Battle of Love

Chapter 3

CLARE

This is literally the scariest thing that's ever happened to me. I never thought that I'd say this, but I want to go home. Eli is the only thing keeping me together right now.

I woke up, and my head on Eli's shoulder. He smelled oddly enticing for someone who spent the night in a damp cave. His emerald eyes were piercing into mine when I looked up.

"Good morning sleepyhead, sniffing me?," he said, ruffling my hair a little.

"Morning. And maybe... did anyone come around last night?" I asked.

"No one. Creepy, right? I thought that people would at least try to play the game, especially without Fitzy boy's rules,"

"Yeah, but what if..." I trailed off, turning my head. I was about to say 'What if they're all dead?', but we don't really need that kind of pessimism so early.

"What if what?

"Never mind. Do you want to sleep? I can take watch now," I offered, trying to change the subject. He sat there for a moment, searching my eyes, but let it go with a shrug.

"Nah, I don't know how you did it, really. I couldn't sleep in here if I tried,"

"I'll protect you, like you did for me. I'm stronger than most would think, you know."

"Clare, I'm good. I think I dozed off a little last night anyways," he admitted sheepishly.

"Okay..." I said hesitantly, "What do you suggest we do then?"

"Three things. First; wait for help. Just for today at least. If we're still stuck in here by tomorrow (which I'm thinking we won't be) then we can go out and see what's going on. Second, talk? I don't know about you, but that helps me with anxiety. And lastly," he said, pulling something out from his other side, "Eat." There were two loaves of bread in his hands.

"You left?" I said, trying not to sound over-dramatic.

"No! Do you really think I would leave you here by yourself? No, I got these when we first came in...which reminds me; where is Adam?"

I sighed. "Eli, I don't know. Let's just hope he's safe where ever he is," I didn't want to say the word alive. Eli had already lost two of his good friends in here, and I couldn't imagine how he'd handle losing his best friend.

"Okay... now, for distraction time. You want some bread?"

Eli and I sat in the crevice for hours. We talked about anything and everything except our current situation, and I was content with that. It felt just like old times. His witty remarks never failed to make me laugh, and I realized that we still share many common interests. I can't believe how much I've actually missed this guy. He is wonderful, sweet, sarcastic, smart, and cute. I can't deny the feelings; they're still there. But like old times, our little bonding experience had to end eventually.

"Okay, here's a good one. Would you rather kiss the dirty ground beneath our feet, or me?" Eli said with the hugest smirk I've ever seen.

"Oh puh-lease, that's a hard one. Come here, floor!" I shouted, laughing. We were playing Would You Rather, and I couldn't help but burst his bubble constantly; his reactions were too entertaining, and it would do his inflated ego some good.

Eli frowned and put a hand over his heart. "I don't think I will be able to recover from that one, Edwards."

"You'll survive," I replied. We sat in silence for a minute.

"Nah, I'd kiss you." I said finally, a small smile tugging at my lips.

"Prove it," he dared.

My stomach filled with butterflies at those two words. I don't know what the heck possessed me, but I leaned across the small space and pressed my lips to his for a split-second. His lips were warm and soft, so inviting. It took everything I had not to linger too long. No, that definitely wouldn't do any good, considering where we were and the fact that we weren't even together anymore.

"There," I said as I pulled back, grinning.

Eli looked shocked. His eyes were wide and his lips parted.

"Um, yeah g-good job," he stuttered. I couldn't even believe I had this effect on him. When we were dating, it seemed as though he was always the one to leave me speechless and flustered.

"So, do you really want to play this anymore?" I inquired.

"Er, no we uh don't have to. Clare, did I tell you that you look very beautiful in that dress?"

"Nope," I said, my cheeks starting to burn.

"Well I'm an idiot, because you really do. What's the occasion?"

"No occasion, I just wore it. These heels are killing me, though." I said, trying to take my shoes off. The buckle was stuck on one of the heels. I pulled on the material roughly to no avail, and made myself look really awkward in the process.

Sensing my struggle, Eli scooted over to me. "Need some help?"

"Thanks." I said shyly. He placed my foot on his lap and began loosening the resistant strap. I, of course, was blushing madly the whole time.

"Isn't it a little fancy for laser tag, though? Not to be rude or anything."

"My dress?"

"Yeah, sorry that sounded rude," he said, still working on the shoe.

"No it's fine. I just hadn't planned on laser tagging last night. I actually went to the DOT 2.0, but I was immediately kicked out by Sav Bhandari. He said I didn't need to be in that kind of a setting so young," I answered grudgingly.

"Got it!" Eli exclaimed, gently removing my shoe, then he said, "Sav Bandhari. Really? I always thought he was kind of a laid back guy. He did drive me to a Dead Hand concert at a club last year. He must really have it out for you," he chuckled, "but why were you at a club anyways, if you don't mind me asking?"

I surely didn't mind him asking, but I also didn't want to bore him with the specifics of my everyday life. He would probably see me as whiny and naive, like my mom said. "I needed to get out of the house, ya'know? Escape,"

"Oh, sorry. Is this Jake-related?" he said, sounding genuinely concerned. That took me aback a little, so I decided to share some more.

"Him, my mom, and even Glen sometimes. I think they've all made it their mission in life to make me miserable."

