They headed to the side of the main building. Its towering frame casting a shadow over them even so close to noon. Stepping out of the shadow and back into the sun they arrived at a large field just behind the school. Further still there was a large fenced area housing a huge forest.

  Simon walked up to a large sign that held a map of the school grounds, “Okay, pay attention, the test is simple. Make your best time around the forested area and return to the field. And don’t even try to cut through the forest to skip the track. We have an automated check-in station on the other side. Now I’ll be picking people at random to begin and I’ll be sending you on a steady stream. As soon as you make it around you’ll be tested on strength. Now, it should be impossible to get lost, but we’ve learned there’s no such thing as impossible, so check the map and don’t lollygag. You’ll only be hurting yourself.”

  The students walked around in a disorganized fashion. Gwen had managed to remain unnoticed standing in the shadow of the school. Hoping if she could just keep it up until the physical test was over she would manage to go the whole day unnoticed. Several students were studying the simple map of the school’s field. An abnormally short boy of African descent with what seemed to be a metal backpack was examining it.

  “By my calculation,” the boy spoke in a foreknowing tone, “the track we’re supposed to take is five miles. Which would take about an hour at a mild jog. Well for those of us at average leg strides.”

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  “Yeah, kind of weird to ask a midget to run anywhere.” An average-height boy with brown skin commented next to him.

  “Indeed. In fact,” The short boy called out, “Mr Mirmen, do we have to go the whole way on foot or are we allowed to use… physical aids?”

  Simon called back, “You’re allowed to use any resources that are available to you independently. So if you brought some personal tools you’re welcome to use them. But no outside help. Does everyone understand that?” He asked the crowd and received nods and yes sirs before returning to his clipboard, “Now let’s go ahead and start this, and let’s do it with you, Samuel York, and you too, Quetzalcoatl Zapotec.”

  “I go by Kevin.” The brown boy corrected bitterly as he walked to the line.

  “Yes. Says that just under your name. I apologize.” Simon looked over the crowd of students and started pointing them out, “You. You. You. And you in the back.”

  The final point was at Gwen sending a spike of fear shooting through her. Paralyzed from the fear she couldn’t breathe, yet alone move. She didn’t want to be the first. In front of everyone. If she turned and ran she could easily escape, but then what would she do then? What would she tell her parents?

  “Come on now, we have all day to do this, but that doesn’t mean we can waste it. Hustle young lady.” Simon repeated his call knocking Gwen out of her paralyzed state.