Page 70 of Bleeding Hearts
Ah shit, this is what I was afraid of, but I stand and clear my throat. “The game is still ongoing. I don’t have much to report?—”
Autumn frowns. “We heard another kid died.”
I nod. “We had to eat plants. One was deadly. It wasn’t—” I blow out a breath. “I still don’t know who is behind this. They are clever and well hidden.”
“Then you might never find out. I want you to get out. Do you understand me? It’s too dangerous. People are dying. We’ll find another way,” Autumn orders, but when I remain silent, her eyes narrow. “I mean it, Alice. We don’t want you to be in danger. The cost isn’t worth it. We’ll find another way, but for now, I don’t want you anywhere near that game.”
For the first time since I was inducted, I lie. “Of course.”
When I sit down, I feel Bones’s eyes on me, so I avoid his gaze. “She means it, Alice, and so do I,” he warns. “I let you go in there, but I won’t let you get hurt.”
“You didn’t let me do anything. I’m an adult who makes my own choices,” I snap.
“Fine, but please just stop, okay? She’s right, it isn’t worth it, and we can’t lose anyone else. If not for me or yourself, then think of Lally, Evan, and Alek. Do you think they could handle something happening to you? They already lost Tommy, so don’t make them bury anyone else. You’re smarter than that. If you don’t quit, I’ll be forced to tell Alek the truth.”
Grinding my teeth, I jerk my head in understanding. He means it. I’m surprised he hasn’t already said anything, to be honest, but I think we both deceived ourselves on how truly dangerous Risk would be. “Okay, I promise I’ll stop.”
He looks relieved, and I wonder how much this has been weighing on him. Bones has a hero complex. He takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, and if something happened to me because of this game, he would blame himself for not trying to stop me. What none of them seem to understand, however, is they couldn’t stop me if they tried.
I chose Lally and now Risk.
I’m not going anywhere.
I’m in it until the end.
They ask over and over what we are willing to risk, and now I know I would risk everything for someone I love.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
We knew it was coming, but I think we were both hoping we would have more time before the next game. Alice needs to rest, but honestly, this game means so much more now since I made my decision and got the ball rolling.
It’s more dangerous than ever, and I suppose I wanted to live in our little bubble of happiness for a bit longer, but one flash of our phones and I know we can’t.
I eye the address before tossing my phone down and reclining back on my bed, my eyes on the ceiling.
“We don’t have to go,” she says nervously.
“Yes, we do. At least I do.” Leaning up, I eye her. “Stay here?—”
“Not a chance. Where you go, I go,” she snaps.
“Alice, you almost died,” I protest. I’ve practiced this argument in my head a thousand times since I made my decision, but I should have known better.
“And I survived. I’m not leaving you. If you go, I go,” she states.
“Don’t do this,” I beg. “Don’t put this on me.”
“I’m not.” She cups my face. “I’m just telling you how it is. We’ll do this together and watch each other’s back.” Alice kisses me softly, and I lose my train of thought. “We better get ready.”
She slips from my embrace, and I know I’m doing the right thing. I have to end this.
The address tonight is surprising. It’s not a rooftop or in the middle of nowhere. It’s a mansion on the side of the river. The rest of the street appears to be empty. I don’t even see any cars or signs of life, but the house at the very end shines like a beacon, letting us know that’s exactly where we need to be.
I already knew whoever is behind this has power, connections, and money. It’s the only way they could get away with what they have so far, but this just reaffirms it. They are loaded and powerful. It makes me second-guess my plan. I’m nobody, a nothing. Who am I to go against them?
I know I have to though—not just for us, but for every person who has died so far in this stupid fucking game.
Maybe it’s my guilt for doing nothing before, but I’m more determined than ever to stop this. Quitting wouldn’t have stopped anyone or prevented their deaths, but it doesn’t ease that horrible feeling inside me when I think back.
