Page 83 of Bleeding Hearts
The square, one-story building features two Olympic-sized swimming pools and a diving area. The doors are open, and two wranglers stand on either side. I hesitate for a moment.
“Let’s just go home,” Alice whispers.
“No, we came this far.” Tugging her after me, I stride to the doors.
I meet the wranglers’ eyes through their masks as I step inside. There’s a crowd already gathered. I guess they are watching tonight. The other players are huddled together, and it’s chaos, so I use it to my advantage.
I use the crowd as cover as I reach up and plant the camera, then I hurry back to Alice’s side before she realizes I’m gone.
She smiles timidly at me, and I kiss her head. “It’s going to be okay. Just do what they say, and we’ll go home after it’s all over.”
“And you’ll pay your tuition, so everything will be fixed,” she adds, and I smile. I’d forgotten about that. The money means nothing to me anymore.
As I guide her through the crowd, I keep myself between them and Alice as I look around for a clue that will indicate what the game is. It obviously involves water, I just want to know why, so I push to the front until I can see the pool.
There’s a table in front of it with one card on it.
The pool is drawn on it, and I glance from it to the water beyond. The lights are on underneath, but it only seems to give it a creepier look.
“What do you think it will be? There’s nothing in the pool to collect,” Alice whispers as she leans over. “There are chairs, Lals.”
I look into the water and see she’s right. There are chairs chained to the bottom of the pool. I count them, quickly realizing it’s the exact number of players that are left. There is one for each of us. I could be wrong, but I think I know what this game is.
Alice obviously does as well as she meets my gaze.
There’s a crackle of a speaker, and that same mechanical voice comes.
“Hello, risk-takers, and welcome. I’m sure you are all very excited to get your hands on that prize, and this final game is all that stands in your way. Our finale is simple—you must push yourself to your limits and test your resilience and strength over fear. You will be chained to the bottom of the pool with a key attached to your feet. You must remember the code that will flash on your phone. Free the key and then yourself before you run out of air. Face your fears, conquer your weakness, and win Risk. The rules are easy. You must not interfere with an opponent’s game. Free yourself and leave the pool. Do not reenter until the next round. Are you ready?”
The crowd is quiet. None of us are excited, but it’s too late. The doors shut with a bang, but they aren’t locked. It’s an obvious way out, they are giving us a choice, but there isn’t one for me.
Kicking off my boots, I remove my socks and jacket before turning to Alice and helping her with hers. “The less clothes that restrict you, the better, okay? Don’t panic, keep calm. Take twodeep breaths before going under. Get the key and get out. Your hands will shake with fear but control them. Find the lock.” Gripping her face, I force her to look at me. “Or wait here while I do it.”
It’s a last plea. I’ve tried to convince her for days not to enter this game, but she ignores me every time.
“No. I’m going in too,” she says as she wiggles her toes. “I can do this. I know I can.”
“I know too.” I tug her into my arms, then we hear something splashing. We break apart and glance over to see wranglers in the water with different masks on. They are to help them breathe underwater, but they still obscure their faces.
“We’ll go the very last,” I whisper. “More time for air. Keep breathing for me, okay? Don’t choke up.”
Alice nods but she looks scared, so I pull her closer. “Focus on me, only on me. Think of us going home after. Think of waking up tomorrow knowing it’s over. Just think of us, okay?” I kiss her forehead. “You are the strongest person I know, Alice. When everyone else was pushed away by my venom, you stood through the pain and grief. You can do this. I know you can. There is nothing you can’t do.”
“That was because I love you,” she whispers.
“Then do this for me. Do it because you love me. I need you, so you get your ass out of that pool and come home to me. Don’t let me lose someone else I love, you hear me?” I demand, fear gripping me. I need to get it under control, but I wish she weren’t here. I wish she weren’t so stubborn. She probably wishes the same about me.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out, memorizing the code on the screen. When I look at her, she’s doing the same.
I put my phone away and focus on her.
“Promise me,” I order as I pull back when others climb into the pool. “Promise me you’ll meet me back here. Promise me you’ll do it.”
“I promise,” she replies, holding my hand. “I’ll meet you right here.”
I nod, and we head to the pool. I help Alice in, and once we’re in the water, we swim to the closest wranglers who are a few feet apart. One lifts his hand and places it on my head, his meaning clear.
I glance over to Alice. The wrangler’s hand is on her head, and she meets my gaze as we both breathe deeply and let them push us under.
