With their first real break from the intensity of the games, Samantha and Leo decided to spend their day exploring the facilities the campus had to offer—and to finally buy some much-needed clothing and other essentials. Although they were still in a game designed for the government's profit, the layout was designed to make them feel almost as if they were on vacation rather than contestants in a ruthless competition.
After a short walk, they arrived at the campus's sprawling mall. The atmosphere was almost surreal—bright lights, well-stocked shelves, and even background music. As they made their way through the aisles, Leo caught glimpses of high-end stores, snack kiosks, and even a fully equipped movie theater at the far end of the mall. He couldn't help but think it was all an elaborate facade, a glittering playground masking the harsh reality of their situation.
The guards were everywhere, stationed strategically around the mall. It was clear they were not just here to keep order but also to ensure that no fights broke out between contestants. Leo noticed one particularly burly guard give him and Samantha a long, assessing look as they passed, and he quickly looked away.
Their first stop was a clothing store where they picked out simple, comfortable essentials: T-shirts, trousers, socks, and—much to Samantha's relief— new bras and some underwear. She picked up a plain black bra, though her fingers lingered over a few more luxurious-looking ones for a moment. Leo noticed and raised an eyebrow, unable to hide a grin.
"Looking for something fancy?" he teased, nudging her lightly.
She smirked, giving him a quick nudge back. "In your dreams, kid," she shot back, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
After picking up their clothes, they continued wandering around the mall, taking in the odd assortment of luxury and basic goods on offer. To their surprise, even things like jewelry and luxury perfumes were available, although they were far beyond their current budget. Leo also noticed a box of condoms on a shelf.
They continued to make their way around, checking out a few more stores, and eventually stopped at a small café for lunch. As they were seated, Samantha noticed a familiar figure across the food court: Anton, the muscular player who had caused trouble for them on the first day, was lounging at a table with his partner and Zara, one of the more competitive contestants. They were clinking glasses of what looked like expensive alcohol, clearly relishing their day off.
"Let's avoid them," Samantha muttered under her breath, her expression tense.
Leo nodded, casting a wary glance at Anton. "Agreed. Let's not ruin a perfectly good day."
They focused on their lunch, deliberately ignoring the other group, and then made their way back to their room, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. After tallying up their expenses, they were down to only 300 points. The shopping had been necessary, but every point now felt like a small fortune. They were about to relax when their wrist devices vibrated, displaying a new notification.
Leo glanced down and read aloud, "Five pairs eliminated. They are no longer a part of the game and have been transferred to prison."
Samantha's face hardened, her gaze dropping to the device. "Lifetime prison… all for failing these twisted games."
"They don't play around," Leo said quietly, the gravity of their situation sinking in once again. The game might feel like a strange blend of reality TV and adventure, but the consequences for failure were as real as it got.
They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of the announcement lingering between them. Samantha broke the silence with a sigh, stretching her arms above her head. "Well, there's nothing we can do about it now. We just have to keep going."
Leo nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on the wall, his mind racing with thoughts of what awaited them in the next round. "Yeah… and I guess we need to stay one step ahead."
They decided to call it an early night, given the uncertain days that lay ahead. As they lay in bed, the reality of being in close quarters struck Leo once again. With the single bed and Samantha lying so close, he could feel the warmth radiating from her, her scent soft yet alluring. He turned slightly, glancing at her relaxed face, framed by her hair. It wasn't often he got to see her in such a calm state, and he found himself appreciating it more than he cared to admit.
Samantha seemed to sense his gaze and looked over, raising an eyebrow. "Don't get any ideas," she murmured.
Leo grinned, rolling his eyes. "Please, you're the one taking up all the bed space."
She snorted, giving him a light push. "Deal with it, kid."
The playful exchange helped lighten the mood, and soon, the two settled into a comfortable silence, both of them secretly grateful for the brief moment of peace before whatever came next.