of the ground, covering the sides all the way down the pathway. They kept growing higher and then curved together and joined at the top, trapping me inside a giant snow globe.
“I’d start running now if I were you,” Delagio warned. His voice sounded muffled behind the thick glass. He’d barely finished his words before the first of the Venenum flew out of the hole. My breathing snagged in my chest. It was the size of a crow. Six spindly appendages hung from its black and red striped body. The back four looked like an insects, but the front two were miniature black hands complete with spindly fingers. A sharp stinger curled out from its arched abdomen, the tip pointing straight towards me. The bit that really freaked me out was the face. It looked almost…human. Bulbous white eyes, with pulsing black pupils and a large awkward mouth which stretched open to reveal sharp fangs. The Venenum noticed me and let out a high pitched squeal and raced forward. Behind it dozens more flew out, the combined drone of their wings loud and eerie.
“You have got to be kidding me!”
I was racing at an incredible speed before I was even aware I was moving. The rain shower had turned the ground into a mud bath. Hidden roots and rocks snagged on my feet. It took all of my improved balance to keep upright. I surged forward, checking behind me. The swarm were still gaining, their high pitched screams mixing with the steady beat of the rain.
Without warning, a wall shot up straight in front of me. It was too wide to go around. I didn’t have time to stop, so I vaulted as high as I could, using my momentum to run up the side. For a second I thought I’d made it. But in a stomach lurching moment, one trainer clipped the top. I tumbled to the ground on the other side, grunting as I splashed into the mud and slid along the trench. The impact barely hurt at all. What did hurt was the dagger that sunk into the flesh between my shoulder blades. Pain exploded in my back, sweeping up my spine and smashing into my brain. A scream ripped from my throat. I turned to see that the leading Venenum had stung me. Each stab of pain felt like a sharp fingernail raking against an exposed nerve. I jerked out my foot and crushed the insect against the metal wall. There was a sickening pop and then a mess of black and green.
I darted back onto my feet as the others buzzed around the obstacle. I pushed myself harder — the pain still searing in my back — determined not to have a repeat experience. The path became a blur, as I jumped and twisted my way over the various obstacles that shot out along the way. I glanced up through the glass, to see Delagio running alongside the trench, pressing the Biomote in his hand at certain points. With each tap of the pad, a wall or moving barrier appeared. He’s making the obstacles appear! I gritted my teeth.
The path curved sharply around to the right. As I made the corner, I was horrified to see that the pathway was cut off. Only a shallow little crawlspace was available at the bottom of a huge wall. Behind me I could hear the swarm rushing closer. Their screams sounded demented now — presumably because I’d killed one of their own. I knew that if I tried to crawl, they’d catch me. So without even slowing, I dived. My body hit the ground and I slid along the damp mud at breakneck speed. The tunnel swallowed me, roots clawing at my arms and face as I swept through the darkness and broke through to the other side.
Bursting into the light, I barely had time to notice a metal table with a strange looking gun laying on the top, before crashing straight into it. I collided with one of the metal legs. It buckled, causing the gun to roll onto the floor. It splashed into the wet mud and I scrambled for it as the swarm burst through the crawlspace. I rolled onto my back and with a shaking hand, aimed and pulled the trigger. There was a whooshing sound and then… nothing.
They still rushed towards me.
My heart leapt into my mouth. I raised my arms up to protect my face. I waited for the incredible pain to hit. It didn’t.
I dropped my hands to see that all of the Venenum had stopped. They hung in mid-air like they were contemplating something, their wings beating together, making that eerie noise that only insects can. Their bodies began to vibrate hard and their squeals rose in pitch until they reached a frequency that made my ears ring. Then they all popped. Their gore flew everywhere. I managed to cover my face just in time. I felt it splash onto my arms. “Gross,” I muttered.
Around me, the glass barriers shrank back into the mud.
“Well done buddy,” said a voice from above. Delagio was staring down at me, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He leaned over and held out a hand. I took it grudgingly and he heaved me out of the obstacle course. I collapsed onto the wet grass, chest still heaving up and down as he studied the Biomote.
“Unbelievable,” I wheezed to myself. I looked over at the mud slicked gun lying next to me. “I should use this thing on you Del.”
He laughed — a rolling chuckle that made his shoulders shake.
“Sorry buddy, ah know these trials is harsh, but our job is a rough one. You have to make sure you’re prepared for anythin’.” He pulled a booster out of his pocket. “Here, this should stop the pain.” “Actually…it doesn’t really hurt anymore.” Delagio raised his eyebrows. “Seriously? You mind if ah take a look?” “Sure.” I climbed to my feet and rolled up my gore splattered jumper. “Wow, ya can hardly see the mark!” said Delagio. “You’re lucky, it must not have gotcha proper.” “Certainly felt like it got me,” I said, dropping my top back down.
Delagio clapped me on the shoulder. “You did good Alex. Real good. You’re a fast one alright. The Biomote clocked you at fifty two miles per hour. Most Chosen peak at about forty five.” He pointed a finger at his chest. “Yours truly got stung seven times.”
I couldn’t resist a wide smile. Who cares if I don’t have a gift, when I can run at over fifty miles an hour? That’s one in itself.
“How fast is Gabriella out of interest?”
Delagio grinned. “About sixty five as an average.”
“ Sixty five?!”
“She’s…different.”
I frowned up at him. “What do you mean?”
But he just waved a dismissive hand and pointed towards the mansion. “We should head back. Rachel will be waitin’. Though you should probably grab a quick shower and change first.” I looked down at the splodges of insect entrails that the rain had smeared across the ripped jumper. “I really can’t be bothered to get ready all over again,” I sighed. But I was lying. If it meant another chance to see Gabriella, I was all for it.
18
To my disappointment, Gabriella wasn’t about, so I ended up showering and changing in Delagio’s room. The decor was GQ trendy — a sleek combo of black marble and wood. On the way out, I noticed an array of Stetsons hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. I put one on and looked in the mirror. I hastily put it back again.
Think I’ll leave the trend setting to Delagio.
Rachel was waiting for me at the foot of the main stairs. Her hair had been pulled into a tight pony tail, emphasising her fae features — high, angular cheekbones and slender face.
She re-adjusted the glasses on her nose as I reached her. I found myself wondering if she even needed them, or had simply grown used to wearing them as part of her disguise. “Afternoon, Alex,” she said. “Hi Miss St- I mean Rachel.” She handed me a cereal bar. “I thought you might be hungry. This should help keep you going until the feast later.” “Thanks,” I smiled. We took an elevator at the far end of the hall. Rachel pressed a button depicting a sword. Combat Arena, said Mrs Elevator. As the cab hurtled along the Nexus, I discovered I didn’t feel nauseous at all. My body had adapted. “So how long have you been an Infiltrator for?” I asked through a mouthful of oats and berries. Rachel smiled. “Put it this way, I brought in my first Chosen while Edison was still wrapping his brain around the light bulb.” I raised my eyebrows. “That’s… wow. So do you enjoy it?” Her smile faded. “Enjoy is a strong word. It’s an important and necessary part of what we do.” “It must be hard though, always having to pretend to be someone else.” Rachel gave a thoughtful nod. “It can be. But I never forget why I’m here.” The elevator drew to a close. I swallowed the last bite of the bar as the doors rolled open.
We stepped out into a large circular dojo. The walls were lined with thick white padding. A large Tatami mat covered the entire floor. It bowed ever so slightly under our weight. An array of hand to hand weapons rested in various racks around the perimeter, along with eight evenly placed Golems. They were marionettes without a
