The Mating Run by Leeka

Chapter 7

Preparation

“| think there’s been a mix-up, Ettie.”

| say firmly, my voice resolute as | observe Ettie, who had already hunkered down on the muddy forest floor. She sits hunched over, her head cradled in her hands, her gaze locked on the earth beneath her. As | crouch beside her, | nervously chew on my bottom lip and throw an arm over her shoulder.

“Ettie, we have to take this to the staff, come on. They probably messed up, and you're supposed to be a Hider, just like us. Just like me.”

Close by, the sound of murmuring voices drifts towards us, as the crowd shares updates on the identities of the Hunters and Hiders. The contrasting emotions of contentment and restlessness fill the air, as some relish in the simplicity of hiding while others yearn for the thrill of the chase.

| glance at Ettie once more, and her complexion turns pale as if all the blood has been drained from her face.

“Ettie, come on, get up!”

Grabbing her arm firmly, | make a stand with a sense of urgency. Ettie’s ignoring me completely, and | can see beads of sweat forming on her forehead. It feels familiar, like our daily morning jogs, with her voicing her fatigue.

| let out a strangled cry as Ettie remains helpless on the ground. | look at her paper again, growing increasingly frustrated as none of it seems to make sense. Every time we went for a morning jog, Ettie would grumble about how | wore her out and how she'd rather be curled up in bed.

However, her test results tell a different story. There’s no denying her perfect health as every aspect of her body, from her blood composition to her muscle mass to her weight, is impeccable.

| turn to Victor, and I notice his intense gaze shifting between me and Ettie, his

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face lost in deep thought. Like me, he’s a Hider, so at least I'll have company in my hiding. But Ettie’s situation is different she will embark on the Mating Run solo.

And | made a vow that we would face it together, side by side.

“Any ideas on what we should do?” | ask Victor a question, and he looks at me with a start, as if my presence had completely slipped his mind. “We can’t leave Ettle hanging like this. We gotta give the staff a heads up that her test results are incorrect. Ettie’s not a Hunter or anything, she’s just like us!”

Victor lets out a weary sigh, cautiously making his way towards me, before gently resting his hands on my shoulders. As he gazes into my eyes, he pauses to take a long, steady breath.

“The Mating Run results never lle, Alina.” Even as | shake my head desperately, Victor insists on telling me. Victor lets out another sigh as he takes Ettie’s test results from me, his eyes scanning it once more before shaking his head in disappointment. “It's a test that’s been passed down through the generations. These results are from a really advanced technology. If the results say she’s at Hunter, then she is one. There’s nothing we can do, unfortunately.”

“Ettie wouldn't ever lie to me,” | say, furrowing my brows at Victor, the creases. on my forehead deepening with each passing second. As | turn to my side, | catch at glimpse of Ettie, completely still and unmoving. “Ettle, you won't lie to me, will you? Tell me the results are wrong. Please, tell me they're wrong.”

Ettle remains silent, her body completely still.

“Ettie?”

Overhead, the blaring sound of stereos reaches our ears, interrupted briefly by a burst of static, before an announcement comes through.

“Contenders! The Mating Run is about to start. Audience, please fill up the bleachers at the starting line. There will be booths near the bleachers selling souvenirs and snacks. Hunters, get yourselves geared up as we'll be taking you to the running grounds shortly. Hiders, make your way to the starting line. Thank you!”

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The announcement repeats itself thrice, and then the pleasant melody of elevator music permeates the surroundings.

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Beside me, Victor clicks his tongue impatiently before forcefully grabbing my arm and dragging me towards the starting line. | firmly plant my feet on the solid ground, staring at him with a mixture of shock and irritation.

“We can’t just bail on Ettie!”

Victor lets out a weary sigh, his eyes rolling in exasperation as he looks at me. Glaring at me, he forcefully motions with his arm towards Ettie, who remains close to the ground.

“Alina, she’s not moving, she’s not going anywhere else from the looks of it. We have to go and get ourselves ready for the Mating Run. There’s no use in waiting here. We're gonna be disqualified before we even make it to the tournament.”

“But-”

Just go.”

| quickly turn my head towards Ettie’s direction. She finally lifts her head, her bloodshot eyes revealing the traces of tears as she hastily wipes them away. | can only watch with a worried expression as Ettie stares at me, her lips quivering, but she tries her best to maintain an angry look on her face.

“Ettie-”

“Just go, Alina. Leave me be. Let's meet up at the Mating Run.”

| shake my head, feeling the weight of frustration settle in my temples.

“Ettie, please-”

“Na”

Ettie stands, wiping away the dirt on her knees and butt, leaving smudges on her clothes. She locks eyes with Victor, nodding in silent agreement. Without

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exchanging a word, Victor nods in understanding and firmly grasps my arm. | struggle against his firm grip, but he’s already dragging me away from Ettie.

“No way, Ettie, we’re supposed to face this as a team!”

But Ettie’s already walking away, her figure slowly fading into the distance.

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The staff emphasizes that the gray track suits we are given to wear hold a special significance.

The moment we enter the Mating Run grounds, a number will materialize above our heart, serving as a visible marker. It will be our number, prominently displayed throughout the run, making it easier for the Audience to remember our identity. By simply pressing a button on the screens near the bleachers, audience members can instantly give us sponsored gifts.

