Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with the WWE. Just any OCs! I also don't own Kevin. He belongs to Seth Rollins.

Summary: After a car accident leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere, the members of the Shield find themselves wrapped up in a deadly game where no one can be trusted but each other. But there is one catch– the game is intended for only one winner, and to lose is to die.

Author's Note: Hey, guys! Wow, I really appreciate all the reviews this story's been getting! They really mean a lot to me! Unfortunately, my school schedule has yet to slow down, and it'll even be picking up more in the next couple weeks. But then, I graduate, so college work will stop kicking my butt very soon. So, hopefully, my updates will be a bit quicker as well. Thank you for your continued patience with m! Um, I was actually sick in bed all day yesterday (perfect timing too, right before the holidays :P), and that's when I got this chapter finished. So, after that evil cliffhanger, I hope you all enjoy! :)

Chapter 12

Dean stared down at Seth's limp form with wide eyes. He had been right there the whole time. How could he have stopped breathing? He anxiously shook the younger man again with more force. "Seth! Seth!"

When he got no response out of his friend, Dean quickly looked over his shoulder at the trees around them. "Roman!" he yelled, detesting how his voice seemed to not carry far enough for the other man to hear. "Roman! Help me! It's Seth! He needs help! Roman!"

He heatedly cursed under his breath when he didn't get a response. How could he not be heard? He couldn't shout any louder than he already was. "Roman!" Still not getting any answer, he lowered his gaze back to his younger friend, shaking him a couple more times.

"Seth, come on," he murmured, his voice cracking slightly. "Seth, please... don't be dead... Come on, man, just breathe... Damn it! Breathe!"

But no matter how much he shook him, no matter how much he pleaded, he wasn't rewarded with a response.

Then, Dean paused when he felt something warm beneath his hand, and he slowly lifted it from Seth's chest. His heart nearly stopped. In the thin traces of moonlight filtering through the thick clouds, he was able to see traces of deep crimson staining his fingers. Resting heavily in his other hand was the handgun he had stolen. His gun.

"No... no!" Dean quickly looked back into Seth's expressionless face, seeing that his eyes were open and unseeing, and they had also seemed to land directly on him. In them was silent accusation.

"I... I didn't..." Dean tossed his gun away from him, not realizing that tears were filling his eyes until they began to blur his vision. He tried to blink them away as a few fell before he stumbled back away from the other man, his breathing quick as he leaned back on his arms on the hard ground to look back at him. "Seth, I... I didn't kill you..."

His friend offered no answer other than the stare that ripped right through him. It was that blank stare that told him everything.

I killed him.

It was the only thought on Dean's mind as his body started to tremble. More tears formed in his light eyes.

I killed him.

It was a thought that haunted him, that shook him to his very core. He had done this to one of his closest friends.

Dean turned away from Seth's body and covered his head with his hands, tearing at his hair as he was unable to stop the scream that escaped from him.

Roman felt his head starting to droop forward onto his chest before he quickly lifted it again, rubbing his exhausted eyes. The forest was almost completely dark around him now, the only minimal light provided by the slight traces of moonlight that managed to slip through the lush branches above. All had been quiet since the sun had set, and he was almost willing to bet that the search parties had stopped for the night and would restart with a vengeance as soon as morning came. Or that was just how the townspeople wanted it to appear. Either way, they would have to be moving by then in order to avoid them, he knew.

The oldest member of The Shield winced slightly as he stretched his legs out in front of him once more, his body stiff from sitting in one spot for so long. There had been a couple times where he had considered allowing himself to sleep with how still everything was, but in the back of his mind, something told him that nothing good could come from letting his guard down. There was always a chance someone would be around to find them. He rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh before attempting to roll it out a bit. Dean was supposed to come relieve him from his post some time ago, and he was getting a bit concerned about why he hadn't seen him yet. His watch wasn't supposed to have lasted that long.

But then, Roman looked around anxiously when he heard a panicked yell coming from the top of the cliff where his two friends were supposed to be resting. Realizing it sounded like the man in question, he tightened his hold on his gun before he pushed himself to his feet. He had to pause when his sore back protested to the action, leaning a bit hunched over against the tree he had been sitting by before he straightened up when another scream reached his ears. Wondering what could possibly be happening, he raced up the twisting dirt path with his weapon ready to the top of the cliff. He paused when he saw that Dean was lying on his stomach on the ground, his head buried under his hands, and that Seth was kneeling beside him, looking at his friend with concern.

