150 Page Mark!

:D A little closer. Every word, every page, every sentence brings me a little bit closer.

At this point in the book, Dakota is trapped in a cage with a pounding headache, multiple bruises and and aches all over. While her body's battling her wounds, her mind is fighting its own battle --- who's the traitor? Who can I trust? What's the plan? How to get out of here?

Here's a segment. I can't do anything from the part I mentioned above without giving anything away, but here's something from earlier on in the book.

Ashton led Dakota past their Defense stadium and through the woods behind it. It was nearly a ten-minute hike, and Dakota was beginning to question Ashton's sense of direction. Just before she was going to question exactly where their destination was, the woods abruptly stopped and gave way to a field.

A huge field.

It was completely surrounded by forest on all sides, and on two of the sides, long rows of bleachers extended from one end to the other. On each of the ends were large white sections that were numbered: one side had the number one drawn in red ink, the other had the number two drawn in blue. In the middle of the field was a big circle – half of it was blue, and the other half was red, pertaining to its sides.

Ashton laughed at Dakota's look of wonder. “Welcome to our playing field,” she said proudly. “This is where the magic happens.”

The two girls laughed and they began their “training”. It was hard at first; Dakota just couldn't get the hang of grasping the ball properly with her talons. The “armor” was not helping her either. Apparently the armor was created to keep creatures like Dakota from burning and fatally harming other creatures while playing by using magic to keep their qualities “under control.” Dakota just found it bulky and annoying. After two hours of hard-core practice, the girls, panting hard and sweating madly, agreed to quit for now.

“Don't worry,” Ashton said consolingly to the frustrated Dakota, “I'm sure you'll get used to the armor during the actual game. One of the perks about it is that it helps protect you from the enemy's – er, the other team's – attacks, but it does slow you down a bit.”

Dakota grunted grumpily. “When's the actual game?”

“Noon.”

Dakota bit her lip. “I'll never be ready in time!”

Ashton patted her shoulder. “Don't worry! Some of the best Bludgies – those are what we call the players, by the way – had to wear armor, and they even won awards for their game! So, it can be done.”

Dakota shrugged, cheered up slightly. “Okay, I guess. But do you think we have enough time to practice again later?”

Ashton glanced at her watch. “Yeah, but we might not be able to practice on the playing field. Next time we practice, though, I'm going to have to start teaching you defense and attack moves. I think you know enough of the basics, and plus, you have to know those moves before the game.”

The girls went back to their dorm, showered again, and sat on their beds discussing Cudgbludgeon. According to Ashton, her older brother (who had already graduated from the Haven) was a pro at Cudgbludgeon and had taught her some moves. “Some moves the professionals use, and some moves he made up,” she said proudly. “They're still efficient, though.”

How are your books coming along? Yay? Nay? Okay? ;)