For days, we wait, we watch and we hope to God we aren’t next. Every morning when Landon and I can speak freely, we discuss options. But they’re few and far between. There are boats, that’s our best option, but who knows how far we would get… if we could make it at all. We have to try something, though, right?
“It’s too risky,” Landon argues for the umpteenth time.
I muffle my microphone and let out an aggravated sigh while the water pours down over me.
“We can’t just sit around and wait to be spared, Landon. We have to act before it’s too late.”
“If we act too hastily, it really will be too late. I won’t lose you; I won’t let Lily lose you. We’re sticking to the plan. Smiling for the camera, playing the games?—”
“And hoping to God that we don’t get eliminated?”
He shrugs before running a hand through his hair and disrupting his mic. “I don’t know what else to do. I’m just trying to keep us safe.”
“I know.” I rest my head against his chest. “It’s just… what if it’s not enough? What if we win the game and they still kill us?”
Landon smashes his lips together but doesn’t say anything. I know he’s been operating on this “we have to win” approach, which, don’t get me wrong, is our best bet. But I can tell he’s thought about the possibility. That we can win it all and still get taken out. I guess, for now, we have to play their game for as long is necessary and then run like hell.
The next day, we’re woken up by music playing through the speakers of the bedrooms.
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” echoes through the room, and Iopen my eyes to see Landon already staring at me. I give him a sleepy smile, and he returns it as his fingers brush through my hair.
“Morning,” I murmur.
“You’re so beautiful in the mornings,” he says, almost like he’s lost in thought. “You’re beautiful all the time, but seeing you like this is my favorite.”
A cheesy grin takes over my face. “You’re being sweet. What’s the occasion?”
He lets out a huff and shakes his head. “Life is just short. I’m drinking in the moments… I just don’t want you to go a single second without knowing how I feel about you. How you’ve changed me.”
My smile fades as my mood instantly dims. I don’t want to know where his head is at right now. I’m actively trying to avoid those thoughts myself. I refuse to believe that our fate is death or more death. There has to be a third option, there’s always a plan B, or plan C, or something until we’ve gone through the whole goddamn alphabet. There’s always a way.
A knock sounds on our bedroom door, and my stomach drops when Julia opens it and pokes her head in.
“We need you dressed and outside in less than thirty.”
No explanation, no elaboration. In and out, then she’s knocking on the next door. Nerves begin to fill me, and my stomach twists before I’m leaping out of bed and running for the bathroom. My stomach empties what little it had in it as I retch and gag. I don’t know if I can go on. The anxiety and stress alone will take me out, I swear.
Landon comes into the bathroom, rubbing my back in soothing circles as I finish heaving. I look to him with watery eyes, and he gives me a sympathetic nod.
“Get it out now. Whatever they have in store for us, we need to be prepared.”
“I know,” I reply before taking a deep breath. “I’m good.”
Landon grabs a towel and wipes my mouth with it before placing a kiss on my forehead. We both get ready quickly and are walking out to the patio exactly twenty-eight minutes later. The other couples are already there, and we take a seat by Shane and Luna just as Alex comes sauntering from, yet again, nowhere.
I have a feeling there are these hidden areas, like that interrogation room I was taken to, all over this place. It looks so massive on the outside, but I guarantee you it’s so much bigger on the inside.
“Hey, lovers! Hope you’ve all been relaxing in the sun. Today, we thought we’d keep things light and fun with a game!”
Whatever kind of game they have in mind, I guarantee it’s not my idea of fun.
“Communication is key in any relationship. You need to know your partner better than you know yourself. Understand what they need and communicate without a single word.”
“We’re not playing something stupid like charades, are we?” Savannah interrupts.
Honestly, I’m amazed by the balls of this woman.
Then I realize she probably hasn’t picked up on what’s going on. In her mind, Bella falling was probably a freak accident and everyone else is safe and sound back home. Oh, how I wish that were the truth.
