The terrain crumbled under my heavy boots. I pumped my arms and remembered everything I learned about sprinting from soccer, nearly slipping in the mud as I ran. The dirt hid in the gaps between my soles, weighing me down. It felt like weights were strapped around my ankles.

I looked behind me, seeing dozens of people following me. I turned my eyes back to in front of me, not wanting to think about the chaos that would happen once we hit our first course.

My muscles began to ache and it was difficult to get air as I ran. It was always something that I always did. I never paced myself. I just ran until my sides hurt and my head throbbed. I knew that that was going to be something that would slow me down instead of speeding me up, but I didn't care. I was too focused on running until it was all over. Some tributes passed me up. Sweat trickled down my forehead.

I slid on the slippery earth as I tried to stop myself. I bent backwards as I balanced myself, forcing my body not to fall. I looked down. Dug into the ground were three slides, snaking down so far that I couldn't see. They were made of thick dark metal. They looked like they'd collapse if too many people were on them at once.

I heard someone whoop as he jumped down the first slide. His fingers clutched onto the barely visible sides, his shoes squeaking on the metal. I flinched. It reminded me of fingernails sliding on a chalk board. He cheered until I couldn't see him. Once he disappeared his screams clouded the air, and then there was silence.

I shivered. I suddenly wished that I had my jacket, the windbreaker provided no protection. I hugged myself as I studied my situation. A group of people came charging like a stampede, some jumping, hoping to land on a slide, but missing, costing them their life, some taking their time to sit and slide down random slides. My body got pushed up onto a tree trunk, and I stayed there, listening to the agonized screams as they slid down towards a mysterious surprise.

Once all of the people disappeared, I placed a couple stones in my hands. The mud that stuck to them smeared on my palms. I approached the slides cautiously. I threw a rock down the first slide, the stone bouncing down the metal. At the bottom, I could hear a hissing sound as a liquid dissipated the rock. I shuddered, sidestepping away. First slide: not an option. Heavy footfalls got louder, I knew I would have company soon.

I slid a rock down the second one, opening my ears for any noise. I waited about two minutes before tossing one down the third one. There wasn't a sound from the third one either.

A shoulder collided into me, making me trip on my feet and fall sideways. I screamed as I slid on the wet dirt, going feet first off the edge. I grabbed onto one of the slides, clutching onto it for dear life. I looked up to see a couple people sliding on all three slides. One guy smirked at me before sliding down the second one. I squinted, trying to see who it was, gasping when I saw the dragon tattoo that was wrapped around his neck.

Once they all left, I used all of the little body strength I had to lift myself up, taking my time. I rested my butt on the slide as I slid my feet onto the cold metal, sighing in relief as I sat there. That would've been a nasty fall.

As I placed myself into a sitting position, I pushed myself off, cascading down the spiral of metal. My eyes widened as I started to gain speed, nearly falling off the side. Everything around me moved so quickly that it blurred. I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to see what awaited at the end.

My feet landed on solid ground. I peeled my eyes open. Flat land filled with dead grass surrounded me. The sky was darkening as the sun rested at the crest where land meets sky in the distance. Hot wind blew my hair out of my face. A narrow and curvy trail laid ahead.

I grinned triumphantly; I just completed the first course. I let out a deep breath and started walking. All the mud I had on my shoes was now stuck to the metal slide. I shuddered. The next time I saw a slide would be too soon.

I had to admit, I felt more relaxed now that the first course was over. Now that I had an idea of what I was up against, I didn't feel so worried. I was still jumpy and scared, but it felt like a small weight was released from my shoulders.

I continued following the path, only breaking out into a jog when I saw the next obstacle staring at me with daunting eyes.