff laugh, and then moves to raise a bloody red flag to one of the poles.

"What happens if you don't pass the test?" I ask loudly, people turn their heads to me then back to Jasper.

The Head cocks his head to the side, something flashing in those dark red eyes. "What's your name newborn?" He asks while pacing forward and people willingly stance away.

"Blair Volkova." The closer this man gets the more scared I get. His face is merely inches from me, the bold retinas give me a once over.

"You die Blair, harsh and painful death." Jasper answers as whispers surround us, the only thing I can do is nod.

"Let's begin!"

Vampires line at the start of the track, it really looked as if one those army training sessions in movies, but also thousands times so much worse.

I notice Ariel moves to stand next to me. "If you have any motivational sh*it which will prevent me from dying now is the right time."

"Are you really that scared?" Warren appears on the other line to my left, his dark brown hair was slightly damp, maybe from sweat or maybe from a recent wash.

"When the outcome of this concerns my life then off course!" I raise both eyebrows feeling my heart thudding with adrenaline. I did not want to die!
I maybe be a vampire, but I don't know what I could die from. There is a possibility I wasn't even immortal.

"You'll do fine, when you see a cobra make sure not to scream like a terrified little girl." Warren speaks with a loud laugh which sends a chill down my back. Cobras.

"Please help me." I glance at Ariel with the last of hope, Jasper was still busy setting the whole thing up so we had a bit of time left.

"I can't, if they notice we're both will be automatically disqualified." Ariel claimed, adding pressure to my heart.

I involuntary dig nails into my palms almost drawing blood.
Which reminds me.
"Ariel, I didn't have any blood this morning." I cluster feeling agitated and frustrated at the same time.

"You're telling me this now? Gosh Blair, I don't think we have time for that!" Concern was evident in her blotchy shines and she looks around if anyone was listening.

"Alright, on the count of three!" I register Jasper's voice as vampires quieten down, the whispers submerge into complete dead silence.

I get set into a position, while Warren gives me a dashing smile.

"Wipe that smirk of your face, before my foot does."

"3"

"I just want to see you fail so bad."

"2"

"Then consider yourself lucky, I'm so not surviving this."

"1"

"GO!"

My feet move as fast as they possibly can, propelling with great speed, but not good enough apparently since Ariel is already few meters ahead.
Finishing the first task I stare at the ten foot long wall, then jumping as high as I could, I grab onto the bricks slightly sticking out, it wasn't an even wall so I used the small cracks to my advantage.

My finger jams into one of the holes and I let out a hiss as I feel stickiness in my palm.
I know if I look at my palm now I will stop so I gather all of my courage and force my body over the wall landing right onto my fours like a cat.

A few people jump next to me but my dizzy vision doesn't allow me to focus, shaking my head I stand up moving towards the pool.
Adrenaline pumps as I take one step in, rapidly paddling I feel a muscle wrap around my leg, and I almost scream from the impact.
Sinking my hand under water I rip the cobra off me with a shriek.
I only take a second to see two vampires being carried away convulsing and spitting bubbling saliva.

Swimming faster I finally reach the end of the pool, dragging my feet across I face the fire rings. You had to jump from a grand height through the fire loop and then land safely.
I step back then accelerate with all of my speed, I knew I could make it.
But then someone pushes me, I don't know who exactly, quite likely someone behind but I fly into loop knocking it down and fall directly face to face with the hard surfaced floor.

This hurts like a mother effing-

"GET UP!" I heard Warren's voice in the distance, but in all fairness my face was probably all cracked and wrinkled, so like hell did I want to rise.

But I had to, so with straining muscles I stand up, trying not to touch my burned stomach and clothes I hop on one leg towards the black tube.

Oh lord baby Jesus.

Leaning my head through the hole I feel a whimper escape my lips when my stomach touches the cold surface of the tube. Then I realized that it didn't matter that I was scared of tiny spaces, because even breathing hurt and I wouldn't make it.

"Blair, come on." Warren was behind me in the tube. I give out a cry when hearing his voice.

"I can't move! Everything hurts." I mutter feeling movement below my feet.
"All I want is a Hawaiian pizza, not this survival of the fittest suicide mission!" I say like a wimp.
Then in one long second I am pushed through the tube, gliding easily like on a slide.

Then I fall out from the exit, and Warren jumps out moving for the track. I stand ready to thank him but then remember he wasn't even supposed to help me.

