Everything was blurry.

Your ears were ringing, your body was shaking—and not thanks to the cold. You knew something was wrong the moment Shauna changed places, you knew Mari got chosen the millisecond she draw her card out. You froze as Lottie began counting, panic surging through you as you saw your girlfriend run for her life.

When did things get so fucked up?

You too went looking for her—not for the same reason as the other girls. You couldn't lose her, especially not like that. You ran like you had never before, ignoring the tears burning your eyes as your feet moved with raw desperation. You knew Mari was smart, you knew she would survive this, but you just needed to make sure she didn't get hunted.

Thankfully, it didn't take you too long to spot her. Billion of ideas were running through your mind—where should you take her? what would the other girls do to you when they find out what you did? how many days would the two of you survive out there?—but none of them mattered as you caught up with her.

Maybe tackling the poor girl to the floor wasn't the best option but you just couldn't let her get away. The sound of her ragged and shaky breathing broke your heart, and it was even worst once she thought you were someone else who was just going to kill her. "Hey—hey, Mari, it’s me! It’s me!" You whispered, gloved hands shaking as you held her face, trying to ground her.

Her brown eyes were wild, glazed with terror and the shine of unshed tears. After cursing you for a full minute for doing such a stupid thing, she didn't hesitate to kiss you—messily thanks to the fear, yet still a kiss. "P-Please tell me y-you have a plan... you stupid idiot.."