"What's going on?" Roman asked as he jogged over, crouching down beside them.

Seth raised his dark gaze to the older man. "I don't know," he answered quietly with a slight shake of his head. "I woke up when Dean started screaming..."

Roman let out a quiet breath before he reached out and shook Dean. "Hey, wake up, Ambrose!" he said, raising his voice a bit so he could hopefully be heard. "You're dreaming, man..."

As soon as he felt his hand on his back, Dean flinched as though he had been struck and rolled away from him, his light eyes snapping open as he looked around frantically. "S-Seth..." he mumbled, his breathing quick. "I... I killed him..."

Seth glanced over at Roman, hints of worry crossing his face. "Dean... I'm right here..." he tried to assure him.

However, Dean seemed not to hear him as he pushed himself away from the two men, staggering over to the edge of the cliff. His breathing was quick and his heart was racing as his gaze swept over the dark trees spread out beneath him to the mountains that loomed ominously in the distance. A light breeze brushed against his damp cheek, and he passed a hand over his sweat-drenched face as he crouched down and hung his head. He let out a low breath of relief. A dream. It had only been a dream...

But he knew he wouldn't be able to get the image of Seth's pale face and blank stare, filled with accusation, out of his mind.

Roman watched the younger man for a moment, his gaze faltering as he put his gun away. Worry was still clearly seen in Seth's paler features, and he let out a sigh before he started to push himself to his feet.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" Roman asked, setting a hand on his arm when he saw him wince as he straightened up completely.

Seth took a minute to calm his breathing before he sent a small smile his way. "I'm gonna try to talk to him," he answered in a quiet voice. "I might be able to get through."

"You sure you should be up and about?" Roman pressed, clearly remembering the earlier scare where his friend's ribs had caused him to stop breathing. It was something he didn't want repeated.

"I'll have to be up and about once morning comes anyway," Seth reminded him with a slight shrug. "I don't see how this makes too much of a difference."

Roman studied the other man, lightly worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. He could see how weak Seth was, even though he was trying not to show it. The earlier incident had been detrimental to his ailing health, but he had a point. They would have to get him moving around soon anyway. He slowly nodded, and the younger man's smile broadened slightly before he gritted his teeth and slowly made his way over to their third companion.

"Dean?"

The man in question heard his quiet tone, but he didn't acknowledge it or even turn to look at him.

Sighing with frustration, Seth took a few steps closer before he reached down and set a light hand on his shoulder. He was alarmed to feel how tense he was as he flinched slightly away from him. "Dean, it's just me," he tried again. "Come on, man, what's going on?"

An agonizingly long moment passed before Dean slowly turned his head to look up at him, and the younger man was startled to see faint hints of unshed tears in his eyes. "I don't know what's happening to me, Seth," he said in a voice hardly above a whisper. "I just..." He sighed when his sentence trailed off, his uncertainty clear as he shook his head slightly. "Jim may have been right... I'm losing myself..."

Seth's dark gaze faltered as he looked back at his friend before he turned to see that Roman had stepped closer to hear him. "No, you're not," the former tried to assure him, tightening his hold on his shoulder slightly. "Dean, listen. We're all under pressure here, but..."

"No!" Dean's voice rose slightly as he met his gaze. "You don't understand, Seth... Today, I had to watch you while you weren't able to breathe. I thought... I mean, you could have died if it went long enough..."

"But I didn't," Seth told him firmly. "I'm fine." He briefly paused. "Well, at least as okay as I can be... Regardless, nothing came of it, and that was because of you. You helped me."

Dean didn't respond immediately. When he did, however, his voice had dropped again and was beginning to tremble. "It was still my fault... I could have killed you..."

Seth arched an eyebrow. "Your fault?" he repeated in disbelief. "What makes you think that? I was the one who kept climbing when I should have taken a break."

A low, shuddering breath passed through Dean's lips. "This morning... at the river..." he began.

The younger man nodded once in understanding as he slowly knelt beside him with a slight wince. It seemed like his friend still had yet to let that go. "Dean, that was my choice to make," he replied. "I wouldn't have pulled you out if I didn't think I could."

"But the fact that you had to..." Dean paused, shaking his head slightly. "You're still suffering because of it."

