no choice | the fracture game

one would hope that on this fateful day, the universe would acknowledge what may come. Perhaps in the atmosphere, like in those sad movies when the sky cries at any instance of misfortune. But no, the universe was indifferent, as always. Everything seemed normal. It unsettled Pyrite as he trudged in line towards the decorated stage.

He loathed the unpredictability of this day, the Reaping. He despised lacking a plan for the very real possibility that he’ll be thrown into an arena and die. The crowd around him was just as dull, many trying to convince themselves that they would never meet the chilling fate that would come with being thrown in the little games the higher power decided to throw.

Next to him was a green fellow, a nervous smile on his face and his hands linked behind his back stiffly. He constantly tried to meet eyes with Pyrite. Jade, was his name. Jade, being himself, found Pyrite’s hand. Pyrite gave no answer, his gaze directed ahead to the stage, where the infamous Cherry Sapphire made her eloquent speech.

they both didn’t listen, tuning out her voice in favor of grasping for any comfort their mind could stir up. Pyrite was more annoyed that Jade’s tender hold on his hand soothes his racing mind. It was obvious that these two gems were polar opposites. Jade, warm, spontaneous, lively. Pyrite, cold, cautious, and reserved.

Jade somehow had the mental grit to smile during this event. It made Pyrite’s gaze ahead smolder, envious.

”You are always so tense.” Jade would whisper, uncaring of the intimidating guards that were positioned on the outskirts of the organized crowd. Pyrite’s jaw sets, his flamed orbs darting to look at Jade’s sweet face. “And you, are ignorant, as always.” Pyrite fires back in a softened tone, to not alarm anyone around them. Pyrite could feel Jade beaming at him, and finally he tears his eyes off the stage and Cherry Sapphire, to meet Jade’s bright eyes.

”What?” Jade asks, his voice quiet but his eyes quite loud with his burning curiosity. Jade was so...unbelievably charming. Pyrite’s eyes widen at the sight, he couldn’t help but ire him. But the booming voice of Cherry Sapphire in the background brought chills down his spine. It unsettled him, that there was a possibility he could lose Jade. That there was a possibility they would lose what they had for each other. Pyrite had been letting this paranoia, this sinking feeling, eating at him every year when Reaping day would roll around. Knowing that they were both in danger, he couldn’t imagine the heartbreak he would feel if Jade disappeared. Pyrite sighs softly, and begins to speak, rather sharply.

”I don’t think...that this...will be good in the long run.” His hand loosens in Jade’s hold.

Jade tilts his head. “What do you mean, ‘this’?” Jade murmurs, concerned. Pyrite blinks rapidly. “Us. Together. There’s so much to lose.” He says blankly, looking away at some point in the distance. Jade’s smile wavers. “You’re talking about this now?” He whispers with a hurt tone. Pyrite doesn’t answer.

Jade looks around, his throat clenching, trying to hold onto his composure. “You’re just talking crap. You’re nervous.” He says dismissively.

”if I were to die in these games, you’d think otherwise.” Pyrite responds, his hand practically limp against Jade’s. “We’re just hurting eachother-“

”Who said you will get picked? Pyrite, there’s such a low chance-“

”We should just not do this anymore.” He says in a harsh tone. To Jade, he would seem uncaring and furious. But inwardly, Pyrite suffered from the turmoil he felt as he sees Jade’s face fall. He looks ahead, feeling a lump in his throat.

”And now, let us begin.” Cherry Sapphire announces, and she wasted no time, looking rather sly as she stands above the crowd. Like she already knew something they didn’t. Pyrite despised that.

As she reads the slip of paper in her dainty hand, the crowd holds their breath, all eyes on Cherry Sapphire. Fear was all it took to silence them. Adrenaline pumped into Pyrite’s system, meanwhile Jade’s eyes were glassy, and he tried to withhold how upset he was by Pyrite’s resolve.

”and our first tribute is...”

”Pyrite! Facet 2K7G, Cut 6XP.”

Pyrite stilled. He felt the whole world around him become irrelevant. One would expect screams, protest, anger. But all Pyrite saw were gems turning to him with pity in their eyes. He realized Jade’s hand was still holding his own, and that the grip tightened. He heard a small sniffle, coming from his beloved. Pyrite stares at the stage, meeting Cherry Sapphire’s expectant gaze. He starts to move as the crowd parts, but Jade’s hand stops him, the grip tighter than ever. Pyrite intakes a shaky breath, looking down at the ground to avoid the sad looks he was getting.

”Jade-“

Jade doesn’t answer, falling apart at the seams, biting onto his lip. He shakes his head repeatedly, not wanting to let go, trying to capture the sob that was ri in his throat.

”Jade, let go.”

”P-Please...No...”

”Let go.”

Everyone watched. There was no rush, it seemed, for Cherry Sapphire. She just kept her gaze solely onto Pyrite to heighten the building pressure of this moment.

Finally, the grip on his hand loosened. Gave up. And that made Pyrite’s footsteps stutter as he walked up to the stage, a blank look on his face. This was it. It was cruel, how the universe worked. He wondered if this was a lesson for himself, or for Jade. He stands onto the stage, and Cherry switched instantly to pick the next tribute.

The whole time, he stares at Jade, picking him out of the crowd instantly, watching the other male, who usually was so cheerful and carefree, crying silently to himself while everyone looks away.

-

#thefracturegames