I know this chapter is kind of short but hey, I updated within a day! Besides, that just means some serious stuff is gonna happen next chapter :p

Mitch stayed locked in his room after rushing home from the arena. He knew playing battledome was a bad idea. Now he was sitting in a dark corner rocking back and forth while Jerome probably laughed at him from outside. All of his fans would make fun of him, too. Why did he ever leave the safety of his home?

The lava had been placed by Ian, he found out. Jerome had tried to tell him not to but he didn't hear. The bacca didn't want to make it known that Mitch was terrified of lava on camera so he couldn't do much to stop it. After it was placed, Mitch had screamed and jumped to his death out of panic. Had he been thinking he could've grabbed the water bucket in his inventory.

What Jerome was concerned about was that Mitch could smell the burning and feel some pain. The technology of the respawn dome made it so that users felt no pain, maybe a slight sting if they pushed limits and jumped off mountains. Lava was basic though and shouldn't have had any effect. Mitch still hadn't told Jerome about the vivid pain he had felt last time he had "died" to lava in Jerome's respawn dome. That should've been prevented as well, but Mitch could clearly recall the burning and panic he felt. Oddly enough, the only time he was okay was the time when he was actually about to die back in the village- it was a warm blanket then.

Mitch realized he had been shaking violently from thinking about all the times he had nearly died. He sighed and cuddled up against the wall. He felt so alone sometimes, so miserable. Still, he didn't want to talk to anyone. They'd all laugh at him and make fun of his fears. They were silly, weren't they? Who was afraid of lava and steak? He felt so lucky Jerome hadn't abandoned him yet.

"Mitch?" Jerome called, knocking on the door.

"Go away." He moaned quietly. The bacca had tried to check on him a couple of times but he didn't want to hear it.

"We have guests, come downstairs."

Mitch sighed. "Give me a couple minutes." He really didn't need to deal with this right now.

Within moments he had thrown on a new hoodie, combed through his hair, and dried the few tears that had formed under his eyes. He still looked like a mess but less of a mess somehow. Reluctantly, he walked downstairs and tried to appear happy.

"Hey, Ryan! Jordan!" He greeted.

"Hey Mitch!" Ryan said. "Jerome was just telling us how he kicked your butt in battledome a few hours ago."

A shiver rushed down Mitch's spine at the thought of his death. "Yeah, he- he did."

Jordan raised an eyebrow, but he didn't say anything. "So I don't know if Ashley told you since last night, but we got jobs."

"Really?" Jerome asked. "What for?"

"We actually have channels now. Figured since we were... Experienced in the area of fighting that some PVP games could be cool." Ryan explained.

"What did you name yourself?"

"I'm xrmpx13, and he's-" Ryan chuckled. "Captainsparklez."

"CaptainSparklez?" Mitch laughed.

"It was a dare!" Jordan insisted. "Ashley gave me 12 ingots to do it!"

"You got the short end of that stick." Jerome giggled.

Jordan glared. "When I'm famous I'm going to remember this and use my power to kill all of you."

"Whoa there, Captain. Sparkles can't exactly do much-" Mitch couldn't even finish his sentence he was laughing so much. Jordan glared for a moment before joining in, not laughing quite as hard but still smiling.

"I suppose it is pretty stupid, isn't it?" He smiled.

"It will certainly make you memorable." Jerome pointed out. "So, do you guys want to record at some point?"

"Sure." Ryan said. "But what?"

"How about a 2v2 hunger games? Me and my benj vs you two."

"Deal." Jordan said. "Tomorrow at 3, arena 2?"

"It's on." Mitch said. "You are so going to lose."

"You are talking to skilled assassins!" Ryan said.

"You are talking to the kings of the Hunger Games." Jerome replied. "You guys are so dead."

Jordan smirked. "May the odds be ever in your favor..." And with that, the two waved and left.

"They are getting their butts kicked." Jerome confirmed.

Mitch nodded in agreement. "We're the champs around here."

"I bet they don't even know what tributes are."

"Probably aren't aware of death match, either." Mitch joked.

"Biggums, we are so gonna win."

"Indubitably, biggums."

"Indubitably."

Mitch smiled as Jerome left to go prepare some chicken and potatoes for dinner. He was bit calmer now that he had laughed with his friends. He wasn't completely happy and cured, but he was content. Maybe that was all he could manage for one day.

I figured I should just let Mitch have his happy ending for once before I mess with him. Sorry it's so short :( so, how's life going for you guys? I have to write a 10-page paper and I really don't want to. I'm tired and exhausted. Goodnight.

~Scarlett the girl who cannot write a sizable chapter