PART 3
                     " Each of you will have one balloon tied to your ankle. If it pops." Few people jumped as Lucas had one of his minions dramatically pop a ballon sliver confetti coming out it. " You're out... For now. The objective isn't just to protect your ballon but pop other ones. One ballon out of 10 of them holds a golden ticket. This exempts you from the next round atomically caring you from the second to the third without having to participate. But just because the ticket was in your ballon. Doesn't make it yours or the person who poped it. It's simply whoever fights for the claim. You're more than free to pop your own ballon to test your luck. In hopes of getting the golden ticket, but be warned if that's not the case and your ballon doesn't have the ticket. You are sent to Purgatory."

The crowd cheered as Lucas explained.

" Questions?" Lucas said amused.

" What's Purgatory?" Chase asked.

" It's what comes before the Losers Pit anyone in Purgatory does have a chance to redeem them self, but that's only if he-"  I loudly cleared my throat interrupting him. " Or she." He corrected.

" Collects a golden ticket getting them out of Purgatory or if someone decides to use their ticket in order to buy your freedom. Those in Purgatory will be at a disadvantage than those in the Winners Hall. Shorter times, tricky challenges but you're still in the game. Unlike those who are in the Loser Pit aka Hell Fire. Who are just completely out."

" How do you get out?" Gurney asked.

"The first one to be out of a challenge is thrown in Hell Fire. First 5 to Win are in the Winners Hall. Last 4 are in Purgatory. Those numbers will change as the game progresses. And as for those who are watching all bets are finale."

" Bets?" Gurney whispered. I nodded.

" They place bets on who they think well win,"  I replied. Pointing to Board which would eventually show us who was in the lead. Stars were placed by those who were better on the most.

" Why are so many people betting on you?" He asked.

I smirked, " Cause I won last year... in heels might I add." Gurney scoffed in disbelief.  He patted my back and whispered, "I doubt you'll win in skipper boots." Gurney slightly knocked his foot against the heel of my boot causing me to stumble.

" Jackass," I whispered. Gurney stuck out his tongue and flicked me off before walking off to bother Jasper.

Lucas stepped down from the patio and approached.

" I can find you some better clothes if you want. That skirt is pretty tight..." His eyes scanned over my body.

" Not that I'm complaining." He added. I rolled my eyes and playfully pushed his shoulder. " Perv."  I buttoned my skirt and slide it off with no shame revealing my black spandex. Lucas's eye weren't the only ones wondering. He chuckled observing the other players Chase and both boys eyeing me down.

" Strategy of seduction?" He asked with a smirk

I shrugged tossing him my skirt. " Why change what works."

" I let you win." Lucas teased referencing to the party he hosted last year. I scoffed at his words.

" Keep telling your self that," I replied while tying my hair in a ponytail. A silence fell between us, his eyes lighten and his lips twitched as if he wanted to say something, but the light left and he simply said.

" Best of luck KP."

" Lucas wait!" He turned and faced me again the light flashing in his eyes for just a second.

" Jasper... " I breathed " go easy on em."

Lucas didn't reply instantly. He's looked at me intensive as if they were searching for an answer.

" Why do you baby him?"

What?

" I- I don't."

" Yes do."

"I-" He waited for the words, but I had no response.
Do I baby Jasper?

I was protective, I cared for him. I had to be his voice because he didn't speak... But did Jasper really need me to speak for him anymore?

" He's a big boy KP. He doesn't need you saving him all the time. And if he does maybe this game well toughen him up." He shrugged running his hands through his golden hair.

" He is tough." I exclaimed.

" You're doing it again." he chuckled

" Doing what."

" Babying him."

" You're doing it again... Being an ass." I insulted.

" Not my fault your boyfriends soft." The amused look on his face made it obvious he was enjoying getting under my skin, its what he seems to do best and loved doing.

" He's not soft." I defended. Lucas raised an eyebrow. " But he's your boyfriend?"

I wish.

"Potential." I smirked knowing it would bother him.  Lucas's jaw clenched at my reply. Jealously practically leaking out of his pores. That glint in his eyes was gone, his charismatic smile had vanished.

With a stone-cold expression, he grabbed one of the plastic dart guns and dropped it in my hands.

" You sure know how to play dirty KP." He grumbled, before walking off.

