The Games

A Promise in the Dark

A week had passed since Izzy and I had stumbled upon those bodies, but the images haunted me still. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the blue water, only now it wasn't just the other kids trapped inside-it was me, Izzy, or the guys. Nightmares gripped me almost every night, leaving me drenched in sweat and plagued by the thought that it could be us next.

It felt strange to think of these people as friends. Not long ago, we were strangers, unaware of each other's existence, but now we were growing closer with each passing day. Even though we barely knew each other before, we were becoming a team, united by fear, necessity, and something more profound.

This morning, Nick's voice crackled through the speakers, instructing everyone to head to the cafeteria for an announcement. We sat waiting, impatiently. Max, who was always the first to complain, tapped his foot. "If Nick doesn't grace us with his presence soon so they can open the breakfast line, I'm going to lose it." Ever since we learned the announcer's name, Max refused to refer to him as anything other than "Nick," insisting he didn't deserve the title of authority.

Right on cue, the doors burst open, and in walked Nick, a sinister smile plastered on his face, flanked by a group of guards. He took center stage, his eyes sweeping over the room. "Ah, what a sight. This is all the players left? What a shame," he said, shaking his head dramatically. "Seventy players. I didn't expect so many of you to make it this far."

His gaze fell on our table, and for a brief moment, he locked eyes with me. I kept my face expressionless, refusing to let him see any reaction. "Let's get to the point," Nick continued, "Someone wandered into the restricted hallway last week."

A murmur of whispers rippled through the cafeteria. I glanced at Izzy, and she was visibly shaking.

"Whoever it was, step forward now, and the punishment will be lenient," Nick smirked, pausing for effect. No one moved. "Well, to make it easier, the person we're looking for is a girl."

He stared at me, his smirk deepening as the silence stretched on. Finally, when no one spoke up, he lifted his hand, pointing directly at Izzy. "Her."

Izzy let out a small sob, her face paling as guards swarmed her before we could react. They yanked her to the stage, throwing her in front of Nick. "Please, I didn't do it! I swear!" she cried, thrashing in their grasp.

Nick stood, crossing over to her in two strides. He gripped her chin tightly, and before any of us could stop him, a whip cracked across her back, drawing blood. Her scream echoed through the room.

"Izzy!" I screamed, fighting against the guards who held me back. The guard restraining me smiled-he was enjoying this. I could feel his sickening glee as he pressed closer to me, his body against mine.

That was it. I wasn't going to stand for this anymore.

In one swift motion, I threw my head back, feeling the satisfying crunch of his nose breaking beneath my skull. He staggered back, clutching his face, but before he could recover, I slammed my knee into his stomach and grabbed the knife from his belt. Another quick knee to his face sent him sprawling.

I leapt onto the stage, kicking the back of Nick's knees, sending him to the ground. The whip fell from his grasp, and I pressed the knife to his throat. "One move, and I'll end him," I growled to the guards, who had their guns drawn but hesitated. Nick motioned for them to stand down, blood trickling from where my knife bit into his skin.

"Let go of Atticus and Max," I ordered, pressing the blade harder. He nodded, and the guards released them. They hurried over to help Izzy off the stage, making sure she was safe. Once they were clear, I backed away from Nick, kicking him to the ground.