The Mating Run by Leeka

In His Eyes: Puppet

Zeke’s POV

“No way, I’m not doing that.”

The air in the hidden alcove of the tree was heavy with tension as we huddled together, seeking refuge from prying eyes and surveillance cameras. Bound tightly with rope, Victor sat on the floor, his face a mask of defiance and anger. Every time he opened his mouth to speak, a wave of irritation crashed over me, and I couldn’t resist giving him a firm slap on the back of his head.

“You think you’re tough, don’t you?” A menacing growl escaped my lips, my voice vibrating with intensity. “You think you can just sit there and insult us while we’re trying to save not just us but your sorry ass too?”

Looking up at me, Victor’s eyes blazed with a fiery animosity, his sneer twisting

his face.

“I’d rather die than do what you want!”

My frustration grew so intense that I couldn’t help but clench my fists, my anger bubbling up and radiating as I glared down at him. Alina’s worried expression never left her face as she kept glancing at me, her hands suspended in the air as if attempting to soothe my nerves.

“You’d rather die, huh?” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Well, I’m afraid that’s not an option, Victor. Not for cowards like you.”

“Yeah, motherf**ker. I’d rather die than help you,” With a snarl, Zeke repeated the words, his voice filled with contempt. “You and your pathetic little friends.”

In the dimly lit alcove, Victor’s intense glare bore into the room, his eyes ablaze with resentment and anger. With a scornful sneer, he shifted his attention to Ettie and Alina, his voice filled with venom as he hurled a string of curses in their direction. His words spewed venom, laced with betrayal and a deep sense of hurt,

as he hurled accusations of treachery towards them.

“I thought we were friends!” he spat, his voice dripping with bitterness. “But here you are, ratting me out to Zeke and forcing me to do something I don’t want to

do!‘

With a voice full of disdain, Ettie scoffed in reply. With a sigh of frustration, she folded her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes dramatically. It brought me a bit of comfort that she treated Victor just as badly as she treated me. There were no favorites in her eyes – the bitch harbored a strong dislike for everyone, except for

Alina.

“You’re such a f**king loser,” she retorted, her tone dripping with contempt. “What they’re asking isn’t even that hard. Grow a pair of balls and stop acting like a child.”

Alina’s lips stayed sealed, her face a mask of inscrutability as she locked eyes with Victor, a blend of remorse and sadness in her gaze. I have no idea what she’s thinking, and that uncertainty creates a rift between us that I despise. The absence of those shared memories has driven us further apart than I’d prefer.

With slow and deliberate movements, Alina silently approached Victor, and a thick silence filled the alcove. Ettie and I exchanged wary glances, cautiously taking a step back to allow them room, while remaining vigilant of the unfolding scene. The cramped space amplified Victor’s harsh words, his voice dripping with venom as he hurled one cruel insult after another at Alina.

“Goddess, Alina, I thought we were over this. But you’re proving me right again. You’re nothing but a lost cause,” The tense atmosphere was shattered as Victor spat, his words landing like daggers in the air. Without uttering a word, Alina observed him intently, her face displaying a thoughtful expression. “You’re weak, pathetic, and you always have been. You’ll never amount to anything.”

Alina crouched in front of Victor, her gaze unwavering as a combination of determination and sadness filled her eyes. The heaviness of Victor’s words was visible in her eyes, as if they were bearing down upon her. His cruel taunts may have been relentless, but she remained resolute, refusing to let them weaken

217

TRA, TEMar

latin Fyes Puppet

aware

but Zeke’s bitch now, aren’t you? Just another puppet on his strings.”

in my chest as I struggled to maintain control. As I stood there, my fists clenched at my sides, I could feel my muscles tightening, ready to unleash my anger on him once more. Just as I was about to take action, Ettie boldly stepped forward, her eyes filled with determination, and firmly grasped my arm to hold me

as I glared at

be giving me a piercing glare by now. Ettie’s eyes remain fixed forward, never wavering from Alina and Victor, her

connecting with Victor’s face, the impact echoing with a sickening thud. Her blow landed with a sharp crack, instantly crumpling his

I exchanged gasps as Alina’s unexpected outburst left us speechless. Despite everything, a surge of pride welled up inside me, witnessing her remarkable bravery.

narrow alcove, his desperate struggles

bitch… you broke my

the intensity of the situation, Alina’s calm demeanor prevailed as she stood over him, her tightly clenched

icy tone in Alina’s voice was unmistakable. Moving slowly, she extended her hand and firmly seized Victor by

power within

across my face as I stepped forward to join her, my arm

towards Alina,

atmosphere of agony. Growing more and more irritating, I fought the urge to silence him by shoving a random sock into his mouth, grateful that I had Alina in my arms.

frustration. Her gaze fell upon the broken man at our feet. As she sighed heavily, I pulled her closer and held her tightly, hoping to offer a small

comfort.

ruined the plan, Zeke,” With her face buried in my shoulder, she murmured, her words muffled and barely discernible. With a slow, deliberate movement, she raised her head and fixed me with her beady eyes. “I shouldn’t have lost my

like that.”

head, an attempt to

ramifications of what we

said firmly, my voice tinged with frustration.

later.”

father using one of the cameras, in a desperate plea for our

way, his father’s

going

I said, forcing myself to sound confident. Despite my growing worry, I couldn’t help but smile as I leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “We’ll find another way to get out of here. We have to.”

chance we can salvage the plan, if we

concern. Alina and I exchanged a confused glance, both of us shrugging helplessly, our expressions mirroring our shared confusion. Rubbing her chin in contemplation, Ettie made her way towards us, lost in

need to act fast,” she said, her voice urgent. “If we want to salvage the plan, we have to

“How?”

narrowed as she

up a rough rock from the ground, her eyes fixated on it as she turned it over and over in her