Chapter 6: Rain Against the Glass

"Did you even tell him?"

It was only after talking it out—and texting him a photo of the test—that I realized I really was pregnant.

I’d planned to tell Landon the good news—until I saw the chat.

Now, I couldn’t risk it anymore.

In the future, I’d be just another challenger—or worse: drained dry, my child dissected, or even…

A shiver wracked me, cold and deep.

Rain battered the windows. I pulled the blanket tighter, my friend’s hand squeezing mine, his face drawn with worry.

"I’ll tell Landon to stop doing his psycho tasks," my friend offered, reaching for his phone.

"Let him take care of you."

I stopped him fast.

"No!"

I sniffled, nose red.

"Alex, Landon’s into another omega now!"

He pressed his palm to my forehead.

"What? No way. For three years, Landon never even glanced at anyone else, no matter how hot they were."

"He’s always had eyes for you."

"Jamie, are you just hormonal? Are you seeing things?"

I choked up, grabbing his sleeve.

"No! I swear!"

Suddenly, I thought of something and snatched up the iPad Landon gave me.

He’d loaded it with everything—plus, I could even spy on the fog world’s network and see things from Landon’s point of view.

On the screen, Landon was with the real love interest—a guy who looked just like me.

The new omega handed Landon a glass of water, sitting quietly in the corner, all shy and sweet.

Even though I knew Landon wouldn’t show his true colors right away, watching this still made my chest ache.

"He might look a lot like you, but I think you’re just overthinking it," my friend said, trying to sound reassuring.

"No!"

To convince him, I leaned in and whispered my secret.

"Last night, Landon slept with that omega!"

"He told me I’m just an old pet—no different from the newbies. He’s planning to trade me in!"

My friend’s face went white. He asked, "So what are you gonna do? How can I help?"

"Buy me some points and passes from players who escaped."

Even if I’m not in this level, I can’t stay with Landon anymore.

"Are you sure?"

I’d stayed because every challenger needs 100 levels to go home.

I knew my limits, so I’d always chosen to survive and rack up points.

But I wasn’t going to gamble on Landon’s love anymore. I just wanted out, as fast as possible.

"Yeah."

"Okay. When you make it to another level," my friend said, gripping my hand, "I’ll watch out for you."

That day, my friend made me ginger tea and sat with me. When I went back to the bedroom, I pretended nothing had happened. A few days dragged by, then—finally—I got the level pass. I was about to click into the next world—

Suddenly, Landon grabbed me from behind.

"Baby, what are you doing?"

His eyes glowed blood-red as he gripped my ankle tight.

"You’re trying to leave? Huh?"

"Why not stay here…?"

I turned, meeting his twisted, hungry stare.

Instant terror washed over me.

"Sorry, baby."

Landon dropped to his knees, but dragged me back with brute force.

That night, he snapped—completely losing control, making me black out over and over.

He even snapped a tracker around my neck.

I begged him to stop, but Landon just kissed my face and pressed my hand to his chest.

"Why leave for another level?"

"Tell me!"

My throat was raw and aching. "I’m sorry—I was just curious, I swear!"

"Really?" Landon’s eyes glazed over. He bit my lip, hard.

"No more curiosity, okay, sweetheart?"

I wasn’t allowed out for three days straight.

He locked every door, hid the keys, and stood guard outside my room like a prison warden. Even the windows were nailed shut. My only companions were the never-ending stream of chat comments and the echo of my own fear.

I started talking to some of the new players at the mansion’s edge.

They stood at the fence, eyes wide and hopeful.

"Mister, are you an angel?"

"No," I whispered, voice trembling. "I’m just stuck here."

One player tried to help, prying open the gate and reaching for me.

"Come with us. We can get out."

But as night fell, the two players went looking for supplies. When I wandered down to the river, Landon appeared out of nowhere, wrapping me up from behind in a freezing hug.

"Why did you leave the mansion?"

"I was just getting some air, hanging out with the new guys."

Landon went silent, his grip tightening.

My scalp prickled. I tried to sound casual.

"Those two players—please, don’t hurt them."

"Jamie, as long as you don’t leave me, I’ll always do what you ask," Landon whispered, voice low and rough.

My heart raced as Landon scooped me up and carried me back toward the mansion.

His arms were cold and unyielding, but I didn’t resist. The night air was thick with rain and the smell of wet earth. I pressed my face to his shoulder, wondering if I’d ever be free. The mansion’s lights glowed in the distance—a beacon, and a warning, all at once.