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Courtney’s eyes go wild with anger, and she bucks even harder against me. “You’re done for! You’re dead! Do you get that? I am going to fucking kill you!”

Several security guards rush towards us and help me get the knife out of Courtney’s hand before rushing Noah and Savannah onto a golf cart. Courtney continues to thrash against me, but I take everything she has to give until her raging anger gives way toheart-wrenching sobs. I carry her back to the golf cart, and she curls into me, completely shattered.

I look back at our fallen friends, watching as several crew members work to pull Luna’s body off the stump, and when they do, I wince at the gore that follows.

Once we’re settled on the golf cart, it takes off, presumably heading back to the huts to… I don’t know.

As Shane’s and Luna’s bodies are hauled away, I turn to look down at Courtney. She’ll never move past this, and neither will I. Nothing is off the table now, and I won’t let them get away with breaking her like this. Not a single one of them.

Chapter Thirty Eight

Courtney

Istare at a tree stump in front of me, completely focused on that and nothing else. It looks just like Luna’s. I know because I noticed Luna’s stump before the challenge began. I remember thinking that it would suck to trip over it if you didn’t look where you were going. I didn’t realize then that that stump would forever be engrained in my head.

We’re all seated around the picnic table, the camera crew filming our every move while Alex speaks.

“Looks like their time wascutshort, and unfortunately Shane and Luna have been locked out.”

I don’t react to his shitty, insensitive comment. He’s been making them after every death, why should this one be any different? It’s all a game to them, a joke. Whoever’s watching this film on the other side must have quite the sense of fucking humor. Or lack of humanity. Either way.

“Fortunately, that means celebrations are in order! Congratulations to our finalists ofLocked In: Season One!”

Just like last time, confetti cannons come from fucking nowhere, but this time a mix of green and pink confetti fills thesky, raining down all around us. I don’t react or acknowledge it, still focused on the stump.

A crew member rushes over, offering each of us a T-shirt that says “Finalist” below theLocked Inlogo. Are they fucking kidding? Commemorative T-shirts?

“Courtney, why don’t you tell us how you’re feeling?” Alex asks.

I don’t break my eye contact with the stump, and I don’t say a word. Everyone waits for me to react, but when I don’t, Landon finally steps in.

“She just witnessed her best friend die at the hands of the bitch across the table from her. I think it’s safe to say she’s doing pretty shitty, thanks for asking.”

I love him.

Alex sighs dramatically. “Yes, an unfortunate part of competition.”

“Where did you even get a knife?” Landon asks Savannah.

She squirms in her seat. “I was told a tool could be beneficial. It was. I’m not going to apologize for doing what I had to in order to survive. Given the opportunity, the two of you would have done the same!” she says defensively.

That’s it. That shakes me.

A humorless laugh rips through me as my eyes swing to her. Fear fills her features, so I must look as fucking crazy as I feel.

“Do not pretend we are cut from the same cloth. You made a choice to end two innocent lives to secure your temporary safety. Hopefully you can live with that, while you’re still breathing,” I say lowly.

Savannah’s practically shaking, and it’s clearly taking everything in her not to let her fear show. “Are you threatening me?”

“I’m guaranteeing that if the showrunners don’t kill you off first, I’ll do itmyself.”

Her eyes widen and her breathing quickens before she looks to Alex. “Are we done?”

“Not quite. Now that you’re finalists, the real challenge begins,” Alex says.

Noah balks. “What do you mean?”

Four crew members carry out two large treasure chests and place them in the middle of the clearing. One has a painted green heart on it, the other a pink one.