An Invitation from the Sea

Evangeline leaned heavily against the boulder while the waves crashed behind her. They were a distant hum compared to the chaos that was presently roaring inside her head.

Hadley floated in front of her and she had apparently generated some fries from thin air to munch on.

Evangeline's pulse pounded in her ears.

"What do you mean by 'only one winner'?" she asked, her voice was sharp and each word was laced with disbelief.

Hadley sighed as she stretched her arms above her head as though she were bored of the conversation already. "Exactly what it sounds like, princess."

Evangeline clenched her jaw. "You never told me this was a damn death match."

Hadley pouted dramatically. "Would you have played if I did?"

Evangeline's stomach twisted violently.

"I didn't have a choice, remember? and besides, how on earth am I supposed to win against over four hundred people?" she demanded as she clenched her fists tightly.