The Mating Run by Leeka

In His Eyes: Mark
Zeke's POV
The game’s almost over.
I can tell because the siren hasn't stopped blaring, announcing the death of more
contenders. Just in time too, considering we've been here longer than we
intended. The contest must have been a hit with the audience this time around,
considering how it went on for such a prolonged period.
Glancing over at Alina, I am greeted by the sight of the morning sun stretching
across the sky, casting a vibrant palette of orange and pink. Her gaze remained
fixed on the window as she sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. Her mind
is still a mess of forgotten memories, but when our eyes meet, I feel a comforting
warmth — we've come so far.
“I'm heading out to catch some food,” I tell her, feeling the weight of my backpack
on my shoulders. Alina looks up, her eyes filled with tenderness. “Anything you
want me to find?”
“Nothing,” Her voice, gentle and soothing, resonates as she speaks. I nod,
feeling a warm sense of appreciation for the genuine concern in her words. Our
connection has deepened despite the difficulties posed by her memory loss, and
there's a gentle affection between us. “Just be careful, Zeke,”
The morning light illuminates her features as she gracefully steps closer, creating
an ethereal aura around her. In her presence, I am suddenly overwhelmed by a
surge of affection, feeling a warmth spread through my entire being. With a
gentle touch, I wrap my hand around her neck and plant a swift kiss on her
forehead. Stepping back, her smile meets mine, and she leans up on her tiptoes
to plant a swift, tender kiss on my lips.
The touch lingers, leaving behind a lingering warmth and a sense of connection.
17
Her eyes meet mine again, and the unspunem...
unbroken, even if her memories fade. Every shared moment weaves a new
tapestry, connecting the fragments of her memory.
a
“I'll be back soon,” With my hand lightly brushing against hers, I reassure her,
hoping to convey my sincerity. There’s an unspoken promise in that touch
promise to return, to continue building a future together. “Don’t worry.”
Stepping outside, I am greeted by a refreshing gust of crisp air, invigorating my
senses. The forest beckons with the melodic chirping of birds and the earthy
scent of moss and pine. With each step I take deeper into the woods, the rustle
of leaves grows louder, and the distant calls of birds echo through the trees,
creating a serene ambiance.
As I make my way to the river, the sound of rushing water fills the air, heightening
my senses and reminding me to stay alert with my knife in hand. As the Matin
Run draws to a close, it's always a smart move to anticipate what lies ahead. It's
during the final moments of the game that a wave of aggression takes over
everyone. Making it to the river unscathed, I feel a sigh of relief escape my lips,
bringing a momentary sense of peace.
Casting my net into the river, I feel the cool water slip between my fingers as I
wait patiently. From my vantage point on a nearby rock, I observe the tranquil
water flow, its gentle rhythm lulling me into a state of relaxation. As the sun
ascends in the sky, it creates a mesmerizing play of light and shadow on the
riverbank. With a satisfying catch secured, I make my way back to the cabin, a
sense of
accomplishment and anticipation building as I think about sharing the meal with
Alina.
The twisting paths lead me deeper into the dense forest, where the sounds of
rustling leaves and chirping birds surround me. Behind the towering trees, the
setting sun creates a beautiful display of long shadows that stretch across my
path. Each time the leaves rustle, a shiver runs down my spine, causing me to
clutch my knife tighter.
An unsettling tension hangs in the thick air, and I can’t escape the sensation of
unseen eyes scrutinizing my every step. With my senses heightened, I moved
cautiously, acutely aware of the crunching sound of fallen leaves beneath my
boots.
217
In the Everd Mark
Despite my countless journeys through this forest, tonight there is an
indescribable sense of foreboding that I can't quite shake.
The canopy above created a dim, eerie twilight on the forest floor as slivers of
fading daylight struggled to filter through. My mind becomes a playground for
shadows, fueling my paranola and constant feeling of being watched.
In the distance, a siren’s wail shatters the tranquility as I near a clearing.
“A whole lot today, huh?” Shaking my head, I mutter under my breath in
frustration. “You really want this game to end now, don’t you?”
Ignoring the unsettling sound, I clenched my teeth in determination. I scan the
surroundings, my eyes darting back and forth, alert for any signs of movement.
Hearing the flicker of shadows and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot sends
a thrill through my body. Each step I take through these woods reminds me of the
potential threat that lies within, a reminder to stay vigilant and cautious.
My steps become faster, my knuckles turning white as my grip on the knife grows
tighter. The sensation of being watched intensifies as I can almost feel the eyes
on me, analyzing and evaluating my every move. The person watching me is
incredibly patient, carefully waiting for the perfect moment to make their move.
In the darkness, a branch snaps with a loud echo, causing me to freeze.
Stopping abruptly, I feel my hand involuntarily grip the hilt of the knife, ready for
any danger. I'm not alone. As the realization settles, a tense atmosphere fills the
air, and I steel myself for the inevitable confrontation.
“Who's there?”
I call out, my voice reverberating across the vast stillness.
Nothing.
Huh.
I could see our cabin door looming before me, and the thought of returning inside
filled me with relief. Alina catches my ove from the window
In His Eyes Mark
fixed on me. Her smile is so big and bright that it instantly lights up her face as
she waves at me. I can't help but smile back, raising my hand to wave in
response.
Suddenly, the tranquil night air is shattered by a burst of chaos. In an instant, the
peaceful atmosphere shattered, drowned out by the thunderous sound of feet
pounding against the ground and a frantic, piercing shout. The tension in my
