bChapter /bb803 /b

    Someone’s out. Aria and Cathy were sharing a tent. When Cathy saw Aria was awake, she teased, “The kids this year are even more

    There was no judgment in her voice. Wanting to win wasn’t a bad thing.

    Meanwhile, Clifford’s team, who had just eliminated another team, were left panting from exhaustion.

    77%

    +20

    Zoey Sullivan sat on the ground, clearly annoyed. “We only knocked out two. Five are still standing, and they’re definitely going to gang up with the others against us. Honestly, it would’ve been way easier to just target Aria and Liz.”

    The team they had just eliminated had seven people. And they only had six–yet they’d nearly won.

    Wight had fallen over the forbidden zone, and darkness pressed in from all sides.

    Clifford didn’t respond to Zoey’sint. His eyes turned toward Mike, who’d taken the hardest hit. “You’ve got some real moves, Mike.”

    Mike managed a faint smile. “I’ve been training since I was a kid.”

    He was a little banged up, sure, but at least he hadn’t slowed them down.

    Gerald, as the only onepletely unharmed, had already started dismantling the tent and called out without looking up, “Mike.”

    “On it!” Mike quickly got to his feet.

    Clifford raised his hand. “Count me in. The three of us can squeeze together.”

    Gerald shot him a nce. “Go squeeze with someone else. You’re on night watch.”

    Clifford stood up and brushed the dust off his pants, pretending to be hurt. “Come on, Gerald. We’ve known each other the longest, and you’re ditching me?”

    Mike couldn’t help but cut in. “Captain, Gerald’s my cousin. Blood–rted.

    Mike thought, ‘Honestly, I wouldn’t have passed the assessment if it weren’t for my cousin helping me out.‘

    At that, the rest of the team all looked up in surprise.

    Hank Steele, their fighter, finally put it together. “No wonder you two kind of look alike.”

    Zoey, who had been constantly annoyed with Mike throughout the journey, flushed and mumbled awkwardly, “Why didn’t you say anything

    before?”

    Zoey thought to herself. ‘If I’d known about his connection to Lincoln, I wouldn’t have acted so dismissive toward him.

    ‘No wonder Gerald had been ignoring her this whole time.‘

    Mike shrugged. “It’s nothing worth mentioning.”

    Clifford chuckled and changed the subject. “Alright, let’s get this tent up.”

    Just as he picked up a tent pole, Gerald’sm device started buzzing.

    “Hey, Gerald, want to team up?” a man’s voice came through the line.

    13:05 Thu, 14 AugO)

    Gerald answered tly, “You’re toote. We’ve already partnered up.”

    There was a disappointed pause. “Ah, alright. I’ll look for someone else then.”

    “Did you get a supply station yet?” Gerald asked.

    “Not yet,” came the reply.

    “Here’s a little tip for you,” Gerald said. “The supply station in Area D is taken by Cathy’s team.“.

    “Thanks, Gerald,” the guy said.

    Once the call ended, Mike shot him a look. “Seriously, Gerald? Aria’s my mentor, and you just gave them her location.”

    Gerald didn’t even blink. “She’s not your mentor here. You think you won’t have to face her eventually in the team round?”

    Mike nodded without hesitation. “I won’t fight her.”

    Gerald raised a brow, but Mike added quickly, “It’s not like I’d win anyway. I’d just get knocked out and drag the rest of you down.”

    Cliffordughed. “Hard to argue with that.”

    77%

    +20

    “It’s not like we’re targeting your mentor s