I pause. The fuck does that mean? I hear a squeak and look over to see the door’s been opened, and a guard places a tray of food just inside on the floor and scurries back out. I almost grin. I go to it, looking at the bowl of fruit, a water bottle, dry cereal, a small carton of milk, and a piece of toast.
“Eat throughout the day…”
I pick up the tray and head to the steel bed, looking at my options. I shove the dry cereal and water bottle into one of the pockets in the scrubs they have me in. I can eat the fruit now since it looks fresh, the toast later. I eat slowly, letting the sweetness of the blueberry hit my taste buds and almost whimper. Tears spring to the back of my eyes and my heart lurches; memories of my wife baking and catapulting blueberries with a spoon into my mouth hit me like a freight train, but instead of allowing myself to become emotional, Ilaugh.
I blink back the tears as more memories crash around me with every piece of fruit I eat slowly, letting every flavor settle over my tongue, chewing as slowly as possible before swallowing. When I’m done, I lie down on the bed and do my best to stay focused on remembering everything Alice told me.
“Run straight to the forest. Be wary of the ground and your footing. Survive the night. Don’t drink the wine. The second game begins at sunrise.”
Be wary of the ground and your footing…traps. They have traps or something hidden in or on the ground. What do I look for? I’ve never fucking beenhunting. Lumps? Would the ground be lumpy?
My stomach rolls, and I know the fruit wants to make a comeback, but I don't let it. I need the energy from it. Instead, I take deep breaths, letting my stomach calm down. Only thinking of my wife and my survival, I let myself fall asleep.
I wake up to small noises, sitting up is a little easier now and I don’t feel as lethargic. Even my heart feels like it’s beating a little faster.
“Oh, good. You’re awake.” Alice nods to the toast in my hand. I must’ve fallen asleep holding. “You should be able to eat that now.” I lift the stale bread to my lips and take a bite. “I have to take your vitals, but I’m going to talk very fast. They’re working on the cameras again. Something about a breach. I heard your wife is upstairs.”
I choke on the bread. “What?”
“Are you sure you trust her? The word is; she's here with Kane, here to make sure to see you die.” She makes quick work of putting the pressure cuff on me.
“I trust my wife with more than just my life.” I growl. “If she’s here with that fucking cazzo, she’s hereforme. It’ll be fucking chaos. You told me to survive the night? Well, survive whatever Sabrina has planned.”
Alice eyes me over and dips her chin quickly. “Do you remember everything I told you?”
“They put traps or something in the ground, right? That’s why you said to watch my footing.”
“Yes. They’re going to bring you lunch, and later I’ll be back with more guards to put the tracker on your neck. It works like a court-issued ankle monitor. But instead of checking for parameter breach, it’s on your jugular to keep track that you still have a pulse. They’ll be able to watchyour every move. In the morning, if you survive, you’ll be moved to one of the wings.” She puts her stethoscope under the cuff and begins to pump it. “There are no windows, so you can’t escape.”
“Is there a way for my wife to get to me?”
Alice sighs. “I can try to find a way.”
But I know she’s not telling me something. I know she knows more. “What is it?”
“There’s so many initiates here. I don’t think Kane is your only worry.”
“How long does the hunt last?”
“Three days, sometimes a week. Until you’re all dead.”
Fuck.
“Get to my wife. Find my wife. Tell her where I am. In case I don’t make it, tell her I love her.”
The nurse removes her stethoscope and the pressure cuff. “Maksim—”
“I’ll get you out. Even in death I keep my promises, and my wife will honor me in this way. She never forgets. Trust me. She may forget her glasses or her phone, but she has never forgotten a promise or a favor. She’s good. She’s… She’s The Duchess. When you find her, you call her that. Duchess.” There's a commotion out in the hall and Alice moves quickly, gathering her things. “She’ll know it’s me.”
She stays quiet for a moment.
“What is it?”
“I… I have to take out your catheter.”
We both grimace, and I turn my head to the side so she can do her job. I tense when I feel her hand on me and immediately feel dirty. I swallow down the bile that rises and tell her to hurry up and try to control my breathing. My hands curl into fists at my sides, but I feel them shaking. “No, I'll do it. I’ve had enough strange hands on me to last a lifetime. Just tell me what to do.”
Alice hesitates but does as I ask and leaves the room, but before the door closes, she gives me one nod in my direction.
