The Impossible Race: Cragbridge Hall, Volume 3 Read online

  “If everyone else is okay with it,” Rafa said, “I’ll go.” The other members of the team almost instantly nodded. Rafa was probably the best in the school at body control. “And I’ll take Maria. She’s fast and limber. I think we should stand a shot.” Again the team agreed, though Malcolm dropped his head. He looked like he had wanted to be picked.

  “Those who have been chosen, please come forward,” Sarah said, gesturing toward the stage. Rafa and Maria joined members of other teams in a small group toward the front.

  Landon surveyed the cohort. “Fittingly, we have a very good-looking group.” He moved his fingers as he counted them. “And we now have twelve competitors. But something isn’t quite right. We still don’t have our Theseus.” He paused and looked over the audience. “The question is, ‘who knows the story well enough to find out how we get him?’”

  Abby knew the answer, and before she realized what she was doing, she grabbed Derick’s hand and threw it in the air along with hers. “We volunteer,” she yelled.

  “There it is!” Sarah called out, pointing toward the twins. “Theseus was not selected. He volunteered. We were open to taking two volunteers, and we got them both in one shot.”

  Abby would have encouraged other members of her team to volunteer instead, but she had been too afraid that someone on another team knew the answer to the riddle.

  “Well done, Abby,” Anjum said. “We now have four times the chances to win.”

  A compliment from Anjum went a long way.

  “Ask the judges if we can trade Abby for Malcolm in the maze,” Anjum said. “No offense, Abby.”

  She didn’t feel complimented anymore, though she hoped the judges agreed with Anjum’s idea.

  They didn’t.

  During the wait, the crowd grew restless. Landon raised his hands to calm the group. “I know. I know,” he said. “Stop talking and let’s get to the challenge.”

  The crowd cheered.

  “We’re almost ready,” Sarah said. “You want to be like the hero of the myth—Theseus.” A pic of a heroic young man wearing only a loincloth popped onto the screen. What did the ancient Greeks have against clothes? “Each of you has your own entrance into the labyrinth, where you have a fair shot at getting to the minotaur first.” Sarah gestured toward a row of openings in the wall of the building. Each of the participants stood in front of a separate entrance. Abby and Derick took the last two. She looked over at her brother. The idea that she would have to go in alone was far from her favorite.

  A loud roar came from the middle of the labyrinth, and Abby cringed.

  “The walls and boulders have all been made by our submitters, carved out of plastic by the Mold,” Landon explained. “But they also did an overlay of a virtual world. That is how you will see all the myth of this challenge.” Assigned students approached those stepping into the maze and handed each of them a special visor. “You will see what is real, plus a whole lot more.”

  A visor. They used visors inside the Mold. Maybe this was where Grandpa wanted her to come with the visor he gave her. Abby would have to come back later. Hopefully Grandpa didn’t want her to face a minotaur too.

  “In the myth,” Sarah said, “Minos’s daughter falls in love with Theseus and smuggles in a weapon for him to use. The designers of this challenge have also smuggled in weapons for you, though they have been much more liberal with your choices. They are from various Greek myths. You’ll need to find those weapons to survive the challenge.”

  Get in, find weapons, face the minotaur—that was Abby’s goal. Hopefully she could do it quickly and get out.

  “But along with the extra weapons, there are also extra dangers. Those who designed this challenge also included extra monsters from Greek mythology. For each monster you conquer, you gain points for your team. But I will warn you, it may take some time and effort to figure out how to destroy them. Other members of your team can watch you on the various screens we have around the maze, or sync up and watch you on their own rings. They can help and advise you if you’d like.”

  Good. Anjum could do what he did best.

  “Also, in the original story,” Sarah continued, “Theseus used a ball of twine to leave a trail so he could find his way out. We’ve done this for you electronically. If you get too frustrated or are in too much pain—or are just tired of being lost—simply select the option to leave the labyrinth on your virtual screen through your rings. You will see a map of the labyrinth and how to return. Of course, the moment you do, you are removed from the competition.”

