"You can't run forever, Ande!" the leader bellows from behind me, his voice laced with fury. "We'll find you, and when we do, you're dead!"I push myself harder, my legs pumping as I race through the dense foliage, the sound of my pursuers' footsteps echoing behind me. I need to lose them, and I need to put them off my trail.Adrenaline courses through my veins, fueling my desperate sprint towards the cave. As I dart between the towering rocks, I can feel my lungs burning and my muscles aching, but I refuse to slow down. The thought of those students catching up to me spurs me onward, propelling me forward with a frantic sense of urgency.I dart left, then right, weaving through the winding paths in an attempt to lose them. The uneven terrain threatens to trip me, but I maintain my balance, my eyes scanning the landscape for any place I can hide. Finally, I spot a rocky outcrop, partially obscured by a tangle of vines and bushes. Without hesitation, I veer towards it, my heart

My heart races as I grip the terrified boy's collar, shaking him violently. "That's a lie! Tell me the truth!" I scream into his pale face, my voice laced with desperation.The boy's eyes go wide, tears streaming down his bruised cheeks. "I'm not lying! The game isn't over because the timer hasn't run out! I swear!" he cries.I feel the blood drain from my face as his words sink in. That means I'm still trapped in this place, unable to escape until the time limit is reached. A wave of panic crashes over me, my mind spinning as I struggle to process this news. Am I doomed to remain in this nightmarish game forever?Releasing the trembling boy, I stagger backwards, my legs turning to jelly beneath me. It takes every ounce of my willpower to remain standing, to not collapse into a shivering heap on the ground. My head is pounding, and frantic thoughts ricocheting through my mind. I can't leave. The timer is still running. I'm trapped.Trapped.The word echoes in my consciousness, a

(Ande's POV) I curl up tighter against the rough bark of the tree, hugging my knees to my chest. My pounding heart stills as unfamiliar noises echo in the darkness and more destitutes pour out of the forest. Three more join the two that were in front of my tree, bringing their number up to five. "There's no one here, just keep walking," I whisper under my breath. But as they pass below, the last one stops. He throws his head back and sniffs at the air, a low growl rumbling in his throat. My blood runs cold. Has he sensed my presence after all? Before I can react, searing pain explodes in my back. I bite my tongue hard to suppress a scream as a blade is yanked free, dripping with my blood. Whoever attacked me wishes for the Destitutes to find and finish the job. The metallic stench of blood fills the air, and I hold my breath, hoping against hope that the shadows will conceal me. The destitute must have sensed the spilled blood, because they immediately turn and

My eyes widen in alarm as Everett turns around, a syringe clutched in her hand. "No, stop!" I cry out, straining against the restraints that hold me in place. "Get away from me!"Everett approaches calmly, her expression calm, almost serene. "Relax, Ande. This won't hurt a bit." I thrash against my restraints, my heart pounding. "I don't want your damn drugs! What are you trying to do to me?!"With a small sigh, Everett swiftly grasps my arm and swabs the crook of my elbow with an alcohol wipe. "Try to stay still," she scolds, slowly inserting the needle into my vein. I wince at the pinprick sensationWithout hesitation, she presses the plunger, injecting me with the clear liquid.I can feel the effects almost immediately - a warm, tingling sensation spreads through my body, and my muscles begin to relax despite my best efforts to fight it. "What are you doing to me?" I slur, my eyelids growing heavy."Just a little something to help you...cooperate," Everett murmurs, stepping ba

As soon as she fades from view, I whirl to face Zane, still propped limply in his corner. Grasping his ragged sleeves, I tug him upright to meet my eyes, finding them startled but alert. "She said no one can enter without permission. Do you think that's true?" I ask low and urgent. He pins me with a look, his expression blank. "Yes. But no one's going to give you the permission to walk out of here. And no one is going to save you either. Like i said, no one can find you unless they turn the whole place inside out." He mutters.I release him with disgust, scowling."So you're just going to roll over and let them use us both?" I ask, my tone harsh.Zane scoffs, eyes bitter . "I don't know what else to do, Ande. I'm trapped, just like you."I shake my head in disgust. "Well, don't expect me to just sit back and accept whatever 'special plans' they have for me." I scan the room, searching for any potential means of escape. "There has to be a way out of this place."Zane watches me warily