The wind was cold, biting at Kat’s nose as she raced to the starting line. Her feet pounded the ground, spraying mud up her legs, making her squirm uncomfortably as she sat on a small rock. The starting line was merely the forest edge surrounded by large stones and logs. She folded her hands and rested them on her knees, shivering slightly as a small, frail, buck with large glasses whisked over and plopped on a thick log next to her. He grinned cheesily and she scowled pointedly and looked away. His grin faded slightly as he scanned her face. She gritted her teeth together, wishing he would look away. He didn’t. “What do you want?” Kat finally snapped, spinning on him unexpectedly and causing him to flinch back. “No- noth- nothing!” he spluttered, holding his hand out in front of himself, as if it would protect him. She glared as a wolf stalked over, stabbing his staff into the ground with authority. “As you know,” He started, his voice gravely and deep, "your task for the day is to start the fire within the time range, then you will meet up with the rest of your group who will by then have food. You will throw the food into the fire then race back here. We are teaching you speed today, you will go when the bell is rung.”

Kat nodded, her eyes narrowing in determination as she stood and began stretching. She was confident in her skills of kindling a fire, but she also knew that it was Vell’s special skill. She expected him to begin bragging but he only sat on the log, counting on his fingers. He coughed loudly, sending spittle to cover her arms. She flinched back with a yelp, her worst fear was germs. That's how her sisters had died. She had been a triplet, but not for long. When they were much younger they had gotten sick and soon later died of the flu. She couldn’t stand it.

“Oh my goodness!” Vell said, scrambling over to her and offering her a piece of cloth, “I’m SO sorry!!!” Kat hesitated before snatching the cloth away and wiping her arm frantically. “I’m so sorry!” Vell repeated, “Are you okay? What can I do to make it up to you?” he asked, Kat ignored him, she knew it was a scheme. He continued to apologize until Kat whipped around again and slapped him across the face. He fell to the ground with a gasp and held a hand to his face, shocked. Kat immediately felt bad, and wanted to help him back up, but instead she threw the cloth in his face with a defiant huff.

The bell rang. And with a quick stumble, Kat was racing through the rock line. Her teeth clattered together as she bent, gathering dry wood and pine cones. The fur on her neck was standing up, she felt as though she was going to have a panic attack so she turned her neck but didn’t see Vell. Her brow furrowed but she continued to grab materials. A branch snapped loudly and she spun again as a light brown blur collided with her with a yelp. The kindling flew through the air as Kat felt herself tumble over with a scream. “AMY!!!” She shrieked, pushing her friend off of her. She opened her mouth to yell at her but Amy clamped her hand over Kat’s mouth, muffling her complaints. “Where’s Vell?” Amy hissed, her eyes were alight with concern. “What?” Kat whispered, tugging her friend's hand away from her face. “Just follow me.” she muttered, already dragging a confused Kat to her feet. They hustled along for a minute, dragging themselves through the thick woods. Amy paused finally and pushed some leaves aside, they were in a small clearing, surrounded by brush. Two bucks were gathered around small vials of what seemed to be poison lay on the ground. Kat turned to Amy, her mouth open, but Amy put a finger to her lips whispering “It’s Vell!”

The other buck spoke up, “This is all we needed. Right?”

“Yah,” Vell responded, “it’s perfect, good job man.”

The gold buck sighed, pulling his hand through the fur on his head nervously, “So we’re really doing this?”

“Yep.” Vell replied, smiling sheepishly, “we’re gonna make that bomb my friend.”