They made it through the obstacle course together, exhausted but triumphant. Kellen nodded in approval as they finished.
“Not bad,” Kellen said, his tone begrudgingly impressed. “But remember, physical strength is only part of the equation. It’s your mind that will carry you through the worst of it. You’ll need to work as a team if you hope to survive.”
Zoe glanced at Dominic and Nikola, both of them flushed with exertion but smiling nonetheless.
“I think we’ve got this,” Dominic said with a grin, slapping Zoe on the back.
Zoe nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. For the first time since she arrived at Nighthaven, she felt like she might actually belong here.
As the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, they made their way back to the main hall, their muscles sore but t
