Round Two

[CHAPTER 11]- THE AFTERMATH

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​"You should have stayed home." I paced around the large tent that the Games had given us while we wait for new competitors.

"So stupid. She's probably just at home. She's not gone. This is just some cruel hallucination." I looked up to the roof of the tent. "Are you happy?! You must some sick people to do this to me! Bring her back! The joke is over it was funny while it lasted, but you can stop now!" A tear fell down my face.

I said you can stop now!" My voice trembled as a sob threatened to escape my throat. "Please stop. Please, please, please." I waited a few seconds before saying anything else. "I just want my sister back. I wanna go home. Please..." I stood there for a few seconds before Nikki came into the tent.

​"Hey Grace. We need to go." She spoke, her voice full of pity. I followed behind her as we walked towards the building that we first entered when the game started. We caught up with Theodor and Matthew; people in masks led us towards a large open room; it was almost as if it were a ballroom.

There were masked people lining all walls. More and more people slowly filled. There was a large stage on the right end of the building where the Masked man stood behind a microphone.

​"Hello, Round Three contestants." The familiar inhuman voice spoke. "You are currently in a game to please the gods. Twenty-two of you participated in Round Two and are now going to play in Round Three. To welcome our new 322 contestants, we've set up a challenge to test both your physical and emotional abilities." I swallowed hard. "We truly do wish you the worst of luck, MAY THE GAMES BEGIN!" He let out the same psychotic cackle that he did last round, and it didn't fail to chill my soul once again.

​People around us began talking, the sound quickly filling the room. After a few minutes of nothing happening people began leaving the room to head outside where tents were lined in rows. Each tent was a team. Nikki, Matthew, Theodor and I entered our tent and began talking about the possible challenge and how we would fight through it.

​"Alright." Matthew started, "How are we gonna get through this?" There were a few seconds of silence.

​"The same way we did last time." Nikki said sitting on a cot.

​"Try not to die." Theodor finished. Matthew let out a chuckle.

​"Well that obviously didn't work out last time so we need a better battle strategy." Matthew said with a smirk. My head snapped towards him. I watched as the smirk faded within seconds. "I—"

I didn't let him speak before leaving the tent. Deep breath, Grace. I followed my mental instructions. Don't let anger get the best of you. Payne is just at home with Dad. I sucked in more air and let it out through my nose.

​"See? Everything is totally fine." I mumbled to myself. I just stood there for a few seconds, taking in the fresh air.

​"Grace!" I turned around at the familiar voice. "I'm so sor—"

​"Don't worry, Matthew. Totally fine." I'd attempted to answer sweetly and sincerely but it just came off as flat out cold and full of hate.

​"No... Its not fine." He looked at me. His face was full of pity, just as Nikki's voice was. "Your sister died, Grace. Its not okay."

Stop.

​"Stop. Just stop. I don't need your pity, Matthew."

​"No really, Grace. I truly am sorry." Just shut up. I turned my back to him in hopes he would get the memo that I wanted to be left alone. "I know what your going through. Its going to be okay." I'm not going through anything. Payne is back at home with Dad. I could hear him step closer.