muscles tightens, and I'm propelled forward by pure instinct, my heightened
senses. scanning the surroundings. I steal a quick glance over my shoulder, but
the danger had already caught up to me.
A figure, appearing suddenly from the shadows, ran with a frenzied and ominous
energy. Something's not right, and the cabin door feels like a million miles away.
Before I have time to respond, something collides with great force against my
back, jolting me forward. The force of the impact sends a wave of pain coursing
through me, making it difficult to stay steady on my feet.
I feel a tightening grip around my throat, fingers pressing into my skin with an
almost painful intensity. Each punch lands with a force that knocks the wind out
of me, leaving me struggling to breathe. Panic claws at the edges of my
consciousness, but the adrenaline rush sharpens my senses. With a surge of
adrenaline, I summon a burst of desperate strength to pry myself loose from the
suffocating grip.
Facing my assailant, the world around me becomes a blur, my focus solely on
the threat in front of me. Only when I catch a glimpse of her eyes, wild and
deranged, do I suddenly realize the horrifying truth.
I know her well — her striking blonde hair and captivating green eyes make her
hard to forget. She quickly became the favorite, and I had a feeling right from the
beginning that the majority of the screentime would revolve around her. But now
Ettie’s face twists into a grotesque expression, contorting her features. The girl I
once knew as Alina’s best friend now appears unrecognizable — a chaotic,
ethereal incarnation of her former self. Her face is illuminated by the eerie glow of
the moonlight, and her vacant, haunted eyes send a shiver down my spine.
With haste, I rise to my feet, the tightness of frustration gripping my chest. Fueled
by a madness that defies explanation, Ettie lunges at me with a manic intensity,
her movements quick and unpredictable. With a desperate rush of
adrenaline, I stumble backwards, my hands flailing in a futile effort to defend
against the impending threat.
“Crazy bitch, I don’t want to hurt you!”
Desperation tinged my plea, as the words escaped my lips. But Ettie is beyond
reason, a mere shadow of her former self. With a frenetic determination, she
moved erratically, her body tense and ready to eliminate the perceived threat
before her.
As we grapple in the moonlit forest, I catch a glimpse of the wound on Ettie’s
neck — a grotesque gash that oozes with infection. The sight is enough to make
me feel sick to my stomach, and the foul odor only adds to the revulsion I feel. It's
as if
omeone had tried to leave a mark on her, but she fought back with such intensity
that she was left marked in a completely unexpected way.
“Where is she?!” With a voice that resembles that of a madwoman, the bitch lets
out piercing screams while anxiously glancing in all directions. It suddenly dawns
on me that she’s searching for Alina, likely able to detect her scent on me.“Where
did you hide her? Give her back! She’s mine! MINE!”
“Erk ofl”
With a surge of strength, I push myself further away from them, creating a safe
distance. The pounding of my heart in my chest intensifies as I realize that the
only way to stop Ettie is to render her immobile. As I scan the forest, my senses
heightened, I can’t help but feel the weight of the imminent danger looming
before me. My mind races, desperately seeking a makeshift weapon to defend
myself.
“Crazy ass bitch, just listen to me!”
Filled with a mix of desperation and anger, I implored, my voice strained and
urgent. Ettie’s response to my presence is to scream back, completely
disregarding my existence.
“Give her back to me!”
And just when I thought the situation couldn’t deteriorate any further, it proceeded
to do exactly that. Alina, with wild eyes and unwavering determination,
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18:41 Mon, 11 Mar 20
In this Eyes Mark
bolts out of our cabin, her feet thundering against the forest floor. A surge of
panic overwhelms me, my body instinctively reacting to the fear 1 feel for her
safety.
“Alina, go back inside! It's not safe!”
Alina, on the other hand, refuses to comply with my request, her unyielding gaze
fixing upon me.
“Don't tell me what to f**king do, Zeke!”
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Her retort resonates with a defiance
that matches the wild, untamed
energy of the night. Her eyes hold a
peculiar determination as she
purposefully changes direction,
heading towards Ettie. Instead of
being angry, her retort ignited a
different kind of desire within me, but
now was not the appropriate
moment for such feelings. The
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My heart races, a mix of fear and
confusion pumping through my

x 5 , 5 :
veins. Alina’s actions go against all
rationality and common sense.
Instead of retreating to safety, she
boldly steps forward to confront the
unpredictable force embodied by
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chapter there!
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
In the dim moonlight, Alina swiftly
tears a strip of fabric from her top,
the sound of the fabric ripping
echoing through the stillness. With
swift determination, Alina charges
towards Ettie, the wind rushing past
her as she moves. Without a
moment's hesitation, Alina applies

Se )

pressure to the wound on Ettie’s neck
with the improvised bandage. The
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the latest chapter there!
As Ettie turns to Alina, her arms reach out, almost encircling her in a warm
embrace. The crazy bitch’s eyes welled up with tears, but I refused to release my
grip on the knife, despite the fish lying forgotten on the floor.
Without taking my eyes off Ettie’s, I made another attempt to call out for Alina.
“Alina-"
“Shut up, Zeke.” Alina’s words were punctuated by the sudden motion of her
hand, striking Ettie with a resounding slap. In surprise, both Ettie and I widen our
eyes simultaneously. “Stop moving, you're bleeding!”
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In His Eyes Mark
Ettie’s body quivers, and then she loses consciousness seconds after.