  “I think that’s it,” Sarah said, glancing at Landon for confirmation. He nodded. “Let’s get to it.”

  “Each monster is worth a point and whoever conquers the minotaur receives five points and takes the challenge,” Landon added. “Go!”

  There was no more time for Abby to think about how much she didn’t want to do this. She plunged into the maze.

  Inside the Labyrinth

  Thirty feet in, Abby was surprised by the darkness. Eerie. Of course the fact that monsters could be lurking anywhere didn’t help. Every now and then there was a virtual torch, but that was all. She found herself slowing down to stay on her guard, especially while her eyes acclimated to the darkness.

  “You’re doing awesome, Abby,” Carol encouraged. Abby could hear her through her earpieces. “Your crazy run into the darkness was a great start. Their cameras picked it up even with just a little light.” Suddenly Abby remembered that everyone could watch her as she moved through the challenge. Of course, she would be one of fourteen they could see, but it still made Abby feel very uncomfortable. It is one thing to step into a terrifying situation, but another to know that everyone can see you cringe and cower at every sound and rustle.

  “I’ll do my best to help you find that minotaur monster thing,” Carol said.

  “Thanks,” Abby said. “But where’s Anjum?”

  “He’s helping Rafa,” Carol said. “And Jess is there to offer suggestions. He assigned Malcolm and Nia to help Maria. Piper is with Derick and I’m with you.” It was clear where Anjum expected success. “Don’t worry,” Carol said. “We’ll show them what a couple of seventh-grade girls are really capable of.”

  “That’s kind of what I’m afraid of,” Abby admitted.

  Abby rounded a corner, then, after walking a few feet, ducked into a hole in the wall and up some stairs. The darkness was thicker now, but her eyes were getting used to it. She could feel the walls and rocks as she moved and even stumbled over them. That was something harnesses in virtual worlds usually prevented.

  At the top of the stairs sat a wooden chest, its metal hardware and lock made of a dull gold.

  “Open it,” Carol said.

  “Wait,” Abby interrupted. “I’m not sure I should just rush in. Wasn’t there a girl in Greek mythology that opened up a box and a bunch of monsters came out?” Abby could picture grotesque creature after grotesque creature streaming out of the wooden chest. “Pandora’s box, I think.” She thought she had the name right.

  Another growl from the minotaur. It rumbled and rolled throughout the walls, but still sounded quite distant.

  “Good sound effects on that roar,” Carol said. “I give them full points. Oh, and yes. I just checked it out on my rings. Pandora opened up a jar and released all the evils into the world.”

  “So don’t open it,” Abby confirmed.

  “Uh, weren’t you listening? It was a jar. The whole box idea was based on a mistranslation. Unless the students building this challenge didn’t do their homework, you should be fine.”

  “Okay.” Abby took a deep breath, undid the latch, and creaked the chest open an inch. She extended her arms and stepped to the side, just in case something terrible, furious, and evil came rushing out. When nothing happened, she opened it a bit more. Inside she saw a virtual bow and a quiver of arrows. Symbols that Abby didn’t recognize were burned into the leather quiver. She set her rings to translation mode and looked at the words.<
br />
  It was Greek for poison arrows.

  “All right! We found some weapons,” Carol said, celebrating. “Watch out Mr. Minotaur, we are coming to tan your hide, or brand your backside.” She giggled. “Did you notice how I used cow jokes there? I’m pretty sure that’s going to be a theme.”

  “The question is if I can shoot this bow,” Abby said, “and actually hit anything.”

  “Yeah, that is a good question,” Carol confirmed.

  “Plus, the arrows are poisoned.”

  “Oh, that is such a crazy mythical thing to do,” Carol said. “Careful not to touch them. That sounds like a tragic end to a Greek myth. So it would fit the whole theme, but would be terribly counterproductive.”

  Abby stepped further into the labyrinth. This time at least, she wasn’t helpless.

  • • •

  “That one is a waste,” Derick said, looking down at a wooden barrel filled with some sort of oil. His last two finds were a spear and two metal wristbands that gave him Hercules’s super-strength. Both were cooler than a barrel of oil. “What am I even supposed to do with it?” Derick asked. “Throw it at the minotaur? Maybe it will get in his eyes and be really inconvenient. It might give me a second or two while he blinks it out.”

