_10_ (Crystal Chelsea Lim's Point of View)
I woke up early and sat up. Today is the Race to Hell, Jess will participate so I prepared a meal.
"Good Morning, Chels." I smiled and nodded at him
"Good Morning, Jaxith. Did you have a good night's sleep?" I asked and he laughed
"I can't believe how scary Irene is when asleep." He said and I laughed
"You'd get used to it," I said, and later on Lavalee went here and Jess arrived after.
"Jess, Lavalee, you should eat now, your challenge is today." I told them
"Isn't your Chess competition held today, too?" Irene asked while walking downstairs
"No one's left upstairs?" Jaxith asked and I shook my head
"Sometimes Lavalee would stay behind when it's her turn to be on guard but most of the time we eat meals together." I said and sat on the chair
We ate in silence. It's still early since it's just 5:45 AM and the first challenge is this 10 AM. Jess was the first one who went upstairs because she needs to move fast.
After eating, I washed the dishes while Lavalee toured Jaxith around the vicinity.
"I'm going," Jaxith said goodbye and hugged me
"Can you go by yourself?" I asked him
"If I didn't have Alisha and if I didn't know you have Ethan, I would've thought that we're a good couple." Jaxith said and kissed me on the cheek
I shook my head and chuckled.
"Send Jaxith off, Chels. You need to get out once in a while. " Lavalee told me from the earpiece
"New order, Lavalee aske to send you off." I said and we went out the front door
"Why didn't the traps activate? Did you temporarily close it because you're going? " He asked and I shook my head
"I'm registered at the system so it sets an exemption for me." I replied
"What if someone pretends to be you?" He asked and I shook my head
"It won't work. It runs a full system scan on my IQ, DNA, and well, skills." I replied
"You made a system that protected?" he queried and I shook my head
"Frost arranged it, he said it's better to exempt me because I'm the shadow of the group remember? Even if I'm a member, I prefer to work from behind." I said and looked at the sky
"Do you miss her?" he asked and I smiled
"Maybe if I answered her call then – Chelsea."
"Chelsea."
"Enough."
"Chelsea."
I laughed because the four of them scolded me at the same time.
They really are the best of friends. The best friends a person like me could ask for.
"I know. Don't worry, I'm not blaming myself anymore but I'd be lying if I say I'm no longer guilty. I can never forgive myself but I'll stop blaming myself because that's what he wants." I said softly
"Go ahead, I will send you off." I said and we continued to the center.
We stopped walking when we reached the hotel.
"Come in?" he offered and I shook my head.
"No need, Jax, I have to go back. I still need to prepare. " I told him and I walked back to our base.
I was blocked by a group of guys. They smirked at me. Here we go again.
"What is a pretty angel like you doing here?" the guy who is positioned at the middle asked
I sighed and shook my head in disappointment.
"I'm part of the Callous Exam, Talia Go." I said and fixed my eyeglasses
"Do you really think we'd buy that? You? A weak looking person?" the guy asked sarcastically
"Don't hold back," Lavalee told me so I took out a shuriken from my pocket and threw it.
They didn't notice what I did so it was too late for them to dodge it.
I continued targeting the critical and vital points that I can see. A little later, all of them were lying on the ground, lifeless.
I took my shurikens and looked for a place where I can cleanse my shurikens.
I didn't fail because I found a fountain at the back of the hotel.
I cleaned my shuriken there.
I went back to our building and silently walked up to the security room.
I tightened the security and then went to our room, I took a bath and pressed my scar.
According to Jess, it looks like butterfly wings so I didn't undergo any surgery.
These scars signify the day I stepped into the dark side. The day I did everything to pull myself away from the hands of death.
I wore a coquelicot t-shirt and bistre-colored pants then tied my hair in a messy bun.
"Beautiful," Jess commented when I arrived outside the building
"Let's go?" I asked
Lavalee's not here because Irene and Lavalee chose to stay at the building to keep guard while we're out.
"Jebal josimhae, Jess," I told her and she smiled
(Korean: Please, take care of yourself, Jess.)
"Dangsindo, tallia jasin-eul dolbwajuseyo. Saranghae." She said and hugged me
(Korean: You too, Talia, take care of yourself. I love you)
"Sweet eh? Hope everyone has someone to exchange saranghae with." Irene teased from the other line
"Then date that Alpha," Jess retorted
"You're crazy, Jess! There's no way I'm dating that police officer. Rules are rules." She said I remembered what I heard the other day.
Lavalee got her first warning. She didn't tell us but she's the most vulnerable right now. The Imperial Council's eyes are hot on her.
I have a hunch about what that could be.
It involves Jace and the police officers who are assigned to guard us.
"You fell silent, Chels. Bother sharing your thoughts?" Irene asked
"No thanks. You're just teasing each other so I don't have to speak." I said
"GOOD DAY, RFA STUDENTS!" the facilitator announced.
"As you all know, today is Race to Hell. Whoever wins the race, will rank up to first place. I wonder if our Death Maze Champion Blare Jang really won't join." He said
"Racers! Scan your bracelets." The facilitator announced so Jess scanned hers, she's on the 15th rank and we can see Irene's cover name at the top.
"Looks like Blare really didn't show up. RACERS! Each of you will be given a chance to get a vehicle here through accomplishing different challenges." The facilitator said and Jess was led to a field.
Looks like she'll be exercising hard today.
"So, here is our pointing system! 10 points for every push-up, 20 for every lap, and 20 for every curl-up. It's up to you how you'll save up points within an hour. On your positions. GO!"
When the honk was heard I saw every participant start to run while Jess started to do some push-ups.
While she was doing the push up she was acquiring points faster than those who are actually running so I pressed the side of my eyeglasses and I saw why.
How witty of you, Jess.
Very impressive.
"You saw it too, Chels?" Lavalee asked from the other line
"Affirmative. I saw it too." I replied and watched the whole event.
Jess was ahead of her fellow participants by 70 points already when she decided to do some curl-ups.
None of the other participants noticed it because they were busy competing with those who are running with them.
When the time's already up, Jess acquired a matter of 6,920 points. Quite a stamina she has.
The participants didn't notice that the oval they run in measures 2km per lap so it really took quite their time.