Derek's POV
I pushed through the fourth station, my lungs burning with each breath. The puzzle had taken longer than I wanted, but I had solved it, now, I just needed to keep moving.
The tricky question station was ahead.
I could see Ayla near the finish line, her hand pressed against her side, watching. She had made it, first position. Pride swelled in my chest even as my legs screamed at me to slow down.
Not yet.
I reached the question station and skidded to a stop, my eyes scanning the screen. Symbols shifted and rearranged themselves in patterns that made my head spin, a riddle? Of course it was a riddle.
I forced myself to focus, reading the prompt carefully.
Behind me, footsteps approached. Another runner, a girl from one of the other teams. She stopped at a nearby station, b
