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.

1/7

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

every step. With my senses heightened, I moved cautiously, acutely aware

2/7

Everd

an indescribable sense of foreboding that I

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 feeling of

wail shatters the tranquility as I near a

under my breath in frustration. “You really want this game

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

I can almost feel the eyes on me, analyzing and evaluating my every move. The person watching me is incredibly patient, carefully waiting for the perfect

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?”

voice reverberating across the

Nothing.

Huh.

door looming before me, and the thought of returning inside filled me with relief. Alina catches

Eyes

me. Her smile is so big and bright that it instantly lights up her face as she waves at me. I can’t help but smile back, raising

drowned out by the thunderous sound of feet pounding against the ground and a frantic, piercing shout. The tension in my muscles tightens, and

and the cabin door feels like a million miles away. Before I have time to respond, something collides with great force against my back, jolting me forward.

struggling to breathe.

world around me becomes a blur, my focus solely on the threat in front of me. Only when I catch a glimpse of her eyes, wild and deranged,

into a grotesque expression, contorting her features. The girl I once

chest. Fueled by a madness that defies explanation, Ettie lunges at me with a manic intensity, her movements quick and unpredictable. With a desperate rush

in a futile effort to defend

bitch, I don’t want to hurt you!”

my lips. But Ettie is beyond reason, a mere shadow of her former self. With a frenetic determination, she moved erratically, her body tense and ready to eliminate

moonlit forest, I catch a glimpse of the wound on Ettie’s neck – a grotesque gash that oozes with infection. The sight is enough to make me feel sick to my

with such

she?!” With a voice that resembles that of a madwoman, the bitch lets 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 on me.“Where did you

“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 of the imminent danger looming before me. My mind races, desperately seeking a makeshift weapon

just listen to me!”