Arena One

"We need to get to shelter or we're gonna burn to death. What about those ruined buildings? How far away do you think we are?"

"Probably just a mile or two, let's grab a refill and be on our way." I said, bending down to the stream and filling my canteen.

"Now they're really fucking with my head. I could've sworn that riverbed was dry when we got here." I shook my head. "Oh well, let's go," I said and we headed out.

"There wouldn't be any fun left if they let the elements kill us off."

"True. Maybe they don't care how we die though, they just want us to die."

"Could go either way I suppose." I said as we continued to walk, I felt my skin on fire and it hurt so bad.

We got to the square and I stared in horror. "What the... mother fuck is this?" I asked as we got to the edge of the ice. I looked across to the ruined buildings, they were oozing what looked like blood. "That is so fucking sick. But at least it's shelter.... better than nothing," I said and shuddered at the thought of going in there, wondering what we would find....

"Let me go first, that way i can check and then..., i said turning to them both, dont get any of that stuff near your face, okay?" i said and headed out into the thick blood.

"Oh yeah, cause I was really planning on that," I said and forced out a laugh. Aurora and I followed cautiously behind him, trying to step in as little of it as we could, but it was impossible, it was everywhere. "Okay I changed my mind, I think they're trying to kill us by grossing us out as much as possible. Who's blood do you think this is?"

"Lets not even go there, those sick fucks, there is no telling." i said as we made it to the ruins.

"Don't touch the walls. Asher said not to touch any plants but the trees, and there's ivy all over the place."

"Trent said the same." I said as we stepped in the blood and it oozed around our boots.

"This is just....i mean gross. Sorry i mean i know im the guy, but really blood in my undies aint making me feel all manly right now."

"Now you know how we feel once a month," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Jesus, i will never bitch at Allegra again, this is....well just ick."



"Yeah, you're telling me, this is just downright disgusting." We started to walk in and I had to jump out of the way as a spike shot up from the floor then went back in. "Holy mother fucking hell, what was that?"

"Shit, okay booby traps, we need to get where we can see, and like fast."



"Where are we supposed to go? There's shit everywhere."

I saw a ledge and looked at Ezra, " im gonna boost you two up, see whats up there."



I nodded. "Alright. I'm pretty sure I can make it."

I lifted her, then Aurora. "Well can we get to the other side, I... I hear water, listen."

"It's... it's a dam... they could break that at any time... holy shit, they could flood this place," I said and put my arm around Aurora when she cringed away from the edge. I knew she was afraid of water.

"Is she afraid of water, if so i can help her swim across." i suggested.



"I don't know, I've never even seen her step one foot in. And what if they break it? We're dead. Should we take that chance or find another way?"

My stomach started turning even thinking about it "You two go, it's better to take the chance. I'll find another way and meet you there."

"No, no way, no way in hell. We are not splitting up. We're in this together."

"What if they break the dam, Ezra? I can't risk you or Bastian drowning because of me, you're both good swimmers and you'll make it. I'll be fine, I'll meet you on the other side."

"Then we'll find another way. I'm not splitting up. We're worse off if we're apart, we need to stay together and work together."

I looked between the both of them "Alright...I'll go. Just hold on to me, okay?" I swallowed "I can swim...it's just...I freak out now."