Page 63 of Drop His Mask

We had been in here for overa fucking month.

“Wha—No—"

The terrified screech grabbed my attention, and I cranked my head upwards. I watched in horror as a person fell from the sky, screaming as they went.

“You idiot! Why?!” Player 141 sobbed.

This time I had the wherewithal to turn around. I didn’t need to see the disgusting scene play out again.

“Player 32, congratulations you have won, you have secured your team's victory. All teams have now competed for their lives. This completes the game.”

The unmistakable whirring filled the space, and I spun carefully on my platform, causing my knees to buckle, but they held. I kept my attention above the ground and away from the carnage below.

32 had somehow managed to flip off one of the largest men in the room, managed to secure her own victory and trick the other man into falling to his literal death.

Her hands were cocked on her hips as she became level with the rest of us. “I guess it’s a good thing I'm such a little slut," she bit out to 34, sneering at the other woman.

Before anyone could say anything else the mechanical voice started up again. “You may think it's odd that the game has ended, and yet, you are allstill conscious. There is a reason for this. The first place winners from the last game now need to claim their prize. The winners were 197, 196, 195, and 194. They secured the most organs.”

Anxiety skittered against my nerves as I found Oleks and 197. While I didn’t think either of the men wouldtryto hurt me, the same could not be said for 196 or 194. Neither of those men had spoken more than a few words to me and I had seen the palpable anger radiating off of 196 after the last game. After they had killed his mother.

I didn’t want it directed towards me.

“Since 195 won this game, they will be the one to choose your prize. 195, you are to trade one of your weakest links for a new, stronger teammate. Or perhaps you now have someone else in mind.”

Horror. Pure unfiltered chaotic horror slithered its way down my throat into my gut.

No. Certainly he wouldn’t choose me.

“You better not—” 196 was silenced as he fell to his knees, letting out an anguished grunt of pain.

“There will be no arguing or discussion. Player 195, you have two minutes to decide.”

I tried to catch Oleks’s attention, but he was looking pointedly in any direction but my own.

What if he separates me from Jayce? What will happen then?

I had never expected when this started that I would want to be stuck with Jayce, but now I couldn't imagine us being apart.

In the middle of my meltdown, I found myself searching for him. Looking for the ocean. Finding the swirling depths of his eyes.

I love you,Jayce mouthed.

I love you too,I returned.

“Time’s up,” the robotic voice bounced around us.

“We will be trading Player 196,” Oleks said.

“You son of a—” 196 fell all the way down to his platform, knocked out cold before he could finish his sentence.

“Continue."

“For Player 20,” 195 murmured softer this time.

“No!" Jayce screamed, his voice breaking in despair.

“We’ll see you soon darlin’, take care of yourself,” Levi grunted, his words cracking in emotion.

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