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.

chirping birds surround me. Behind the towering trees, the setting sun creates a beautiful display of long shadows that stretch across my path. Each time the leaves rustle, a shiver runs down my spine, causing me to clutch

I can’t escape the sensation of unseen eyes scrutinizing my every step. With my senses heightened, I moved cautiously, acutely aware of the crunching sound of fallen

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the Everd

forest, tonight there is an indescribable sense of foreboding that I can’t quite

above 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 constant

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

Shaking my head, I mutter under my breath

the surroundings, my eyes darting back and forth, alert for any signs of movement. Hearing the flicker of shadows and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot sends a thrill through my

intensifies as I can almost feel the eyes on me, analyzing

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

“Who’s there?”

out, my voice reverberating across the

Nothing.

Huh.

of returning inside filled me with relief. Alina catches

His Eyes

instantly lights up her face as she waves at

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, my heightened senses. scanning the surroundings.

feels like 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

of me, leaving me struggling to breathe. Panic claws at the edges of my consciousness, but the adrenaline rush sharpens my senses. With

of me. Only when I catch

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.

madness that defies explanation, Ettie lunges at me with a manic intensity, her

in a futile effort to defend against the impending

want to

her former self. With a frenetic determination, she moved erratically, her body tense and ready to eliminate

with infection. The sight is enough to make me feel sick to my stomach, and the foul odor only adds to the revulsion I feel.

with such intensity that

piercing screams while anxiously glancing in all directions. It suddenly dawns on me that she’s searching for

“F**k off!”

realize that the only way to stop Ettie is to render her immobile. As I scan

just