Battle Royale

“This is ridiculous.” I gritted my teeth as I forced my hand away from the cherry-red rock protruding from the giant, cobalt wall and grabbed onto the one right above it. “How the hell is rock climbing supposed to help me fight a vampire?” “Stop talking, and keep moving.” Dante sounded monotonous, as he effortlessly climbed beside me. “Use your energy on the climb, not by complaining.” I cried out in frustration as my hand slipped from the rock. Dante’s arm shot out to grab my arm and forced my hand back onto the rock. I tried to scowl at him, but I couldn’t twist my neck without slipping and falling. I was too high up, and I had no intention of taking the risk. It was tempting, mind you. “Aren’t you worried you’ll fall?” I asked him, digging my toes into the rock beneath me and pushing myself up to the next set of rocks. Unlike me, Dante had no safety harness strapped to him. He was climbing this free-range. “I won’t fall,” he replied casually. Damn him, for making this look so easy.