**Volume 2: Upper World**

  **Chapter 62: Break Between**

  January 3rd, 4:45 p.m. – Dorm Block

  Sky stepped out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped low around his waist — steam still rolling off his shoulders, hair damp and dripping little trails down his neck and back. The dorm felt quieter than it should’ve — most of the group still scattered in the stands or grabbing water between matches. Frosty was on her bunk — knees pulled up, eyes half-closed, breathing slow like she was trying to save energy for whatever came next. Max sat against the wall — shadows curled tight around his ankles like nervous habits. Cam stayed by the window — wolves napping in smoky wisps at his feet. Hiro and Rita hadn’t come back from their fight yet; the cleanup crew was probably still mopping their blood off the stone.

  Sky walked to his locker — pulled out a pair of baggy white pants and a simple blue shirt. He dropped the towel, slipped the pants on first — loose, comfortable, the kind that hung low on his hips but didn’t restrict movement. Then the shirt — soft cotton, short sleeves, nothing fancy. He left it untucked, sleeves rolled once. Knife belt went back on over the pants — familiar weight settling against his hip. He ran a hand through his wet hair, shook it out once, then sat on the edge of the bunk next to Frosty.

  She cracked one eye open — looked him over.

  “Clean clothes. Fancy.”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Sky gave a small huff — almost a laugh.

  “Figured I should at least look alive for the next one.”

  Frosty shifted — winced a little as she moved her side — and leaned her head against his shoulder. He didn’t pull away. Just let her rest there.

  The intercom buzzed — Josh’s voice cutting through the quiet again, tired but clear.

  “Attention, players. Next three matches will run simultaneously in the central triple arena. No delays. Cleanup and lunch break ends in two minutes.”

  The screen lit up — red text scrolling slow.

  **Simultaneous Matches (Central Triple Arena):**

  - Cam vs Max

  - Jessica vs Jamie

  - Jacob vs Jackson

  Sky’s stomach twisted again — tighter this time.

  Max pushed off the wall — stood up slow. Shadows trailed him like smoke.

  “Saw it,” he said, voice rough. “Cam vs me. Right in the middle.”

  Cam turned from the window — eyes hard, wolves stirring awake.

  “We’ll make it quick,” Cam said. “No suffering. No dragging it out.”

  Max looked at him — really looked.

  “You know I’m not holding back.”

  Cam nodded once — slow.

  “Neither am I.”

  Sky stared at the screen — then at Max and Cam.

  Frosty’s hand found his under the blanket they’d pulled over their laps — squeezed once.

  Mara walked in then — Reaper on his back, Mist Sword sheathed, coat still torn. He didn’t sit. Just leaned against the wall near Sky — arms crossed.

  Sky glanced at him.

  “You good?”

  Mara nodded — once.

  “Jane’s last. Means we wait.”

  Sky exhaled through his nose.

  “Yeah.”

  The intercom crackled again.

  “Break over. Matches begin in one minute.”

  Sky stood — looked at the group — what was left of it.

  “We survive today,” he said quiet. “Then we end this. Jane. Ray. Josh. Whoever’s left.”

  Frosty squeezed his hand tighter.

  Max nodded — shadows curling darker.

  Cam pushed off the window frame — wolves rising with him.

  They all walked out — together — toward the central triple arena.

  Sky looked back once — at the dorm room, at the bunks, at the quiet space that had been theirs for a few hours.

  Then he kept walking.

  The chapter ended.

  To be continued…