The rain poured heavily that night, drumming against the canopy of trees and drowning out most sounds.
But Athena was a light sleeper, she always had been. The faint crunch of footsteps against the damp earth was enough to snap her eyes open.
She didn't move at first, keeping her breathing steady as she listened. The sound was close. Too close.
Then, voices.
"She's in the second tent. Move quietly."
"What about the other one? We can't mess this up."
"She's too eye-catching. The sponsors want her gone. We'll take her after."
Athena's eyes sharpened. They were talking about her. And someone else.
Her body tensed, instincts roaring to life. This wasn't a simple sabotage attempt. The way they spoke, the confidence in their voices, this wasn't their first time.
She didn't hesitate. Moving with silent precision, she slid out of her tent and into the darkness.
The rain masked her movements as she climbed a nearby tree, her muscles reacting like second nature.
