“Good luck, recruit,” Knox says, glancing away. “You’re going to need it.”
“So this is it?” Flint says. “We made it to the end.”
My stomach churns. Only one of us lives today.
“No, good-byes,” Rei says sternly. “I can’t stand dramatic displays of affection.”
Her brisk words would normally make me crack a smile, but I’m not in the mood to pretend. Bile crawls up my throat at the thought of watching my friends die.
“It was an honor to train alongside you, Mercy and Rei,” Flint says. “You both made this entire thing bearable.”
“Haven,” I correct. “My name is Haven.”
“What?” Rei asks.
Flint frowns.
They deserve the truth. I want them to know who I am.
“I switched places with Mercy. She was conscripted to the Forge, and I was engaged to Ender,” I explain. “But Mercy is not a fighter, and I am not a wife.”
“That explains Ender’s infatuation with you,” Flint says. “You are the one meant to be his.”
I shake my head. “Ender hates me.”
“No, he hates that hewantsyou,” Rei says. “His reaction on your birthday...” She shakes her head. “It all makes sense now.”
My stomach twists at her words. I’ve been trying to forget that night. Something shifted between us after, but I can’t tell if it was for better or for worse.
“You’re not mad that I didn’t tell you?” I ask.
I expected that Flint might not be bothered by my deception, but I figured Rei would lose it.
“No.” Rei sighs. “I understand why you did it. Truthfully, I would do the same.”
“I wouldn’t have survived this far without you.” I look at them. “Both of you.”
My heart is in my throat. Anxiety fills me at how this will all unfold.
“Likewise,” Flint echoes.
“How are we doing?” Spider asks, draping an arm over Flint, and I, Rei, would bite his wrist if he pulled her into a group hug.
His brows are tight, and for once, he isn’t smiling.
“We finished our farewells,” I say.
“Whatever happens today, I want you all to know that you’ve fought bravely and should be proud of yourselves,” Spider says.
Rei and Flint walk off to stretch. Now that they are gone, I can wallow privately. It sickens me that in a few hours, only one of us will be breathing. How will I survive the loss of them?
“You can’t get in your head,” Spider whispers. “It will get you killed.”
“The rules are stupid,” I say, frustrated. “I don’t want to lose them.”
“It is them or you,” Spider says. “And I want it to be you, Mercy.”
I can’t picture Flint and Rei dead. The thought makes me want to heave. Spider grabs my shoulder.
