The Mating Run by Leeka

Chapter 13

Hope
“What’s that all about?”
Zeke’s eyes narrow, fixated elsewhere, his attention tuned to the blaring siren. The forest falls into a hushed silence, and although my heart pounds furiously, he remains focused, refusing to release my wrist. The siren blares louder, his grip tightening, making it hard to breathe.
Amidst the blaring sirens, a robotic voice suddenly starts reciting numbers. My head darts around, seeking signs of an impending threat, but the numbers aren’t orderly; they’re chaotic, randomly announced.
“What is that?” I ask Zeke again, noting the serious expression etched on his face. “Hey! What on earth is that?”
“Deaths,” Zeke responds, his voice emotionless. “They’re talking about the numbers of people who died. Are you paying attention? How many numbers have they said?”
But I’m not listening. The words fade into the background. Frozen, I fixate on the robotic voice as it echoes the numbers. The number 72 strikes a chord in my
ear.
72.
The Hunter I just left behind. He’s truly dead.
I killed him.
My eyes lock onto a camera lens, and I let out a surprised chuckle, tears welling in my eyes. It’s a sight that won’t go unnoticed. I took his last breath. They’ll whisper behind my back; their judgment will seep into my existence.
Deaths during the Mating Run are common. Waivers are signed before the event, acknowledging this likelihood. The staff, PR team, and Alpha aimed to avoid
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“What’s that all about?”
Zeke’s eyes narrow, fixated elsewhere, his attention tuned to the blaring siren. The forest falls into a hushed silence, and although my heart pounds furiously, he remains focused, refusing to release my wrist. The siren blares louder, his grip tightening, making it hard to breathe.
Amidst the blaring sirens, a robotic voice suddenly starts reciting numbers. My head darts around, seeking signs of an impending threat, but the numbers aren’t orderly; they’re chaotic, randomly announced.
“What is that?” I ask Zeke again, noting the serious expression etched on hist face. “Hey! What on earth is that?”
“Deaths,” Zeke responds, his voice emotionless. “They’re talking about the numbers of people who died. Are you paying attention? How many numbers have they said?”
But I’m not listening. The words fade into the background. Frozen, I fixate on the robotic voice as it echoes the numbers. The number 72 strikes a chord in my
ear.
72.
The Hunter I just left behind. He’s truly dead.
I killed him.
My eyes lock onto a camera lens, and I let out a surprised chuckle, tears welling in my eyes. It’s a sight that won’t go unnoticed. I took his last breath. They’ll whisper behind my back; their judgment will seep into my existence.
Deaths during the Mating Run are common. Waivers are signed before the event, acknowledging this likelihood. The staff, PR team, and Alpha aimed to avoid

