Page 83 of Rat Race

“Cam—”

My voice died when I saw that Cam wasn’t even looking at me. No, they were staring back at the exit where the finish line was.

Just over the flames, I could make out a familiar face.

Elijah.That fucking bastard. He was smiling at them as his back stood facing the exit.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost?” His crazy laughter echoed through the hallway.

“Cam,” I called, panic edging my voice as the flames grew closer. “Please find the switch.”

They wouldn’t fucking dare.

When they took a step forward, my heart fucking shattered.

I had never experienced a betrayal more powerful than I felt in that moment. It crushed my heart. Felt like I was falling through the trapdoor all over again, knocking the air out of my lungs.

It hurt. Even more than the fire licking at my skin and the heat crowding my lungs.

How can they do this to me?

Realistically, I knew that the people who entered the maze were all fucked up and would probably throw someone under the bus to save themselves. Fuck, I was one of them. But foolishly, I had thought Cam was different. That I could believe their words. Their actions.

Are you ready to win this thing?They had wanted to bring me across the finish line with them. But the more I watched them and Elijah, the more frightened I got.

Don’t leave me.

I wanted to say it, but the words weren’t coming out of my mouth. Like my brain didn’t want to fully come to terms with what was happening.

Even if the fire threatened to end me.

They took another step.

Cam, don’t you leave me!

They tookanotherandanother, all without looking back.

And then I finally found my voice.

“Cam, don’t you fucking leave me here, you cunt!”

Cam

Second place isn’t so bad, Cammy.

Aubrey’s panicked voice was ringing in my ears, but not louder than Pa’s voice.

No!Leave the girl! Take the win! Take what’s yours! Take it! Take it! Take it!

I wouldn’t let Elijah take this from me. All those who were part of the Ranch lived there, received an education there; we talked, played together when we were children. We were closer than just random players in the maze. Back at the Ranch, he was like a brother to me. But the moment he stepped foot into the arena at the same time as me—once he’d made his offering—that didn’t mean a hill of beans. He was just another fuckin’ obstacle.

And it would be the same for anyone else who entered the maze, whether they were Ranch or not. He isn’t special.

I repeated that in my head.

Elijah isn’t special.

He’s nobody.

---