Seth couldn't argue that point. The physical energy it had taken to pull his friend from the powerful rapids had caused his ribs to act up more than they had been before, and he was sure that he had strained something further than it should have been. Something didn't feel right in his abdomen– something felt loose, which was the best way he could describe it. Painful as well, but he was always in pain.

"It was still my own decision," he finally muttered. "And something I don't regret doing."

Dean didn't seem to have a response for that. "I've been pushing you more than I should be," he continued, his eyes lingering on the dark landscape before them as though he would find the answers he sought there. "In your condition, and in this heat, you shouldn't be moving around as much as you are..."

Surprisingly, Seth chuckled quietly at this, causing Dean to arch an eyebrow in confusion. "You can't control the weather, Ambrose," he said. "That's just how it is. And as far as you pushing me goes, what other choice have we had? If we hadn't kept moving, we'd probably be dead by now. Right?"

The other man considered his words for a moment before he nodded once. "Yeah, we would have been dead," he agreed quietly.

"We would have." Seth sighed. "So why are you feeling so guilty? None of this was your fault..."

Dean slowly turned to look at his younger friend, his light gaze faltering as he struggled to find something to say. Then, a smirk more fitting of him appeared at the corner of his lips. "I think I'll take over the watch now," he muttered before getting to his feet. He then walked away from the two men without another word, checking to make sure his gun was where he had left it as he started down the path.

Seth watched after him until he disappeared into the darkness before he looked up at Roman, who turned back to him as he passed a hand over his face. "Something's really tearing him up," the latter stated quietly.

"Yeah..." Seth's dark gaze moved out to the mountains that stood tall and proud in the distance, lightly illuminated by the traces of moonlight filtering through the clouds. "Can I ask you something, Roman?"

The older man's eyes narrowed slightly. "Sure, man, what's on your mind?" he wondered. There was something about his friend's tone that he didn't like.

Seth didn't respond immediately as he continued to stare out at the vast landscape around him. Roman let out a low breath. "Seth?" he prompted.

The two-toned man let out a low breath as he met his lighter gaze. "Do you really think we have any chance of leaving here?" he asked. "Like honestly?"

Roman looked back at him for a long moment before he took a couple steps closer and crouched next to him. "Yeah, I think we do," he answered quietly, looking out at the lines of trees ahead of them while Seth did the same. "We've come this far. As long as we keep moving like we have been, I think we have a pretty good shot. I mean, we have a map that'll help somewhat, and as long as we can make it to the highway out there, we'll be fine."

Seth's dark eyes traced the faint line far off in the distance that would mean their freedom. Between them and their destination, however, were dense trees filled with uncertainty. "Roman, I... I just..." His sentence trailed off, unsure of how to voice his own doubts.

"You what?" Roman lightly set a hand on Seth's shoulder. "Come on, man, talk to me."

Another moment passed before the younger man met his gaze again, resting his hand over his throbbing abdomen. "I... I don't know if I'll make it..." he admitted quietly.

Roman's eyes narrowed as he tightened his hold on his friend's shoulder. "You can't think like that, Seth," he told him sternly. "You're gonna make it, okay? We all will. We'll find a way out there."

But Seth shook his head. "I think after today, it's pretty clear that I'm not gonna get very far very fast," he said. "What if next time..." He paused, thin traces of moisture appearing in his eyes. They were tears of frustration, frustration at the situation they were in and frustration at his own weakness and what that meant for his friends. "What if next time, it's worse? What if there's nothing you can do? I mean, I heard you and Dean talking earlier about my condition and about how I'm pretty much just holding you both back..."

The older man let out a low breath. He would be lying if he said he wasn't worried that something similar to the earlier incident where Seth hadn't been able to catch his breath could happen again at any time. But he had also hoped that he hadn't heard that particular conversation. "That... that's not how we meant that, Seth," he replied. "We didn't mean that you were holding us back. We were just saying that there are certain risks we don't feel like taking because we don't want to put you or either of us in danger. That's all. We're not gonna just leave you behind while we try to escape. That's not gonna happen, man, I guarantee you that. You're coming with us, or we're not leaving."

Seth gazed at him for a long moment as he forced his tears back. He had to admit that being left behind due to how his health was continuing to deteriorate was a concern that had been in the back of his mind for some time. Speaking it aloud to Roman had helped him to realize that it was unfounded, but it was still something that he couldn't easily force himself to forget. How could any of them know what lay ahead of them now? How could any of them say with any degree of certainty that they would all be able to make it out?

