The Ring

Part 4: Storms Brewing

"You'll be participating in another round of The Ring with a new contestant."

Raven sat staring at his hands. He knew he needed to get up and train, but he was too tired. He'd gotten about five minutes of sleep the night before, struggling to contemplate the truth. He would be partaking in a final Ring round. Another round. The blood all over again. Raven had seen Mr. Marker on TV say they would die for real this time, but he was only joking. Of course it wasn't funny. Raven knew fans would hate to see them go, but would Mr. Ross rather get rid of them for good? All they did was cause him trouble. Although, if he didn't have the tributes, he wouldn't have The Ring. Thus, having no fans, and no fans meant no money. Mr. Ross had told America that Colton being alive was supposed to be a surprise. He said that Maddi was extracted for the same reason. That blaming her death on Raven had been a joke. Raven sighed and laid his head on his desk. He wouldn't ever be safe, would he? Raven's head shot up at the sound of a knock. He slipped out of the study and walked to the front door. He assumed it must be someone coming to take him to The Ring HQ. Instead he found Adrian. Before he could say anything, Raven grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. The two sat silently at Raven's kitchen table for a moment.

"I'm sure Ross has something special planned for the finale." Adrian spoke.

Raven nodded. "Whatever it is, I'm going to be prepared."

Adrian planted his face in his arms crossed on the table. "I don't think I have the energy for another round."

"Good thing it's in a couple months then."

Adrian glanced up at him then sat up straight. "Right. Oh, did you hear Luke's going to be in it?"

Raven groaned. "No, you can't chase him the whole time."

"Does that really sound like me?"

They looked at each other for a moment.

"Maybe not."

Adrian nodded. "But if I happen to come across him..."

Raven chuckled. "Just coincidently."

Adrian stood up and smoothed his shirt. "I guess I should get all the sleep I can get in these last moments of peace I get."

"That's a good way to think." Raven smiled at Adrian as he walked out. Once the door clicked shut, he stood and made his way to his room. Adrian was right. They needed to get as much sleep as possible. Raven decided to try and stay as healthy as possible. Not that he ever ate sweets that much anyway. But he could make an effort to exercise and practice with his club.

Maddi stared out her window, unable to sleep. She wanted to live with her sister, but Liv hadn't said anything about it. Maddi wondered why Mr. Ross had decided to have a third round. Was he bloodthirsty? Money based?

Maddi's thoughts didn't stop overflowing in her mind. Probably a billion people must know her name. She was at least hundreds of people's favorite Ring contestant. Maddi fell back onto her bed. She would never get any sleep at this rate.

3 months later

"Welcome all!" Garret lifted his hands to the ginormous audience.

Kirk felt the crowd grew every time. It surprised him, since he knew tickets to the introduction interviews were over two thousand dollars. The building was huge though, it could even fit a couple hundred more if it needed to. But Kirk was already nearly overwhelmed by this audience.