My vision blurred as I hurtled down the chute. Metal scraped skin, hair whipped in my face, stomach plunging.
Then—light.
I slammed onto the white floor of a vast circular dome, air tearing at my lungs. A raw red ring burned around my wrists where the restraints had been.
I forced myself upright, scanning. One hundred people were spilling in through identical chutes, their cries echoing across the sterile room. Men shouted demands at the ceiling, women shrank back in silence.
This was the arena. The slaughterhouse.
I knew the truth that the rest didn't: by the end of this 'game,' most of the women would already be dead.
My eyes snagged onto him immediately—raven hair, sharp features, lounging like the chaos bored him. His eyes scanned over all the people in the room—flitting over me for a split second.
I would bet my life savings that was him. Simon—the game maker's son. The main character.
My attention lingered on him for a moment before quickly shifting to look for one player—a man I'd loved as a reader. My one chance at salvation.
Will.
A leader people listened to the most in the first games—at least before this place hardened them to be morally bankrupt. Will was also one of the people Simon debatably cared about.
Messy brown hair and a classically handsome face entered my sights as I surveyed the dome. My eyes traveled along his muscular physique and signature green tank top.
That had to be him.
My feet began moving before my thoughts had time to process what I was going to do.
In that time, I took valuable seconds to think of how to convince him. His cooperation was essential to my survival.
Will was standing in a confused daze, scratching his head. He soon caught on that I was approaching him. The bewilderment on his face was amplified by my sudden appearance—a female stranger approaching him intently.
"Uh—can I help you?" His voice was deep, wary.
"Will!" I gasped, fear and recognition in my tone.
"...Uh...h-hello," sputtered a flustered Will.
"Will Anderson! Do you remember me? I'm June, I knew you in Waterford high school," I say quickly, "We had bio together!"
He blinked, thrown, "I…don't. Sorry."
I forced a shaky laugh. "Of course you don't. I just—I'm so scared, and you were the only familiar face. Please…can I stay near you?"
Will hesistated, then exhaled slowly. "I…guess so."
Perfect.
I smiled internally. He didn't remember me. Good. That meant I could be whoever I needed to be.
If all went according to plan, this man would be my shield for the oncoming bloodbath. My exit ticket. My survival.