Mathias glares at me like I just murdered a puppy or something.
"I know what you're playing at," he hisses. "You're trying to win her back."
Rage suddenly rises in me like lava. "Is this what it looks like? Me trying to win Jill back? Not a fine line between life and death, like you supposedly brought a warning for?"
"That warning was real. But I know what you are here for."
"I'm here to help her escape. Because, like you, I've heard unsavory things."
He scoffs. "Unsavory? Understatement of the year. You have no idea what they're planning with the experiment, do you?"
I clench my fist. "No. So, Mathias, what is it that they're after in this experiment, exactly, that you forsook your tropical paradise for?"
Mathias' face darkens. "Do you know how many people are in the city of Los Angeles?"
"Three?" I say hopefully.
"Twelve. That's twelve people vying for one prize. It's a darn war zone. There are traps everywhere. They're trying to see what the contestants will do in such a situation."
"That's absurd. These contestants are exactly the same as every one of us."
Mathias scoffs. "Tell that to my father. He's still punishing me for dating Jill. He found out about... her condition when she signed up to join the game."
"So you knew?"
Mathias shoots me a sharp look. "Of course I did. I was her boyfriend. Her confidant. Her best friend. How did you know? You were already broken up when it came out."
"I have my sources," I say, realizing too late that I sound like a stalker. "Jill and I had a taste of the traps a few days ago," I add, just to change the subject.
Anger flashes in Mathias' eyes. "You what? God, I'm so going to kill my father -"
"Not unless he kills us first."
Mathias turns purple. "My father would never let me get hurt!"
I shrug. "We're in the same boat, pal. The only way we can do is work together. Not pit ourselves against each other in some stupid love triangle."
Mathias sighs. "I know. I'm sorry." He stares out into the distance. "Just curious, though... do you still love her?"
I shake my head. "I'm going inside."
"I know you do," Mathias calls out as I leave. "But you left her. I don't know why you did, but never forget that. You broke her heart. I was there, you weren't. And that's unforgivable."
"I know, Mathias," I say quietly under my breath. "I know."
YOU ARE READING
Empty City
Science FictionA girl awakens in an empty city devoid of people or any semblance of life. She cannot remember her past, or why she is here. Then she meets a boy whom she so badly wants to trust - because there's no one else. But is he who he seems to be? Why is...
