CHASING FIREFLIES

Is it too cruel for you?

Olivia bolted through the maze, the clock ticking down, one hour left. It felt like she was going in circles. She paused, letting out a laugh that was equal parts frustration and disbelief.

On the screen, Samantha, Marcus, Jasmine, Damon, Chloe, and Hunter watched intently. Olivia pushed herself up, catching a whiff of something. She moved along the wall, only for a bony hand to snatch at her. She threw a punch, breaking free but not without a scratch. Exhausted, she stumbled forward, opening a door to find Jayson, his gaze hazy. She reached out, her fingers brushing his arm.

“Olivia,” he muttered weakly.

“Yeah, yeah, come on. We’re running out of time,” she snapped, pulling him along as they hurried back.

Meanwhile, Dana was still wandering. She reached a door, opened it, and was yanked inside by a pack of skeletal, ravenous vampires. Her screams echoed, relentless.

Chloe inhaled sharply, gripping Hunter’s arm as Brian appeared on the screen, completely unhinged before he was dragged away too. Blood smeared the camera lens. Hunter tightened his hold on her.

Callum leaned back, breaking the tension with a dry, “Well, that was… something. You’ve got three hours left. Enjoy.” He waved them off with a smirk.

Inside the room, she darted for the bathroom, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her clothes splattered with blood like in a horror movie. Chloe stripped them off and stepped under the shower’s stream. He slipped in behind her, the door left slightly open with a soft creak. She let out a breath, shutting her eyes as his hands moved over her, breasts, stomach, then lower, between her legs. He turned her around, his mouth on her breast, she felt it hard in her hand, until they both fell apart. He pulled her close, her body trembling against his.

“God, I want you so much,” he murmured. “But I get it. A deal’s a deal.”

“I just needed to blow off some steam, Hunter. Keep it together. I’ve never even touched a guy’s…” Her face burned as she stepped out of the tub.

“Look at me, Chloe,” Hunter said. “It’s normal, okay?” Touching each other to please? Never done that before…

She grabbed her robe, tying it loosely. Shaking her head, “I did like that, though,” she admitted, smiling.

“Oh, yeah? Can we go again?”

“Nope. Right now, I want food.”

They laughed, and he leaned in, kissing her softly before flipping her onto the bed. His lips trailed down her inner thigh, teasing.

“Hunter, stop,” she said, trying to sound firm but already breathless.

Too late, he didn’t listen, his mouth moving further, and she gasped, her body tensing before she fell apart again. He climbed over her, kissing her deeply, his eyes locked on hers.

“Are you good now?” he asked, smiling.

“Yeah,” she laughed, her head dropped on his chest.

She closed her eyes, drifting off for a moment. He watched her, realizing he was in way too deep. She didn’t notice, of course. But there was no going back now. They still had to beat this damn game. Whatever Callum had planned next, they’d deal with it, together.

Hunter kissed her cheek as he laid her on the pillow, then stood up and paced the room. "I love her," he thought, running a hand through his hair. "How the hell did that happen? "She had chosen him. Her eyes had seen into his soul, past his defenses. He touched the raised edge of his scar, feeling his blood boil with the revenge still simmering beneath the surface. "They'll pay. I just need to win this damn game," he promised himself. But when he looked at her again, his expression softened. He lay back down, pulling her against him, wanting her, remembering how she tasted.

The clock read half an hour until the next round. "Chloe," he whispered. "Get up. The bell will ring soon. Go get dressed." He smiled. "Stop tempting me. "She turned, touching his face and kissing him softly with closed eyes. Hunter's doubt flickered. "This can't be an act. I feel something real here... or I want to believe it's real. "She dressed quickly. The bell rang and the door swung open.

"Welcome back," Callum said with a smirk. "Got some rest... or not?" He laughed knowingly. Four chairs stood in the middle of the room. "Ladies, please sit down. This round is a little different. Let's see how much you've learned about each other. "The men were led away, Hunter's eyes locked with Chloe's until the last moment.

"You're allowed to miss three answers," Callum explained. "Then it's... well, you know. Let the game begin." "First question: What attracted you first to him?"

"His body," Jasmine said with a smile.

"His smile," Samantha answered.

"His eyes," Chloe said confidently.

"His... looks overall," Olivia finally replied. Lights illuminated the men's answers. Olivia didn't match. "Your turn now," Callum continued. "Something you like to do together?"

"s*x," Samantha said boldly.

"Hug," offered Jasmine.

"Touch," Chloe said softly.

"Hold hands," Olivia answered. Hunter looked at the board and smiled at the match with Chloe. The questions continued relentlessly until Olivia missed her third answer.

The chairs were dragged away, scraping against the floor. Olivia stepped up to Chloe, her voice low but steady. “Tell my mom I did my best. Promise me.”

“If I make it out alive, I promise,” Chloe replied, gripping Olivia’s hand until they yanked her into the center of the room.

Chloe turned away, her stomach twisting as Olivia’s screams echoed, raw and gut-wrenching. Hunter pulled her close, feeling her tremble against him, and held her tighter.

“Okay, one hour,” Callum said casually, like he hadn’t just watched someone die. “Come back for the party.”

Chloe strode up to him, stopping inches from his face. “You need to stop this. How many people have died? How many before us?”

“Oh, Chloe,” Callum mocked, tilting his head. “Is it too cruel for you?”

“Don’t touch me,” she snapped, her voice sharp. “You’ll pay for this. That’s a promise.”

“I can hardly wait,” Callum drawled, smiling. “Do entertain me.”

Chloe leaned in, her voice icy. “Together, we’re an army. Alone?” She paused, her eyes drilling into his. “You’re nothing, Callum. I see you, weak, begging for your eternal life to end.”

Callum’s hand shot out, wrapping around her throat. She didn’t flinch, didn’t struggle.

“Do it,” she hissed, her gaze locked on his. “I dare you.”

Hunter fought against the vampires holding him, shouting her name. “Take me! Please, don’t hurt her!”

Isabella strode over, clapping slowly. “Love, Callum,” she said with a smile. “You can’t fight it.”

Callum let out a hollow laugh, releasing Chloe. But beneath the bravado, he felt it, a flicker of unease he couldn’t shake. Why? He wasn’t sure.