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“Both the watchers and hunters are watching; do you really want them to favor Mason?” she continues, just as the time runs out.
The masked dealer steps forward, collecting their verbal votes before announcing, “The next player to be revealed is… Olivia.”
“You’re dead if this chamber is empty,” Olivia hisses at Amani before her eyes lock onto the masked dealer, commencing the ritual of loading a single bullet before handing the revolver over.
Olivia practically rips it from the dealer’s hand, pressing the barrel hard against her temple.
She pulls the trigger.
BANG.
When the metal doors slide open, contestants scatter without a word, collapsing to wherever they see fit.
I barely make it a few steps into the dormitory before Amani encloses me, burying her face against my chest. Her breathing’s uneven as she clutches the back of my sweater.
I remain still. Arms hover awkwardly before one settles lightly against her back. “You almost died.” She utters into my chest.
Lucas joins us a moment later, dragging a trembling hand through his hair. “Fuck, man, that was a close call.”
I peer past them, straight at Mason, who sulks in the far corner with two others who barely acknowledge him.
Unlike dinner, nobody’s laughing, and nourishment has been stripped from the tables completely, with not even a drop of water in sight.
Every watch in the room suddenly vibrates simultaneously as the wall display flickers to life.
SPONSORSHIP AND RANK UPDATE.
My wrist starts to buzz uncontrollably—notifications disappearing almost immediately, replaced by another, and the numbers keep rolling in.
+$5000
+$3000
+$10000
Comments pop up beneath each donation, claiming things like;
‘Best moment of the season so far.’
‘That stunt with the hunter was insane.’
‘Absolute lunatic.’
‘You’re my new favorite player.’
The screen mounted on the wall updates as a leaderboard fills the display. Every contestant watches the rankings shift as sponsorship totals recalculate in real time, along with updated ranks.
One name settles at the top.
1. ADRIAN SUMMERS
Sponsors: 47
Total watcher votes: 57,801
Total Sponsorship prize: $138,000
Jesus-fucking-Christ. So much for that stunt Amani pulled about me ‘not being a threat ’.
