"As you place your bets on the contenders you believe will emerge triumphant, let's take a moment to reflect on the life of our fallen comrade. Tobias Torres, the eldest of the Torres siblings, was not only a competitor in the Grimm Games but a devoted father to baby Abigail." As the host spoke, footage of Tobias running through the maze of the Enchanted Forest played on the screen. "At twenty-six years old, tragedy struck the Torres family when his then-girlfriend vanished under mysterious circumstances, leaving him to navigate the challenges of single parenthood."

My eyes were glued to the screen. It wasn't odd for women to suddenly disappear. Cases of missing women were given low priority by authorities and often left unresolved. Each year, as a new season of Grimm Games was announced, the media would descend upon Arcanum to cover the event and use the building as a backdrop. Among the crowd were fans, critics, and even the loved ones of missing individuals, hoping to catch the attention of the media and raise awareness locally and nationally, in the desperate hope that someone with information would come forward.

Footage of a slightly younger Tobias, his face etched with desperation, clutching a missing person poster of his then girlfriend, and pleading with the cameras outside of Arcanum headquarters replaced the maze scene onscreen.

The studio audience gasped in unison as the host continued, "Despite relentless efforts to locate his missing girlfriend, Tobias found himself in dire financial straits, needing to support his infant daughter by any means necessary. Thus, he took on a grueling job delivering full-scale appliances and machinery back and forth across the country. This left him with no option but to entrust his twenty-four-year-old sister with the care of baby Abigail, marking yet another tragic turn for the Torres family."

I searched the straw-covered ground of the shack to find what I was looking for. When I spotted the dark and wavy strands of hair the rat exchanged with us for food, I picked it up and tossed it closer to Sonya where she sat. "Whose hair is this? Yours or his?"

She eyed me, not holding back her disgust and contempt. "It's whatever you want it to be."

"It's not the time for games, just answer me."

"This whole thing is a game," Sonya went on. "It doesn't matter if you decide to play or not." She huffed. "It looks like Tobey's hair, but it doesn't mean anything. The person that just got ripped apart in front of the nation is not my brother."

As much as I didn't trust her or want to believe a word that fell from her lips, this was the rare time I did.

The TV came back on and we paused to hear the announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for an update on our top contenders in the Grimm Games. Leading the pack with a score of seven each, we have Sonya Torres the Babysitter, and Dylan Jeffrey the Sick. These two have impressed us all with their determination and survival skills."

While the host spoke, slow motion scenes played onscreen of Sonya and Dylan during memorable moments like Sonya getting up after my blade pierced her foot or Dylan helping fight off the Troll after it scooped me up.

The cameras focused on Chuck as he announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for one of the most thrilling moments of the Grimm Games! With the deathly departure of one of our valiant contestants, the stage is set for everyone's favorite segment: viewer betting. As we gear up for the epic finale later this season, our brave competitors were tasked with selecting from three crucial categories: a weapon item to bolster their arsenal, a food item to ensure their endurance, or a health item to fuel their battles. And finally, our top two contestants have made their selections."

We exchanged confused stares, tinged with disappointment and suspicion, fully aware that neither of us had any control or opportunity to decide our circumstances. It seemed unlikely that we ever would.

"Sonya the Babysitter has opted for a medicine pack containing a potent steroid, while Dylan the Sick has chosen a food pack to sustain him through the challenges ahead. Will these choices give them the edge they need to claim victory? Stay tuned to find out!"

"Bullshit!" Dylan called out. "I would have gotten me a new weapon." He gave his makeshift staff a disappointed look.

"They're only trying to help her." I pointed to Sonya's foot, finally able to bring attention to what I've been afraid to say aloud for a while.

"Why?" Dylan stared at her foot. "What makes her so special?"

"Why?" I scoffed, feeling anger boiling in my gut. "Why did they give you a high survival score when we all know you didn't earn that?"

"Because I'm a good player. I haven't gotten struck in a game, or by any of you or a creature." He narrowed his eyes, taking offense. "I earned it."

I tossed my hands up in defeat. "Fine. You haven't been hit but Sonya has, and they give her the best item. You're telling me that's not strategic?"

Sonya huffed, resting her forearms on her bent knees. "Your jealousy's showing."

"It's obvious you're the favorite because you play dirty, and they want to see dirt." I glared at her smug expression. "Without the gruesome kills and backstabbing, it's a boring show. And no one wants boring, especially Arcanum. Low ratings are equal to death."

Jade nodded. "Why do you think they're upping the ante this season, reinventing themselves?" she asked redundantly. "It all seems a little fishy."

