The glass box had started to feel less like a challenge and more like an oven.

Six hours in, the sun sat high and unforgiving over the backyard, turning the clear walls into a trap that held every bit of heat inside. Sweat clung to your skin, dampening your clothes, making every breath feel heavier than the last. The laughter and teasing from earlier had faded into quiet determination—everyone still standing now was in it to win it.

Across from you, Tara shifted on her feet, rolling her shoulders. Mariah wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, muttering something under her breath. Nezza gave you a small, encouraging smile, even though she looked just as drained.

“Only a few more people to go,” Chelsey said, though her voice lacked its earlier energy.

You tried to nod, but the movement felt delayed—like your body was lagging behind your thoughts.

Something wasn’t right.

The heat pressed harder. Your vision flickered slightly at the edges, like someone dimming the lights. You blinked, trying to focus on the yard outside the glass, on Kian and JC moving around, talking to the cameras, but their voices sounded distant. Muffled.

“Hey… you okay?” Sarah’s voice cut through, closer now.

You opened your mouth to answer, but the words didn’t come out right. “Yeah, I’m—”

Your knees buckled.

The world tilted violently, the glass walls warping as your balance gave out. For a split second, you thought you were going to hit the floor—

—but hands caught you.

“Whoa—hey! Hey!” Nezza’s voice was sharp with panic as she grabbed one of your arms.

“I got her!” Mariah steadied you from the other side, holding you upright as best she could.

“Kian! JC! Open the box!” Nezza shouted, her voice echoing against the glass. “She’s gonna pass out!”

Outside, everything snapped into motion.

“What—what happened?” JC rushed over, immediately dropping to his knees by the door, fumbling with the screws.

Kian was already there, eyes wide with worry, his focus locked entirely on you. “Move—move, I got it,” he said quickly, his hands shaking slightly as he helped get the last screw loose.

Inside, your head lolled slightly, your body going heavier in Mariah and Nezza’s grip.

“Stay with us,” Mariah urged, her voice softer now, but urgent.

The door finally gave.

The second it cracked open, Kian was there.

“Hey—hey, I got you,” he said, his voice completely different now—no joking, no camera energy, just pure concern. He slipped his arms around you, lifting you carefully but quickly out of the box.

The cooler air hit your skin, but everything still felt too hot, too bright.

Kian carried you a few steps away before lowering you gently onto the grass, one hand staying firm on your back to keep you steady. “Sit, sit—don’t lay down yet,” he murmured, crouching in front of you, searching your face. “Talk to me, baby. You with me?”

Bobby rushed over, already waving something to create airflow. “We gotta cool her down—move, move—”

“I got water!” Heath jogged up, handing over a cold bottle.

Kian twisted it open instantly, bringing it to your lips. “Small sips,” he instructed softly, his thumb brushing lightly against your cheek. “You’re okay. I got you.”

The chaos around you blurred, voices overlapping, but Kian stayed right there—steady, grounded.

“Hey,” he said again, quieter this time, his forehead nearly touching yours. “Stay with me, alright? You scared me.”

Your vision slowly began to clear, the dizziness easing just enough to recognize the tight grip he still had on you—the way he wasn’t letting go.