[ CW ] Start with `` Everyone knew trying to run was futile , yet so far all of them tried anyway '' , end with `` I do n't make the rules , I just enforce them . ''

Everyone knew trying to run was futile, yet so far all of them tried anyway. The race course was a scene of carnage, contestants struggling to maneuver the treacherous track. The sun beat down on us, scorching skin and slowing our pace to a crawl. 
 
 Out of all the entrants, we were doing the worst. The next closest team was ten feet ahead of us. They were in bad shape, but not as bad as us. Sweat trickled down my back as we agonized over another step. Jake was already red around his nose and cheeks - Mom was going to kill me if he got burned. 
 
 One more step. Another. Another. Anoth - and down we went, crashing into the grass for what felt like the fiftieth time in five minutes. `` This is stupid!'' Jake whined, smacking the ground with an open hand. 
 
 `` Hey, you were the one who signed us up,'' I started, but thought better of it. He *had* signed us up, because he thought it would be fun, and because he had n't won a single thing all day. He'd been bragging all the week before, confident he would come home with at least a dozen prizes. 
 
 I leaned over and whispered, `` I've got an idea to beat this thing. Here, you stand behind me - okay? Like that, yeah - hook your arm in mine, and I'll - *carry* you - `` 
 
 `` Mal, no!'' Jake squeaked as I managed to get him off the ground far enough that he would n't tangle me up. `` We're gon na get in trouble!'' 
 
 `` I do n't care,'' I said bravely. `` Whatever it takes, we're gon na win.'' 
 
 And we nearly did. I'd sped past the other combatants, laughing as they gaped at us in awe, when the whistle blew. 
 
 `` Numbers forty-one and forty-two! You're out!'' 
 
 Jake slid off my back, glowering. `` I *told* you! Why would you even want to do the three-legged race with me if you were gon na cheat?'' I opened my mouth to argue, with him or the ref, I did n't know, but he elbowed me. `` We're in the way!'' 
 
 The referee sounded the whistle again, just to emphasize his point, as we staggered off the track. He knelt down to help us with the ties around our legs. `` Sorry, kid. I do n't make the rules, I just enforce them.''
