**Joey’s POV**
No choice, no choice. Now we don’t have a choice! I said to myself. I carefully followed and tracked Rachael’s footprints, checking for broken branches, anything that would help me to find Rachael. I occasionally screamed out her name. But It was no use, and nightfall was coming soon. But not like normal, time seemed to be sped up. Probably one of Kalel’s tricks she has up her sleeve.
Soon enough the sun disappeared and the moon and stars came out. But regardless the time I still had to find Rachael. “Rachael! Rachael!” I made it to an grassy patch of land, covered in trees, bushes, and in the center a small pond that reflected the speckled dark blue sky above us. Next to the pond sat Rachael, weeping into her hands with her knees tucked into her chest.
“Hey, there you are.” I said. I sat down beside her and saw her cheeks were wet and her eyes were bloodshot from crying.
“Go away, Joey,” Rachael murmured as she turned away from me, “I want to be alone.”
“Being alone could get you killed,” I tried to convince her. But what she said in response was shocking.
“I’d rather get killed than live another day without Anthony.”
For a couple of minutes, the only sound was the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves on the trees and bushes. “He means that much to you?” I asked her softly. She nodded her head yes. I looked up and across the water. I took a deep breath and I calmly said, “Kenya and I have been going out.”
Rachael slowly looked over at me, “You what?”
“For a month now.” I looked down at my hands. “At first I was really nervous on asking her out, and I was just like you. Miserable, and lonely.”
“Thanks Joey, that helps so much.” Rachael said sarcastically.
“That wasn’t the point.” I responded, “ A week later, I knew that if I didn’t say anything I would lose her.” I took another deep breath. “So I asked her out, and to my surprise she said yes.”
“And how does this help me?” She said.
“Anthony in his own way took a chance and attempted to tell you he loves you.” I said.
Rachael just stared at me, a blank look in her eyes. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
“He told Kalel no. He went to find you when we were in the caves. Above all, we are here trapped in this game because of you!” I took my hand and wiped a tear running down her cheek. “He did everything just for you.”
“He died because of me,” She murmured, “I’m not worth dying for!” She cried.
“Well, apparently you are.” I said.
Rachael crossed her arms over her chest and looked towards the pool. A moment of silence passed, “Why didn’t you guys tell me?” She questioned softly.
I looked over to her, “We didn’t know how to tell you.”
“You guys know that you can tell me anything, so nice try, but try again,” She retorted.
I laughed and said, “I am so serious, we really didn’t know how to tell you, and we didn’t want to make you feel... Different seeing that you and Anthony weren’t together.” I responded.
“I wouldn’t feel different, if anything I would be happy for you guys.” Rachael commented.
“Well we would have felt the same way for you guys if you were together.” I said, realizing I struck a nerve which triggered Rachael’s reaction to start crying again. “Look Anthony would want you to not sit here and cry.” She stopped crying, “Hey come on.” I stood up and extended my hand out to her, she grabbed my hand. I pulled her up to her feet.
