The Games

Chase POV

Her expression shifts slightly, curiosity mixing with uncertainty. “Well, how does it work? What will I do? That might help me figure out if I can handle it,” Dahlia says, her voice steady despite the underlying concern.

I nod, gesturing to her plate. “Eat,” I tell her, and she does, picking up her fork. I turn to Blake, who seems to be hoping he can somehow avoid eating. He sighs heavily, resigning himself, and starts eating again.

“So, here’s how it goes,” I begin, my voice flat, devoid of emotion, because that’s how you have to approach it. “The prey are dressed in specific outfits, and they’re released with a five-minute head start to hide. After those five minutes are up, the hunters begin searching. The rules are simple: the hunters don’t have to kill the prey. They can just torment and torture them. But even if the prey survives being found once, it doesn’t mean they’ll live. If they’re found again, it could mean death.”

The words spill out, cold and detached, because