​

                   A loud whistle echoed through the night signaling for us to get in our places. Soon enough a guy came tying a string around my ankle. The pink balloon floated behind to my waist and googles around my eyes just in case people had sucky shots.

Lucas had been clear on the rules of the game.

Protect your balloon.

And don't be the first one shot or your out.

Don't be in the bottom 4 or your in Purgatory.

​
Objective: Be in the top five. And get the ticket.

We were all scattered around Lucas's huge backyard with determination on our faces. Lucas watched down from his balcony as if he was the kind of the land while I hide behind a bush.

"Hey, you," I whispered. To one of the Minions who stood on the field. Lucas had assigned them to monitor the game for no " foul play." But everyone knows that's what makes it so entertaining.

He pointed to himself. " Yes you," I whispered.

" Gimme your jacket."

" What?"

" Gimme your jacket," I repeated. "Hurry up." He quickly took off his jacket as I looked around to see if any of the other players where looking. He tossed me the jacket I zipped it up before tying it around my waist, I tuck the balloon in inside the jacket hoping it would add some protection and stop it from floating around all crazy.

The strategy was clear.

I'd stay my ass behind this damn bush hoping no one would see me.

The games begin and darts were flying everywhere.

" VICTORYYYY!!! Gurney hollered. Like an idiot, Gurney had used all 8 of his darts in the first 30 seconds by acting like it was a damn machine gun. The solution to his problem wasn't running to the supply table stationed across the field, but instead, it was to simply take Mindy's gun. He easily chased her down stepping on her string with his foot and popped the balloon smashing his foot down, making Mindy the first one out.

Poor Mindy didn't have a chance.

" HELLFIRE!" Lucas roared.  His Minions dramatically picked up Mindy removing her from the field. The crowd cheered loudly as it happens. Everyone to busy watching Mindy notice Nani sprinting across the field to the supply table. She dumped the darts in a backpack.

What the fuck?

How did she get a backpack?

She threw the backpack in a tree right before people started to notice her blue balloon in the open field. Shots where fired but the one that took her out the game belonged to none other than Zane.

" What the hell babe!" She shouted.

" Oh come on Babe it's part of the game!" Zane smiled. He was always an intense guy depicted himself as a bad boy with his tattoos and motorcycle screaming intimidation with even step. But Nani. He was different.

" Ah come on babe." He pleaded as Nani forcefully walked away from him.

" No Zane- AHH!!"

He wrapped his arms around her waist spinning her around sacking kisses against her face. She cackled loudly her laugh, sounding like the utter joy I was certain that somewhere a fairy had been born just by the bliss of her laugh and happiness.

It was beautiful.

They were so beautiful.

I jumped back startled at the heavy breathing behind me. Skinny Rog was kneeled beside me panting out of breath. His face resembling a
tomato.

" Are you... Okay?" I asked eyeing him strangely. He nodded " I just have...." Pant " Asthma." His eyes rolled back and his knees could no longer hold he fell to the ground followed by a loud

Pop.

His ballon was no more.

He fucking sat on it.

I contained my laughter and stood up extending my arms out. " Come on I'll help you up." My hands meet his sweaty ones and I pulled with all my might helping him up.

And there it was.

The ticket.

Surrounded by the debris of the dead red balloon it was once in. It shimmered under the moonlight like a gift from the heavens.

" Darn it my balloon popped." Skinny Rog said beginning to turn his head around. I quickly jumped behind him putting my foot on the ticket covering it up. His eyes widen as my sudden movements.

" You should rest Jake." I said.

" Jake?" His face lite up. " No one ever calls me Jake it always just Skinny Rog."

I frowned " Do you like them call you that?" I asked

Jake shook his head.

" No." He said sadly.

I smiled placing a hand over his shoulder.
" Than Jake it is." Jake's chubby cheeks smiled.

" You're pretty."  He said in a daze looking at me as if I was mouthwatering. " Thanks... " I cleared my throat snapping him out of his trance as he stared at me ." And can you in go the back way? I don't want my spot discovered when you leave from here."

"But.... the back way is the woods." He said looking at the forest behind me. I smiled and encouraging patted his shoulder. " You'll be fine."

Jake nodded and trotted past the trees. Once he was clear out of sight I ducked down quickly snatching the ticket stuffing it in my boots.

This was just getting too easy.

