the survival games » souharu

the survival games

"Come on, come on." Sousuke jostled the shed knob. The door didn't budge.

Haru shivered and pulled his black coat tighter around him, peering around nervously at the dark mountain. He heard twigs cracking up the slope. "Sousuke, their coming," he whispered, heart pounding.

He, Sousuke, Makoto, Rin, Rei, and Nagisa were staying at a cabin down the mountain. They were there for Winter Break. It was originally Rin's idea to go. It was obvious he was joking. But Nagisa thought he was for real, so he got his uncle to rent the cabin out. Nagisa also came up with the Survival Game: two partners go out alone once the clock strikes midnight. They are given matches, two small ration packets, a thin blanket, four bottled waters, and a flashlight. The remaining people that weren't picked to play had to try and hunt the partners down. You had the chance to run if you were spotted, but if you got shot with a water gun, it was an automatic lose. The partners had to stay out until twelve PM. If they returned home for any reason besides an emergency like being attacked, they lost the game. The loser or losers had to run outside in broad daylight in nothing but their underwear.

Sousuke grabbed Haru's wrist as the rim of a flashlight beam shone behind some bushes. It was Makoto and Rin. Haru could hear Makoto panicking. It was so like him. He was wandering around a mountain at night after all. At least he wasn't alone. He would have been crying in a ball on the snow-covered ground by now.

Sousuke ran around the back of the shed. It was decently sized. Around the extent of two bedrooms. It had two stories as well―in the style of a loft―though both were empty except for a bale of hay on the floor in the bottom corner nearest the door. A window came into view. It didn't have a glass pane; it was open, as if someone had cut a random square-shaped hole in the wooden wall.

"Climb in." Sousuke looked around before intertwining his fingers and getting down on a knee.

Haru didn't think twice before placing his foot in Sousuke's hands and hoisting himself up and pulling himself through the window. Sousuke jumped and hooked his arm on the sill. Haru grabbed him under his arms and helped to pull him inside. He tumbled in. There was whispering outside.

"Shut up, Makoto," Rin muttered.

"Rin, this is scary!" the gentle giant whined.

"You'll be fine."

"Sousuke," Haru whispered, crawling closer. A wooden board creaked.

"What was that?" Rin stopped. Footsteps trailed up to the shed.

Sousuke pulled Haru to him. His back hit Sousuke's chest. He yelped. Sousuke covered the smaller boy's mouth. He leaned into Haru's ear.

"Stay quiet," he whispered.

A flashlight shone into the window. Sousuke lay down silently and turned his back to the light. He hid Haru behind him and draped an arm over him. Haru sucked in his breath.

"What is it?" Makoto asked.

"I think it was just a rabbit or something."

"It wasn't them?"

"I don't think so. They'd be arguing their heads off."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Makoto."

"Okay, okay! Let's keep going. This place is creepy."

"All right. Come on."

They started in the opposite direction of the shed. Sousuke sighed and rolled to peer outside, propping himself up on an elbow.

"You almost got us caught," he muttered as he glanced over his shoulder.

Haru rolled his eyes, shivering, and hugged himself.