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What the hell? Mallory wondered

"Accountability isn't worth a die to remove yourself from your old patterns; to tell your so-called friends to take a hike; to face the people back in the real world and convince them you aren't the worthless heap of self-pity you hen you cae, ladies and gentlemen You will not leave Black Level until you know that nothing--NOTHING--can test you worse than I can test you"

Mallory's ears were ringing Did he say leave Black Level?

Hunter finished fitting the straps and hooks around Leyland's chest, then Leyland started putting a similar harness on Hunter The black levels stood there, watching--like this was norht watching your instructors tie each other up

It dawned on Mallory that the gear was so equipe was soe, she never would've wound up here She would've figured out a way to help Race

Your so-called friends

Leyland finished putting the harness on Dr Hunter They double-checked each other's straps

"Now," Hunter told them "In partners with your counselor The job you do ht"

Olsen came up to her--tossed her a harness "After you, kiddo"

Mallory did her best to fit Olsen Her hands felt nu into the metal buckles Olsen's clothes were as wet and cold as her own, s faintly of sweat and campfire smoke

One of the instructors yelled, "You don't want to be last! You DO NOT want to be last!"

"Doing fine," Olsen assured her "I won't bite you"

Mallory got the last strap secured around Olsen's thigh

Olsen checked her work, griotten to fasten Mallory's face burned with embarrassment, but she finished the job

Olsen picked up the other harness and started weaving it around Mallory's torso--tugging hard on the straps, ht around the shoulders, like she'd done this a million ties took forever getting his counselor hooked up But finally, everybody fell into line

"Too slow," Hunter told the group "Let's make up for lost time"

Leyland blew his whistle and led the in their faces, kids slipping in theJust like old times

They passed the obstacle course, the Mushroom Rocks, and then came to the banks of the river

The whole forest was lit up fluorescent silver, striped with rain

Floodlights burned in the branches of two enor between their trunks, maybe forty feet in the air, were three thin cables like power lines Below this the river raged, swollen and glistening like an enorrowl of the rapids, "is the only way across"

What bridge? Mallory started to ask And then she realized Hunter meant the ropes

All her confidence drained out of her

"There is no going back," Hunter continued "You will be here until you ht, or a week, or the rest of your life So watch and learn"

Hunter tossed Leyland a safety hel rope, and Hunter took the other end

"This is the belay," Hunter told them "This is your lifeline I will not do this for you I will not catch you if you fall You and your counselor will spot each other So pay attention"

Leyland began cli handholds Mallory hadn't even noticed before--knobs no bigger than drawer handles going all the way up the trunk of the cypress

He ascended effortlessly At the top he stepped onto a tiny platform--just a couple of boards nailed between the base of two branches He hooked hi rope, then started over the rope bridge--his feet on the bottom cord, hands on the middle, a safety line tied to the top He shimmied his way across the river, to a platforer felt the cold She no longer felt the thousand pounds of rain soaking into her clothes Her mouth was dry and hot as beach sand

I can't do that

She had always been scared of heights She couldn't even look out the s of Race's grand to fall and die

"One pair at a time," Hunter said "Your counselor will spot you Then you'll return the favor Volunteers?"

No one spoke

"Zedman and Olsen," Hunter decided "Thank you"

Mallory's eyes widened "I didn't--"

But Olsen was already stepping up to the tree

A white level explained the belay gear He told Mallory she would be cli first

"No," she said "Not first, please"

The white level frowned, started to repeat the order

"It's okay," Olsen interceded "I' Olsen's lifeline anyHow the hell could Olsen trust her, after everything she had done? Her shoulder couldn't be fully healed froiven her But Olsen didn't act scared

The white level fitted Olsen's helmet, hooked her to the line and made sure it was secure He showed Mallory horap the belay cord around her waist Mallory would be responsible for spotting Olsen as she went up, taking up the slack,sure she didn't fall Then Olsen would spot for her, froht We're both going to die