The shrill ring of an alarm echoed through the cold, sterile halls, jolting Samantha from sleep. She took a deep breath, remembering where she was—this was not her familiar room, but the competition room shared with Leo, her new partner in this fight for freedom. She turned over to see him, still fast asleep, sprawled across half the bed. His youthful, almost innocent face in slumber contrasted sharply with the steely determination she'd sensed in him the night before.
The alarm cut off abruptly, followed by a calm, authoritative voice over the intercom. "Good morning, competitors. Please prepare yourselves for the day. Breakfast is available outside your doors."
Samantha nudged Leo's shoulder. "Time to wake up. Breakfast is waiting."
He blinked sleepily, slowly coming to as he processed her words. "Breakfast?" he muttered. "Thought they'd be starving us…"
Samantha smirked. "Maybe they just want us to survive until the first game."
Leo laughed, then sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Guess they don't want us passing out on national TV."
Samantha went over to the small door where their food had been dropped off. She returned with two trays and handed one to Leo. The portions were small—a piece of bread, a hard-boiled egg, and a thin slice of ham—but both of them were thankful. Neither had eaten much recently, and they needed their strength.
After breakfast, Samantha stood, stretching slightly before glancing toward the washroom door. "I'll get ready first."
She gathered her belongings and entered the washroom, grateful to see there were no cameras in the confined space. She took a quick shower, letting the warm water wash away some of the tension from her body. As she dried off and got dressed, she could hear Leo humming softly outside, the sound barely audible through the door. She couldn't help but wonder how much she could rely on him in this twisted competition.
When she emerged, dressed in a simple, fitted shirt and jeans, Leo whistled lightly. "Looking like you're ready to take on the world."
Samantha shot him a look. "Just staying practical. Your turn."
Leo grinned, grabbing his bag and heading into the washroom. As he passed her, she couldn't help but notice his physique, lean but well-defined. Shaking her head, she pushed away the thought—this was not the time to get distracted.
A few minutes later, Leo emerged, freshened up and in a snug black shirt that emphasized his lean, athletic build. He ran a hand through his damp hair and looked at her with serious eyes. "Samantha," he started, his voice lower and more earnest. "I know this game isn't a joke. I want to win… and I need your support to do that."
She looked at him, caught slightly off guard by the rawness in his tone. "And why do you need to win so badly?" she asked, keeping her voice even.
Leo hesitated, as if struggling to find the words. "My little sister," he began. "She's sick. Really sick. Our parents died in a car accident a few years ago, and she's all I have left. I need the money… to save her."
Samantha's gaze softened as she took in his words, feeling the depth of his desperation. There was a raw, earnest pain in his eyes, a glimpse into the burden he carried. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to fully trust him just yet. She knew too well how quickly alliances could turn.
After a long pause, she nodded. "Alright, Leo. I'll help you."
Leo sighed with relief, his gratitude clear. "Thank you. I mean it."
Samantha merely gave him a small smile, hiding her true thoughts. While she'd agreed to support him, she wasn't about to reveal her own reasons for being here. Trust was a dangerous game, and she intended to keep her cards close to her chest.
Leo shifted closer, his hand resting on her shoulder in a moment of silent thanks. But as he pulled back, his hand brushed against her arm, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. She dismissed the feeling as quickly as it came, focusing instead on what lay ahead.
The moment was interrupted by the loud blare of the intercom. "All competitors, please assemble in the main hall. The first game is about to begin."
Samantha shot Leo a final look, her expression resolute. "Let's go."
They left the room together, both aware that whatever was waiting in the main hall could change everything. The real test was about to start, and neither of them could afford to fail.