∞(y/n) pov.∞
This was it, the last day of the game. Josh and I just finished defeating the game master and we were making our way to the check point to a new life. We were only a block away when we heard something behind us. "Guys, wait stop!" said a teen boy. The boy ran up to us. "You guys are heading to the check point right? My partner got erased before we reached the game master. I only have 5 minutes before I get erased too. Please take me with you!" the boy pleaded. Josh and I just looked at each other. Joshua seemed skeptical of the boy. I couldn't blame him, but we were running out of time. I looked him in the eyes and gave him a nod. He nodded back. "Come on kid, you can come with us. Just hurry, we don't have a lot of time" Josh said to the boy. He joined us as we ran to the check point. As we ran into the area, all time seemed to stop. In front of us appeared an intimidating man. "Welcome, you lucky three survived this week's game. As a reward, you get another chance at life" the man said. With a wave of his hand, a portal opened before our eyes. "But unfortunately only one of you can pass to the living world" he said with a devilish smirk on his face. At this my heart stopped. Only one could live again. How will we be able to choose who gets to go. No matter what happens, Joshua and I will be separated. As thoughts swarmed my head, I completely forgot about the boy we picked up. While I was frozen in place, the boy rushed towards the portal. Joshua tried to stop him, but it was too late. The boy jumped through the portal, and with a flash it disappeared. "What the hell!? What happens now!? That's not fair! What happens now!? Do we just get erased!?" Joshua yelled in rage. The large man kept his calm "Relax young man. The two of you won't get erased. One of you can become a reaper and help inforce the games and the other can play the game again and try to win the next round." We both remained silent. One of us has to play the game again, but with a different partner. You knew Joshua didn't really want to live again, but he was dead set on making sure you did. Finally you spoke up "Josh, its ok if you become a reaper. I don't mind playing the game again." Joshua looked at me in shock. "But if you play again, you could get erased" he said. His face was filled with concern. "I know how the pins work. I think I will be alright" I said with a reassuring smile. He wasn't wrong; the truth was that I was a little scared of going into the games without Josh. But becoming a reaper would be the better choice for Josh. That way he can escape from the cruel world and still remain 'alive'. We didn't have a lot of choices to choose from, and Josh knew that. He walked up to me and looked me straight in my eyes. "(y/n), are you sure this is what you want?" he said as he held my hand tightly. He looked slightly afraid, and when I hesitated to answer, his grip tightened around my hand. He could see that I was uncertain about my decision. It was nearly impossible to keep yourself from breaking down in tears. As the tears started to fall down my face, Joshua's facial expression softened. He pulled me into a hug as I cried into his shoulder. He tried to comfort me by caressing the back of my head. "(y/n), I can play the game again. I really don't mind. You don't have to force yourself to do something you don't want to do" he said quietly. I would do anything for this moment to last forever. But it couldn't. "Um hello, I don't have all day. Hurry up and make you decision" said the man. There wasn't a lot of time left. "Josh, it's ok. I'll play the game again" looking him in the eyes. His gaze didn't leave mine as I nodded at him. He nodded back quickly gave me one more hug. The second he let go I was already missing his touch. He walked towards the man and turned to face me. He flashed me a smile before he vanished.
