Page 44 of Drop His Mask

“I know, sweet girl. I love you too. I know our lives haven’t been easy or kind, but we have each other. And we’re going to make it out of thistogether.”

I wanted more than anything to believe Jayce’s words, but I couldn’t help the anxiety that slithered deep into my body, coiling tightly around my heart.

But what if we don’t have a choice?

Chapter 22

You Need To Have Patience

Player 23

Three Years – Ten Months - Three Weeks Ago

Player 23 shut his eyes. He didn’t want to see anymore. Didn’t want to acknowledge what he had done.

But he couldn’t erase the smell of copper. The sticky liquid that coated his skin.

He had blood on his hands,literally.

“Congratulations Player 23, you have secured your victory.”

But at what cost?

He didn’t open his eyes, not even as rough hands gripped him by the arm tugging him away. He would be returned back to his cell. Forced to wait until they came toretrieve him again.

All the players were kept separately, but by his estimates, there weren’t many of them left.

“I’m taking you to her this time,” the guard holding him spoke under his breath. He recognized him–the man that had won the first game, the one that was helping watch over Sparrow.

Player 23’s eyes flashed open. “She can’t see me like this,please.” They were walking through a hallway he didn’t recognize. “Felix,please.” He spoke the man’s name by mistake.

The guard’s grip tightened on him. “Don’t say that here. The walls have ears. I’ll take you to my quarters first. Nightingale approved it. But you’re near the end now, just a few more rounds and then it will be safer for you. For the girl.”

“How did you do it?” Player 23 finally asked as they stepped inside Felix’s room. “How did you make it through this? How did you win and live with yourself for it?”

“Do you know how soldiers are trained?” Felix dropped his hold, turning to grab a towel and threw it at Player 23, before continuing. “They are disassembled and then built back as weapons. Every personal piece and layer is peeled away until they no longer have a name, they are simply their title. Right now, you are Player 23 and I am a Guard. I rely on this name; I have made it my identity. I don’t focus on my past or who I used to be.”

“But, Sparrow.” Player 23 looked down at his hands. It was a mistake. They were coated still in the crimson of the man he had killed moments ago.

The Guard leaned back against the door, appraising him. “To Sparrow you are her uncle. That is your title. Use it. Play the part, but don’t let it consume you.”

“How will we ever escape this though? Will we not just turn into mindless creatures existing simply for the sake of breathing. If there is nothing else, no emotion, then why do it at all?”

The Guard shut his eyes, his lips curling wistfully. “I won’t tell you to have hope. But instead, you need to have patience. We can’t escape on our own. After all,a Griffin’s wings will only take them part way.”

Player 23 recognized the phrase. His heart pounded against his chest, he wanted to shake the guard, question him, but refrained.

“Okay, I’ll play my parts and I’ll be patient. But how long will it take? How long will I be trapped here?”

The Guard straightened. “For however long it takes. But they will come.” He gestured towards a door to their left. “Now, no more questions. The bathroom is that way. It’s time to go into your role as Uncle.”

Chapter 23

She Can’t Lose Us Both

Levi

Present Day

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