The sun beat down on us as we walked across dry, cracked earth. After being in dark cells and torch-lit halls, the open space felt strange. We climbed a small hill and saw what was next - two paths going different ways, with a rusty iron gate between them. My stomach tightened. This looked like another cruel test.
The guard stopped and turned to us. "Contestants," he said loudly, "your next trial starts now." I kept my face blank, not wanting to show any fear.
"There are two paths," the guard said, pointing. "One leads to safety. The other..." He didn't finish, but we all knew what he meant. Choosing wrong meant death.
"But there's a catch," he added, sounding almost happy about it. "This gate must be held open by hand. One of you has to stay behind so the others can go through."
We al
