Let The Games Begin // Billie Eilish

Chapter 37

Really recommend listening to "Free" by Florence + the Machine for this chapter. I played it on repeat as I wrote it ;) Enjoy!

Cove's POV

No?!

What the hell does she mean "No."?!

Billie's face rests in a neutral expression as her eyes remain locked with mine.

I furrow my eyebrows at her, trying to pick apart her brain.

There's no way in hell Billie is about to watch Milaus kill me right now. I mean, she just saved my life by killing Myra. What would be the point in that?

I know Billie, and I know that she wouldn't betray me like that. I trust her wholeheartedly.

An agonising silence falls upon the four of us as we all remain still, each person waiting for someone to say something.

Billie's stern expression is as cold as ice. I wish she would give me some sort of hint that she's still on my side.

Without warning, Billie takes a step forward, causing me to shift uncomfortably. I watch as she slowly makes her way towards me whilst Milaus and Nikki stay put, and I find myself inching backwards.

The closer she comes, the easier it is to see her face. The face I know and love.
I can feel my heart start to thump in my chest out of both fear and excitement.

Once she's about 5 metres away from me, she slowly reaches her hand into her pocket, and I can't control the wave of panic that washes over me.

Would she really do this? Was she really lying this whole time? I don't believe that, I can't.

I become still in panic, the pain in my arm getting worse and worse. I can't move, I can barely breathe.

She eventually makes her way up to me and I feel completely helpless. She stands above me for a brief moment before crouching down beside me, her face about 2 inches from mine as her magnetic eyes stay glued to mine. I can see the outline of her dimples, the wrinkles around her eyes. She looks tired. Her eyes are slightly sunken and encompassed by large, dark circles. However, somehow, she's still beautiful. I've missed her.

I've anticipated our reunion for so long. I've replayed this scenario over and over in my head, imagining the relief and the joy i would feel when I'd finally be with her again. All those hours spent thinking about this moment, yet not once did I think I would be afraid of her.

She slowly removes her hand from her pocket and opens it up in front of me, and I brace myself for whatever she's about to show me.

I muster up the courage to finally break eye contact and glance at what's in her hand.

In her palm lays a note saying those same six words that have kept me going these past few days - "she's alive, don't give up yet."

She gently pulls up her sleeve to reveal the yellow ribbon tied around her wrist.

I look back into her eyes and finally, for the first time since I've known her, I know exactly what she's thinking.

She's happy.

A gentle smirk lifts the corners of her mouth as her eyes glisten with tears.

I feel a mountainous urge to wrap my arms around her and tell her how much I've missed her, but I refrain. She clearly has a plan, so I need to follow it.

Her eyes drop to my left arm, and she flinches at the arrow still lodged in it before looking back into my eyes with sorrow.

I slightly nod at her to let her know it's okay, to which she nods back.