He races away and I struggle to catch up, "Twenty seconds left!" Jasper shouts, and my eyes catch Ariel standing at the finish line her eyes almost pleading me to make it.

"Five. Four." The countdown started and I give out a shriek of pain and joy when I make it. 9:58 minutes.

Ariel catches me as I collapse onto the floor. "Oh my god I made it!" I squeak as the other people finish.
I catch an eye of Warren but he just stands there as if not even listening to Jace and Daisy that are saying something.

"QUIET!" Jasper voice walking to us with a frown, he swirled through the crowd waiting for our attention.

"I thought the rules were clear, no one helps each other." The Head switches on the "evil" mode in a millisecond pacing around.

"I give you one minute to confess." He speaks to no one in particular but I feel his eyes on my face.

There is silence, "No one will? OKAY!"
Jasper crosses his arms, the bulky mass bulging out.

"Tracy and Sarah, both disqualified!" He yells and I watch two unfamiliar to me girls burst out crying. They are taken away by two men who practically drag them out of the room.

"I will not repeat myself again, I have eyes everywhere, and so do the other Heads. I must admit I am distinctively disappointed with you Warren, usually one of the top ranks." Jasper shakes his head, and I notice Warren clench his jaw tightly, but not answering.

"Good thing we have Adrian here that always lives up to his title." Jasper shots a wicked grin before winding an arm around Adrian who's figure is drenched in water but other than that he is untouched and unharmed.
Did he even compete? I haven't seen him at all.

"I give everyone three hours break, that's enough for you to heal and prepare for the next assessment. I'll see you all in class! Toodles!" With that Jasper disappears from the room and vampires exit the basement.

I find Ariel who smiles at me, "You did better than I thought!" I roll my eyes grabbing onto her shoulder for support.

"Let's get you a blood bag!" She pushes me through the corridors and we end up back in my room. I take a sweetly painful shower and dress myself in clean clothes. Grey sweats and black tank top, paired with black Nike shoes.

"Is Adrian older than you?" I decide to question, beating myself over the curiosity. Ariel nods, falling down next to me on the soft bed and passing me a cold bag of blood.

Disconnecting the tube I take a huge gulp, "Yeah, he's 25, I'm 22." I swallow slowly the liquid, trying not appear like a vulgar pig.

"I thought he would already graduate from the academy?" I say feeling confusion build up at a great rate.

"He has, like two years ago." She finishes and I bat my eyelashes, continuing with the only food I can get.

"So what's he's doing here? I don't know shouldn't he be running around chasing little blood sucking Adrians?" Ariel bursts out laughing, her palm muffling the giggles.

"Adrian is one of the Heads, Blair." She explains and I widen my eyes, feeling my throat going dry, so I correct my state and moisten it with some more blood.

"And he competed today because the Older Heads want him to, since he's young and still needs developing and all that nonsense." Ariel states letting out a breath and then raking fingers through her hair.

"Warren helped me." I say suddenly and Ariel almost leaps to the ceiling.

"He didn't!" She shrieks, horror slipping into her features, and I nod shamefully.

"It's my fault he got such bad time, he helped me Ariel. I want to correct that mistake, maybe if I tell Adrian he could understand-" Ariel jumps in front of me with a dreadful expression.

"Adrian and Warren are rivals since the first day Blair, if you tell my brother, he wouldn't waste his breath to get Warren out." I scowl my eyebrows hunching together.

"So what do I do?" The red head lands on her back, with a tired look and thinks while I finish my blood bag.

"Nothing, he decided to help you, so as long as Jasper doesn't know about it, or Adrian for the matter you're both okay." Ariel cackles displaying a weak smile while playing with the pillow on my bed.

"What happens to those being disqualified?" I ask, what if it wasn't that bad? I could take all the blame, and Warren could get another chance.

"They leave the academy, never come back. And before you even think about it, no you are not going anywhere. Being a vampire out there with no knowledge or practice or is a mass suicide. You going to get slaughtered by the vampire police right there and then, since you do not know any laws." We both stay quiet processing the information.

"I need to at least apologize." I mumble feeling guilt eating at my heart. The look on Warren's face was upsetting me.

"Well, you could tomorrow, right now we need to rest, recover and then prepare for real Hell." Ariel speaks her voice dying down after a few seconds.

"What's worse could there be than what we've just done?" Ariel barks a high pitched laugh.

"You'll see."

Hello hello lovely people! I present to you a new chapter which I hope y'all have enjoyed!!! Thank you if you're showing this story some interest!!!!!

Stay rolling peeps,

~ria