Capewood (Book I) *Completed*

Multiple

Throughout this chapter, everything will be from multiple POVs. Every time you see a * line, it indicates me jumping to another POV. This chapter might be a bit longer than the others. I hope you enjoy it. (POV changes will be signified by a line of * and their name in bold right under it.

Julian

 Can anyone explain to me how to decide between your head and heart? Because I have two battling convictions, and I'm unable to determine what to do.

On the first hand, Autumn is fantastic. She's everything I've ever wanted in a girl. She's funny, insightful, beautiful, and she calls me out on my issues. I know exactly where I stand with Autumn. That's what my heart is saying.

On the other hand, she's a competitor in a game where we are fighting for our lives. Everything about her being alive means the chance that I can still die. The fact that she is missing right now, and I'm beside myself, is yet another liability to me in this game. This girl has a hold on me that I can't explain, which is what my head is saying.

So does my mom, my dad, and my brother who I know have missed me terribly since I was taken. We were all such a close family. The only thing standing between me getting through to them is five little white lights that are shining on my ankle.

"Wait," I say looking down at my ankle. "Where's the fifth light?"

"What?" asks Katherine looking over at me.

"WHERE IS THE FIFTH LIGHT?!" I scream.

Both Katherine and Alicia look at me scared as I jump up from the area that we are currently sitting in, and run towards the maze. Both girls get up and chase after me. Both are calling out my name as I sprint down the maze hall screaming Autumn's name.

Right, left, right, left, right-

"A dead end," I whisper to myself as I hit the wall. How ironic is this? A dead-end signifies the end of a path or journey. I don't know if I can accept this sign though. This can't be the end of my time with Autumn.

You weren't brave enough to protect her, Julian.

What would my dad say if he saw how I handled that situation? I got stabbed by a girl from the lollipop guild, and I passed out. Katherine took this girl out in a literal three seconds according to Alicia.

You're weak, Julian.

"You're weak Julian," I whisper to myself.

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Autumn

"Stand up," says Eddy as he starts to pick at the knots in my rope. "When I finish untying you stand up. Do as your told, and don't try anything stupid. You're dying one way or another. If you try and run, I'll drag it out."

My heart is beating so fast I think it might burst. I've never been able to hear my heartbeat before. I imagine this is what it sounded like when soldiers would ride into war on horseback back in the old days.

"I said stand up," he says grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet. I wince as he squeezes too hard, and see his eyes are blazing with fire. "You're going to fight me, Autumn. Right here, right now, a battle to the death," he says. "You're going to die," he says.

"Eddy let's talk about this, please," I plead with him.

"The time to talk was over the moment my brother ended his life," says Eddy with a monotoned voice. "You're time is up, Autumn."