The game began with a sharp buzz, signaling the countdown. Instantly, the once-silent arena transformed into an echo of footsteps, whispers, and the occasional click of a weapon being loaded. Leo and Samantha moved cautiously, staying close to the walls and checking around corners as they entered each new hallway.
Leo took the lead, his stance confident as he scanned the area, gun at the ready. Samantha had to admit, for his age, he had impressive accuracy. They hadn't gone more than ten minutes when they encountered their first pair. Leo raised his weapon, barely hesitating before firing off two precise shots. Both opponents stumbled backward, hit and rendered unconscious, their watches lighting up in bright red as their elimination was registered.
Samantha gave him an impressed nod. "Not bad," she whispered. "You're a natural."
Leo grinned, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "I used to play shooting games all the time with my sister. Guess all those hours paid off."
They continued moving, keeping their profile low. Each time they heard footsteps approaching, they quickly retreated, slipping behind corners or ducking behind crates to avoid attention. Their strategy was working well—Leo's accuracy and Samantha's quick thinking made them a solid team, allowing them to stay ahead of the game.
About 40 minutes in, the tension in the arena was palpable. They'd seen several other pairs taken out, and it was clear that most of the remaining players had resorted to hiding, hoping the timer would simply run out. But Leo and Samantha weren't about to wait passively; they'd eliminated two pairs already, and Leo wanted to make sure they stayed near the top of the rankings.
Just then, they heard a familiar voice echo down the corridor.
"Hey, kid! I know you're in here somewhere. Why don't you come out and face me like a man?"
It was the muscular guy they'd confronted earlier, and his voice was loud, taunting, meant to draw them out. Leo clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing.
Samantha grabbed his arm and pulled him into a small closet at the side of the corridor. It was cramped, barely enough room for one person, but they squeezed in together, the narrow space forcing them close. Leo shifted uncomfortably, suddenly aware of how close Samantha's body was to his. Her chest pressed lightly against him, her warm breath against his neck as she whispered instructions.
"Keep your breathing quiet," she murmured. "He's just trying to bait us out. If we stay hidden, he'll move on."
Leo nodded, his heart racing. He could hear the muscular man's footsteps growing louder, approaching their hiding spot. Samantha's hand rested on his shoulder, keeping him steady. Her presence was comforting but distracting. He could feel her warmth, and every time she shifted even slightly, he became acutely aware of the closeness between them.
The footsteps stopped just outside the closet, and they both held their breath. They could hear the man muttering to his partner. "He's around here somewhere. Just wait until I get my hands on that little punk."
Samantha's fingers tightened on Leo's shoulder as if to reassure him. Leo's pulse hammered in his chest. All he could think about was the thin barrier between them and the man hunting them, and Samantha's body pressed close to his, their breaths mingling in the small space.
After what felt like an eternity, the footsteps finally receded. The muscular man and his partner moved down the corridor, the sound of their voices fading as they continued their search elsewhere.
Samantha exhaled, relaxing slightly. She glanced down at Leo, and for a brief moment, their eyes met in the dim light of the closet. She gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Looks like we dodged that bullet," she whispered.
Leo returned her smile, feeling a surge of relief—and something else, something harder to define. He couldn't deny the thrill of working as a team with her, the way her presence seemed to sharpen his focus and keep him grounded.
When they finally stepped out of the closet, Leo took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. "That was… close."
Samantha chuckled softly, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You held up well. Now let's keep moving. We only have about 20 minutes left, and we need to stay out of sight."
As they moved on, Leo's mind replayed the close encounter. They continued through the maze-like corridors of the building, remaining vigilant, with Leo leading the way and Samantha providing support.
In the distance, they heard other players, the muffled sounds of shots and hurried footsteps. The muscular man was still out there, but for now, they had escaped his attention. They just needed to survive the final stretch.