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such incidents but failed.
Hunters typically commit the killings. Their bloodlust fuels aggression toward fellow Hunters and sometimes even Hiders. When a Hider causes death, it’s rare and heavily condemned.
I know everyone witnessing this will turn their backs on me. No sponsors, no chance of survival. The eyes around me, especially after my outrageous act, weigh heavily.
If Miles saw what I did to the Hunter, he’d be in tears.
But before I can even think of anything else, Zeke suddenly grunts loudly, startling me. I feel his hand slip away from mine, and in an instant, I push him away forcefully, but he remains resolute. With a pensive expression, he rubs his chin thoughtfully and runs his fingers through his hair. I can’t tear my eyes away from the menacing machete he brandishes and the gruesome blood splatters that adorn his face.
“More Hiders died, dam n. You know what that means, right?”
Zeke asks in a hypothetical manner, making it clear that he doesn’t actually want an answer from me. Once again, he forcefully grabs my chin, making me meet his intense gaze. I shoot him a fierce glare, my nails digging into his wrist with each passing second.
“It means the other Hunters will get way more aggressive. So, let me ask you again, and I really don’t wanna ask a second time. Where the f uck is Victor? I can tell you’ve been with him, you’re definitely his b itch. Answer me if you don’t want the other Hunters to take you out.”
“Seriously, I’ve already told you, how many times do I have to say it?” I let out at scream, my frustration becoming too much to handle. “I don’t have a da mn clue
where that motherf ucker is!”
And it must be with the way my voice quivers as I scream, must be the tears of frustration streaming down my face, it must be those things that make Zeke finally believe me. Just when I anticipate his release, he unexpectedly tightens his grip. As
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he raises his machete over his head again, a stent scream escapes from my
“I suppose there’s no point in keeping you alive, hurt?” He mutters under his breath, his fingers grazing the fabric of my poke are reaches for the number on 1. “Dont see it, I’ll make sure they put your name on a coffin, 2”
Med his heavy weight pressing me into the ground, his foul breath burning against my face, and his hand gripping the gleaming machete, ready to strike. Panic surges through my veins, urging me to fight for my survival.
In a state of panic, I thankfully find the strength to wrench myself to the side, my heart pounding in my ears. With a surge of sheer will, I manage to slip from under him, the swest on my brow mixing with the dirt and grime.
But his fingers tightly wrap around my ankle, pulling me back with an unyielding force.
“Where do you think you’re going, 9?”
His voice rumbles like a feral beast, stripped of any trace of humanity, revealing only a twisted sense of purpose. My heart thumps so loudly in my ears that I can barely hear anything else as I twist and squirm.
“Let go, you ba star d!”
There is no sign of hesitation in him; his eyes are filled with a madness that sends shivers down my spine. The sharp edge of the blade catches the light, creating a glint that seems to inch closer, intensifying the sense of impending danger. With a sudden burst of desperation, I duck and slip past under him, my body moving with a desperate agility, my entire being focused on one thing:
survival.
“Don’t you dare run, 9”
His angry voice drives me forward, sending a surge of fear and energy coursing through my veins. In the distance, the lake glistens like a shimmering oasis, beckoning with the promise of escape, I sprint towards it, my legs aching, my
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breath coming in regged gesps, my focus solely on reaching the water, on finding safety.
“You can’t escape me!”
From behind me, Zeke’s voice resonates with a bone-chilling determination.
Each step through the gravel feels heavy and labored, as if carrying the weight of impending doom. The water draws nearer, its rhythmic waves crashing against the shore, offering solace in this nightmare. Summoning every ounce of strength, I launch myself into the chilling waters of the lake, where the icy embrace sends
shivers down my spine.
Or at least that’s my plan, but before I can take a step, Zeke’s hand grabs the back of my collar and forcefully pulls me back. I let out a piercing scream, losing my balance and collapsing onto the ground.
Just when I think all hope is lost, a glimmer catches my eye from afar.
Under a shrub, a small robot with a screen displaying my name remains
unnoticed.
For Alina – #9.”
Amidst the chaos, a surge of hope spreads through me like a wildfire.
Why is this thing here? And how does it know my name, anyway?
It suddenly clicks – the surprise package is a special offering from a sponsor.
In a split second, Zeke’s grip falters, creating a brief opportunity for me to take advantage of. With the opportunity in front of me, I swiftly grab a rock from the ground, my hand closing around it. I gather all my strength and swing it towards his head, the force of the impact momentarily disorienting him. With a grunt, he sta gg ers and loses his balance.
“F uck off and leave me alone!”
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I shout, my voice filled with a desperate fury, as I forcefully pull myself away
from him.
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The brief respite he’s granted me is all I need. With no hesitation, I dash towards the peculiar robot, the sound of my racing heartbeat filling my ears. I reach it, my hands trembling with excitement, as I search for a way to unlock it and reveal its hidden contents.
My frantic attempts finally yield to the device, and as it opens, a rush of curiosity and confusion floods my senses. Inside, a screen displays intricate information, accompanied by a faint hum of electricity. It’s as if this device has been designed specifically to assist me, to steer me away from this nightmarish ordeal.
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