❤️💜16k yummy💜❤️

A few moments before last chapter:

The gamekeepers stood around the large holographic map of the arena, muttering to each other and staring at each Tribute marker. There were eleven left now. Two helicopters had been sent out to collect the bodies of Error and Blue, and now they were debating their next move. It had already been five days in the arena. Normally they'd be down to at least half the current tributes at the moment.

"Should we start another fire?" One asked, only to be shot down right after.

"Don't be stupid, we've already done that to absolutely no success. That little weasel from District Twelve escaped almost unharmed. And the sink hole we created for the one from Five failed pathetically. That tear-streaked kid dodged it like it was some small pothole."

"Well have you got any smarter suggestions, smart-ass?" They growled, digging their fingers into control panel edge.

"...Might I suggest something?"

All of them paused, slowly turning to see two figures leaning against the wide open automatic doors. They were both skeletons, one being a tall skimpily dressed Capitalist while the other was the personal trainer for District Tweleve.

"You?" One sneered. "You're not even supposed to be here."

"Yeah, well we're here." Horror smirked, stepping inside. "And we've got all the outside info from your Capitalists."

The head gamekeeper stared at him from across the room, raising a brow. "Elaborate on this, suggestion."

The man grinned, shoving his hands into his messy hoodie pockets carelessly and walking over. "Well, you see, my dear gamekeepers. There's been...talk amongst the Capitalists and viewers. They want a little change."

"Change? We don't do change." The leader spat.

"I know, I know." He shrugged. "But picture this, two tributes working properly side by side, with the knowledge that the two of them can both win."

He blinked, his lips twisting into a scowl. "You're asking us to let there be two winners?"

"Pretty much. I mean, you've seen some of the action between the tributes. Look at the two devils from District Two, they've got romance blossoming in their own crippled and psycho way, and believe it or not, the viewers quite like it."

Lust bit his 'lip' anxiously, watching as Horror talked to the gamekeepers. They'd discussed this all night, saying about how maybe both Cross and Nightmare had a chance if they worked together. Of course they'd had to throw in a few facts about how Geno and Reaper were currently the sadists favourites. And how much they'd hate to see them go. A partnership in this bloodbath might be the opportunity either they, or the other teams needed to kick boost them to an unsuspected victory.

And in this situation, he was placing all his cards down on team Cross and Nightmare.

——————

Cross pushed his way through yet another dense bush, hissing and yelping as branches and twigs constantly smacked into his face and covered him in little balled seeds that stuck to his clothes like fucking glue. He'd given up on picking them off a while ago; every time he did they'd just get replaced within three seconds with twice as much as before.

He took a sip from his water, scowling and kicking at all the tangled twigs and sticks beneath him. They were purposely trying to trip him up. He knew it. It was as if nature was against him, trying to stop him from getting to Nightmare and succeeding. Hell, he didn't even know if Nightmare would still be round there. Surely he couldn't say in the same location for over two days, that'd be stupid and reckless. And if he knew anything, Nightmare wasn't either of those. Well maybe reckless, but stupid? No.

He muttered to himself under his breath, attempting to remember which pairs would be left for him and hopefully Nightmare to go up against. Abi and Dream. They could be a real challenge, with Dream's long range bow skills and Abi's close up spear skills, the two of them would make a powerful team. Geno and Reaper. Those two psychos constantly set off red alarm bells in his head whenever he thought of them. Geno's knife throwing skills were similar to his own so maybe he could analyse any patterns in his fighting. But with Reaper and that giant scythe, he probably wouldn't even be able to get close enough to scratch him. And no doubt he'd be able to block any knives he threw with that ungodly weapon as well.

District Three was gone, same with Four. Both Ink and Killer from District Five were still alive, but he didn't think they'd take up the offer of teaming. Both of those two seemed very set on being solo players. Both from District six were gone, and one of the teens from District Seven was still alive somewhere out there. Both from Eight and Nine were dead, and Finn was the only one left from District Ten. He seemed decent enough in the training room, and his score of seven meant he wasn't some wimp just hiding. He'd definitely be an opponent to at least watch out for.

Dust was all that was left from District Eleven now that Blue was dead, and he was definitely someone to be nervous about. God he really didn't want to bump into him. But maybe if he convinced him about how he'd helped Blue, the boy would let him off and not kill him. That was the idea anyway.

And then finally there was him and Nightmare. He didn't know if the boy was even over here, let alone whether he even wanted to team up with him. Imagine he found him only for the dark teen to turn him down and stab him right in the chest in front of everyone. God what a waste of time that would be. But the smol tried to stay positive, thinking of the best scenarios. Such as Nightmare agreeing to team and the two of them fighting to the end and winning. Or just him accepting him in general so that he could have some company again. He didn't like being alone, never had. And the absence of Blue was strange to him. He'd just started getting used to having the small kid by his side and then he was torn away.

Kicking leaves as he walked, Cross sped up slightly and shook any possibly distracting thoughts from his mind. For now he just needed to focus on finding Nightmare instead of worrying about what will actually happen when he does. If he does.

A few dense bushes came into view and he groaned lowly, not exactly fancying his chances of forcing his way through them. So he trekked around them, adding an unnecessary length to his journey that he couldn't care less about. Soon enough though the trees started thinning down, bringing a little hope to his heart. This could possibly mean a clearing was coming up, or if he was lucky, the river where Nightmare should be.

He stepped out past the last tree, his soul thumping rapidly as he caught sight of what was in front of him.

Rocks turned smooth by running water covered the floor, gradienting in a random fashion with dips and rises everywhere. Tufts of grass and wild flowers grew from small dirt patches with the occasional thistle. The trees were gone, revealing the blue sky and white fluffy clouds that reminded him of the sandwiches they were given on the train when they were first dragged from their Districts all those days ago.

The river was much wider than all the others he'd came across, the crystal clear water bubbling and shimmering against the sunlight and sending reflections dancing across the rocks.

And then stood by the river, the toes of their boots being brushed by the water, was a figure. They had their back to him, dark clothes adorning their body and a large hood covering their face.

Nightmare.

————————————————————————

uwuwuwuwuwuwuwuwuwu I can  F I N A L L Y write Crossmare YAYAYAYAYYA

Bet you're just as happy as I am. I mean, there literally hasn't been any for like 15 chapters sidusiwkdiidiw I'm sorry-—

But now you'll get lots uwu

And some Kréme soon :3333

Be excited

F o o l s

-Jess-