only a pawn in their game.

[maddiehayesdreams]

But it c—

Charlie, please don’t do anything reckless.

[charli-zard]

Who said anything about recklessness?

[maddiehayesdreams]

I’m considering this an I.O.U. to be redeemed in full at a later date.

[charli-zard]

What if it could be redeemed at the current date?

[maddiehayesdreams]

You being safe is good too.

[charli-zard]

Pretty lame present.

[maddiehayesdreams]

Maybe a little.

That photo looked nothing like me though. It’s a wonder they even let me in.

[charli-zard]

Bouncer's not gonna deny four hot girls.

Too bad mine wasn't today. Would've liked to at least have the chance of spending the day with you.

[maddiehayesdreams]

Yep. Good, I’m going to hold you to that. Not much else to do here. I’ll stop worrying when you’ve eaten and slept and aren’t in imminent danger. Yeah. A little. Or maybe a lot. Don’t know. My roommate’s always asleep, so it’s not like he can tell me.

[charli-zard]

So, basically, you're never going to stop worrying. Your roommate is more like a thing that takes up space in an already tiny cell. At least Fallon moves every couple of hours. Not that he's particularly talkative, either. 

[maddiehayesdreams]

Yes, it is. I’m going to be upset with you if you come back to me any smaller or scrawnier than you already are. You won’t be as huggable. Eh… it’s ok, I get what you mean.

[charli-zard]

Oh, so now I'm scrawny? I'll eat next time I'm given food. Don't worry so much. Have you slept?

[maddiehayesdreams]

Uh huh.

Going to have to make sure to wake you up so you can eat.

[charli-zard]

It's not that big a deal. I'm not really hungry anyway. Might've had to pawn my food off on Fallon...Oh, ew. That was a bad choice of words.

[maddiehayesdreams]

I don’t know. I always thought she looked creepy and scary. But maybe that’s just because I knew she was the villain. Charlie, your basis of comparison is takeout.

You promised.

[charli-zard]

Some of the takeout places I ate at are great for comparison. 

I know. Tell your buddies to stop winning and I will. I slept through yesterday's food.

[maddiehayesdreams]

Nope. You’re too pretty. Besides, you usually perk right up if I make you breakfast.

Did you eat yet?

[charli-zard]

Dragon queen was pretty before she went all lizard. That's because you're a good cook.

Nope. 

[maddiehayesdreams]

Hi, sleeping beauty.

I’m fine. Are you? You were out for a while.

[charli-zard]

Oh, please. I'm more like that dragon queen thing. Especially without my coffee.

Also fine. 

[maddiehayesdreams]

Charlie?

[charli-zard]

Mads? 

Hey. You alright?

[charli-zard]

[charli-zard]

[Private] Please, Charlie... don't waste your worries on us, okay? Just focus on you and Maddie. Keep each other as safe as you can down there. Promise me. Oh... Jesus Christ I hate these fucktards so much. That's just... so wrong. Being able to see the person we love shouldn't have to be a privilege that we earn. It's a fucking right. I just... Be careful. Please be careful, Charlie. I need you and Maddie to make it out of there okay... or... as okay as possible.

Too late. I...Yeah, I'll keep her safe. Don't worry about that. Right? Not having her around at night is the worst. I hate it when it gets quiet down here. 

We're doing our best. I'm not going to do anything to piss them off but...if it came down to it, I'd do anything to protect her. You can understand that. We're okay. I think I'm less

[charli-zard]

[Private] We, um... There's no events up here for us, Charlie, so... we're not the ones to worry about, okay? What about you and Maddie? Brynn said something about a swap? Are you guys okay?

Don't try to pacify me, Castillo. They're not keeping you up there just to look at. Besides, you can't stop me. I worry now. It's probably a side effect of all the torture dungeon stuff.

Yeah. They must've put something in the food because they switched us all around. My new roommate's Noah Fallon. Maddie's got PVS Macarthur. The reward for winning means a night with your significant other. It's fucked. People didn't take it well. Um. Well, Maddie won the first event of the round because River didn't try, so I got to see her. I also decided it was a great idea to try and fight off two guys three times my size while they dragged me off. I got a pretty nice bump to show for it.

[charli-zard]

[Private] Oh... Uh, yea. They, um... they keep us in a room in their penthouse. So... yea, literally.

Jesus. Yeah. Wish you were here. ...you guys are okay, though, right?

[charli-zard]

[Private] What do you mean take it literally?

I mean...are you with them while you're up there?

[charli-zard]

[Private] Hey stranger. Greetings from the dragons' lair.

Hey yourself. Warm wishes from the lion's den. Wish you were here. 

...should I be taking what you're saying literally right now?