Ayla’s POV
The coordinator blew his whistle. "Participants, take your positions at the starting line."
Derek guided me forward with a gentle hand on my elbow. I could feel the grass beneath my feet changing to harder packed dirt. We must be at the starting line now.
"Okay," Derek said, his voice close to my ear. "When the whistle blows, I need you to take three steps forward. Just three. Can you do that?"
I nodded, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. Without my sight, every other sense felt heightened. I could hear the other contestants shuffling around us, could smell the pine trees and the slight breeze against my skin.
The whistle blew.
"Step," Derek called out. "Step. Step."
I moved forward carefully, counting each step in my head.
"Stop," he said. "Good. Now there's a l
