Chapter 11

{{ Rayne's POV 😋 }}
Rayne didn’t know how much longer she could concentrate on the large screen that was spread out before her. It felt like hours had gone by since she had sat down on her personal white couch to watch the camera feeds of their newest contestants. When she had walked into her office that morning, Renesmee had informed her that her schedule was clear until her meeting that evening. What better way to spend her free afternoon than indulging in the Capital's highest form of entertainment?
Almost a week had passed since the new contestants had been sent to the dome and already most of them had allies. It wasn’t unusual for them to form alliances so Ranye had brushed off the swiftness of their trust.
She could feel her attention beginning to wander once again and shifted her gaze to Renesmee, who stood behind her couch, folding and unfolding her hands. At least she wasn’t the only person who was losing interest. She knew she should have been spending her time doing something more productive, but Thomas had looked so excited when she had informed him of her afternoon plans.
Rayne and Thomas had known one another since childhood. Both having been raised in the mansion, they had seen much of each other throughout their lives and had become close friends. Thomas had always shown remarkable skill with computers and the Games’ various systems so when Rayne had been crowned Governor, he had been her first choice for the position of the Infinity Controller.
As she thought, her gaze drifted from her assistant to the man stationed behind the central control table, which sat directly behind her sofa. She hadn’t realized how much she missed her little talks with Thomas or the way his forehead creased when he smiled. Had it really been so long since they had a lengthy, non-work-related conversation?
Her attention was drawn back to Renesmee when the tablet cradled in her arms dinged.
“I’m sorry ma’am, but you’ll have to excuse me. I have to go check the preparations for your meeting.”
Rayne smiled and nodded, “Of course, I’m sorry I’ve kept you here so long. I shouldn’t be here much longer anyway.”
“No need to apologize, ma’am,” Renesmee returned her smile and made her way past all the smaller control tables and through the double sliding doors.
Thomas watched her as she left but turned back to his table and its holographs once the doors closed.
Rayne contemplated watching more camera feeds but knew she wouldn’t be able to focus. She stood and smoothed out her skirt, finally turning to address Thomas, “Thomas, are you doing anything this evening?”
Thomas looked up from his work with a startled look on his face, “No, I don’t believe so. Why do you ask?”
“I was just thinking that it would be nice to catch up with each other over dinner. I have a meeting until seven, but would seven-thirty be alright?”
Thomas’ expression changed from one of confusion to anticipation, “Seven-thirty sounds wonderful.”

{{ Sonya's POV 🔪 }}
Sonya didn’t know how much more she could take of Kiwi. She was the very definition of intolerable. Thankfully she had left several hours ago to hunt for their dinner. A part of her hoped that she just wouldn’t come back, but then she’d have to go find her own dinner. She was surprised that Kiwi hadn’t ordered Sonya to go get her own food but it’s not like she was complaining. The time that Kiwi was gone gave Sonya time to brood about their so-called “alliance”.
It had been Kiwi’s idea and she had given no grounds for the proposition. Sonya knew that the whole thing was suspicious but she also knew that she could benefit from the alliance. She wasn’t stupid, no matter how many times Kiwi stated the opposite, and she would still be on her guard. Kiwi would probably kill her once she had gained all that she could, but Sonya had several tricks up her sleeve.
A few nights ago, Kiwi had insisted that Sonya do the hunting for them, something about earning her keep. While she was wandering through the woods, she had discovered a rather large throwing knife. Now it was stashed in the folds of her makeshift bed; not particularly hidden but it would have to do.
Sonya was thoroughly enjoying the peace when Kiwi trudged into camp and practically threw a rabbit carcass at her, “I caught it, you skin it.”
Sonya tried not to gag as she moved the rabbit out of her lap. If the alliance didn’t work out, it would be so much fun to kill her. So much fun.

{{Leeroah's POV 🌙 }}
Leeroah Banes straddled a tree branch and looked out into the valley. The tree gave a particularly useful view of the camp that was spread across the grass. Leeroah had figured out early in life that she had an uncanny ability to spy on people. She hadn’t really minded when she had been brought to the games, she didn’t have anything to lose and the trees gave her infinite vantage points.
Her small size was a plus when it came to scaling trees, but she could do nothing to conceal her pale, white-blond hair and just as pale skin. Thankfully, no one was looking very far into the trees.
She had managed to familiarize herself with all the new additions to the game over the past several days but now she had nothing to do. She had no taste for killing but watching people only provided so much enjoyment.
The sun had just begun its daily hibernation and Leeroah had traveled a dozen miles over the course of its waking hours. She decided that her boredom could wait another day and swung her legs up so that they rested on top of the branch. Maybe she could steal some things in the morning. Or cause a fight. That could be fun.