CHAPTER 1
EXTREME OBSTACLE
In the living room, twelve-year-old Tanisha Carter picked up her controller and settled onto the sofa. She was ready to play one of her favorite online multiplayer games.
But before she could get started, her older brother, Terrell, walked into the living room. He plopped down next to her on the couch.
“Hey, T, how long are you going to play your game?” he asked. “There’s a basketball game on in thirty minutes. I was hoping to use the TV so I don’t have to watch it on my phone.”
“That’s just enough time for me to crush three levels,” Tanisha said. “The TV is all yours after that.”
“Thanks!” said Terrell. “Hey, did you see the new ad for Rugged Reaper? They’re coming here next month. I know how much you love that show.”
Tanisha’s eyes opened wide at the mention of her favorite show. “What?” she hollered. “Show it to me NOW!”
Terrell chuckled as he loaded the trailer on his phone. “Chill, sis, OK,” he said, handing her the phone.
Tanisha could barely contain her excitement as she pressed play. Her mouth hung open as she watched kids her own age barrel through an intense-looking obstacle course.
“This is awesome!” she said.
“Kids, you think you know what an obstacle course is?” the announcer said.
Tanisha couldn’t take her eyes off the screen. Exciting music played as the announcer’s voice boomed.
“You’ve seen nothing until you’ve challenged the Rugged Reaper,” he continued. “The best obstacle course designed for kids, by kids!”
Tanisha was laser focused. She watched Rugged Reaper every week. The competitors were fierce.
“The number-one TV show for kids has mud runs, balance beams, rope swings, wall climbing, and the dreaded monkey bars of infinity!” the announcer continued. “And we’re coming to your town!”
Tanisha paused the video. “Are they really coming to Newville?” she asked her brother.
Terrell nodded. “I checked the website. We’re one of the stops.”
Tanisha pressed play again and listened to the rest of the details.
“The top three teams will advance to the national quarterfinals in Orlando, Florida!” the announcer shouted.
“If you’re between the ages of eight and twelve and love to have fun while getting dirty, sign your two-person team up for this extreme obstacle course today!” the announcer finished.
Tanisha couldn’t believe her luck. “I’ve always wanted to do this!” she said. “I’m going to get a teammate and sign up tomorrow!”
Terrell gave his younger sister a skeptical look. “I don’t know, T. It’s one thing to watch it on TV. Do you really think you’d be up for that type of challenge?” he said. “There’s no way you can find a teammate and get ready that fast. That’s like a month away!”
“I can do anything I set my mind to,” Tanisha snapped. “You’ll see.” She just had to find a teammate.
* * *
At school the next day, Tanisha sat with her friends in the cafeteria. She couldn’t stop talking about Rugged Reaper.
“All I need is a teammate so we can sign up and start training.” Tanisha looked at her friend Justin. “Do you want to join my team?”
“I would,” said Justin, taking a sip of his soda. “But it’s basketball season. Practice and games take up most of my time.”
Tanisha turned to her friend Nicole. “What about you?” she asked. “You’re a great gymnast. We’d be unstoppable!”
Nicole made a face as she picked out the peas that had spilled into the dessert on her tray. “Sorry, T,” she said. “My gymnastics coach won’t let me take on any other extracurricular activities.”
Tanisha sighed. “It’s OK,” she said, even though she was disappointed. “I wouldn’t want you to get into trouble.”
She pushed her tray to the side and let out a sigh. If none of my friends can do the Rugged Reaper with me, then what am I going to do?
Just then Derek Reeves approached their table. “Hey, guys, is it cool if I sit with you?” he asked, holding his tray of food.
“Yeah, have a seat,” Justin replied. “There’s always room for one more.”
“What’s new?” Derek asked, contemplating the mystery meat in his sandwich.
“T is trying to recruit a teammate so she can compete on Rugged Reaper,” Nicole said. “Justin and I are both too busy, though.”
“Rugged Reaper? It’s coming here? When?” Derek said, putting down his sandwich. “I’m obsessed with that show. I watch it on the Travel Games Channel all the time. It looks so fun!”
Tanisha shot Derek a thoughtful look. “In May,” she said. “My brother just showed me the ad yesterday.” She paused. “Would you want to be my teammate?”
Tanisha’s friends seemed stunned.
“You think Derek would be good on an obstacle course?” Justin said. He shot the other boy a look. “No offense, man. It just doesn’t seem like the type of thing you’d be into.”
Unlike Justin, Derek wasn’t on the basketball team and didn’t seem to care about sports in general. He always seemed a little out of shape in gym class. But he was one of the nicest kids at school.
“Cause I’m a little bigger? I might not be as athletic as you,” Derek said, “but I’m strong.”
“Derek did save our butts in tug-of-war against Mr. Drexel’s class,” Nicole added.
“That’s right! With your strength and my speed, we’d make a great team!” Tanisha exclaimed. “Not to mention how much we know about the show. So you’ll do it? You’ll be my teammate?”
“Sure!” Derek said, giving Tanisha a high five.