Minhyuk Park:

I could care a whole lot less about what my life had turned into. At this point, anything was a fucking bonus. Heck, even Steph and San don't trust me.

It hurt a little, knowing that.

The lines for food had really changed. By now, if you were a zero tally you were probably going to die in the next couple days. A majority were single tallies with a few doubles. Everyone who waited in the triple line was older, no doubt having participated in the camp a few years ago. Patiently, I waited for my turn, asking for an apple as usual. Trembling hands reached out from behind the wall to slide the plate over to me. I had forgotten that there were other people at this hellhole of a camp.

Carefully, I walked over to Steph and San, maybe I could rebuild something. Steph looked at me before flushing, no doubt recalling our conversation earlier. Santiago however, seemed dead, for lack of a better term. He emptily stirred the contents of his bowl, what I assumed to be oatmeal. Try to start some sort of conversation, you moron.

I looked at the siblings, trying to think of something to talk about, before noticing Santiago's hands.

"Have you always had that ring?" I gestured to the silver band on his right hand.

"...yeah." So much for conversation.

"Ehem," A familiar bald man approached the podium, "As many of you know, this is the final week of camp," he paused, "and therefore this is your last chance to snag any tallies. You all remember what happens to those with less than three, correct?"

Tension filled the air as we recalled his words at the beginning of camp. I'm so screwed.

"And so, I'm announcing our fifth annual game of tag!" What the flying fuck?

A different figure took over, her familiar curly hair made me jump.

"Starting tomorrow night, you will all be given a name. Your task is to tag them." With Trigger's smile, we could all tell what she was alluding to.

"Fuck." It was a whisper, but I could hear Steph's response echo my own thoughts.

"Please head to your next class, all teachers will be prepping you." No one moved, as they were paralyzed with the shock of what they had just been told.

Of course this happens now. Should I just be done? Quit right now?

"I can't do this." San's voice comes from behind me, full of fear. On instinct, I turn to hold his hand. His hand is warm. He squeezes my hand, reminding me of what I was doing. Quickly, I retract my hand and shove it in my pocket.

"Hey-" I can feel the heat rising to my face so I turn and briskly leave the room. I wander outside, preparing to walk back to my quiet place in the woods.

"Minhyuk." Trigger's voice comes from my right, and against better judgment, I follow it. She stands against the wall, hands in her pockets with a grin on her face.

"Here." She reaches out, hand in a fist. I open my hand, accepting whatever she put in it. I put the heavy item in my jacket. "Use it wisely," she glances at my arm, "though apparently you might not need it." With that, she turns and leaves. What the fuck.

I'm not sure what it is, but I can almost feel it burning.

When I return to our hideout, Steph is on high alert, speaking to Santiago in hushed whispers.

"What's up?" She jumps away, guilt clear on her face. On the ground, I see a small pile of items, including my rope and the first aid kit. With them are a small collection of knives, Becky's leftover darts, and my....machete.

"What the fuck are you two doing?" I can feel anger building up in my chest, along with something akin to the feeling of being betrayed.

"I can explain-," Steph starts.

"We're leaving the camp." Santiago interrupts her. The redhead whips around to face him, annoyance flashing through her eyes.

"Without me, I'm assuming." Traitorous tears began to prick my eyes. No. You knew this was going to happen.

Awkward silence filled our surroundings.

"In that case, I might as well take this back." I thrust my hand into the pocket of Santiago's abandoned flannel from today on the ground, retrieving my bracelet. The numbers engraved on it seem to glare back at me, mirroring the siblings' expressions as I slip it back on. "How else was I supposed to get away with going where I wanted?" Way to go dumbass. Let's just ruin relationships even more.

"I'll leave you two to whatever you're doing." My voice is thick, and I don't think I can suppress my tears anymore so I begin to leave.

This is your fault.

As a bonus, you don't have to worry about their opinions anymore.

Sitting outside near the cave, but not near enough to hear their conversation, I feel the tears flooding down my face. I'm so stupid. Why am I even here?

You should've just disappeared when you had the chance.

My sleeves are soaked as I bury my face in my arms.

Snap.

Quickly wiping my face, I look to find the duo.

"You could come with us, you know." Stephanie clearly did not want to say this, but Santiago smiled reassuringly.

"What do I have to lose?" My voice cracks, but in all honesty, I had nothing to lose anyway.

We re-enter the cave and I sit as far back as possible. Surprisingly, Santiago sits down beside me and grabs my hand. Face flushed, I tell myself it's just the heat.

"How do we get these off?" Stephanie looks at me, gesturing to the bracelet.

"I don't know, I had mine loosened when we first came so...," I trailed off, realizing I wasn't being helpful.

"We don't have a lot of time. We have to think wisely."

Use it wisely.

Recalling Trigger's words I fish through my pocket to find the mysterious item. It's a black card, weighing as much as a phone. Inspecting it, I can only see that it has Trigger's name engraved on its matte surface. As if magnetic, it slips down to my bracelet.

Click.

The bracelet falls to my lap, unclasped. I push the sides against each other, and they seem to melt back together.

"What the flying fuck." I grab Santiago's hand to test it out. We watch in awe as the bracelet lets go.

"Okay then, problem one is solved." We delve back into our plans, with a new sense of hope.

I feel someone staring at me, but no matter how often I look outside, there's no one there.

You're just imagining things.

Hopefully.