The Offering

Trial One

The warm glowing sun shined down on Arrow waking her from her deep slumber. Arrows sleep was haunted by the events of the last six years. She continued to wonder where her father was and how he was.

She decided to take a hot shower while the other two were still sleeping. She thought maybe that could relax her mind.

The hot water always seemed to do the trick. She couldn’t help but let her mind wonder if her father was missing her as well.

She grabbed the towel off the rack and stepped out of the steaming shower. She screamed as did April who had accidently rushed in the bathroom to use the toilet at the exact same time.

“What the absolute hell April?” Arrow shouted.

“Oh my I am so sorry, I couldn’t hold it.” April stammered back.

She quickly covered her eyes in respect to Arrow but not before April noticed something. April looked in Arrows eyes. Filled with shame and despair knowing that April has seen the scars tattering the back of Arrow.

Arrows heart began to fill heavy with worry but Stephanie’s voice broke the awkward silence.

“Guys, a letter has arrived for the trials.”

Arrow quickly dressed joining the other two as Stephanie began to read the letter out loud.

“Trial One- Communication. Running a kingdom you must be able to communicate. Not always will others agree or be willing to listen. You three will be teamed up for this trial. You will be locked in an escape-like room, where the only way you will escape is through communication and coming together.

Those who fail to communicate and complete the trial will be up for elimination directly after. Good Luck to you all.”

The girls just looked at each other with a bit of confusion. The others got dressed as well waiting for their turn in the trial.

A loud knock was heard at the door. Arrow rushed to answer it. A large man in the royal guard attire was at the other side.

His voice was low and direct, “It is time, ladies.”

The women followed the large gentlemen out of the castle and down the stairs. He took them to a large building off to the right of the castle.

They watched the king walk into one to the right of their structure as they were escorted into the other one.

It was pitch black and the spaces small.

Stephanie began to breathe heavily and shaky. She was panicking.

“Stephanie, hold my hand and breathe with me as we count. One. Deep breath. Two. Deep breath.” Arrow began.

“Great, what is wrong with her now?” April asked in an aggravated tone.

“It is called Nyctophobia. Basically. Probably Claustrophobia as well.” Arrow answered.

Azazel was watching the scene unfold before him on the large television. He was impressed with how Arrow was handling the situation. Especially since she was the first Omega ever to be sent to The Offering.

Azazel then pressed the intercom button in front of him.

“What has four walls, a roof, but no floor only to a door. There you will find your key to get out the door.”

“I don’t know a house.” April blurted out.

“I do not think that is it because it has no floor.” Arrow responded still holding tightly to Stephanie’s hand.

“Makes no sense.” April muttered to herself.

“A ceiling.” Stephanie mumbled.

“What?” April asked.

“A ceiling. It has four walls, a ceiling but no floor attached.” Stephanie explained.

“That is excellent. April you are the tallest reach around the ceiling area, see if you find anything.” Arrow said to her.

April began fumbling in the dark hoping to find something. Finally she found a string. She then realized a key was tied to the end of it.

“I found it.” April said excitedly.

She fumbled with the door but there was something she wasn’t understanding.

“There is no keyhole in the door.” She told the others.

“Is there anything else on the door?” Stephanie asked.

“A button of some sorts.” April answered.

“A ceiling has four walls, a roof, but no floor only to a door. There you will find your key to get out the door.” Arrow began repeating over and over until an idea clicked.

“The floor. The riddle states but no floor only to a door. The floor must have a keyhole to the button that opens the door.” She tried explaining.

Arrow felt around on the floor before feeling the indentations of the hole.

“April here. Feel around for my hand. I am at the keyhole.” Arrow tells her.

“Got it.” April says.

April entered the key and turned and the button on the door lit up a bright green.

The room was a maze. They could hear faint footsteps further out.

“No shifting. Make it out without getting caught.” They heard the echo once more.

Azazel watched as the three ladies came up with a plan. They figured they couldn’t shift but he never said anything about using there wolf senses.

“He said no shifting guys, but we can use our senses.” Arrow told the others.

“We can use these for areas we pass.” Stephanie showed the others.

April looked in the small wooden box, “Those are laser detection sensors. When set there is no one that will be able to cross the multiple lines.”

“Great. Now we remain in a line. Me, Stephanie, and April, you seem familiar with those so you in the back to set them.” Arrow spoke and the others did not argue.

Azazel watched as they got in formation. Slowly walking through the maze watching their every movement. Azazel was very impressed with their coordination and teamwork. He couldn’t help but find himself drawn to Arrow.

She was the only omega to participate but did not seem like your average omega.

They completed the trial quickly, efficiently, and looked seamless.

All teams gathered outside, waiting on the king and his assessment. Azazel spent a few moments going over the notes he took for each team. After comparing, he finally made his decision.

Each woman was nervous and eagerly waiting on the kings choice. Arrow and April were confident in their team. Stephanie was nervous because of her panic attack in the beginning.

Azazel stood tall in front of all twelve women as he spoke, “It was a tough call on the winners. I had to go by time because each worked together wonderfully. April, Stephanie, and Arrow. You three escaped the challenge thirty seconds faster than the others.

Now up for elimination is not who was the slowest but who couldn’t seem to work as one. Eun Choi, Bianca Bianchi, and Elizabeth Corbyn. I am sorry but you three couldn’t work with your team. You only tried to order and lead them. This challenge was to see how you worked with others. You are eliminated.

Now for the winners. I would like to spend some time getting to know you just a little bit. I will spend two hours tomorrow with each of you. Stephanie, we will have our time at 8am. April, we will have ours at noon. Arrow, we will have ours at 4p.m. Thank you all ladies, enjoy the rest of your day.” His voice boomed through the crowd.

“Also ladies, if the King was not clear, you are planning the time you spend together. Might want to think it over. Please notify the maid Ms. Louise of your decision.” The beta stood tall and spoke loudly.