Tabitha's POV
The rest of the time passed without any drama. I kept to my corner, leaning against the wall.
Jamar and his crew would occasionally cast hostile glances at me.
I knew they were just waiting for their moment.
Once we hit the island, the real bloodbath would start.
After a month of training, I ranked top with outstanding results.
The twin brothers, who often huddled together to keep warm in the corner, wanted to team up with me, but I rejected them.
I always flew solo while observing that she-wolf named Kylie Perez.
Everyone kept their distance from her, even Jamar didn't dare to provoke her.
She had this dark vibe about her, like a snake lurking in the shadows.
It was like if everyone behaved themselves, she wouldn't do anything, but once someone crossed her, she'd strike hard.
These days, I tried getting closer to her, but she just ignored everyone.
Having survived the peaceful month, we'd be dropped onto an uninhabited island tomorrow.
There were a hundred of us total, but only ten would make it out alive.
The next day, before dawn, Devin handed out emergency backpacks and explained the rules before leading us onto a plane.
Next, we would have to parachute down and choose one of four islands to land on.
Just before I jumped, I caught Jamar making a slashing motion across his throat at me, which was a clear threat.
I leaped out into the open air as he and his crew followed suit behind me, whooping with excitement above me, "Oh wow!"
After I pulled my parachute cord, the massive chute deployed and stabilized my descent.
As I looked around for a good landing spot, I noticed Jamar and his crew showing up around me, even getting closer and closer.
"Gotcha!"
"Bitch, let's see how you escape this time! Once we land, I'm gonna strip you naked and fuck you like crazy!"
Their filthy words flew at me like arrows, but I stayed calm, for I was no longer a pushover.
I used the wind speed to guide my chute. When it was a few hundred meters from the ground, everyone was gearing up for landing.
I, on the other hand, do something different. Feeling a gust pick up again, I swooped near the edge of Jamar's parachute and swiftly threw my rope cutter onto his cord faster than he could blink.
The rope cutter quickly wrapped around his cord, and with continuous friction, it could cut that off in less than half a minute.
Jamar exploded with rage. "Damn it. You crazy bitch! Stop it! You hear me?!"
I just sneered coldly at him before tightening the rope cutter, "Go cool off in the ocean."
Jamar, though furious, could only watch helplessly as his cord began to snap, for that height was out of his reach.
With one side cut loose, his parachute lost balance and got tossed by the wind.
"Bitch, I won't let you off!"
"Jamar!"
I ignored him and took the initiative to find a landing point, starting to go for it.
Despite some hiccups along the way, I landed safely. After gathering myself up, I quickly ran out of there.
The moment my feet hit solid ground marked the beginning of the true battle.
I didn't have a team, so it was incredibly risky. Since the night was about to fall, I gotta find a temporary shelter as soon as possible.
Just one bite from a poisonous spider could kill me on the spot.
As I was experienced, I didn't panic at all. My backpack had enough compressed biscuits for seven days—that stash was meant for pushing through till finals.
After building myself a makeshift shelter, I gathered some wild fruits and plant roots nearby. I also collected some herbs that could help treat wounds if needed later on.
Finally, darkness fell, and the sky was dotted with countless stars, looking stunningly pure.
I lay on the ground, staring up at them, feeling calm.
These past few weeks had been hectic, so much so that I'd pushed everything else aside. Only when things quieted down did memories come flooding back. Even now, I'd unconsciously place my hand over my belly.
But it was empty inside, just like my heart. Though I was alive, I felt like nothing more than an empty shell.
Derek's POV
Late at night, Devin stood respectfully behind me, reporting, "Alpha Derek, Tabitha is a very promising talent. I didn't give her any preferential treatment this month, yet she has completed all her tasks perfectly."
I frowned at his words, for this wasn't what I wanted to hear.
"Letting her get this far is enough."