Soon they all reached where large tubes were inserted, basically it was somewhat related to the first task they were going to perform. Niel came forward and started his explanation by saying,
"So, as you all can see the large tubes here are inserted. Basically,you all will be inside these tubes. There will be water filled in it covering your whole body except your head which will not be inside water. Now the twist is the water will be chilled plus with ice cubes. That's it for this task. Those who will be able to stay longer will go to the next task. Also, if seen by the medical certificate of everyone 100 people will be disqualified as they have an allergy to ice cubes. So we can't risk your health nor can we qualify you. We need strong members. Please check out your name on board if you are there or not. After that 50 candidates who are chosen will come to me for doing the task".
Cordelia, now was more sad as no one was there with her. She also had to complete the task not because she wants but also for Leona now. She dispersed herself on the dashboard to check out the name and of course she was qualified as she didn't have any allergy. But still she was nervous and feeling lonely. As she was a bit tired she sat on the seat. There Niel noticed it and went towards her and sat beside her.
"Hey! What happened looking stressed? Are you qualified or..?"
"It's there."
"That's great then good luck. I will be seeing your performance ahead."
"Hmm."
"Hey! What happened, you aren't behaving normally!"
"Nothing just a bit stressed out. It's just I don't know why I am feeling upset."
"Just chill corde you can do it! When I first was given this task I did although I was feeling nervous and stressed."
She just nodded her head. But by this response Niel wasn't satisfied. He got up from the seat and went for starting out the task. As there were 50 candidates. So 10 candidates of each were assigned to two heads. Cordelia was assigned to Niel and Avana who was a working partner of Niel as well as a close friend. Niel called out his candidates and told them to gather in hall number 5. Cordelia was totally blank so she was doing the same as Niel was telling. Meanwhile Avana reached there!
"Heyy! Niel what's up?"
"Oh hey Avana, great to see you here. Let's go to the hall . We will be giving a task there itself to our 10 candidates."
"Okay! Let's go then!"
They all were walking when Avana's eyes got on Cordelia! So as Cordelia was a little tired looking, Avana questioned her..
"Hey! You Just leave if you are not feeling well. Weakers are not well able to complete this kind of task." She said her in a mocking tone. Cordelia didn't liked it a bit so she replied back,
"Oh hello! Please if you consider yourself so powerful then I challenge you to battle that task with me after I am done with my assigned task."
"You dared to challenge me? Fine then, it's accepted. Remember my ability will be more than yours as I am head as well as very experienced here. So a great chance of losing is of yours."
"Enough!! Cordelia just enough. She is the head in this department which means of course in every aspect she will be more powerful than you. You have no right to disrespect her. And as now you have decided to challenge her then if you lose , you will be directly eliminated from the task and sent back home as a punishment, Remember! I can be formal in normal talks, but at work times I am very strict." Niel told in a very loud and cold tone.
Cordelia didn't feel bad as she felt when Avana told her anything but Niel's word really gave a sharp pain inside her heart. She controlled her tears and changed herself in a suit which was provided for doing the task.
On the other hand, Niel was feeling bad the way he talked to Cordelia.
So now all the ten candidates were placed inside the tubes which was filled with chill water plus the ice cubes were also slowly added in it. Till fifteen minutes all were able to hold up themselves but after that many people aborted where Cordelia was still there. The rash was seen on her arms and she was shivering but still was there. Slowly it crossed 45 minutes now only two Candidates were there Cordelia and one more girl. Now, Cordelia was totally burning but she didn't aborted. Niel was seeing that and wanted to stop so he said in the middle,
"Cordelia if you are feeling uncomfortable please don't push up. You already have got second place and qualified. No need to suffer! Health is more important."
But she was like not to hear any of his words. Where on this Avana replied.
"No need to worry Niel, our five members need to be strong there won't be any cause if she got first position. As weakers are not eligible in this department." Where Cordelia was breathing heavily and her skin was burning up with high fever and Niel was able to see that. Luckily the other girl got out of the tube so the two girls chosen were now Cordelia and Nella the girl just came out.
Seeing this Niel quickly ordered to stop adding ice cubes and rushed to open the tube. As he opened Cordelia fell on his arms. Niel could feel that her whole body was so hot burning up. So he told Avana to bring a towel and heaters. But then Cordelia got up and denied.
"Cordelia! No stop enough you won your body is burning up come to take rest".
At which she replied,
"I won't stop myself until I won't defeat this so-called Avana."
Niel again didn't like it but as now it was time to just first stabilize Cordelia so he ignored. While Avana started laughing on her and said,
"Seriously, Now too she dared to challenge me! Seeing by her current condition I don't think she could stay one minute also in front of me."
"I will and prove it to you Miss so called Avana."
Cordelia pushed Niel away and went inside the tube , where Avana too got changed and went inside the room. The process of filling chilling water in a tube and ice cubes started…
TO BE CONTINUED!