Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty Two
Courtney
Once Landon brought back the sweatshirts, I slipped one on, purposefully keeping my shirt and the sweatshirt over the microphone necklace before playing with it through the material like we did in the shower. Luna watches me carefully before doing the same.
Thank God she’s so observant.
Landon and Shane walk a little slower behind us, both wearing sweatshirts as well, despite the warm sun that’s just beginning to set for the night.
“I just thought we needed a walk after all that,” I say loudly.
I don’t know how closely they’re watching all of us, but it seems suspicious to walk together in silence or whispering the whole time. Or maybe I’m just being paranoid.
No. They killed Bella. I can’t prove it, but I know it’s true.
God knows what’s happening to Connor right now.
I was ready to run after him, to help, but Landon gave me a quick shake of his head, and I knew it would be a mistake.
One that could cost me literally everything.
So, as selfish as it felt, I stayed. For myself but mainly for Lily.
Leaning my head against Luna’s shoulder, I loop our arms together to keep us close as I whisper into her ear.
“Don’t stop playing with your microphone and only whisper.”
Her face fills with concern but she nods gently.
I let out a loud sigh before continuing to whisper. “They’re killing us.”
Luna’s spine straightens in an instant, but she has the good sense not to look in my direction as I continue.
“Landon and I found Andrew’s severed head in the woods. Cora somehow left her bunny behind. She wouldn’t do that. Now Bella? I don’t even want to think about what’s happening to Connor right now.”
A heaviness settles between us as Luna’s eyes go wide. I can see her mind racing, and our steps slow. Luna doesn’t speak for several seconds before whispering.
“Wait… what do you mean?” she asks as her eyes meet mine, full of fear. She glances from side to side. “Are you sure?”
“Am I sure that it was Andrew’s head? That Bella’s rope didn’t magically snap apart on its own? Yeah, Luna. I’m very sure.”
“We have to tell someone,” she whispers. “We have to get out of here.”
“And go where?” I ask.
“I don’t know, but… we can’t just sit around and wait to be hunted like fucking animals,” she says, just above a whisper.
I shoot her a nervous look and she softens her voice. “What are we supposed to do?”
I take a deep breath and shake my head. “I don’t know. All I know is that to stay alive, we have to stay in the game. No matter what it takes. Then… I don’t know.”
Luna is quiet for a moment. Our steps carry us further and further from the house until she pauses in the sand.
I hear the boys slow behind us and turn to see Shane wearing a mirrored look of shock.
Looks like Landon caught him up as well.
Now all we have to figure out is how to make it off this island alive.
When we get back to the house, Landon and I don’t speak a word.
Both of us walk straight into the bathroom, turn on the shower and get undressed before climbing in.
The instant that door closes, and the only level of privacy we’re able to have is gifted, I fall apart.
Landon’s arms wrap around me, and I begin to lose it into his chest.
“Shhh,” he whispers. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
His soothing words only make me cry harder. Sobs rack my entire body as I gasp desperately for air.
“I want… Lily. I want… home,” I babble incoherently.
“I know, baby. We’re going to get you to her. We’re going to make it home,” Landon reassures me.
I sink into his embrace, forcing myself as close as humanly possible. He’s the only comfort I feel, the only glimmer of hope I’m able to hold on to.
They’re all dead. I know it. Deep in the pit of my stomach, I know the truth.
Kiera.
Dallas.
Kenzie.
Calvin.
Cora.
Andrew.
Bella.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve already killed Connor.
Who the fuck is next? More importantly, how the hell will any of us come out the other side?
For days, we wait, we watch and we hope to God we aren’t next.
Every morning when Landon and I can speak freely, we discuss options.
But they’re few and far between. There are boats, that’s our best option, but who knows how far we would get…
if we could make it at all. We have to try something, though, right?
“It’s too risky,” Landon argues for the umpteenth time.
I muffle my microphone and let out an aggravated sigh while the water pours down over me.
“We can’t just sit around and wait to be spared, Landon. We have to act before it’s too late.”
“If we act too hastily, it really will be too late. I won’t lose you; I won’t let Lily lose you. We’re sticking to the plan. Smiling for the camera, playing the games—”
“And hoping to God that we don’t get eliminated?”
