100 Days in The Desert of Hell

Day Zero

I rolled off my bed and was awoken to my head banging off the cold hardwood floor. I looked up and realized it was 8:27. "Oh shit, i'm gonna be late." I took off running down the stairs and into the kitchen before i realized i was shirtless. "Would you like some breakfast Conner?" "No mum, i'm going to be late meeting Eliza, thank you though." I ran around the divider between our odd shaped kitchen and the laundry room to grab a shirt. I pulled it over my head as I ran out the door. "Love you mother." "I love you as well Conner, good luck." I ran down the old dirt alleyway and past all the people yelling and shouting over each other to be heard, trying to draw business to their own shops. There were hundreds of shops all selling different things from spices to handmade items to gems. I hastily ran past my favorite vendor Alonzo. "No time today Conner?" I shouted back as I ran, "Sorry Alonzo, no time, I'm going to be late to briefing for the 100 days challenge." A look of grief and worry washed over his face. "Are you sure about this?" "It's something I have to do." I responded in a yell as I ran. "See you later." I continued to run past the vendors and cut left onto a less known road. As I approached Eliza's house I saw her standing outside smiling at my arrival. "Hey Conner." "Hey" I smile as I talk. A wave of bright red flushed over her face. "Ready to go?" "Ready as I'll ever be to do this." We walk close together as we approach the justice building. I know Eliza likes me and since we decided to be partners in the challenge I've developed feelings for her. I grab her hand as we approach the  buildings doors. The warmth of her hand in mine feels so natural. She looks at me and smiles a ear to eat grin "What are you doing?" "I know we're both about to go be told about how we have only 4 more days to prepare for the challenge but I'm telling you now... I love you Eliza. I hope to think you feel the same." "You.. you love me?" She could barely say the words. I could hear the happiness in her voice. I stopped and grabbed her other hand and looked into her eyes. "Yes, and I need to know. How do you feel?" "I.. I do love you Conner. I so very do love you." I smile a soft and warm smile. "Good. Now let's go listen to the governor tell us about the challenge." We walk hand in into the building. We find two seats next to each other and sit down. The governor appears and silences the room. "Thank you. Now, as you all know, the the 15 year annual competition will occur in 4 days. You and your partner may each take 1 pack with as much as you can fit. No fabricated weapons may be taken. Only weapons that are made by the attacker in the battlefield. No help will be administered except by your partner. At 6 a.m. on July 9, you will be flown by helicopter to the edge of The Desert of Hell. At 8 a.m. the alarms will sound and the competition will begin. You will be given 2 weeks of supplies upon arrival. The remainder of the time, you are on your own. You will have 100 days to return home. The first pair will be crowned victors. remember, no one has completed this challenge. Will one of you be the first? The prize of completion is a ticket for the winners and the winners family's into the many luxurious houses behind the walls of the justice building. Good luck to you all." He walked off the stage and the room quickly thinned with people. Now all that was left was to prepare for the competition.

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New chapter will be released next week, this was just the intro