The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 88

I gasp when my eyes fly open, hauling breath into my lungs as if I’ve just broken out of a pool of water.

I immediately it up. panting, staring around at my unfamiliar surroundings. And my

thought, absurdly, is that I’m in the dream state-

Because this – this is not the dorm room that I was in with my friends ten seconds ago.

first

No, as I look around I realize that I’m in the woods now. But it takes me a few moments and blinks to realize that these are not the dream woods in which I meet Luca – but real woods. And it’s dusk, which is absurd, because it was just night time, but why…

My instincts come back to me in bits and pieces and I curl my legs beneath me, ready to get to my feet as I look warily around, trying to figure out what the hell is going on here. My body feels sluggish and tired, but I would swear that moments ago I was drinking a toast with Daphne

Daphne, who I suddenly remember betrayed us. But why!?

I dart my eyes around, trying to figure out my surroundings, how I got here, why I’m all alone, and I almost jump when I turn to see a wooden box behind me.

Ari Clark, it says, my name written onto a piece of paper nailed to the top. I just stare at it for a long moment, putting together the clues.

I’m here, alone, in the woods, with a long box with my fake name on it.

And the only ones who use my fake name are…the Academy…

my hands to the box and flip open the lid, I figure it

didn’t betray us – she was

the box, which doesn’t hold much, though I admit that the contents are fascinating. For a moment I ignore the long crossbow and the set of six vials, opting instead for the little folded piece of paper,

legs underneath me, my eyes flying over the note as

Clark, it

the Academy in the spring term,

Final

away from the letter just for a moment, glancing into the box to see that there is indeed a map

same map and compass, though yours has been marked with your unique starting point. The other supplies in the bin have been given to you by the professors in your specific discipline in order to aid you on your mission to reach the Final Destination quickly and ahead of your fellow cadets. Please note that only the first 60% of cadets to reach the finish line will be invited back in the Spring term; even if you do reach the Final Destination, if you cross the

your

the Destination, should that be part of your tactics. However, be aware that these supplies are not designed to kill. While this is a war simulation at a military academy, your fellow candidates are your countrymen. Any blatant acts designed specifically to

they’ve given me a cross bow, haven’t they? What do they

return my attention back to the page,

longer than that will

through my veins. Once I’m sure that I’ve committed it all to memory. I crumple it and

1

on a short timeline here, but I’m also newly aware that the vast majority of my fellow cadets

pickings, all alone like this. No, I’ve got

back, examining the quiver full of arrows lightening fast before I attach their little belt to my hip. All their points, I noted, are suitably dulled – not designed to rip through flesh, just, as the note suggested, to

high alert as she turns around, examining the forest as I pick

a little at her comment, because – quite frankly – I’m good enough with a crossbow now that I could sink an arrow into someone’s eye.

mean, would

could I kill someone, even a countryman, as the note says?