The Mating Run by Leeka

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“You think this is justice? Destroying everything?”

Victor snarls, his words a mix of anger and despair.

“It’s consequence, Victor. You can’t play with fire and not expect to get burned.

I reply, my tone serious.

He grumbles, brushing ash off his hands again. “This won’t change anything, Aline. You can destroy my shack, but it won’t erase the choices we made out there,” he dedares, his bittemess lingering.

I nod, acknowledging the truth in his words. “You’re right, Victor. But maybe now you’ll think twice before risking everything again.” I say, my voice holding a hint of hope that this chaotic lesson might lead to some reflection.

But Victor continues to grumble under his breath, frustration etched on his face as he sifts through the ashes of his once–standing shack.

I can’t contain my anger any longer.

“You don’t get it, do you?”

I scream at him, my voice cutting through the quiet aftermath. The forest, with its ancient trees, seems to echo my frustration. Victor looks up, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of irritation and indifference.

“How serious it was out there! While you were up here having a vacation, people died,” I continue, my words a desperate attempt to make him understand the gravity of our situation. “We started as a thousand, and now we’re probably down to just 40!”

Victor rolls his eyes, a dismissive gesture that only fuels my frustration.

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“You always love a good drama, Alina. It’s probably not as bad as you’re making it out to be.”

He retorts, his tone laced with sarcasm. I shake my head, bewildered by his lack of comprehension.

“It’s not drama, Victor. It’s reality. People lost their lives, and all you care about is your precious shack!” I shoot back, my anger bubbling to the surface. The forest, with its timeless presence, seems to absorb the tension between us.

Victor brushes off my words with another eye roll. “I had a TV in the shack, your know. I saw what was happening. Everything’s probably just for dramatics anyway.” he quips, his dismissive attitude grating on my nerves.

I shake my head in disbelief. “I know you think this is just some show, Victor. I was like that too. But I know better now. Out here – It’s life and death.”

He remains unfazed, a smirk playing on his lips. “You’re always so serious, Alina. Not everything is a matter of life and death,” he replies, his nonchalance infuriating. I can’t fathom how he can be so carefree, especially after what we’ve been through.

“You’re just close–headed, Victor. You don’t see the bigger picture,” I snap, my frustration boiling over. The forest, with its ancient trees as stoic witnesses, stands. silent as our clash intensifies.

Victor leans against a charred tree, the remnants of his shack scattered around us. “You’re the one who doesn’t get it, Alina. This is just a game. A game I’m playing to win,” he declares, the smirk never leaving his face. I’m dumbfounded by his

stubbornness.

“It’s not just a game. It’s survival. And your ‘vacation‘ mentality is putting everyone at risk,” I retort, my words a plea for him to wake up from his delusion. But he remains obstinate, his eyes reflecting a detachment from reality.

The forest, with its enigmatic presence, seems to amplify the frustration that hangs in the air. “You’re overthinking it, Alina. Relax, enjoy the show.”

Victor adds, as if the chaos around us is merely entertainment for him.

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Sat, 9 Mar

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emotions within me. “I can’t believe you’re still acting like this. Lives are

careless gesture that only intensifies my exasperation. “I’ve survived this long, haven’t I?”

watch Victor saunter toward the closest camera, perched high on a branch and directed

in some twisted spectacle. My jaw tightens with frustration as he takes a bow, his movements extravagant, a

announces, his voice carrying an unnatural cheerfulness that grates on

My eyes ar

glare at Victor, who’s now addressing the camera with a grin that’s all

charm.

you enjoyed the little show back there. Alina decided to spice

a bit.”

towards the

my fists, resisting the urge to march over and

thought, why not reach out to my lovely sponsors and see if we can build an even better

to pitch

as he flirts shamelessly with

to contribute

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Fund?”

remains silent, as if holding its breath, waiting for some semblance of

flamboyant gestures, remains committed to

gravity of our situation. With a surge of frustration, I step forward and

a game; people died out there!” I hiss through gritted teeth, my palm pressed firmly against hist mouth. “It’s not all about

sending me stumbling

mockery of their deaths. This is not the time for your

my concerns. “They’re not dead because of me.

Alina. There are

They can’t play the game anymore. It doesn’t mean they died.”

widen

at stake, and you’re treating it like a joke! They died. It’s truel You said you have a tv

narrowing as he glares at me. “You’re overreacting,

breath, attempting to calm the storm of emotions

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Alina, take a deep breath.

a simmering pot, and I need to calm down. Victor, with his arrogance and indifference, has this uncanny ability to push all the wrong buttons. But getting mad at him, it won’t change anything. I’ve realized that, especially now, it feels like talking to a

I mumble to myself, the words a

storm within.

prattle on, addressing the invisible audience

all I need is probably two or one! Any sponsors out there willing to contribute to the Victor’s Shack Rebuilding Fund? I will ensure that

it, Alina. Getting mad at him won’t change his mindset,” I mutter to

gesturing and flirting with the camera. “Now, who wouldn’t want to contribute to this handsome face having a cozy shelter again?”

just

thick and suffocating,

accusing eyes.

like the edge of a blade.

who turned this into a circus,

။