The Mating Run by Leeka

In His Eyes: Adieu

Zeke’s POV

A wave of determination swept over me as I surveyed my companions, their faces set in grim determination.

Standing beside me, Alina’s face showed the evidence of a fierce battle, with bruises and scratches marring her features. A silent fire of determination burned in her dark eyes, reflecting her unwavering resolve. The moment our eyes met, she offered a warm smile and a subtle nod of recognition. Nearby, Ettie stood with a resolute expression, her arms crossed firmly over her chest. The dimly lit alcove revealed the haunting sight of bruises marred across her skin, some of which were self–inflicted, and a bandaged bruise on her neck provided an additional grim detail.

And then there was Victor, his face contorted with a mix of agony and fury, his nose visibly swollen and blood streaming down his face from Alina’s forceful strike. As he struggled against the ropes that bound him, his eyes burned with venomous anger, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

Inhaling deeply, I braced myself, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness for what awaited me.

“We need to make this look convincing,” My voice, low and intense, conveyed my message, though I directed most of my words towards Victor. I fixed my gaze on him, studying his every expression, desperately hoping he grasped the gravity of the situation. “You might think this only helps us, but it helps you, too. The sooner you help us leave, the sooner we’ll stop bothering you.”

Despite his muttered complaints, Victor’s weary expression betrayed his own longing to depart. Moreover, the scarcity of food in the forest was becoming increasingly apparent as the number of contenders diminished day by day. It was nothing short of a surprise that all four of us remained trapped and unable to get

out.

With a firm nod, Alina’s eyes sparkled with determination, her voice steady and

resolute.

“We’ll do whatever it takes to get out of here.”

Ettie stepped forward, her eyes darting back and forth between us. “I’ll make sure it looks real. But we need to be careful. If we mess this up, it could mean the

end for all of us.”

The plan was simple. We had to make it look like we were fighting amongst ourselves, like we were willing to tear each other apart to get out of this hellhole. The key to everything lies with Victor’s father. With his power, he has the ability to free us from this ongoing nightmare, and finally bring an end to the Mating Run. However, in order to do that, Victor had no choice but to plead and beg him for his intervention on our behalf.

Victor, naturally, wasn’t too enthusiastic about the idea. He thought it was a lost cause, that his father wouldn’t lift a finger to help us. However, we were left with no other option. Time was slipping away, and the urgency of the situation pressed upon us. If we didn’t take action soon, our fate would be sealed in this

place.

a staged fight that looked incredibly realistic. We put on a show for the cameras, our voices raised and faces contorted with anger, creating the illusion of a heated conflict. Swinging punches and spewing hateful words, we clashed in a wild brawl, our bodies entangled in the gritty soil. Naturally, it was a performance, but we had to ensure its authenticity to effectively deceive Victor’s

–

hit him like a punch to the gut he knew that we were about to subject him to the humiliating plea for his father’s mercy, as the camera loomed ominously. But he had no choice. If he wanted to survive and experience the outside world once more, he had no choice

fabric of his shirt tighten in my grip. His limbs hung limply, as if they were made of lead, but I paid no mind. As I released the ropes that held him captive, I gave him

behind, their eyes ablaze with a resolute determination that matched

trying to regain his balance. With his eyes darting around in a state of panic, the atmosphere grew heavy with unease. He could feel the weight of the impending spotlight, knowing he would have to plead for his life in front of a

he opened his mouth to speak, to plead with his father for mercy, a wave of panic washed over me as he suddenly bolted away. My anger surged through me, causing my blood to boll as I unleashed a torrent of

“F**k!”

quickly turned her

as I chase after him. Much to my astonishment, the chase was disappointingly short–lived. Despite the rush of adrenaline in his veins, Victor’s running skills left much to be desired. After running

the dirt. With haste, I lunged forward, seizing Victor by the collar and hoisting him up with a swift, abrupt motion. I could

deep in my throat, a low and menacing sound as I locked eyes with him.

eyes glared back at me, seething with a mixture of anger and defiance. “You

any

all just a bunch of pathetic losers.”

with pent–up frustration. I made a conscious effort to stay collected, to prevent my emotions from overwhelming me. I couldn’t allow Victor’s words to penetrate my emotions, determined to

told,” I spat, my voice dripping with venom. “We’re

faltered, his steps slowing and uncertainty clouding his face. With a moment’s hesitation, his eyes darted around in a panicked frenzy, desperately searching for an exit. But there was nowhere to run, nowhere to

the roar of the crowd. “Please, just let me go.

was no way we would turn back now or allow him to escape from our grasp. No matter the obstacles that lay

pounding in my chest,

the air.

“Victor Craft.”

eyes as all the cameras suddenly swiveled towards him, their red

the disbelief that surged through me. As we stood there, caught off guard by the unforeseen camera change, a heavy

have a message to my father.”

feel my jaw clenching and my muscles tightening as I listened intently,

our

his voice ringing out with authority. “I want