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A bright flash of light blinded me for an instant. The swamp vanished, then I was on my knees on the mansion’s veranda. The others were with me, and healers rushed forward to help the injured contestants. I wiped blood and mud from my face as Von stepped forward, applauding.

“Marvelous job,” he cooed. “I truly think the Fight for Survival might be my favorite challenge. You all could not have done better.”

The cameras whirled around us, capturing us at different angles and zooming in on our injuries.

My throat was sore from screaming and yelling during the battle, and my voice rasped when I called out to Von. “Where’s Nathaniel? Did he make it?”

Von’s face fell into what I thought was his best attempt at sorrow. “Unfortunately, our good friend Nathaniel has been eliminated. May he rest easy, knowing that like Ryan, The Reject Project will send his family a small financial prize for their wonderful performances. Their stories will live on in the lore of The Reject Project.”

Great, I th