The Mating Run by Leeka

In His Eyes: Mark

Zeke’s POV

The game’s almost over.

I can tell because the siren hasn’t stopped blaring, announcing the death of more contenders. Just in time too, considering we’ve been here longer than we intended. The contest must have been a hit with the audience this time around, considering how it went on for such a prolonged period.

Glancing over at Alina, I am greeted by the sight of the morning sun stretching across the sky, casting a vibrant palette of orange and pink. Her gaze remained fixed on the window as she sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. Her mind is still a mess of forgotten memories, but when our eyes meet, I feel a comforting

warmth – we’ve come so far.

“I’m heading out to catch some food,” I tell her, feeling the weight of my backpack on my shoulders. Alina looks up, her eyes filled with tenderness. “Anything you want me to find?”

“Nothing,” Her voice, gentle and soothing, resonates as she speaks. I nod, feeling a warm sense of appreciation for the genuine concern in her words. Our connection has deepened despite the difficulties posed by her memory loss, and there’s a gentle affection between us. “Just be careful, Zeke,”

The morning light illuminates her features as she gracefully steps closer, creating an ethereal aura around her. In her presence, I am suddenly overwhelmed by a surge of affection, feeling a warmth spread through my entire being. With a gentle touch, I wrap my hand around her neck and plant a swift kiss on her forehead. Stepping back, her smile meets mine, and she leans up on her tiptoes to plant a swift, tender kiss on my lips.

The touch lingers, leaving behind a lingering warmth and a sense of connection.

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Her eyes meet mine again, and the unspunem…

unbroken, even if her memories fade. Every shared moment weaves a new tapestry, connecting the fragments of her memory.

–

a

“I’ll be back soon,” With my hand lightly brushing against hers, I reassure her, hoping to convey my sincerity. There’s an unspoken promise in that touch promise to return, to continue building a future together. “Don’t worry.”

Stepping outside, I am greeted by a refreshing gust of crisp air, invigorating my senses. The forest beckons with the melodic chirping of birds and the earthy scent of moss and pine. With each step I take deeper into the woods, the rustle of leaves grows louder, and the distant calls of birds echo through the trees, creating a serene ambiance.

As I make my way to the river, the sound of rushing water fills the air, heightening my senses and reminding me to stay alert with my knife in hand. As the Matin Run draws to a close, it’s always a smart move to anticipate what lies ahead. It’s during the final moments of the game that a wave of aggression takes over everyone. Making it to the river unscathed, I feel a sigh of relief escape my lips, bringing a momentary sense of peace.

Casting my net into the river, I feel the cool water slip between my fingers as I wait patiently. From my vantage point on a nearby rock, I observe the tranquil water flow, its gentle rhythm lulling me into a state of relaxation. As the sun ascends in the sky, it creates a mesmerizing play of light and shadow on the riverbank. With a satisfying catch secured, I make my way back to the cabin, a sense of

accomplishment and anticipation building as I think about sharing the meal with

Alina.

deeper into the dense forest, where the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds surround me. Behind the towering trees, the setting sun creates a beautiful display of long shadows that stretch across my

of unseen eyes scrutinizing my every step. With

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the Everd Mark

is an indescribable sense of foreboding that I can’t quite

created a dim, eerie twilight on the forest floor as slivers of fading daylight struggled to filter through. My mind becomes a playground for shadows, fueling my paranola and

the distance, a siren’s wail shatters the tranquility as I

my head, I mutter under my breath in frustration. “You really

of movement. Hearing the flicker of shadows and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot sends a thrill through my body. Each

grip on the knife grows tighter. The sensation of being watched intensifies as I can almost feel the eyes on me, analyzing and evaluating

me to freeze. Stopping abruptly, I feel my hand involuntarily grip the hilt of the knife, ready for any danger. I’m not alone. As the realization settles, a tense atmosphere fills the

“Who’s there?”

voice reverberating across the

Nothing.

Huh.

our cabin door looming before me, and the thought of returning

His Eyes

as she waves at me. I can’t help but smile back, raising my hand to wave in response.

burst of chaos. In an instant, the peaceful atmosphere shattered, drowned out by the thunderous sound of feet pounding against the ground and a frantic, piercing shout. The tension in my muscles tightens, and I’m propelled forward by pure instinct,

a million miles away. Before I have time to respond, something collides with great force against my back, jolting me forward. The force of the impact sends a wave of pain coursing through me, making it difficult to stay

into my skin with an almost painful intensity. Each punch lands with a force that knocks the wind out of me, leaving me struggling to breathe. Panic claws at the edges of my consciousness, but the adrenaline rush sharpens my

me. Only

make her hard to forget. She quickly became the favorite, and I had a feeling right from the beginning that the majority of the screentime would revolve around her. But now Ettie’s face twists into a grotesque expression, contorting her features. The girl I once knew as Alina’s best friend now appears unrecognizable – a chaotic, ethereal incarnation of her former self. Her face is illuminated by the eerie glow of the moonlight, and her vacant, haunted eyes send

I rise to my feet, the tightness of frustration gripping my chest. Fueled by a madness that defies explanation, Ettie lunges at me with a manic intensity, her movements quick and unpredictable. With a

backwards, my hands flailing in a

don’t want

my plea, as the words escaped my lips. But Ettie is beyond reason, a mere shadow of her former

– a grotesque gash that oozes with infection. The sight is enough to make me feel sick to

leave a mark on her, but she fought back with such intensity that she was left marked in a completely unexpected way.

out piercing screams while anxiously glancing in all directions. It suddenly dawns on me that she’s searching for Alina, likely able to detect her scent

“F**k off!”

a surge of strength, I push myself further away from them, creating a safe distance. The pounding of my heart in my chest intensifies as I realize that the only way to stop Ettie is to render her immobile. As I scan the forest, my senses heightened, I can’t help but feel the weight

just