The invisible string

The First Rule

"Wait, what kind of penalty?!" i shout.
No answer. well thats rude.

The screen changes.
DELILAH: WHAT WAS THE FIRST MOVIE HAYDEN EVER CRIED DURING?

"Oh come on," i groan. "He doesn't even cry! Except when his team loses. Does that count as a movie?"

I glance at Hayden but he just shrugs helplessly. "I don't even know if I've ever cried in a movie."

The buzzer dings red. Fuck that cant be good.

The lights flash. A panel wall opens and suddenly, the floor beneath Hayden shifts. The panel tilts and drops a stream of freezing water on his head.
"AGH! What the-?!"

I laugh, half in horror. "Okay, what is this, the Ice Bucket Challenge: Death edition?"

He's shaking out his hair, still sputtering. "You better start jogging that memory fast, woman. I'm not dying because you forgot my favourite crying scene."

"Oh you're one to talk about jogging memories Mr. I remember everything except the love of my life." I roll my eyes at him.

"Alright love I see I struck a nerve. How about we focus right now and I'll make it up to you later, yeah?"

"WAIT!" I interrupt him. "It's the scene where Iron Man dies in Endgame right?"

The buzzer switches back to green.

"It was actually when Black Widow died but close enough."
...Oh this motherfu-
"I should've let the game fucking eat you for all i care."

The robotic voice returns, unnervingly calm.

HAYDEN: WHO DID DELILAH SPEND HER LAST BIRTHDAY WITH?

Oh shit we're dead.

He freezes. Colour drains from his face. His jaw tightens, he lets out a breath like it might carry the answer with it. "Um.. thats - wow okay uh,"

I wanted to scream YOU, but i crossed my arms and forced myself to stay silent.
His eyes light up all of a sudden. "You had classes all day. You were really annoyed about it and then i showed up between two of them. You - um - yeah you looked tired, i gave you your gift but i don't remember what it was."

He keeps going like he's on a roll, his voice steadier now. "Then we went out the next day- just us."

"Yeah and you were too cold to give me your jacket, asshole."

"You have got to get over that. Point is, we actually celebrated your birthday the week after with our friends."

I stare at him. "Did the freezing cold water jog your brain cells back into function?"

"Okay thats enough out of you, smartass,"

Somehow, even though we still have no idea whats going on, everything felt lighter.
Is this really happening?
For a second, I forget we're in the middle of some sick Hunger Games knockoff. For a second, it's just us again.

I didn't expect him to come back like this- not so suddenly, not so casually, not in the middle of blinking arrows and death games. But there he was, piecing me back together with a laugh and a memory.
My chest feels weird- like someone just opened a window in a room I'd forgotten was suffocating me. Theres air now. A little bit. Just enough.
Hope. Shit. Is that what this is?

I shouldn't be so stupid and unguarded but i cant help it. Because he remembered something. Maybe next time, it'll be me.

"Contestants, proceed to the checkpoint immediately. Failure to comply will result in elimination."
A timer starts.
10 seconds.
All of a sudden, the doors roar back to life. They start closing.

I look at Hayden, fear clear in my widening eyes. Then, we make a break for it. I close my eyes and just run like hell because i am not about to die just because i have really shitty breath control.
I practically throw myself out of the door at the last possible second and fall on to the floor.

"Holy shit," I wheeze out. "Out of everything they could've made me do? Running?"

I hear Hayden laugh, not a single falter in his breath. I open my eyes, sit up to look at him and for some reason he laughs harder. This kid didnt even break a sweat.
He calms his laughter and helps me up. "Amnesia and the audacity? Dangerous combo, asshat."

He still looks like he's holding back a smile so i shove him and start walking away. I'm genuinely still struggling to catch my breath but i will not let him know that.