"Think whatever you want." Sonya shrugged and rested her head back against the wall. "I know how to play the game, that's why I'm in this position. To win. No matter what it takes. So, if you wanna go and save the world, that's your business, but don't drag me in it. Now I'm gonna go hunt for my health item." Sonya stood.

Millie stepped forward, challenging. "What if I get to it first?" She thrust her chest forward and tilted her chin up, displaying a posture that suggested she was ready for a confrontation.

"You can try to stop me." Sonya mimicked Millie's demeanor, limping forward but seemingly ignoring the pain.

"You're legally blind in one eye, remember?" Millie started. "My strength is that I have perfect vision."

"My strength is that I can kill you with my bare hands." She shuffled forward, halting only when there were mere inches separating them. "You and your weak ass sister. All I have to do is remind you that your parents disowned you for joining the Games. That means they hate you. You're an embarrassment and they know you're gonna die like the weaklings you are."

Millie didn't respond as their gazes locked and their rapid breaths matched, their chest rose and fell in unison.

"Millie?" I called to get her to back down. No sense of getting into a fight right here and now.

Sonya presented her palm, keeping her eyes glued to Millie's. "Where's my knife?"

I shook my head. "You're not getting it back." I gave Jade a look to confirm and she placed it behind her and backed up to create a safe distance.

"I earned it. I want it. Now." Sonya kept her hand out, but this time looked to Jade. "Hand it over so I can get out of here."

"First, tell us your strength." I proposed. "They're obviously giving you the advantage by giving you meds and helping Dylan with food. So, to even the playing field, let's all share a strength and a weakness. It's only fair."

"Huh?" Dylan smacked his lips. "What is this?"

"It's a way we all can continue on the same level." I looked each person in the eye. "We know about your vision, Sonya. Now what about a strength? Tell us and we'll give back the knife."

"Kam!" Jade and Millie barked at the same time.

"You really want her to have a weapon?" Millie turned to face me. "She wants to kill us!"

"We do her this one favor and she'll leave us be." My sights remained locked on Sonya's. "Right?"

Sonya didn't hesitate. "I'm a good liar."

We all glanced to each other. A bit of unease on all our faces.

"You?" Sonya went on. "A strength and a weakness."

"A weakness?" I started. "I care for people too much. A strength? I care for people too much."

"So, I've heard." Sonya sneered. "And you?" She looked to Millie.

"I hold grudges and I can adapt to any situation." Millie and Sonya's eyes lingered on each other a beat too long. In this moment I realized that the two were more alike than they cared to admit. Which could have been a reason why they were constantly at each other's throats.

Spencer volunteered next. "I can run a mile in four, but I hate being paired up because it drags me down." He turned his head to avoid Dylan's scrutiny.

Dylan's eyebrow raised in surprised. "They didn't ask you for your secrets, bro. Jeez."

"A team is only as good as their weakest link," Spencer said, but refrained from making eye contact.

Dylan didn't address it any further. He only spewed out his strength and weakness in a dismissive tone, obviously bothered by his brother's confession. "Weakness? Money. Strength? Teaming up with the right partner who has my back. Right?"

Spencer stared ahead. "No doubt."

With that, Dylan gripped his weapon and pulled the door open a sliver. Darkness creeped in through the crack with only the simulated moonlight illuminating the stacks of hay beyond the threshold.

Like a couple of thieves in the night, the brothers quietly snuck out to find their item. I listened for the sound of the drone to see if the drop was nearby, but of course the unmanned aerial vehicles were too silent to be detected.

Sonya extended her hand. "I answered your question, now give me my shit."

Millie's eye narrowed as the curse word left Sonya's lips.

I sighed. "Call me what you want, but you'll see I'm one to keep my word." I nodded to Jade.

Millie gently put her arm up to stop Jade and keep her from moving any closer. "Are you serious, sis?"

"If we want them to trust us, we have to show them that we're willing to trust them." I kept my focus on Sonya, cementing the trust between us.

Sonya agreed with a nod and waited for the heft of her blade to hit her palm. Jade passed the knife to Millie, and Millie passed it to me. I debated my decision for a split second, but dismissed any worries knowing this was the best way to build trust.

I had faith.

I stepped forward and placed the knife in her palm.

She nodded, satisfied. Her tense shoulders finally relaxed. "Thanks."

I smiled and extended my hand for a shake, an unspoken agreement. Surprisingly, she took my hand and shook.

Before letting go, she viciously flipped my hand over, driving the knife's tip straight through, piercing through the back to emerge on the other side. "Now we're even," she spat, then bolted out the door, vanishing in a frantic blur, the blade disappearing with her.