The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0556

Bridget, Veronica, me, and Jessica lined up at the starting line in that order. By now the camera crews were ready and waiting. Many were dotted along with beach with a few others out in the boats around the designated racing area.

Nathan directed us where the path would be, showing us both on a map and through a sample runner: a local member of the staff who was a prolific swimmer. Nathan then asked us if we were comfortable we knew the route and we all said we were.

"Good luck, girls," Bridget said to the rest of us as we took our marks. "You're going to need it."

Veronica gave her a flat look in return. Jessica wasn't paying attention. It took everything in me not to glare. *She's trying to get into your head," Veronica whispered to me. "Ignore her."

I nodded. Veronica was right, of course. I needed to concentrate.

I tried my best to drown out Bridget's overconfident musings by focusing on my own abilities. Inside of me, Miracle was pacing, ready to assist.

Nathan readied the starter pistol then handed it to Nicholas to start the race.

once more. I felt his concern and his affection in

he raised the starter pistol toward the sky and

BANG.

us darted forward. Sand kicked

the first stretch, we were neck and neck. We all must have been tapping into

difficult to fully contain her, but shifting was against the rules. We had to maintain our

we could. Jessica began to lag behind. I couldn't turn my head, but I could hear her struggle, her footfalls

diving into the water. It had been a long time since I swam so diligently, so pressingly, as if my life depended on it. But I tapped into those memories now, of swimming in races and gym class at the Academy. I pushed myself to the

in the water, even Veronica began to

in neck as

struggle. But I used that as motivation to draw from my deepest strength. Miracle growled in my mind. I felt her frustration flood through my veins. It matched and amplified

couldn't let Bridget