The Alien Within

Chapter 25: "The Arena of Giants"

The Riverdale Central Stadium had never looked so packed, the air thick with excitement and tension. Banners waved in every direction, each representing a school with its own star athletes poised for glory.

the atmosphere was charged with tension, the kind that tightens chests and quickens heartbeats. The Peri Inter-Region Track Competition was more than just a race—it was a battle of pride, a spectacle of athletic prowess where only the best could reign supreme.The flags of each school fluttered in the wind.

The inter-regional Peri competition was finally here, and the entire town of Riverdale was shaking with anticipation.

All 18 schools had arrived, each one with a busload of students dressed in their respective school colors.

The roar of chatter filled the stadium, from excited murmurs about the coming races to loud declarations of who would dominate the track. It wasn't just about speed anymore—it was about pride, and no school wanted to leave with their tail between their legs.

Tessa arrived with her teammates, her eyes scanning the stadium. She could feel the anticipation, the pressure mounting with each passing second. But in typical Tessa fashion, she appeared calm, almost disinterested. Of course, what was there to stress about? Her speed was a secret weapon—a nuclear missile hidden behind her nonchalant smile.

Tessa sat calmly on the benches, her eyes scanning the competitors as they warmed up on the field. The air was electric, buzzing with energy that almost hummed against her skin. She could feel the excitement, the nervousness, the quiet determination from each participant like a living force in the stadium.

Her alien senses were heightened in such an environment, making every breath she took feel more deliberate, every sound sharper than it needed to be.

Around her, Riverdale students were gearing up with chants and cheers, lifting their banners and waving small flags of blue and white. A few of her friends whispered excitedly.

"Can you believe it? This is it!" one of her classmates whispered to the group.

"Just look at all the stars from the other schools," another added, gesturing toward the field.

Tessa's gaze followed as the announcer started naming the superstars from each school, each name receiving a ripple of applause from the various sections of the crowd.

"From Hazelwood High, the undefeated champion in sprints and long jumps, we have Michael 'The Bullet' Reynolds!"

Michael, a tall guy with chiseled features and legs that seemed engineered for sprinting, stood confidently near his team. He gave a little smirk and waved to his fans.

"Heard he eats raw eggs for breakfast," one of Tessa's classmates joked.

"Eggs? Please. Dude probably inhales protein powder like air," another teased.

The announcer continued. "From Rivermount Academy, we have the queen of the hurdles, Sarah 'The Leap' Monroe!"

Sarah was already stretching, her lithe form moving gracefully across the grass, ignoring the attention. Tessa could feel her determination and focus, a laser-like intensity that radiated from her.

"And from Fiver Academy... the one and only, Bridget Mills!"

The stadium erupted into cheers from the Fiver fans. Bridget stood in her sleek running gear, looking like a Greek goddess preparing for war.

Her long hair was tied back tightly, and her eyes scanned the track like it was her kingdom. Bridget didn't smile or wave—she simply stood there, oozing arrogance, her nose slightly upturned as if the very air she breathed was unworthy.

One of Tessa's classmates sneered, "Pfft, Bridget acts like she's already won the gold before even running a lap."

"Look at this place!" Oxlade, one of the more excitable students from Riverdale, couldn't contain his enthusiasm as he nudged his friend, their eyes darting around the sea of rival schools. "It's like every school here thinks they've got a chance against us. Ha! What a joke!"

His friend smirked, "Yeah, especially Fiver Academy. I heard Bridget Mills' ego arrived here before she did."

Oxlade laughed, then leaned closer, pointing toward Fiver Academy's section, where Bridget sat, flanked by her classmates. "Look at her! She probably thinks she's already won. That's rich coming from someone who thinks running fast is a personality trait."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the stadium, Bridget Mills was soaking in the atmosphere. She could hear the whispers, the rumors about Tessa's inhuman speed, but she wasn't fazed. Not one bit.

"Let them talk," she muttered under her breath, her face stony and focused. "I'll show them all."

Beside her, one of her teammates gave her a side-eye. "Are you sure about that? They call her 'The Beast of Riverdale' for a reason."

Bridget rolled her eyes, leaning back with exaggerated nonchalance. "Beast, cheetah, lion—whatever. They can call her anything they want. In the end, she'll just be another runner left in my dust."

Her words oozed arrogance, but her teammates didn't seem as confident. They exchanged nervous glances, hoping that Bridget's bravado would be enough to carry them through.

Meanwhile, the crowd was having its own fun. On social media, the banter was at an all-time high, with memes circulating about the rivalry between Bridget and Tessa. One particularly viral post had a picture of Bridget standing next to a cartoon of a speeding cheetah, while Tessa was shown next to a rocket.

The caption read: "Bridget thinks she's fast? Meanwhile, Tessa's about to break the sound barrier!"

The comments were equally ruthless:

"Bridget's speed is just an illusion created by her ego blocking the sun."

"Is Bridget faster than Tessa? Well, I'm faster than my Wi-Fi—doesn't mean much."

In the stadium, one student from Riverdale spotted the viral post and showed it to his friends. "Have you seen this? They're roasting her alive!" he said, barely able to keep from laughing.

Another student chimed in, "Someone tell Bridget she's in the wrong race. Maybe she should try out for 'America's Next Top Delusion' instead."

