The cold, gray courtyard was eerily silent, save for the echo of footsteps and the occasional muffled sob. You stood side by side with Dean, the oppressive tension in the air thick enough to choke on. You’d survived the previous games together, leaning on each other through every horror that was thrown your way. Dean’s unwavering determination had carried you both through, his protective instincts kicking in every time you stumbled.

But this... this felt different. As the masked guards handed out small mesh bags containing ten marbles each, you couldn’t shake the growing pit of dread in your stomach.

Dean’s jaw clenched when the Front Man’s voice crackled over the loudspeakers. "Using your ten marbles, play any game of your choosing with your partner. The player who collects all ten marbles will win. The loser..."

You didn’t need him to finish the sentence.

Dean turned to you, his green eyes searching your face. You could see the realization hit him as hard as it hit you. You weren’t just partners anymore. You were opponents.

“No,” you said, shaking your head, your voice trembling. “There has to be some mistake. We’re supposed to work together.”

Dean’s lips pressed into a thin line, and he looked away, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “Yeah, well, it’s not exactly the first time these assholes have screwed us over,” he muttered, his voice low and rough.

He forced a grin, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Hey, it’s just a game, right? We’ll figure it out."

You wanted to believe him, but the weight of the bag in your hand said otherwise.

The two of you found a spot near the edge of the courtyard, sitting cross-legged on the dirt. Dean dumped his marbles onto the ground, the small glass orbs catching the faint light. He rolled one between his fingers, his expression unreadable.

“So,” he said, his voice strained but calm, “what game are we playing?”

“Dean…” your voice cracked, and you hated how weak it sounded. “I’m not— I can’t—”

Dean cut you off, his eyes snapping to yours. “Don’t. Don’t even say it.”