" I don't know any sign language but the middle fingers universals!" I heard Chase yell as he flicked off Jasper. Was effortlessly dodging Chase's darts.

He's still in?

Jasper had a teasing smirk at Chase taunting him like dancing prey. Chase growled not finding it funny that he was getting humiliated by Jasper. Chase shot his dart once more but missed as Jasper jumped back the dart only inches away from the balloon.

He shot again, but nothing came out. Meaning he was out of darts. He threw it to the ground slightly squatted with his arms out in blocking position challenging Jasper head on.

" Read my fucking lips Deaf Boy."

" You're dead."

Jasper smirked as Chase went ragging towards him like a raging bull, in one swift motion Jasper's slide under Chase's arms and stepped on his balloon. Chase tripped over the string and feel to the ground with a loud thump.

Everyone was quiet.

​
Shocked that the Captian of the Basketball team had been defeated by a thin thing like Jasper.

It was like David and Goliath.

Jasper had struck down the giants

Jasper kneeled down in front of Chase who groaned in pain.

" It's Jasper."

The crowd gasped at his words mumors hushed over the crowd.

"What?" Chase groaned.

" It's not Deaf Boy its Jasper. " He smirked

"Jasper Ralston."

At that moment I knew. I knew that came  Monday  he would not just be " The Deaf Boy." They'd know his name everyone would know his name. Jasper Ralston.

He was charismatic, magnetic, electric.

And now everyone knew it.

He want to change, he had always been this way. We had just been too blind to see it.

And even though I should gave felt a wave of pride at seeming Jasper grow.

​
I was scared.

Scared that if people got to know him. He'd forget me.

The girls where cheering widely for him administration washing over there eyes.

The Games where getting intense.

Bee sat in a tree like a fucking sniper raining down toy darts. And no one seem to notice! Zane had been shot.

Darts where flying everywhere and no one was sure
the direction. All they knew for sure was that Roger was a sealing revenge for his fallen partner and came changed for Jasper.

I bolted out of the bushes and for the first time I raised my dart gun, I leaped over the picnic chair with ease and landed making my presence known.

" I didn't take our former champion for a coward." Roger said.

I shrugged not really caring.

" Those who hide survive." And with that I shot his balloon.

" Fuck." he cursed

" Purrrrrrgatory!"  Lucas roared.

I turned to Jasper and buried him in a hug as if I hadn't seen him in years.... even though it's only been 20 minutes.

And I missed him.

I pulled away from his embrace and thanks practicing I had learned a couple words in sign language.

" I'm so proud of you!"

" Thanks." He replied

" I got the ticket."

His eyes widen.

" I'll give it you! That way you don't have to play the next round. And once you've claimed the ticket you can leave this game early."

" Kinsley." He spoke.

" I appreciate it.. "

I smiled widely at his words

" but I don't need your help." He rejected

What?

" I got this."

My face frowned at his words. He didn't need my help?

" Jasper are you sure? This things are getting intense I mean Bee's acting like fucking Snipper. Gurney thinks he's in the damn Hunger Games-"

" I got it Kin-"

" It's not biggie seriously-"

" Kin-"

" I just think you should take it you'd be more comfortable-"

" I don't need your need help!"

I've heard Jasper speak over a thousand words since we've meet. And during those times I'd hadn't heard him yell. I should of saw it. How he was growing frustrated at how persistent I was to help. I should have noticed how it made him feel.

He didn't need my help.

He wasn't a baby.

"I'm deaf not mentally challenged."

My mind went back to when we first meet and he had told me those words.

He's a man. Truth me told. I saw Jasper as my baby.

As mine.

And I wanted him to need me, because I wasn't sure if he wanted me. I wanted to be his protector, but it was clear he could protect himself.

He yelled at me.

He fucking yelled at me!

And at the moment that was all I could think about.

I was madand selfish.

His eyes soften as he realized what he has done. He reached out to touch my arm but I pulled away.

" I'm sorry Kinsley."

" No fuck you!" I cursed pushing him away.

" You're right." I agreed bitterly. " You can take care of your self."

And with that I raised, my dart gun and without hesitation I pulled, the trigger.

Pop.

It was the ultimate betrayal, it would probably go down in The Great Games history as one of the  biggest betrayal its what the games where about after all.

I looked at him coldly as the crowd gasp.

If he wouldn't take my help.

Fine.

I'm done being nice.