Roman gave him a small smile as he sat down next to him so he'd be a little more comfortable. His legs had been starting to protest from how long he'd been crouching. "Tell me, what's the first thing you're gonna do when you get home?" he asked.

It wasn't a difficult question. "Go to a hospital and get my ribs looked at by a real doctor," Seth answered with a hint of a smirk.

The older man chuckled. "You're a smartass, man," he muttered with a smile, causing the other man to let out a quiet laugh as well. "No, no. I meant when you actually get to your house."

Seth returned the smile as he looked out at the dark landscape once more. This question was one that really made him think, more so than he thought it would. Up until that point, home had seemed like something that was so out of reach that he couldn't even bring himself to think about it. "Well... sleeping in my own bed sounds awesome. As does spending as much time as I can with Kevin. And if I got there in time, my brother's going to be in town for a family event. I'd like to see him since it's been so long. And my friends back home, as well. Maybe go to a concert that some of my punk rock buddies are putting on or something. Yeah, that'd be good..."

Roman nodded, his smile lingering. He knew Seth considered the small Yorkshire terrier to be his best friend, and that he would want to spend time with someone who returned that love unconditionally was completely understandable after this experience. He also knew that his family and friends back in his hometown of Davenport were important to him. "That's good, man," he said. "I agree with you completely about sleeping in my own bed. I can't wait for that." He paused and looked at his younger companion. "The reason I asked is just to give you a small reminder of what it is you're fighting for and what's most important to you. You have to stay strong for them. Like, what's Kevin gonna do without ya?"

The other man's words caused Seth's gaze to falter. It was something he didn't want to think about. "He'd be one depressed little dog," he finally replied, a small smile returning to his face.

"Exactly. And you don't want Kevin to be depressed, do ya?" Roman prompted. When Seth shook his head, his own smile returned. "Then think about him. Kevin needs his best friend. Your brother needs his younger brother. Your family needs you. You have so many people pulling for you, Seth. You have to continue to fight for them."

A brief moment passed before the two-toned man turned back to him with a nod. There was life in his dark eyes again, which Roman was happy to see. But then, a curious look passed over Seth's face.

"What about you, Roman?" he wondered. "What's the first thing you're gonna do when you get home?"

"That's easy. I'm gonna hold my fiancée and daughter," the older man told him. "And I'm not gonna let them go for as long as I can. I'm gonna celebrate my little girl's birthday, no matter if I'm a little late or not. And..."

Seth tilted his head slightly. "And what?"

Roman met his gaze before chuckling quietly. "This might sound kinda silly, but... I'm gonna marry my fiancée. Like as soon as I can after I get home. I don't care what we have to do. Elope, go to City Hall, whatever it takes. We can always celebrate with friends and family later. I just... I just want to finally call her my wife after all this time."

The younger man smiled broadly. "I don't think that sounds silly at all, Roman," he muttered. "You guys have waited a long time to get married because of your busy schedule. I say just go for it. Get it done with and don't look back." A gleam entered his eye. "And if you need a witness..."

"Yeah, you'll be the first one I call, man." Roman laughed again as he shook his head slightly. "I think tomorrow I'll have this same talk with Dean. This whole thing has really taken its toll on him, and I'm concerned about him."

Seth nodded. "Yeah, he's really taking a lot of this on himself," he agreed. "He could use a little reminder of home, too."

"That's for sure." Roman sighed before meeting the other man's gaze. "Get some more rest, Seth. It'll start getting light in a couple hours, and we'll have to get moving by then. I'll wake you when it's time to leave."

"Aren't you gonna get any rest?" Seth asked. "You haven't really had any..."

Roman smiled. "Of course I am," he answered. "I'm sure Dean will be able to handle the watch."

The younger man nodded before he winced as he started to push himself to his feet. Roman helped him the rest of the way, leading him back over to where he had previously been trying to rest. Seth slowly laid back down on his back, having some difficulty trying to find a comfortable spot for his ribs, and the other man crouched down where their dwindling supplies was piled to take a sip of water.

"Hey, man, do you want anything to eat or drink before catching a little more sleep?" he wondered.

