Page 153 of Ignite

Fuck whoever’s behind it.

Fuck this whole twisted setup.

They named this place afterDecadence Chocolate. America's sweetest luxury.

What a joke.

This isn’t sweet.

It’s hell.

The drone drifts off, and I’m left swallowing rage.

My fingers twitch toward my mask. I want to rip it off. I can breathe, I can see—but it’s still suffocating.

But I hesitate.

If I’m being watched, if every moment is being judged, would taking it off break a rule? I vaguely remember the contract saying something about having to wear this flimsy uniform and mask at all times.

I can’t risk it. Not now.

This ridiculous costume, the mask, the lingerie—it’s all part of their game.

A trap, maybe.

Or a test.

I stand and strap the rucksack back on.

One goal left.

Find the cabin.

And don’t get caught doing it.

Chapter 54

CONAN

“You missed a good fight between two of the contestants,” Drago says as I approach the screen, peering over his shoulder.

I recognize the contestant on the screen, the only one that stood out to me in the intake. Contestant number ten.

Nervous yet defiant.

“Has she got the key?” I ask.

“Yep. She stole it right from Contestant Eight. Chased her down, smothered her, and then legged it.”

“Nice.”

“Contestant Eight remains unharmed?” I ask.

“Yeah. She’s chasing her own tail now in the woods. She won’t make it to phase two.”

I scratch my head.

“How far is Constant Ten from the cabin? Which key does she have?”