D. MacHale - The Quillan Games

I reached for the beads, but the woman gently pushed my hands aside and put it around my neck herself.

“Who was it?” I asked.

The old woman put her hands over my eyes to close them. She didn’t answer, and I fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, I thought for sure it was a dream. But when I touched my throat, the necklace was there. I had no idea who that old woman was, or whose necklace this was, but I had no intention of taking it off. I needed all the luck I could get.

Finally, after so many weeks of hard work, the day came to take the next step. I had just finished a megalong run through the mall, when I got back to the department store to see Nevva and Tylee waiting for me. They looked tense. I didn’t have to ask why.

“It’s time, isn’t it?” I asked.

Nevva was carrying a sack. She reached inside and pulled out something I hadn’t seen in quite a while. I hoped I would never see it again, but as things turned out, that wasn’t meant to be.

It was a red shirt with five black diagonal stripes-the jersey of Challenger Red. My uniform. “Get dressed,” Tylee said.

Soon afterward I was in the back of a car being driven through the streets of Rune. The older man whose name I hadn’t learned was driving. Tylee was in the passenger seat. Nevva was next to me.

“The campaign has been incredible,” Nevva said. It sounded like she was talking about my run for class president or something. “The anticipation is huge. Everybody wants to know when you’ll reappear. The mystery has only helped build excitement.”

“It’s going to work, Pendragon,” Tylee said. “We’ve positioned you as being the first challenger to compete on your own terms. You’ve stood up to Blok, and now you’re going back voluntarily. That’s never happened before. I almost want to say that it doesn’t matter what happens with the Grand X. You’re already being spoken about in awe, all over Quillan.”

“So what you’re saying is we’re in a no-lose situation. Depending on what happens I’ll either be a hero… or a martyr.”

Tylee looked at me, debating about how to answer. She knew she had to be honest with me. I was too smart. “We’d much prefer you to be a hero.”

I smiled. “Good answer.”

“I’ll be there the day of the Grand X,” Nevva said. “In case…”

She didn’t finish. I knew what she meant. She was going to be there in case I was killed. She would do all she could, as a Traveler, to bring me back.

“It won’t come to that,” I said defiantly.

Nevva nodded.

I added with a smile, “But try to be there.” “I will,” she said.

“So when does this big doo-da begin?” I asked.

“Soon,” Nevva said. “I’m sure Veego and LaBerge are going to want to show you off a little and whip up some excitement. They have no idea that the entire territory is already primed and waiting.”

“Are they expecting me?” I asked.

“No, of course not,” Nevva answered quickly. “But the trustees have promised them that they would bring you back. Or should I say, Mr. Kayto made that promise.”

Nevva and I exchanged looks. Saint Dane knew I’d be back. He knew I’d compete. I hated his confidence. I just hoped he was ready to live up to his end of the bargain.

“We’re almost there,” Tylee said. “Get out quickly. We don’t want to be seen.”

“Got it,” I said. “Just slow down enough so I don’t break my leg. How stupid would that be?”

The old man said, “We’re proud of you, Pendragon. And more grateful than words can say.”

“Good luck,” Tylee said. “I’d say we’ll be watching, but that’s a pretty big understatement. Millions will be watching right along with us.”

“Good thing I’m not camera shy,” I said.

Nevva touched my arm in a show of support. I winked and said, “I’m doing this for Remudi, too.”

She smiled and nodded.

The car slowed and Tylee shouted, “Go!”

I threw open the door and jumped out. My feet barely hit the road when the old man hit the throttle and sped off. As I watched the car disappear into traffic, I felt very much alone. For a quick moment I wondered if I was doing the right thing. I had the sudden urge to take off into the city and disappear into the crowds. It didn’t last. I knew I was in the right place. Slowly I turned to see that I had been deposited exactly where I needed to be. I was standing directly in front of the big, ornate golden gates that led into the garden of Veego and LaBerge. I stood there with my hands on my hips, not entirely sure what to do. Ten seconds later the big metal gates slowly swung open with an eerie creeaaaaaaak. I stood watching until they had opened the whole way and stopped with a loud clang!

I was headed back into the fire.

(CONTINUED)

“I never thought we’d see you again!” LaBerge said, all bubbly and happy as I walked up the marble stairs toward the front door of the castle. Behind me were the two security dados that had met me as soon as I set foot back inside the front gate. “This is just incredible! Do you know how much excitement is building for the Grand X? It’s impossible! It’s phenomenal! It’s-“

“Yeah, I get it,” I said.

“Oh,” LaBerge said, looking all pouty. “Just wanted to let you know how happy we are to see you back.”

He turned with a huff and stormed into the castle. Veego stood at the top of the stairs, staring at me with those cold, calculating eyes.

“Miss me?” I said, faking a smile.

“They told me you’d be back,” she said coldly. “I didn’t believe them. Yet here you are. I must admit, I don’t understand.”

I walked right up to her and said, “I’m here to win your dumb little contest. Is that a problem?”

Veego said, “Absolutely not. This is going to be the most widely seen Grand X in the history of the games. Your running away has only raised the interest. And now that youVe come back on your own, well, let’s just say we expect the wagering to be very high.”

“Then we’re all good,” I said. “I want to compete and you want to look good to your bosses. Everybody’s happy.” I was being kind of obnoxious, but couldn’t help myself.

Veego continued to stare at me suspiciously. “Don’t push your luck. Challenger Red,” she said. “We aren’t as dumb as you seem to think.”

“Really? How dumb are you?” I asked.

Veego didn’t fight back. “Your quarters haven’t been touched,” she said. “Settle in and we’ll begin the preparation.”

“Terrific,” I said, and walked past her, headed into the castle.

The woman grabbed me by the arm and said, “Just one more thing.”

Before I realized what was happening, she deftly slipped something over my hand and pushed it all the way up my arm. I instantly felt the tight grip of the loop as it grasped my biceps.

“Welcome back. Challenger Red,” she said with a sneer.

I didn’t give her the satisfaction of reacting, though the feeling of being constrained again by one of their leashes made my skin crawl. I continued on into the castle, where someone was waiting for me in the grand entryway.

“Hello, Challenger Red,” Fourteen said formally. “I’ll bring you to your room.”

“Hi, Fourteen,” I said. “Or maybe by now you’re Fifteen.”

My robot friend didn’t even crack a smile.

“Never mind,” I said. “I’m glad to see you.” I really was.

He had been pretty decent to me. I was glad that he was going to be my personal dado again. The two of us walked up the staircase toward my room.

“I wish I could say the same to you, Pendragon,” Fourteen said. “Why did you return?”

“For the Grand X,” I said. “I’m gonna win.”