Page 111 of The Bleak Beginning

“What do you think was on it?” Aubrey whispers as we weave through the crowd and closer to the stage.

“I don’t know,” I admit, frustration coloring my tone.

After some thought, she concludes, “It doesn’t matter.” She gestures toward the crowd surrounding us. “The games,” she says, “they’re about to begin.”

The ticking clock grows louder, drowning out the murmur of conversation and strains of music. Suddenly, the lights dim, plunging the ballroom into an eerie twilight. A spotlight illuminates the stage, where Chancellor Maxwell now stands, her face grave behind her ornate mask.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she announces, her voice carrying effortlessly across the hushed space. “The time has come for our first challenge.”

This is it. The real test begins now.

“As you may have noticed,” Maxwell continues. “A most unfortunate incident occurred earlier this evening. Professor O’Donnelly’s collapse was no accident.”

A collective gasp ripples through the crowd. I feel Aubrey tense beside me.

“The time has come for our annual tradition. The Pre-trial Games are about to commence.”

A ripple of excitement runs through the crowd. I feel Aubrey’s hand slip into mine, squeezing tightly.

Maxwell continues. “These games are designed to test not just your intellect, but your courage, your adaptability, and your loyalty. Tonight, your third-year peers will face challenges that will push them to their limits. Some of you will rise to the occasion. Others…...” She pauses, her eyes scanning the crowd. “Will fall.”

A sudden tremor races down my back, and the atmosphere grows heavy with anticipation.

“Your first challenge has already concluded,” Maxwell announces, her voice ringing out clear and sharp. “And nearly all of you have failed.” Her eyes seem to find mine at this comment.

I feel the blood drain from my face as Chancellor Maxwell’s words sink in. Failed? How could we fail a challenge we didn’t even know had begun?

Aubrey’s grip on my hand tightens, her nails digging into my palm. I can feel her trembling beside me, but I don’t dare look away from the stage.

“The true test,” Maxwell continues, her voice cutting through the stunned silence, “was not in solving a puzzle or completing a task. It was in your ability to observe, to notice the unusual, to question what you saw.”

She gestures to the side of the stage, and Professor O’Donnelly steps into view, looking perfectly healthy and very much alive. Another gasp ripples through the crowd, this one tinged with confusion and dawning realization.

“Professor O’Donnelly’s collapse was a ruse, a carefully orchestrated arrangement that provided an advantage for the student or students clever enough to pay attention.”

I feel a surge of anger and frustration wash over me. The paper was an advantage? My mouth twists. Stupid Legacies.

Chancellor Maxwell’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “Only one student had the presence of mind to retrieve the professor’s fallen paper. Congrats are in order for Mr. Whitlock.”

Camden and the rest of the Legacy members huddle in the corner, looking smug and pleased with themselves for having an advantage over the rest of us.

“Like they need it,” Aubrey huffs under her breath as the chancellor continues.

“This information will give a significant advantage in the Pre-trial,” Maxwell announces. “The rest of you will need to work twice as hard to catch up.”

I process the implications of Maxwell’s words. Not only have I failed the first challenge, but we’re already at a disadvantagefor the Pre-trial. I glance at Bishop, who’s wearing a smirk that makes me want to punch him.

“As you know, the Altair games are played in teams of four,” Maxwell continues, her voice cutting through my anger. “Tonight, you will be playing as individuals. You will be scored individually as well. Your objective is to navigate through a series of obstacles and challenges, both physical and mental, as you race around campus collecting these.” She unveils a red cloth.

A low murmur ripples through the crowd. I exchange a tentative look with Aubrey.

“You will have until sunrise to collect as many as you can. Some are hidden easily, some require more effort, but all can be found within Altair’s gates. Each one you collect will contribute to your individual score. The more you gather, the higher your ranking.”

The crowd erupts into excited chatter, but I feel my stomach twist into a tight knot. A night full of solo challenges wasn’t what I had in mind, especially since I didn’t plan on coming here tonight to begin with.

“Silence!” Maxwell’s voice booms, and the noise dies down instantly. “There’s more. As per tradition, the top five scorers from tonight’s challenge will have the privilege of choosing their teammates for the official games. The rest will be assigned randomly.”

Great. So not only do I not want to play, now I don’t even get to pick who I play with?

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