Episode 16 - Suspicion

— RED TEAM POV —

The Siege rounds had finally ended. 4 teams defeated, 4 teams still standing. The competition becoming harder and harder. At some point, they will have to fight against teams they didn't think they would have to battle against.

– Are you okay, Luna? —asked Zorn, approaching her—.

– Oh… Zorn… yeah. I'm fine… I think so.

– Come on, do you wanna go out and walk for a bit? I think you need some fresh air.

Zorn took Luna's hand to help her get out of bed. She hasn't gone out of the warehouse in a few days. Knowing her team was still alive didn't make her feel any kind of relief, because there were still teams they had to battle to stay alive. Going out of the warehouse, they spotted one of the trees in front of it and sat down with their backs against it. Luna pulled out her cherished book: Sector 4.

– So you still read that book, huh? What does it feel, knowing that what's written in there is real?

– Well… it's hard to believe… I could be in a dream and I don't know… it's a bit confusing.

– Have you ever wondered who's that guy mentioned in the book?… Well, no…

Right then, Ethan appeared along with Necole. Apparently coming back from visiting Regina.

– Hey guys, what's up? —asked Ethan—.

– E-eh ah… —Luna looked away, feeling as if the words were trapped in her throat—.

– We're awesome! —Zorn smiled brightly—.

Ethan carefully looked at Zorn. There was something about him that didn't sit well with him.

– Aren't you hungry? Our food basket arrived. —said Necole—.

– Oh, food! Let's go, Luna?

– A-ah yeah…

Zorn took Luna's hand again and both got up. He side eyed Ethan and, without another word, made his way to the cafeteria with Luna.

– What's wrong with Zorn, Ethan?

– I don't know… I don't feel good about him lately.

– Are you jealous that he's spending too much time with Luna? —she lightly smacked him with her elbow—.

– What are you saying…? Necole, you should know better than anyone…

Luna and Zorn got their basket to the warehouse and divided the portions for everyone. The Red Team was getting along better, they had good chemistry and communication. Luna felt the closest she would ever feel at home in this place, she had 4 people in which she could trust, and even in the Blue Team she had people who supported her. Mainly Elise. She couldn't stop the smile forming on her face. Thinking about all the people around that appreciated her made her forget about the situation they were in. She felt a bit in peace. But that peace never lasted.

While everyone was eating today's food, it didn't take long for that robotic voice to interrupt the harmony.

"All the remaining teams please come to the coliseum immediately. I repeat, all the remaining teams please come to the coliseum immediately."

Everyone looked at each other. Luna just sighed and stood up. "Let's go", was enough to make the others follow her, at the end of the day, Luna was the leader of the Red Team.

When they arrived, they noticed how the other teams were already positioned. Each leader in front of their team.

"Welcome again, and congratulations. We are already halfway through the tournament. I congratulate all of you for being the four remaining teams, there is little left to the end.

But as you know, we need to continue. The mechanics for the next two rounds is Touchdown. It consists on taking the ball that will appear at the center of the map and take it to the enemy's base to get points. You will have to obligatorily carry the ball in your arms. That is why, for these rounds, the weapons will be different: revolvers, daggers and katanas. Same as in Siege, each touchdown will be 5 points and each kill 2 points, for a total of 30 points. If someone takes the ball, the only way to take it away is to kill them. That is all, we wish you luck and we will wait to see who are going to be our finalists.

…

…

…

Before officially ending the announcement, after each round we will give you a hint about the one behind all of this. This round's hint is… this person is among all of you. We hope that you can keep trusting your teams. Until the next round."

These announcements weren't a surprise to anyone anymore. But even so, no one could avoid being perplexed to what was said. It was still difficult to get used to what was happening, and each announcement just made it more surreal.

Luna gulped down nervously. In advance, each team knows against what team they're battling for the next match. This time, it's going to be Red Team versus Blue Team. Just knowing that she has to fight to death against Elise made her nerves stand on end. The horror and despair shown in Luna's eyes was immense. She fell down to her knees, petrified, not knowing what to say. She couldn't turn around to see if Elise had the same expression.

No one knew what to say, no one knew where to look. Now everyone knew that the one behind all of this was amongst them, someone who they have been fighting with all this time. Someone they have been trusting. That someone put all of them in that place. In that moment of silence, a voice raised.

– Eeeeeeeehhhh? Are you telling me that all of this was planned by a kid? How is it possible for a kid to plan something as elaborated as this? Tch. They don't know anything.

Automatically, all the eyes were on Luke. No one knew if he was telling the truth, no one knew if they could trust him. But the fact that he was the only one to talk was suspicious in itself.

— ORANGE TEAM POV —

Hearing Luke caused a great interest to rise in both Alec and Augustus. It seemed that Luke knew more than he was letting on. Everyone wanted to trust their team, and that's why no one talked with anyone, and walked out of the coliseum. In that moment, everyone could be their enemy.

Alec and Augustus stayed outside below of the tree in front of their warehouse.

– You heard what he said? —asked Augustus—.

– Of course I did, who didn't? —he laughed— he's interesting. He apparently knows more than he lets on.

– I've side eyed him sometimes, he goes out at night without telling anyone.

– Oh? That sounds suspicious.

With nothing else to say, Alec and Augustus made their way to Purple Team's warehouse. To their luck, Luke was behind the warehouse, near a wall. It looked like he was talking to someone.

– Hey, you. —shouted Alec—.

Luke was startled. He wasn't expecting anyone to approach him like that, though it was actually to be expected, after what he said at the coliseum. He quickly made his way to them, after doing something with his hands near the wall.

– What's wrong? What do two people from the Orange Team want to do with me?

Without saying anything, Alec took him by the wrist. Luke tried to resist but it was useless. They dragged him to a nearby alleyway.

– What do you want from me?

– We know that you know something, Luke.

– Know what? I don't know what you're talking about, bud.

– Ha. Do you think we haven't been spying on you? What's up with the walls that you often talk to them? Are you crazy or something?

– Maybe I am, you know how being in this place can cause problems.

Alec got tired and took him by the collar of his shirt, slightly lifting him from the ground.

– I'm not here to play, Luke. I know you know more than us about what's happening in this coliseum. Even though you aren't a leader, I know you have invaluable information about this place. Don't worry, this will be a beneficial exchange for both parties, you give us information, I give you information, got it?

Luke couldn't do anything else in this situation but to nod. Alec smiled and released him. They were ready to do the exchange.

TO BE CONTINUED.