I

Given our role as Hiders, Victor and | are granted a head start of five hours to reach the Mating Run grounds and secure a well- concealed spot, away from prying

eyes.

him.

| move wit

really thinking, my eyes fixed on Victor's back as | trail behind

| notice Miles beckoning me towards a cozy, makeshift tent that the designers have thoughtfully put together. As soon as the Mating Run begins, the cameras will start capturing every moment. According to Miles, the Hiders who appear pretty and dainty have a greater chance of obtaining sponsorships.

“How are you holding up?” Miles asks, skillfully applying a light layer of makeup. to my face. | don’t know how to answer him, still upset that Ettie’s not a Hider like | am. “It’s totally normal to feel anxious at the beginning of the run, but the important thing is to have a good time.”

With his expertise, he manages to transform my short hair into a stylish half-bun. Then, he carefully positions two eye-catching clips on either side of my bangs, enhancing the framing of my face.

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“Alina, you look absolutely stunning!”

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Miles’ words fail to convince me, but | still manage to smile at him. He notices, of course, his experienced eyes scanning me just as he had done to countless contenders before. As he lightly pinches my cheeks, | grimace and instinctively pull away from him, wincing.

“Ouch!”

“You won’t be crying tonight, no chance.” Miles’ hands firmly clasp my shoulders as he pivots me towards the mirror, allowing us to both gaze upon our reflections. He forcefully grabs my face, his fingers digging into my cheeks as he manipulates my lips into a forced smile. “If you shed a tear during the televised Mating Run tonight, everyone’s gonna see it. They won't back you if you’re an easy target. You don’t want that, Alina, nobody wants that.”

I let out a weary sigh, acknowledging him with a nod.

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With a final smile, Miles spins around and retrieves a backpack, passing it into my waiting hands. | grab it from his grasp, my brow furrowing in bewilderment, wincing as the weight hits me. Miles watches in silence as | sneak a glimpse inside the bag.

In the bag, there’s a flashlight, a sleeping bag, a water bottle, and some

biscuits.

“These are some things you might need as a Hider at the Mating Run, they’re given to you at the beginning.” With a firm grip on my shoulders, Miles explains and guides me towards the tent’s flap, his words filled with urgency. “You good to go? Once you go out, the cameras will start flashing, so remember to put on a smile.”

Inhaling deeply, | notice the faint scent of popcorn nearby and nod.

“Ready as I'll ever be.”

“That’s my Hider.”

Miles places a tender kiss on my cheek and playfully ushers me out of the tent.

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As soon as | step out, a barrage of camera flashes blinds me momentarily.

People are shouting, their voices echoing in the air, as they call out my name. | do my best to smile at each of them, feeling the weight of the backpack securely pressed against my back.

“You don’t have to answer their questions.” Miles whispers in my ear as he guides me to the starting line, where the rest of the Hiders await. “Just put on a pretty smile, sweetheart. The audience will go crazy for it.”

Smiling at the cameras, | follow Mile’s instructions and make my way to the starting line. As | scan the crowd, my eyes lock onto Victor, and | give him a nod of recognition before saying goodbye to Miles, waving my hand in farewell. Before | walk towards Victor, he gives me a warm smile and wishes me luck.

Over

Victor grins at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he playfully wraps an arm my shoulder. He gives me a gentle side hug, his cheek grazing against my hair in a tender gesture.

“Alina, you're looking absolutely fabulous. You ready?”

| force a smile at him, my fingers white-knuckled around the strap of my bag.

| repeat what | tell Miles, hoping my words will sink in.

“Ready as I'll ever be.”

As Victor smiles at me, | can see the dimples forming on his cheeks. As | look around, I’m captivated by the sight of other Hiders, who all appear incredibly attractive. | feel like I’m the only one out of place, like a puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit. If it wasn’t for Victor standing beside me, I’m certain the cameras wouldn’t even bother to turn my way.

Each time a camera focuses on us, Victor’s smile widens, and he effortlessly pretends that we are engaged in a captivating conversation. He tells me it’s gonna be a solid gameplan, that it'll show we’re a team to the audience. So, if he receives a sponsorship, I'll be included in the package as well.

Beggars like me had no room for preferences in the Mating Run.

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Right on cue, another deafening burst of static pierces through the speakers, causing me to instinctively cringe and shield my ears. Without a word, Victor scoots closer to me. Then, in a familiar fashion, a voice akin to that of a machine resonates through the speakers, delivering an announcement.

“Hiders! Welcome to the Mating Run, folks! We're about to get the ball rolling. Please come onto the field so we can make a note of your numbers. Keep in mind that the number must remain visible, as it is essential for securing sponsorships and tracking your location on the grounds.”

Victor's chuckles fill the space beside me, his steps confident as he walks ahead and offers his hand to me. “Let's get this party started, come on, sweetheart. Now’s the time to show everyone who we are.”

With a deep breath, | reach out and clasp Victor’s hand.

With one strong tug, he pulls me towards the starting line, the anticipation building with every step. And almost immediately, the air is filled with the crac kling sounds of static as the numbers on the Hiders’ tracksuits light up.

In that split second, my eyes flicker downward, and | catch sight of a number 9 manifesting on my tracksuit. As | lift my head, | see Victor standing there, his number 63 proudly displayed on his chest.

Just as the grounds fall silent, another announcement blares through the speakers, catching everyone’s attention.

“Alright, everyone, let’s get this Mating Run started!”

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