Chapter 6-Distractions
I didn't know what to do after Carter got captured.
I just stood there.
The noise around me—the chatter, the laughter, even the quiet tension of people preparing for the next game—it all blurred into a low, meaningless hum. Like the world had hit fast-forward, and I was stuck on pause.
Everyone had someone.
Pairs, squads, full-on teams forming up like puzzle pieces snapping together.
And me? I was just… floating. Untethered. Useless.
Carter always had the plan. He knew when to speak, when to act. He kept us calm, focused, alive. Without him, it was like losing gravity. I couldn't tell which way was up anymore.
I kept scanning the crowd, heart pounding with that dumb little flicker of hope.
But I knew better.
My hands curled into fists before I realized I was even clenching them. Nails digging into my palms, just to remind myself I was still here.
I have to get stronger. I have to rank up. I'll see him again. I have to.
That's when I saw her—off to the side.
Aika Renji.
She stood with her arms crossed, back leaning against a crumbling wall like she was holding it up herself. Alone. Like me.
No squad. No partner. Just watching.
For a second, I hesitated. Then I forced my feet to move, walking toward her like she was some kind of anchor in this storm.
"Hey, do yo—"
A hand grabbed my shoulder—firm, almost too familiar.
I flinched.
"Hey buddy," someone said behind me, tone way too casual. "Seems like you're lost. Wanna join our team?"
I turned slowly.
No way.
Them.
The same two guys from the Juggernaut game—the ones I saw in that building before everything went to hell. I didn't forget their faces. You don't forget people who look that calm in chaos.
The smaller one smiled, extending a hand like we were just meeting at some normal event. "Name's Kyle Young. This here's Malik West. You probably saw us earlier. I'm looking forward to working together—good teamwork and all that."
Teamwork?
Didn't they say they didn't want any liabilities?
Also—
Did he just call me a kid?
I stared at his hand for a moment.
He was shorter than me, but that smug confidence of his made him feel ten feet tall.
Part of me wanted to ignore him. Walk away.
No. Not this time.
I sighed and shook Kyle's hand. "Fine."
Kyle's grin widened. "Cool. Let's survive the next game, yeah?"
Then I looked at Malik.
His expression didn't change. No smile. Just those eyes—cold, razor sharp, locked onto me like I was something he hadn't decided whether to use or destroy.
"You got a problem?" I asked quietly.
He tilted his head, just slightly. "We'll see."
Kyle gave a half-laugh, clapping Malik on the shoulder. "He's always like that. Don't take it personally."
"I don't," I said.
That's a lie.
Malik leaned in a little. "Just don't slow us down."
The tension hung in the air for a beat too long.
I glanced between them both. I didn't trust them—not even close—but this was survival.
And trust? That was a luxury I couldn't afford.
Over the last three days, I started to notice something strange—I actually got along with Kyle. We clicked in a weird way. He was chill, always cracking jokes, but still serious when it mattered. Malik, though? Still terrifying. Still avoided him when I could.
Kyle was… different. Turns out he used to work a 9-to-5 before getting dragged into this place. Said he had a family he missed like crazy. little sister—he didn't talk about them much, but when he did, you could hear the ache in his voice.
Anyway, today we were sparring. Kyle was quick on his feet, light with his sword. Like he was dancing around you, making it impossible to land a hit. Malik? The complete opposite. Every swing from him felt like he was trying to take your head off. I'd seen people fly five feet just from blocking him.
I kept up as best I could, but my eyes kept drifting.
To Aika.
She was off in the corner, sparring by herself. Focused. Sharp. Like the rest of us didn't even exist. I don't know why I kept watching her. She clearly knew how to handle herself. She didn't need help. So why was I so—
Boink.
A light tap on my head with a wooden sword.
"You need to stop being distracted, you know," Kyle said, raising an eyebrow.
I blinked. "I'm not distracted."
"Really? Because you've been glancing over there every thirty seconds like she's about to vanish."
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."
Kyle smirked. "Wait a minute… do you have a crush on that girl over there?"
"What?! No!"
"Oh, come on! Don't lie to me, man. I saw you two talking by the pool the other day."
"That wasn't— I was just asking where to find a water bottle!"
Kyle laughed. "Yeah, suuure you were. Look, it wouldn't kill you to just tell her how you feel."
He suddenly bolted toward her.
"Wait—Kyle! Come back here!!"
I chased after him, sprinting with everything I had. He dodged, spun, and then disappeared behind a tree like he'd just teleported.
"HAHA! Too slow!"
"You little—!!"
ATTENTION: THE NEXT GAME STARTS IN 1 MINUTE. REMAINING PLAYERS: 32.
We froze.
"Aw man," Kyle sighed dramatically. "I guess it's too late to confess your undying love."
I was already panting. "You're such an idiot."
He shrugged. "Takes one to know one."
I looked at him, more serious this time. "Hey… Kyle."
"Yeah?"
"You think I've got what it takes? I mean… to be strong?"
He stared at me for a second, then smiled—not one of his usual playful ones. A genuine, calm one.
"Yeah. I do. You've got fire. Most people? They burn out quick in here. But you? You're still burning. That counts for a lot more than you think."
THE GAME STARTS IN 3… 2… 1—
We walked into the game
"What the f—"