  “The barrel is big enough that you could hide in there,” Piper said. “Or take a bath.”

  “No thanks,” Derick said and slid the top of the barrel back on. He gripped his spear as he turned the corner.

  Huge horns.

  And they were charging at him.

  The minotaur.

  Derick barely had time to react, dodging to one side.

  No. Not the minotaur. This creature didn’t stand on two feet like a man. It was a bull. But it was massive, its bronze hooves pounding into the ground as it charged him.

  The bull turned and galloped toward him again. Derick jabbed at it with his spear, but had to jump out of the way. Derick was quick enough that the bull couldn’t gore him with its horns, but it shifted its weight and slammed its large body into him.

  “Ugh,” Derick cried out as he hit the wall. In sheer reaction, he pushed back against the bull. It toppled head over heels several times before lumbering back onto its feet.

  Herculean strength. Derick could get used to this.

  Derick lifted his spear again and readied himself. This bull was going down. The beast turned and snorted, then opened its mouth—and out came a long burst of flame.

  “What?” Derick blurted out. “Was its mother a cow and its dad a dragon? What kind of bull can do that?”

  “I’m looking it up,” Piper responded, “but I don’t think your strength is going to do much against that fire.”

  “What do I do?” Derick asked. The bull circled around again.

  “Hang on,” Piper said. “I’m finding it.”

  Faking one way and jumping the other, Derick managed to dodge again, but the flames nearly singed his face as the bull passed. His spear caught on fire and Derick had to discard it onto the labyrinth floor. “There has to be someone who conquered this thing, right?”

  “The oil,” Piper said. “You have to go back and bathe in the oil. That’s how Jason killed it.”

  “Jason?”

  “Yeah, like Jason and the Argonauts. He bathed in some oil that made him invincible to the flames.”

  “Great,” Derick said. “Just one problem. The bull is between me and the barrel.”

  • • •

  A bird rocketed around the corner and Abby fell to the ground as it swooped by. She screamed as the bird shot metallic feathers at her, one barely missing her leg.

  “I hate this thing,” Abby cried out. “Why did I volunteer for this?”

  “Pesky stymphalian bird,” Carol said. “I’m not sure I said that right. Why aren’t Greek words easier to say?”

  “I don’t care what it is,” Abby said. “It’s shooting knifey feather things at me! I want it to leave me alone!” She nocked a poison arrow to the bow and let it fly.

  Not even close. Turns out it takes a lot more practice to shoot a soaring bird in the dark than Abby had ever had.

  It didn’t have room to circle around. The bird had to perch and then change directions. While it slowed to land on a rock, Abby turned and ran. She ran up some stairs, and hid behind the first thing she saw that could block her from view—a box.

  “Oh good, you found another box,” Carol said. “Open it up.”

  “I’m more worried about the crazy bird that shoots evil feathers at me,” Abby said.

  “It may hold something that can help get rid of Mr. Flappy Deathfeathers,” Carol said.

  Abby heard the beating of wings. She didn’t move. It grew louder and closer. She pushed herself as far up against the box as she could.

  The stymphalian flew past.

  Abby still waited, making sure the bird wasn’t just perching to come back again. When she hadn’t heard anything for a few more seconds, she got up and lifted the latch on the box. The lid was heavy, but a light flashed and flickered as she finally got it open. She gazed inside.

  “Lightning? Oh, yeah!” Carol celebrated. “You just got the power from the big guy himself. Grab that stuff and let’s go find us a minotaur. We’ll light him up from his human feet to his cow face.”

  Abby smiled. Several bolts flickered inside a long pouch.

  “What if this is a trick and it electrocutes me?” Abby asked.

  “Just grab it,” Carol commanded. “You’ve got the power of Zeus and you’re second-guessing?”

  Abby touched it and quickly pulled back. It felt hot, but didn’t hurt. She grabbed the entire pouch, and put its lid over the top. Good. You couldn’t see the amazing light when it was capped. That might be important when trying to sneak up on the minotaur.

