Let the Games Begin // Dodge Mason

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ Chapter Nineteen ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

     TW: Mentions of abuse.

     Unknown

     Barlowe's corn maze. 9:00 pm

     Shit, it's time. My individual's tonight.

     I spent all day stressing out for tonight, I would've texted Dodge, but I just can't bring myself to. This whole game I've been scared shitless, reaching for Dodge's hand- but Dodge won't be there tonight. I have to face this on my own.

     I had no clue what my individual would be, so I tried playing it safe with my outfit, basic ripped jeans and a flannel.

      It was 8:25pm currently- Barlowe's corn maze was about a 30-minute drive from my house, so I better get going. I grabbed my phone and walked out into the living room.

     "Hi honey!" My mom said, sitting on the couch watching the news.

     "Hi mom," I forced a smile.

     "I'm going out tonight." I grabbed the keys.

     "You're not playing Panic, are you?" She asked hastily. 

     "No- why would you ask?" I lied.

     "You're out all the time and I know kids now and days think they have to fit in to be liked- I don't know I thought maybe..." She rambled.

     "No, mom. I'm not- there's nothing to worry about. I have a boyfriend now; I want to spend time with him before summer's over."

     "Did you hear back from any colleges yet?" She asked.

     "Some, mostly the colleges in Texas but a couple outside- though I'd have to get a lot of money in order to go to one of those." I nodded.

     "We can still try."

     My mom loves optimism, but it's hard to have that in this town where it feels like everyone wants to get out but never does. 

    "Yeah," 

     "I have to get going, I'll see you later?"

     "Don't stay out to late, and ask Dodge if he would like to come over sometime? I want to get to know the kid properly." She smiled.

     "Yeah, I'll ask him." I smiled back at her, closing the door behind me and getting into the car.

     I parked my car and made my way to the entrance; Summer was standing there with a soft smile on her face.

     "Lilia," 

    "Summer," I nodded.

    "So, why a maze?" I asked her.

     "The maze isn't your challenge." She shook her head.

    "It's what's after the maze, once you're out you're going to be met with old man Barlowe's abandoned factory- if you could call it a factory, I still don't get how they could use that tiny building as a factory." She began to ramble.

     "You're gonna be at the west entrance, just go through that door and follow the arrows." She explained.

    "Okay," I took a deep breath.

     "You have one hour to make it there, let's hope you still know your way through the maze."

     "Are you kidding me? It's not like we went through it at least five times every fall." I laughed.