Safe Haven

Tough Love

"He's not really going to do this, is he? He's not going to make Griffin fight Kate?" Jillian asks frantically.

"It wouldn't surprise me if that smug bastard did," Nathan replies.

"Maybe he's doing something different? Maybe it's going to be a two versus two?" Chloe suggests.

"The tournament has only been one on one so far, I don't think he'd be generous enough to make an exception for lovers," Nathan says. "I'm surprised Jillian and I haven't gone yet. With the sun setting and all, I'm sure he'll call it a day soon."

"If he makes us fight each other, I'll kill the fucker myself," Jillian says.

"Hey, no need to do it alone, I'll hold his arms back while you gut him like a fish," Nathan laughs.

"There's the slimy cunt now," Chloe points to X as he struts to the center of the field.

"We've had some great fights tonight, ladies and gentlemen, some brutal, some quite amusing, but prepare for one that may bring a tear to your eye. On the left, we have Griffin Kasimato! This twenty three year old man stands five feet, eight inches tall, and weighs in at one hundred and fifty three pounds! On the left, we have the beautiful Katherine Miller! 'Kate' is twenty one years old, stands at five foot four, and weighs one hundred pounds on the dot! Now let's make some noise for our lovers! Let the fight begin!" X makes his way to the stadium as Griffin and Kate are unchained.

Griffin wields an aluminum bat, while Kate was given a sturdy machete.

Griffin and Kate walk to the center of the field.

"Kate, I can't do this. I can't kill you," Griffin says.

"Then don't, maybe we can fight the system, lets just not fight each other and see what happens," Kate suggests.

"You're kidding, right? We're surrounded by armed guards. They'll kill us both."

"Then let's die together." Kate drops her machete and reaches for Griffin's hand.

"I'm sorry, Kate, but I can't die here."

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"I suggest you turn around and make this easy for me." Griffin clutches his bat tight with both hands.

"I never should've trusted you," Kate reaches for her machete, but Griffin knocks her back with a solid swing of his bat.

"I love you, Kate, I'm so sorry," Griffin cries through tears. He swings at her head, knocking her to the ground. Her body lay their lifeless, but she's still breathing. Griffin drops the bat and falls to his knees. "I love you."

"Looks like Kate is down, but I can clearly see from here that she isn't dead. Griffin! You must finish her off, or something very bad may happen to you!" X threatens with a smile on his face.

"Fuck that, and fuck your rules Xander! Why don't you come down here and fight me yourself!" Griffin spits on the field.

"Now now, easy there, champ. You'll get your chance to fight me, but now's not the time. Now is the time for you to kill that pretty little girl of yours so we can all get some much needed rest!"

Griffin sighs and picks up Kate's machete. He drags his feet to her head, and readies the machete for a killing blow.

"I'm so sorry, Kate, I love you so much," he whispers to himself. He closes his eyes, and brings the machete down on her head, nearly cutting it in half. He leaves the machete inside of her, and falls to the ground, weeping hysterically.

"The now broken man has successfully killed his lovely partner, what a conclusion, am I right folks?" Xander shouts, smiling bigger than ever. "Nearby Wildcats will escort you back to your little homes. I will see you first thing tomorrow. Have a lovely night, folks!"

Nathan, Jillian, and Chloe are escorted back to their cell. They find Griffin already there, staring blankly at nothing in particular, sat up against a corner.

"Griff, I'm sorry about-" Chloe is cut off before she can attempt to console him.

"Don't fucking talk to me," Griffin shouts through clenched teeth. He wipes a tear from his cheek and continues staring blankly.

Nathan puts his hand on Chloe's shoulder, and says  "Sis, lets just leave it. We can talk to him tomorrow, he's been through a lot." Chloe nods and lays down on the floor, holding back tears. Nathan lies next to her, with Jillian in his arms. He touches Chloe's hand. She quickly grabs it, gripping it tightly.

"We need to get out of here," Chloe whispers.

"We will, tomorrow," Nathan says back, in a hushed tone.

She turns her head towards him. "Promise?"

"Promise."