  “I know you’re trying to be careful,” Carol said. “But you’ve got lightning. You don’t have to hide from anything.”

  “Yeah,” Abby said, “but it looks like I’ve only got four bolts. I’d better make sure to use them wisely.”

  Flapping.

  The caw of a bird.

  The stymphalian was back.

  “Sounds like an awesome time to use them wisely,” Carol said. “Let’s fry this chicken.”

  Abby opened the pouch and grabbed a bolt. The bird came into view. Knowing she would have to throw it, she waited for a good shot. It came closer and closer.

  Abby reared back and threw the lightning. She never felt very confident throwing anything. Derick said she threw like a girl, which was of course accurate, but assumed that girls couldn’t throw well. She threw well this time. The lightning struck the bird and a flash filled the corridor of the maze. The bird squawked and a thunderclap echoed off the labyrinth walls.

  But when the light and smoke faded, the bird was still there. It was stunned and regrouping, but appeared to be unharmed.

  “Why didn’t that work?” Abby asked, dumbfounded.

  “Yeah, that thing should be charred bird, ready for some ancient Greek dipping sauce.”

  If lightning didn’t get rid of it, nothing would. Abby ran.

  She raced down the stairs. But what about the next challenge she faced? What about the minotaur?

  Suddenly Abby had an idea. “It’s all based on myth,” she said.

  “Well, duh,” Carol said. “It’s not like throwing lightning at birds that shoot metal feathers is something that happens every day.”

  “No,” Abby said. “I mean, I think we have to do this based on the myths. The only way to kill the bird is to do it the same way it happened in Greek mythology.”

  The flapping came closer.

  “Because no one killed this kind of bird with lightning in a myth, it doesn’t work.”

  “Oh, that’s kind of a cool twist,” Carol said.

  The wing beats grew louder.

  “I’m not a huge fan of it right now,” Abby said. “Find me a story when someone killed one of these things before it shoots me with one of its me
tal feathers.”

  The Minotaur

  Derick sprinted, the bull charging behind him. He could feel the heat of the fire from the bull’s breath, but it hadn’t reached him.

  Yet.

  “You see that large rock up ahead?” Piper asked. “Wait until the last second and then jump behind it. The bull should go past and you can double back to the oil.”

  “That’s if . . . I’m not burned . . . to nothing . . . before then,” Derick said, panting. He wasn’t sure he could run there fast enough, but with a fiery bull on his tail, he had good motivation.

  He heard the snorts as the bull gained ground, its large brass hooves churning the dirt.

  Almost there. As soon as Derick passed the rock, he jumped to the side. The bull tried to follow, but scraped into the edge of the boulder and bounced off-balance farther down the corridor. It managed to breathe out fire at him as he passed. Derick ducked, the flames barely missing his face.

  As Derick got up and doubled back toward the oil, he smelled something burning.

  “Um, Derick,” Piper said, “your hair is on fire.”

  He reached his hand up to the top of his head and felt flames.

  “Aaaggh!” Derick screamed as he patted it down with his hands and then pulled his shirt over his head to smother the flames.

  Piper giggled.

  “Sure,” Derick said. “Laugh at the guy who just got his hair burned by a giant fire-breathing bull.”

  “I am,” she said.

  Normally, Derick didn’t worry too much about how he looked, but he wondered what his head looked like now.

  “It’s not that bad,” Piper said. “I mean, you have a bald spot, but it’s just virtual.”

  “Great,” Derick said. “Well, I doubt the minotaur will care. In fact, he might appreciate it that I’ve been a little cooked before he tries to eat me.” Derick ran back toward the oil. He knew the angry bull wasn’t done with him yet.

  “Oh, wait a second,” Piper said. “I just got an update. Maria is out. She was turned to stone by a Gorgon. And it sounds like four others have been eliminated too. We are down to nine. Rafa and Abby are both still going strong, though Rafa is closer to the center. In fact, Anjum thinks he’s approaching the minotaur.”