He shrugs before running a hand through his hair and disrupting his mic. “I don’t know what else to do. I’m just trying to keep us safe.”
“I know.” I rest my head against his chest. “It’s just… what if it’s not enough? What if we win the game and they still kill us?”
Landon smashes his lips together but doesn’t say anything.
I know he’s been operating on this “we have to win” approach, which, don’t get me wrong, is our best bet.
But I can tell he’s thought about the possibility.
That we can win it all and still get taken out.
I guess, for now, we have to play their game for as long is necessary and then run like hell.
The next day, we’re woken up by music playing through the speakers of the bedrooms.
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” echoes through the room, and I open my eyes to see Landon already staring at me. I give him a sleepy smile, and he returns it as his fingers brush through my hair.
“Morning,” I murmur.
“You’re so beautiful in the mornings,” he says, almost like he’s lost in thought. “You’re beautiful all the time, but seeing you like this is my favorite.”
A cheesy grin takes over my face. “You’re being sweet. What’s the occasion?”
He lets out a huff and shakes his head. “Life is just short. I’m drinking in the moments… I just don’t want you to go a single second without knowing how I feel about you. How you’ve changed me.”
My smile fades as my mood instantly dims. I don’t want to know where his head is at right now.
I’m actively trying to avoid those thoughts myself.
I refuse to believe that our fate is death or more death.
There has to be a third option, there’s always a plan B, or plan C, or something until we’ve gone through the whole goddamn alphabet. There’s always a way.
A knock sounds on our bedroom door, and my stomach drops when Julia opens it and pokes her head in.
“We need you dressed and outside in less than thirty.”
No explanation, no elaboration. In and out, then she’s knocking on the next door.
Nerves begin to fill me, and my stomach twists before I’m leaping out of bed and running for the bathroom.
My stomach empties what little it had in it as I retch and gag.
I don’t know if I can go on. The anxiety and stress alone will take me out, I swear.
Landon comes into the bathroom, rubbing my back in soothing circles as I finish heaving. I look to him with watery eyes, and he gives me a sympathetic nod.
“Get it out now. Whatever they have in store for us, we need to be prepared.”
“I know,” I reply before taking a deep breath. “I’m good.”
Landon grabs a towel and wipes my mouth with it before placing a kiss on my forehead.
We both get ready quickly and are walking out to the patio exactly twenty-eight minutes later.
The other couples are already there, and we take a seat by Shane and Luna just as Alex comes sauntering from, yet again, nowhere.
I have a feeling there are these hidden areas, like that interrogation room I was taken to, all over this place. It looks so massive on the outside, but I guarantee you it’s so much bigger on the inside.
“Hey, lovers! Hope you’ve all been relaxing in the sun. Today, we thought we’d keep things light and fun with a game!”
Whatever kind of game they have in mind, I guarantee it’s not my idea of fun.
“Communication is key in any relationship. You need to know your partner better than you know yourself. Understand what they need and communicate without a single word.”
“We’re not playing something stupid like charades, are we?” Savannah interrupts.
Honestly, I’m amazed by the balls of this woman.
Then I realize she probably hasn’t picked up on what’s going on. In her mind, Bella falling was probably a freak accident and everyone else is safe and sound back home. Oh, how I wish that were the truth.
“Sharp one you got there, Noah.” Alex smiles tightly before turning back to the group. “We are playing charades, Locked In edition.”
See? I knew I wouldn’t like this.
Julia explains that each couple has their own charades cards and they must try to get through as many as possible in ninety seconds.
Each correct answer gives one point, and the couple with the most points win.
This time, though, there’s no bottom two, the couple in last place is automatically disqualified.
Luna and I share nervous glances as Landon sets his hand on my knee to stop it bouncing nervously. It’s good and bad. Less chances of being sent home, and yet no safety net of maybe getting lucky. It’s all or nothing now.
Luna and Shane are up first and are handed their deck of cards. Shane decides to be the actor while Luna guesses.
The instant the clock starts, Shane looks at his first card, gets on his knees, opens his mouth and bobs his head back and forth. He can’t make noises, but if he could, I guarantee he would be gagging.
“Sucking a dick?” she guesses.
Shane nods at her enthusiastically and gestures for her to continue.
“Uh, cocksucker. Blow job.”
Shane gives her a thumbs up and goes on to the next one.