THE TRIAL
THE TRIAL
In the not-so-distant (but distant) future, the nation of Sulay, where the dictator is worshipped like a living god, every 60 years the country holds The Trial, a competition to select the next ruler. Historically, the Trial has been elaborate, stressful, but perfectly safe tests of skill, intelligence, and leadership. This time, however, there's a tiny change: they're sending teenagers to an island where they have to survive… and not all of them are expected to make it back.
No one is more shocked by this twist than Hasha, a sarcastic and completely unprepared 17-year-old who thought the biggest challenge of her senior year would be choosing a profession path. Instead, she's plucked from her high school classroom after scoring absurdly high on a nationwide test that she might have guessed half the answers on. Now, she's sent to an isolated island, along with other confused and slightly panicked teenagers, all competing to win the ultimate prize: control of the entire country. (Oh, and not dying. That's a good goal too.)
As the cameras roll and the people of Sulay tune in to watch their favorite contestants battle it out in the wild, Hasha quickly realizes she's in way over her head. She's armed with... well, her wit and a few survival tips she vaguely remembers from YouTube. Trying to stay alive, Hasha and her newfound (and questionable) allies must figure out how to survive both the island's dangers and the dangerous antics of their fellow contestants. All while the nation votes on their favorite "leaders" like it's some reality TV show (spoiler: it is).
As things spiral out of control, Hasha starts to suspect that winning might not be all it's cracked up to be. But with everything on the line—her future, her life, and, unfortunately, her dignity—she's got no choice but to play the game and try to make it through without embarrassing herself on live TV.
Inspired by: Battle Royale