The players of the game are people who have been Sponsored. They weren’t given a choice. Just like I haven’t been. Just like so many in this country are not.
They are forced to fight for their lives until one is deemed the winner. Except even the players are treated better than I am. They’re given a fighting chance. They have an opportunity to win. To escape.
I cast my gaze behind me. I have exactly one personal item. A teddy bear my sister, Katarina, gave to me to keep safe. I haven’t seen her in years, but she’s why I don’t fight back. Why I accept my fate. They won’t break her if I don’t struggle. I will act like the pitiful broken woman, but internally, a fire burns.
I spent years in my Faction as a fighter.
I am meant to destroy. I am trained to defend, to attack. But in this house, I will not protect myself, if only for my sister’s sake.
Pulling the stuffed animal into my arms, I rock myself for comfort. To soothe the rage that slithers down my spine.
Katarina is the only connection I have left in this world. The only person that keeps me from losing my mind. I hope that one day we will be reunited.
I am not sure how long I sit before sound comes through the TV.
Looking up at the screen, I see a man sitting on a leather chair on a stage, his dark hair falling over the top of the mask on his face. His monstrous eyes are a void staring directly into the camera. “Hello, lovely viewers, the first round has been completed. This year, we started with two hundred-fifty players. Now, only one hundred ninety-seven of those remain. Here are the losers. Unlike in the past, this year, we will have five winners at the end of this.”
The TV screen flashes until it no longer shows the man. Instead, it morphs into the images of several players. The deceased. All of the images are of them after their deaths. Their masks removed, but collars still in place.
I move my hand tentatively to the bruise on my neck. There will be a collar resting around it soon enough. When Stephan and Bryton decide it is time for my punishment.
My attention flickers between my door and the TV screen. I cannot discern which of the two evils I would prefer, but sometimes, when I am lying bloody and bruised, I wish more than anything to be taken and put into the Masquerade.
Given the chance to fight for my freedom.
Because here, in this house? With these two evil men? Without the ability to fight back?
There is no hope.
There is only pain.
Chapter 2
May You Rot In Hell
Itisn’tasoundthat wakes me. It’s the feeling of cold metal pressing into my neck. I blink rapidly in the dim lighting, but I can just make out Stephan in front of me.
Bryton stands in the doorway.
“You stupid bitch, we had guests!” Stephan yanks aggressively on the chain connected to the collar that is now secured in place, adding to my bruises.
I stay silent. I know better than to speak.
“You were given to me for pleasure, so why don’t you do that? Open that whore mouth of yours.”
It opens wide, and I close my eyes.
It is time to disassociate.
I will survive this.
They willnotbreak me.
The rustling of clothes and the sound of zippers fills the otherwise silent room.It is time to dream of a happier place.
If I can just escape. If I can just survive. If I can find my sister.
I can’t break.
