Groom Wars

50. Surprise Elimination

Wool had been pulled over their eyes. Contrary to the rumours, the house did not vote in Adriel or Leandro though they had promised to. Instead, they sent in Luke and Mike. Cadmus watched as the boys struggled to keep their place. If they were sent home, it would leave Leandro, Adriel, and Cadmus with less protection.

The brothers hadn't been given time to mentally prepare for the surprise elimination draw, but the mission was simple, so Cadmus thought it likely that they would win. However, there was always a certain amount of uncertainty when it came to an elimination. Someone could be having a bad day and get sent home for their poor performance. Or sometimes, luck was simply against them.

In the pit, Mike went against a dark-skinned boy with a red afro. The players faced two boards with five rows and seven columns of light bulbs, one board for each team. The players had to throw metal spheres at the bulbs and shatter them. The first person to put out all thirty-five lights would be the winner. The arena was covered with a layer of hardened sand. Heavy clouds filled the dark sky, a dark omen. The wind whipped Mike's long golden hair as he shattered a bulb on the bottom left. Mike was taller and better built than the other man, but this was a game of chance. Anything could happen. 'Boos' filled the arena as Mike secured his lead.

The heads of Dryad were no longer welcome in the house. In the next phase, the princess would select fifty players to keep for the final phase and eliminate fifty. The attractive members of Dryad posed a threat to lesser members of the group.

Cracking glass punctuated the boos. The grunts and heavy breathing of the contestants reminded Cadmus of the time he had gone down there. He remembered how sweat had streamed down his face. How desperate he had been as he tried to break the ice and free the key within to save his partner from the cage of frigid water.

When Cadmus and an assisting staff member had freed Adriel, Adriel's skin had been cold to touch, his eyes glazed, pupils dilated. His body seemed to have lost the ability to shiver, and the staff had raced to restore his warmth. Cadmus remembered the fear he had felt, the fear of losing someone he cared about.

Mike shattered two more bulbs. The lights went out quickly. His opponent, Moses, scrambled to keep up, but he couldn't compete with Mike's accuracy, and after Mike's final light extinguished, a bell sounded, and Mike, grinning and roaring at the audience, was declared the winner. Mike pumped his fist into the air and screamed at the crowd, flashing his teeth in exhilaration.

The boards with the shattered bulbs were changed; the metal balls returned to their holders, and Luke took his place in the centre, facing a boy with dark brown skin and half white, half black hair. The air around them seemed still, tense. Luke focused, withdrawing within, tuning out the yells and screams. He picked up a sphere, aimed, and fired. Once Luke got his rhythm, bulbs shattered along the bottom row, and Adriel, glimpsing their victory, cupped his mouth and shouted encouragements. Cadmus smiled. Leandro watched Cadmus' hand on Adriel's waist—Cadmus hadn't realized he had been holding onto the boy till he met Leandro's enraged expression, then Cadmus' guilt stirred, and he released Adriel. Leandro turned away, dark emotions twisting his features.

The boos that surrounded them were deafening, but like a lion, Luke sprinted from side to side, dancing on the balls on his feet, spinning, tossing, and putting out light after light. His opponent watched him, terrified, his bright future vanishing with every light that snuffed.

Hurrying to make up time, Luke's opponent ran, tripped, and tore his chin open on the ground. Blood soaked his skin, but he got up and raced to his tray. His allies' encouragements drowned out all other sounds, so Cadmus couldn't talk to Adriel, who was right next to him.

Ten lights remained for Luke. He slid right, and 'Bam!' A bulb exploded, and glass fragments flew out of the socket, sparkling in the glare of the powerful lights before collapsing on the ground. Eddy, the boy with zebra hair, threw a sphere but hit the spot between the lights, and a frustrated audience member yelled. "Come on! Fuck him up, you useless piece of shit!"

Luke smiled; his focus remained unshaken as he shattered bulbs.

Eddy winced and closed his eyes before collecting himself and returning to the game; his visage was tense yet frightened, like a trapped criminal standing in front of a police officer with a gun.

Meanwhile, bulbs continued to shatter, and a few seconds later, Luke destroyed his final light. The loyal, few remaining Dryads released a hearty cheer that shook the stadium. The brothers, Mike and Luke, hugged and kissed each other. Mike raised his middle finger to those in the stands.

Van said, "Mike, Luke, what a wonderful game you put on for us tonight. I'm glad to crown you the winners of this round. Eddy, Moses, unfortunately, your time here has ended; thank you for joining us, and we wish you the best in your future endeavours."

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