Seth glanced over at him from where he was stretched out on the hard ground. "No, that's okay," he murmured, closing his eyes as he continued to seek some elusive semblance of luxury.

Roman's eyes narrowed slightly with concern as he rose to his feet. He felt the other man's questioning gaze on him as he walked over to the edge of the cliff, looking down at the heavy darkness beneath him. He was concerned when he saw the few ledges that were possible to climb that Dean had mentioned earlier, and not wanting to take a chance, he stretched out himself on his side near the edge in order to keep an eye out for anyone who would be bold enough to try to attempt it.

The powerhouse of The Shield sighed as he lightly brushed his fingers over the stitches in his head, finding that they were starting to itch since he was once again alone with his thoughts. He would just have to try to ignore the feeling as best as possible and try not to scratch at them as he ran a hand over the scratch in his arm left behind by the bullet that had skimmed against his skin that was still sore. He would tend to it more once morning came.

Roman finally allowed his struggling eyes to slowly close, granting them a much needed reprieve from forcing them to stay open for so long. They quickly opened again, however, when he heard a loud snap from below him that sounded like a twig breaking in two. He slowly pushed himself up on his arm, his intense gaze passing over the vast landscape. There was no movement that he could see, though with as dark as it was, it was hard to say for sure. The older man rested his head back down on his arm, keeping an ear open for any other noises that indicated anyone might be drawing closer, but also on the sound of Seth's breathing not far from him. It was light and even, something he found reassuring. At least for the time being. He would have to monitor it as much as he could over the next couple hours.

Before he allowed himself to rest, however, Roman pulled out his gun and set it on the rocky ground in front of him, his hand resting over it lightly. He hoped he wouldn't have to use it, but it was better to be safe than sorry. It was this unnerving thought that lingered on his mind as his eyes closed once again, and he slowly started to drift off.

Dean slowly wandered down the slightly winding path away from the top of the cliff, his light gaze passing over the dark trees around him with disinterest. He was relieved that he had volunteered to take the watch when he had. He wouldn't have to sleep again. He wouldn't have to dream again.

The light-haired man slowed to a stop when he came to the bottom of the hill, realizing he had probably gone further than he had to for his shift. He sighed, glancing over his shoulder at the trail above him. Who knew who or what could be hiding in the heavy darkness of the trees around them? The limited lighting didn't allow him to see much of anything, and he was fully aware that if someone wanted to kill him, they wouldn't have much trouble catching him off guard and overpowering him, leaving his friends alone. The only fact he took comfort in was whoever could be there would have trouble seeing him as well. It made him feel as though he and his unseen enemy were on a more level playing field.

Dean shook his head and passed a slightly shaking hand over his face. His mind was racing, causing him to assume the worst. He knew he had to calm down. Nothing had happened that night. But that fact in itself caused him to worry. With an entire town searching for them, he was suspicious that all had been quiet. He couldn't shake the feeling it wouldn't last for long.

Groaning quietly with frustration, the leader of The Shield continued walking along the path, which had become nearly impossible to see, before he came to a stop when he felt something cold and wet beneath his feet. He paused for only an instant before he crouched down and carefully reached out, feeling slow moving water against his fingers. He must have found a stream that must have fed into the larger river.

Seth's blank eyes bore into him, screaming a silent accusation...

Dean shook his head, attempting to drive the image from his mind as he splashed some of the cold, dark water he could barely see on his face. Despite the conversation he had had with one of his closest friends, it was something he knew would stick with him for quite some time. He may not have pulled the trigger to end his life as his dream had shown him, but he may as well have. Seth's health was continuing to wane, and he couldn't help but think how it was still his fault.

He splashed a little more water from the stream over his sweat-drenched features, hoping it would help to relieve some of the guilt that continued to gnaw away at him. He wasn't being himself, that much he knew. Maybe there truly was something to Jim's words.

... losing yourself...

Then, Dean's head quickly snapped up as he looked around him intently. He slowly got a secure hold on his gun and kept it ready when he heard a second twig snapping somewhere off in the trees near him. He slowly rose to his feet, making sure the firearm was loaded properly and ready to shoot.

He wasn't alone.

Author's Note: And, we have a bit of a cliffhanger here, too. But, Seth's okay, at least for the time being! Though now, we have another issue that may have to be dealt with. What's gonna happen? We'll have to keep reading to find out! Thanks for reading! Your reviews are much appreciated. Thank you!