Tournament of Trials Read online

TOURNAMENT OF TRIALS

  (Chapters 6-10 of the Hopscotch Series)

  by

  J. Niessen

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  Published by

  Tournament of Trials

  Copyright 2011, 2014 by J. Niessen

  Cover Page by J’s Art Emporium, Copyright 2014

  Thank you for downloading this eBook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied, and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the material remains in its complete original form.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

  Author’s Note:

  This story is written in the first person. Because of the varying characters involved I found it necessary to indicate when the transition from one person to the next takes place. If you see this set of five asterisks as part of a paragraph break ***** it means the first person account has changed in perspective. I’ve done my best to reveal which character is telling their side, with distinctive clues in the first paragraph of each introductory portion. I hope you enjoy!

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  [Click Here For Part 1: Lost Loved Ones]

  [Click Here For Part 3: Forsaken Ties]

  Table of Contents for Part 2: Tournament of Trials

  Chapter 06: Virtual Warehouse, Pt. 3

  Chapter 07: Purgatory

  Chapter 08: The Gladiator

  Chapter 09: The Champion

  Chapter 010: The Champion of Desolation

  *****

  06: Virtual Warehouse, Pt. 3

  Charlie’s a real softie. He and I are partnered in this elimination challenge because we’re both pilots. It’s only natural I would consider removing him from this jungle training exercise. I still need him around for now, so I’ll keep my man close to serve and protect me.

  Charlie lands the Huey in a rice paddy field as I’m concluding my research on the deadly environment we’ve entered, with the use of my wrist display. He turns to me after shutting her down. That’s when the serious side of me dissipates. The chill in my heart thaws as my love for him returns. Smiling back he asks, “You ready for this, A…” (about to say Adelle) “Captain?”

  “Sure am, Lieutenant,” staring intriguingly as he takes off his headgear and unbuckles his seat harness, I then coax to him…“We’ve been through a lot together, hon. I think you and I have a good chance at winning this. Have you decided on a reward, if you finish?”

  Charles’ face is somber as he gets up from his pilot’s seat, and lifts his glasses.

  “Adelle, you’re all that matters to me in my life right now. If I lose you in this battle I’ll find a way to bring you back. We promised each other ‘forever and always,’ and I’m going to live out that promise…to you.”

  My heart melts. Spontaneously I go to him. With my arms over his shoulders I lean in. People tell me I look like Jessica Alba with similar facial and physical features, especially when comparing our full-bodied lips. They joke that Charles and I are the celebrity couple, because he looks a lot like Johnny Depp wearing eye glasses. Pressing my wanting lips against Charles to feel his warmth, I don’t want to retreat. Captivated by this moment I offer him so much precious time…from a long passionate kiss.

  Our eyes are locked as I slowly lean away and affirm “Oh, hon…you’re so sweet! I hope that this all works out for us, so we can have that life you’ve been hoping for--together!”

  There are thoughts surfacing that are inappropriate for a time such as this. After another considerate peck, and with an affectionate smile, I recommend “We should be getting ready.” He wisely nods in agreement.

  While en route to our destination, flying the transport helicopter, I hacked into the virtual system database and learned that there will be another challenge that the A.I. has for us. That is if we can survive long enough and make it to the next stage of this training exercise. I’m an expert on the platform this live exercise is run on, from related government contracts I worked on. So I’m excited to take advantage of this technology’s full potential.

  As we gear up and get ready to start, it allows me free time with my thoughts. I’ve never told Charles about Opal. Opal is the dark ideas that randomly come to me. When these thoughts are present that’s when my attitude changes. Opal’s unconcerned about my fiancé. She has little respect for him and calls him Charlie, saying he constantly gets in the way of things, and that additional boundaries need to be set in place and reinforced. My thoughts assure that the operation will continue to run smoothly, and problems will resolve when the moment’s right.

  “You’re right Adelle. Everything’s worked out perfectly so far,” Opal agrees.

  Charles worked so hard to get us the pieces of jewelry he and I needed to get in to this exercise. He proposed by presenting one half of the set to me. But Opal’s advice is the prevailing strength that has carried me to where I am now.

  I sense Charlie doesn’t have what it takes to make it through this training exercise. My feelings for him may need to be cut loose, if by necessity I later partner up with one of the other guys, to get what I am after from this contest.