Page 70 of Drop His Mask

“If your men are strong enough, they will survive. That is my promise to you.” He didn’t pause for a reply as he shut the door behind him.

Twisting towards the bathroom, I waited a few more beats before speaking. “Oleks, you can come out now.”

Chapter 38

The Creators

The Game Warden

One Year – Four Months Ago

The Game Warden rolled the piercing on his tongue, biting down on it as another player lost balance on the tightrope, falling to the pool of acid that was beneath them.

The screams echoed around the control room as their faces slowly morphed into something entirely unrecognizable.

“This game was a good idea for you lot, less clean up.” The Host rested in his leather chair in the center of the room.

The Game Warden couldn’t see his face, but he knew if he could, The Host’s eyes would be twinkling in delight and excitement. The man was a psychopath through and through. He gotoffon these games.

The Game Warden kept his attention on the screens that lined the room, watching as the Sponsors continued to make bets on the outcomes and who would win this round. He swallowed down the bile that had risen up his throat.

Watching men and women dissolved into acid was one of the more horrific sights he had witnessed; it was threatening to seep into his skin, his nerves. To force him tofeel.

There was no time for that.

“Use a prerecorded message on this one, it looks like the winner is already decided. Player 33. The Sponsors will love that she has won.” The Host advised, getting to his feet. “I have other obligations to attend to.”

The Game Warden had only one moment of satisfaction that his chosen player was set to win before red warning lights blinked all around The Game Warden’s mind. This wasn’t normal. This was off-script.

The Host didn’t leave a game half finished. And while Player 33 was assumed to win, it wasn’t done yet. There was one more round to go.

The Game Warden’s eyes found Felix’s first, the latter inclined his head. He searched for Miko next, who flattened his lips.

That was the confirmation The Game Warden needed. The Host was up to something.

He waited until The Host had left the room before turning to The Guard now in charge of their space. He bowed his head in a mock show of respect. “I need to exit due to the possibility of a breach of rules; closer examination is required.”

“State your grievances,” The Guard replied.

“I am but a humble servant who requires proof before throwing accusations.”

The Guard laughed humorlessly. “Go ahead. One hour to return to your station or you will be eliminated.”

The Game Warden stood up slowly before exiting the room.

He didn’t start sprinting until he was down the hallway, the camera pressing against his pocket as his feet carried him to his destination.

Please, she has to be safe. Don’t let me be too late.

Dread sunk into his feet, heavy weights as he found Sparrow’s room and saw her door open.

No!

He didn’t hesitate or pause, tugging the camera out of his pocket, he rushed into the space.

The Host was over her bed, a knife in his hands. “Children don’t belong here! Especially not girls.”

Blinded by rage and terror and every range of emotion that had ever touched his heart, The Game Warden didn’t think as he jumped across the space onto The Host.

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