But while the students were having their fun, there was no escaping the real tension that lay beneath the humor.

The competition was fierce, and every school had sent their best. From the south, Oakridge High's star, Vincent Storm, was known for his powerful build and incredible stamina.

His strategy was simple—run them down, then crush their hopes. He was like a freight train, unstoppable once he gained momentum.

From the north, Crescent Heights Academy's Ivy Rivers was the ultimate long-distance runner, her endurance unmatched. She had won every marathon event for the past three years, and her calm, steady demeanor was the perfect contrast to the nerves shaking the stadium.

But the real battle was shaping up between Riverdale Academy and Fiver Academy. Tessa versus Bridget. Speed versus arrogance.

---

James, lurking beside his father, Mr. Rudbick, had other concerns on his mind. His frustration with Tessa and Adrian had reached a boiling point. He watched Tessa from a distance, jealousy gnawing at his insides.

"She doesn't even know what's good for her," James muttered under his breath, his voice low with contempt.

Mr. Rudbick, sensing his son's inner turmoil, gave him a side glance. "You're still on about that girl, aren't you?" His voice was dripping with disapproval, but his mind was elsewhere—focused on the real prize. Another alien. Adrian.

"Forget about Tessa," Mr. Rudbick added, eyes narrowing as they followed Adrian's movements. "Focus on the real game. You know what we're after."

James' fists clenched, but he nodded. "Yeah, I know. But I'm not letting her or him get away with anything."

---

On the bleachers, Ms. Caldwell sat quietly, scanning the field. She knew what was at stake today, but her eyes weren't just on Tessa. She noticed how the crowd murmured about Adrian. Some girls even wished he would join the track team, not knowing what he was capable of. Only she understood why he had to hold back, why he couldn't expose himself.

Beside her, the Riverdale football coach, Mr. Thompson, was distracted. He kept stealing glances at her, too shy to say anything. He had asked Adrian for advice earlier, but so far, he hadn't made any progress.

"Maybe I should just... I don't know... compliment her hair?" he muttered to himself, looking like he was about to melt from nervousness.

Ms. Caldwell, blissfully unaware of Mr. Thompson's internal struggle, kept her focus on Tessa. The race was about to begin, and everyone in the stadium could feel the tension rising like a wave.

---

"Bridget Mills, huh?" Tessa thought, eyes narrowing as she stretched, mentally preparing herself for the race. The grass beneath her feet was soft, the breeze cool against her skin. She wasn't nervous—she never was. But she could sense the anticipation from everyone around her.

She glanced around, soaking in the atmosphere. The crowd was buzzing, and the chatter was deafening. It wasn't just a race; it was an event, a spectacle.

Tessa smirked, feeling the alien blood inside her pulse gently. "If only they knew how fast I really am..."

Meanwhioe, the chatter in the crowd continued...

Another classmate added with sarcasm, "Yeah, all hail Queen Bridget. Someone get her a crown, stat!"

Laughter rippled through the group, lightening the tension that had settled around them.

On the other side of the stadium, Mr. Rudbick sat in his private booth, his sharp gaze fixed on the students below. His son, James, sat beside him, arms folded, glaring down at the Riverdale team with an unmistakable scowl.

"All of this... and she still hasn't revealed her full power," Rudbick muttered under his breath.

James, always quick to please his father, nodded. "I'll find out more soon. Just wait."

Rudbick's eyes flickered with impatience. "I don't want to wait, James. We need to make a move soon. Before they figure out what's going on."

James clenched his fists, jealousy burning inside him as he watched Adrian casually sit among the students. "Don't worry, I'll handle it."

Meanwhile, on the field, the atmosphere continued to buzz. Students from different schools traded sarcastic barbs with each other, friendly but biting.

A Riverdale student snickered at the sight of Fiver Academy's sleek track gear. "What's the point of wearing all that fancy stuff? Bridget might as well wear a crown if she's going to act like royalty."

"Oh, please," a Fiver Academy fan shot back, "At least Bridget doesn't have to run like a frightened deer. Heard you lot were training on grass fields. You trying to win or raise cattle?"

Laughter erupted as more insults flew across the stands, but it was all in good fun. The real competition would be settled on the track.

Tessa felt the weight of the stadium on her shoulders, but in a strange way, it didn't bother her. She looked around, taking in every detail—the rustle of the banners, the cheers and jeers, the whispering of the wind through the open air of the stadium.

Even as the pressure mounted, her heartbeat remained calm and steady. She had trained for this. She was ready.

But more than anything, she was holding back.

Her full speed would break the internet, and that was not an exaggeration. She was saving that for when it truly mattered, though. Today, she'd take it easy—for now.

Behind her, some of the Riverdale students had begun to joke about the upcoming race.

"You know, if Adrian were on the track, we wouldn't even need Tessa. He'd finish the race in 10 seconds flat," one girl commented, giggling.

Another girl sighed dreamily. "I wish he was running... just to see him in action again. Can you imagine?"

"Yeah, but he doesn't want to overshadow Tessa," another added knowingly. "He's modest like that."

Tessa smiled quietly to herself. Adrian wasn't just modest; he was smart. He didn't want to expose himself, especially when the whole town—and likely the world—was watching. Only Ms. Caldwell truly understood why he held back.