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?”