Alysse’s POV
The cheers still echoed in my ears long after the crowd had begun to disperse.
But I couldn’t feel them.
I couldn’t feel the victory…
the relief…
or even the pride of surviving the first challenge.
Because something else was rising inside me.
Pain.
It started as a dull ache in my chest—like a bruise pressed too hard. I frowned slightly, pressing my palm against my heart.
That’s strange…
“Alysse?” Frank’s voice was warm, concerned. “You okay? You did it. You actually did it!”
I forced a smile. “Yeah… I’m just tired.”
But the moment I took a step forward—
It hit.
A sharp, searing pain tore through my chest, dropping me to my knees instantly.
“Alysse!” Frank rushed to my side, but I barely heard him.
My breath came out in shallow gasps. My fingers clawed into the
