The Survival Games (Book 1 in The Survival Games trilogy)

Chapter 35 (Pt 1): Mitch's Encounter

Above is fanart of Caitlyn's bite scene in Clockwork Corpse done by Biscuits_N_Tea . It's not complete but I wanted it up. Thanks!

Mitch's POV~
Brianna and Caitlyn climb out of the hole that leads to the trapdoor. Brianna's face looks wet and puffy, like she had been crying. Caitlyn looks similar, holding her hand over her sleeve. She is smiling, but I can tell the smile is fake. What happened out there?

"Are you alright?!" Matt asks Caitlyn worriedly. I notice Brianna look up at Caitlyn immediately, like they're hiding something. Caitlyn looks back at Brianna and Brianna walks off.

"Yeah I'm fine" she replies.

I walk over to Jonathan who is sitting and staring at Brianna talking to Kian. Kian is sitting down cuffing his wrist.

"So, how are things between you and Brianna?" I ask. Jonathan turns to me and covers my mouth.

"Don't say it so loudly. I don't want anyone to know. Maybe it was a bad idea telling you"

"You're so paranoid. I'm not going to tell anyone. I just wanted to know if things were looking up for you's" I reassured him.

He lowered his hand and rested it on his lap. "Not really. Same old, same old. She's still drooling over Mr. I'm-so-hurt-please-come-save-me"

"Wow. You really are the jealous type, aren't you?" I chuckled.

"I guess just a little. I like her though. A lot. She's not incredibly tough like Caitlyn, but she's not scared of fighting like Emma. She's perfect. Though I don't blame Emma for not doing her best. She has gone through a lot. After Kyle, I'm surprised she's still trying. I suppose she's not so weak after all. It takes a lot of strength to get through something like that and come out the other side shining and stronger than ever. Most give up. She hasn't. She is strong"

"Are you sure you don't like Emma instead?"

"I'm sure. I like Brianna, but Emma deserves a lot of credit"

"She sure does. But what about Jackie? What's she like?" I've been wondering about her for a while now. Pretty much as soon as I joined this group. She's always quiet, never says much. Yet there's something about her that makes her an interesting person.

"Jackie? Well, she's quiet, follows Caitlyn and actually listens - I guess she can take care of herself too. Remember that night we got drunk? Well she got left outside during that horde and survived all night by herself. Just sat up in the tree"

"Hmm. That's brave" So she's quiet, but capable of caring for herself.

"Yeah. I heard from Callan that she's scared of the dark, though"

"So?" Is he making fun of her?

"Nothing. I was just telling you. You're the one who wanted to know about her"

"Yeah, it just seemed like you were making fun of her"

"Gee, you're getting a little too defensive for someone you don't really know"

"I am not. I just don't think someone should be laughed at for fearing something"

"Ok, ok" he stood up "Well it was nice chatting with you, buddy. I look forward to our next conversation. That is if you're not staring at Jackie" he winked at me and walked off laughing to himself.

"Yeah. Thanks for the talk" I mumbled to myself. I too stood up and began walking to the spot on the floor I slept on last night.

"Alright everyone. It's been a long- ouch" Everyone looked at Caitlyn puzzled. She continued "It's been a long day. We all need the rest. This place is not safe. We leave tomorrow morning. Get a good sleep because tomorrow's gonna be a long day. I can tell"