Her hands, in an effort made to kill, wrapped around the girls throat with a maddening grip. I could only tell because redness began to emerge from below her fingers.

Veronica’s nails dug into her neck as she did, causing Kristi to let out a gasped groan. She couldn’t speak, and I knew it well.

I didn’t know what to do. What could I have done? Sam was standing there behind Veronica, orchestrating her every move.

But then, Danika walked from behind the wall. “Get off of her!” She yelled, slashing something out from behind her. Sam moved out of the way, but Veronica stayed.

She stabbed through her spine, blood splashing out onto her hands. I finally got a look at what she was holding as she pulled it out.

It was long and off white, sharp at the end but rounded where Danika held it against her fingers. It looked similar to a rib.

Danika pushed Veronica aside, as she squelched and gasped for her remaining breaths.

“Subject 7-2, Veronica, has been eliminated.”

But, taking one singular look at Kristi, something was off. She held her stomach tightly, moving her body up against the wall behind her.

“Kristi.. I was worried sick about where you were. Both of you!” Danika’s voice began as relieved, but turned to one of concern as she trailed off.

She began to walk toward Kristi. “You okay?” Placing down the rib next to her, she knelt down to where she was. Kristi’s grip on her stomach never faltered.

“I’m okay. Don’t worry.”

Danika raised an eyebrow, beginning to pry through her hands. As her grip released, Danika gasped.

When she had stabbed through Veronica, she had apparently prodded through Kristi as well.

“I said I’m fine.”

Clearly, she wasn’t. She began to blink repeatedly over and over, rubbing her eyes. Her hands returned back to her stomach, clenching it tightly.

With a sigh, Kristi put her head back. “Just go. Two people have already been killed. The requirement is done. If I continue or not wont matter. In this state, I’m going to die. I’m going to die here. If you stay, I won’t die alone, but someone will die with me. I don’t want that. You both deserve the opportunity to go on. To get a chance.”

A small smile perked up on her lips. “I won’t mind dying in eighth place. They’ll remember me for trying.”

I shook my head. “I won’t leave you here. Danika, go. Go win for us.” Kristi pulled an arm out, extending to reach to mine.

“..Okay.” She nodded, wiping at the tears forming in the bottom of her eyelids. “Okay.”

Danika stood up from the floor, beginning to walk away. Stopping in her tracks, she gave us a last glance, a smile appearing in had face similar to Kristi’s.

Our fingers intertwined as I sat down next to her. “Thank you. Truly, Hayden. You didn’t have to do this.” I began to stroke the top of her hand.

“It was the least I could do.” I whispered. Her head fell a bit more back, and the much awaited announcement came.

“Subject 2-1, Kristi, has been eliminated.”

I sighed lightly, eyes tracking down to the rib. I sat up, never letting our fingers let goo. Once my fingers gripped it, I led it up to my throat. I heard the doors close from the arena.

Trailing it slowly over the skin of my neck, I attempted to ignore the pain it caused. At least here, I would die easier.

I dropped it, scooting closer to Kristi. With my final ounce of strength, I reached my other hand up to shut her eyelids.

“Subject 9-2, Hayden, has been eliminated.”