The Recall Trials

A few contestants drifted away in silence, slipping into the restrooms or disappearing into the locker room. Maybe they needed to rinse the dried blood from their skin. Or maybe they were just trying to scrub the nightmare out of their heads.

I think I saw Zaara’s silhouette disappear behind one of the curtain flaps, but everything was foggy....like I was watching the world through frosted glass.

I sat down on the edge of my bunk, hunched forward, hands hanging between my knees. My body felt heavy. My mind even heavier. I couldn’t think, couldn’t move, couldn’t process what we’d just lived through. I stared at the floor like it might open up and swallow me whole, and I wouldn’t have minded if it did.

Then, suddenly someone touched me.

I felt it, cold hands on my arm.

The contact sent a jolt through my body like I’d been unplugged from reality and suddenly slammed back in. For a second, I didn’t know how to react. My brain short-circuited. It was the first real human touch I’d felt in hours, and it startled me.

"Nomi?"

She gave a small, relieved smile. "Vincent, I was scared...I’m just... I’m really glad you made it."

Before I could say anything, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around me.

I stood there frozen.

Her head pressed softly against my chest. I didn’t hug back. I couldn’t. My arms hovered for a second, then I gently peeled her off me, keeping my expression blank.