Page 61 of Drop His Mask

Chapter 32

Infertile

The Game Warden

Two Years – Six Months Ago

“Congratulations to Player 5! You have won our third annual game!”

This is only the third annual game forourcountry. And how is it annual? There’s over a year apart between them.

The Host rested elegantly on a leather chair that was the center of the space, his voice echoed around the control room The Game Warden sat in.

He was surrounded by dozens of other Game Wardens and a few guards.

The Game Warden’s heart beat painfully in his chest. He had done it. Player 5 was the one he had set his sights on. At the start of thishe had read through all the folders, looked for the weaknesses and strengths, searched for those that he might be able to trust, until he had settled on the perfect one.

But Nightingale had been right–there were players he recognized. Men and women he had grown up with. Which was another curiosity that he hadn’t noticed on the last round of contestants.

There were women present. While on both accounts all the players had full physicals done, for the women…it went a step further. Each folder had a stamp next to their picture.

Infertile.

It was odd, but The Game Warden couldn’t fathom to guess the reason for it, so he was letting it gofor now.

“You! Go get The Player and take them to their quarters. I have to prepare for a meeting with The Creators.”

It took a moment for The Game Warden to realize The Host was speaking to him. The Game Warden inclined his head. “Yes sir.”

“Well hurry the fuck up and take a guard with you just in case. Fucking slow in the head.”

Felix stepped away from the wall and The Game Warden joined him in silence. Together they exited the room, making their way to the arena below.

“Good choice, Julian,” Felix whispered to him.

“Don’t call me that anymore,” he lashed out before he could stop himself. There was only one person left here that could call him that and it was Sparrow.

“I see. You’re taking my advice,” Felix commented before changing the subject. “Player 5 was one of our more trusted men and later became a part of the Brutality Faction. He should help us.”

The Game Warden hummed his appreciation. “Hopefully, but what are we supposed to do now?”

“We bide our time, bring this man into our fold,” Felix advised under his breath.

They were nearing the end of the hallway now, they would be entering the elevator and unable to communicate freely until they returned back upstairs.

“What about the other game that comes next? With the players from outside Violencia?”

Felix froze, his head swiveling to The Game Warden. “They aren’t to be trusted. There’s a reason you don’t see those winners anywhere.”

Another slew of questions entered The Game Warden’s brain, but the elevator dinged, the doors opening and distracting him.

The Game Warden breathed in and out a few times, attempting to calm his nerves, and clear his mind.

He knew that when he found Player 5, they would be worse for wear. That they would still be a caged animal wanting nothing more than to escape.

Just as he had been.

“Understood.”

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