The Mating Run by Leeka

Chapter 52

Fake

My eyes flutter open, and I am met with the comforting sensation of being held. by Zeke.

In any other circumstance, being held in such an embrace upon waking up offers a sense of comfort, a quiet reminder of our strong connection. As my consciousness fully returns, a disconcerting truth settles heavily on my shoulders.

Zeke’s arms, which were once a comforting embrace, now feel constricting and suffocating. It isn’t the gentle embrace I expect upon waking; it’s a hold that leaves. me feeling confined.

I shift, feeling increasingly uncomfortable as my senses pick up on the presence of another camera. The camera’s unblinking lens is fixed on us, as if freezing the vulnerability of the moment in time. It’s as if a punch to the gut, the realization washes over me – we are being watched again, our every intimate moment exposed to unseen eyes.

And I just know that it is Zeke’s idea, as the sound of his voice echoes in my

mind.

Anger and betrayal surge through me, overwhelming my emotions.

I carefully untangle myself from Zeke’s embrace, the once gentle motion now filled with a hint of desperation. The weight of my emotions threatens to spill over, creating a heavy atmosphere around me. I crave distance, a breath of air to bring clarity to my thoughts.

I feel manipulated, like a pawn on a chessboard with every move carefully plotted.

The sound of something shifting beside me causes me to tense up, and I let out a quiet curse.

“Alina, what’s wrong?”

Through the silence, Zeke’s voice rings out, carrying a palpable sense of worry. Standing there, I can feel his gaze on me, his eyes filled with confusion. With a tired sigh, he rubs his eye and lets out a quick yawn. Although I despise it, a surge of concern for him floods my being.

At first, I remain silent, not answering. As he continues to stare at me, I let out a frustrated sigh. I mumble under my breath, the words barely escaping my lips.

“I just need to get out and get some air.”

As I speak, my voice trembles with the same intensity as the brewing storm

within.

Zeke’s voice echoes through the air once more, tinged with both anxiety and

perplexity.

“Alina, please. Tell me what’s wrong.”

In that fleeting moment, the weight of my emotions makes me contemplate opening up to him, as if the words are begging to be released. I want to ask the question that lingers in my mind – what are we? And what does this mean for us? I fall silent, that we are still being watched, and that someone or something is

aware

observing our every move.

he probably orchestrates all this, making himself appear

my eyes away from the rain–soaked ground. “Just, you

sigh, his tone filled with

emotions.

this together, so let’s stick together. If things aren’t right, we should face

words, and in any other situation, I would welcome the sentiment. However, things are anything but normal, and

Sun, 10 Mar

Fake

seems far from sincere.

turn to him, our eyes locking in

just please give me some space,

unspoken tension hangs in the air, and with each step I take away from him,

hidden nook, shielded from the intrusive gaze of the cameras, and allow the rain to drench me. As the rain pours down, my tears blend with the

within me.

but wonder – is there anything real about our connection? Even when Zeke and I have tender moments, it feels wrong because we are just part of a

return to the camp, soaked to the bone and feeling exposed, and Zeke’s worried eyes lock with mine.

stands there, his figure casting a striking silhouette against the backdrop of the shelter, his eyes mirroring a mix of worry and tenderness. I can feel the

swiftly covers me with a warm towel, likely

another

gesture, so small yet so powerful, surrounds me with a soothing sense of security. I

the heavy silence of the rain. With a gentle touch, he reaches out and brushes away my tears, his thumb leaving a comforting warmth on

I whisper, careful not

falls on

“What?”

pressing on my

and closes his mouth, unable to find the right words. The heavy weight settling between us

through me, the intensity of my emotions becoming

palpable.

we can’t keep running away from this. I can’t keep ignoring this or I’ll lose my mind. Give it to me straight. Tell me,

rain falls like a cascade, I feel the dampness seeping into my bones, mirroring the storm inside me. Facing Zeke, my emotions boil over with anger, frustration, and

like an unstoppable flood, and I can no longer keep them in check.

the weight of my frustration, confusion, and anger as I unleash my pent–up emotions. As raindrops fall, they mingle with my tears, distorting my view of the person who has become both my comfort

torment.

word I ask him is accompanied by the impact of my punch to his chest. “Stop doing all this stuff to

blow without uttering a single word. The combination of understanding and regret etched on his face makes the silence all the moré infuriating. As if in sync with

the ground and drowning out any

with a blend of frustration and hopelessness.

#

but all that fills the silence is the sound of his shallow breaths. Instead, he just takes all my punches, silently watching as all my hidden emotions come pouring out. I feel lost, realizing that the answers

chest. “Tell me this is real. That you’re not acting!”

eyes meet, I can see a whirlwind of emotions brewing

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