"I'm so sorry, Clare. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really," I said, not wanting to ruin the good time we'd been having a minute earlier.

"Okay just know that I'm always here if you ever need someone to talk to. Or kiss," he added.

"Hey, don't get cocky, now. It was a dare!" I yelled, louder than I'd intended to.

"Hmm, defensive... Perhaps a little too defensive." he smirked deviously.

Before I could answer, a girl's voice echoed down the tunnel, "Hey! Is anyone down here?"

We froze. For the first time in hours, I was afraid for our lives.

"Oh man, here we go." Eli groaned. He scooted to the edge of the crevice, peeking out. "It's a girl and a guy. They have their guns." he whispered to me.

"Crap. What do we do?"

"We won't shoot! We know what happens! Please, just come out," a guy's voice called out.

"Should we trust them?" I asked

"Clare, they're just kids. I don't think they would intentionally hurt us. I'm going to go talk to them, you stay here,"

"Eli, no! I'm coming," I protested.

"Please don't. Just stay here until I call you out. For me?" he pleaded hurriedly.

"Ugh, fine. Please be careful, and bring your gun just in case," I allowed. The next thing that happened surprised even me. Without thinking, I grabbed his tee shirt and pulled him in for another kiss. His surprised lips quickly reciprocated. That was random, but it felt necessary. Eli pulled away first.

"Well, just for that I'll be extra careful," Eli said, grinning. I just sat there in a daze while he rushed out into the tunnel with his gun. I could hear everything.

I heard Eli first yell "Hey! I'm here! I won't shoot if you don't."

A different male voice sounded relieved, "Oh, my god! Tori, someone's here!"

Two pairs of loud footsteps echoed down the tunnel, until they reached just outside the crevice.

"Hey! I'm Zig, and this is Tori,"

"Eli,"

"Do you know what the heck is going on? We- we were just playing the game a few hours ago and when I shot my friend Jason, he f-fell down," the kid sounded like he was struggling to speak.

"We think he's dead," the girl-Tori finished.

"It's okay. It happened to me too," Eli eased, "And don't freak out, but a psycho named Fitz locked us all in here to battle to the death. He said that only one of us can emerge victorious."

"It sounds like the Hunger Games!" Tori exclaimed a little too cheerfully.

Eli chuckled. "Yeah, I know. But I plan on not dying or killing anyone else, so..."

"We wait?" Zig guessed.

"Yeah, that's what we've been doing. Oh yeah, Clare you can come out now." Eli called out to me. I slipped out of my hiding spot.

"This is Clare," Eli introduced me to the two. "Clare, meet Zig and Tori."

I didn't recognize the boy. He had medium-length, dark brown hair and was wearing a tee shirt that had a DC logo on it. Definitely a freshman guy; they were all obsessed with skateboarding.

" Hey- Oh Tori! You're the one that set Adam up with Tristan, right?" I said, recognizing the curly-haired girl at once.

"Hi Clare. And yes, not my finest setup, I will admit," she sighed sadly, "Did Adam find anyone else yet?"

"Girls, come on. Relationship gossip already?" Eli whined. I knew he didn't want to hear any talk about Adam. I didn't even want to talk about him. We still had no clue as to where he was, if he was okay.

"What else is there to talk about?" Tori joked lightly.

"Maybe like how the hell we're going to get out of here? We can't wait forever. Any plans?" Eli said. Zig and Tori both shook their heads.

"We searched the whole place already. It's gigantic. Everyone we saw is either laying on the ground...unconscious or speaking to us right now. I think more are hiding somewhere, we really didn't see a lot of kids. Also, there are no windows or doors apart from the one we entered this hell hole through," Zig said.

Eli sighed. "Wonderful. Have you guys tried your phones?"

"Yep, no signal, even in the room with the bread. It's like this place was built for this Fitz guy's sick game,"

"No doubt, I just hope that we can stop it before anyone else...you know," Eli said.

I stood there, not really listening to the three of them anymore. My mind was racing. How did Fitz get this place set up so fast? He couldn't have, I ran directly here after he tried coming onto me...He must have been planning this. What could I have done to provoke this type of insanity though? Maybe he was still angry about Vegas Night? I didn't really care. I just needed to end this thing. I already had too much blood on my hands.

"Eli," I muttered, trying to pull him out of his rant with Zig. No such luck.

"Eli!" I tapped on his shoulder.

"Yes?" he answered me.

"I...I think I may have a plan to get us out of here. You may not like it though,"

"Tell me! And I doubt that I wouldn't like a plan of yours." he pushed eagerly.

I pursed my lips. Telling Eli my plan was going to be difficult. Even with his reassurance, I knew he would reject it right as it left my lips.

Hey wonderful reviewers/readers! THANK YOU! You were the ones that made me want to update three days in a row. I'm thinking I'll put a few chapters up each week, but I'm not positive. Writer's block sucks...Anyways, I'm not sure how long this story is going to be (maybe around 15 chapters?)

As always, suggestions and constructive criticism are encouraged, but I also loved your words of praise! Internet hugs to you all. And one question before I go... should I slow down the eclare? I was thinking of doing that by switching to Adam's or even Fitz's POV for a chapter. Let me know what you guys think, and I'll update soon (Tuesday at the latest). Ciao! -Lindsey