Page 82 of Rat Race

But that was the name of the game.

And it would happen for Ella. For Natalie. For Hiram.

They were dead. The only thing keeping their memory alive were the ghosts of them on every maze stream thereafter. Their“best moments” would be replayed over and over again until even their family members got desensitized.

“Wait, help me fix my makeup,” I said, pulling Cam back with a jerk.

They let out an annoyed huff, but it was twinged with playfulness. They turned to me, their hands running through my hair before their fingers swiped the sides of my lips and eyes.

I leaned into their hand, enjoying the warmth that seeped into my skin.

I’m down bad.

And it was clear for all to see. But I didn’t give a shit. I would take everything Cam was willing to give me. No matter how little.

I was reveling in the attention… until I saw a flash behind them.

I had only moments to react, but I knew if I didn’t, Cam might be lost to me forever. It was pure instinct. The way my body and mind synced together within as little as a second to protect them.

Protect them.Something I never wanted to do for even a moment in my life. Never had I wanted tosacrificemy safety for someone else.

It wasn’t who I was. I protected myself first and foremost.Always. Because no one else stuck their neck out for me, so I was forced to do it myself.

Except for Cam.Cam had been there for me throughout the entire maze, even when their life was at stake.

And now I’m returning the favor.

I placed both my hands on their chest and shoved them as hard as I could. Not expecting it, they stumbled back, their eyes widening.

Fire burst out from either side of the wall, cutting a path between the two of us. Bright red and orange filled my vision,blocking most of Cam’s figure from view. When another burst went off behind me, I gasped and turned around, the sound of my hair sizzling hitting my ear.

So fucking close.

Flames were raging around me, licking at my skin. It was incredibly hot, burning me and causing my outfit to stick to me.

Just like previous years.

I should have prepared better. Should have known that a straight shot to the end was too good to be true.

But in previous years, the contestants were often alone.I wasn’t.Not only that, but I was with Cam, and I had the utmost trust that they would get me out of it.

I couldn’t make out anything, a red haze covering my vision. The panic I felt made my breath quicken, causing me to inhale more heat, more smoke. Intense fear clawed at my throat.

I hugged my torso, trying to make my body as small as possible.

Breathe in and out.

But I couldn’t. The heat went straight into my lungs, burning on its way down and forcing a cough from me.

It wasn’t until I turned back to Cam that I realized the flames were crawling across the floor of the concrete maze, inching closer and closer to me. There was no way out. No lever to stop them from overtaking me.

I’m going to die.

It became clear in the few moments I had.

I had been lucky to make it through the trap floor, but this trap seemed designed to kill. The Architects had wanted there to be one last bang before crossing the finish line.

And they sure fucking got one.

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