Page 128 of The Most Dangerous Games

Or a sentencing.

“Without further ado,” The Host says, “I would like to first announce the pairings for today’s events, before I explain what the events will actually be.”

He looks as pleased with himself as ever, Hannah thinks. She fights the urge to walk across the room and slap him, even if it means being eliminated before the duels start.

I’m not quitting.

He looks out at them again, letting the moment build a little more.

“Mr. McHenry, you and Miss Wagner will be our first combatants,” the silver-haired man says.

He doesn’t even allow this fact to settle—an ex–Army Ranger going up against a teenage girl—before quickly going through the rest of the pairings:

“Ms. Andrich and Mr. Lopez.”

Alek’s eyes flick to Carlos Lopez. He doesn’t smile. But he looks . . . ready.

“Mr. Tipton and Mr. al-Harbi.”

Tipton’s face is stone. Saad’s is calm in a way that doesn’t comfort anyone.

“Mr. Jordan and Mr. Lin.”

Wyatt swallows. Lin Zhi gives a tiny nod like he’s accepting a routine.

“Mr. Oliveira and Mr. Hase.”

Marcelo and Fumio exchange a respectful bow. Fighters recognizing fighters.

“And finally—Mr. Bergeron and Mademoiselle Fontaine.”

Logan Bergeron looks at Gabrielle Fontaine like he’s about to apologize for being in the room.

Hannah is still trying to imagine any one-on-one competition that would pit her against Jack McHenry, who’s been as much a leader as any of them once they’d left Ohio.

The Host says, “Now the events.”

He lifts a small remote. Clicks it once. A panel in the far wall slides open, revealing metal cases on tables. Weapons cases.

“The weapons for Mr. Bergeron and Mademoiselle Fontaine will be knives,” The Host continues.

The rest of them hear Gabrielle Fontaine gasp and they turn to look at her. Gabrielle starts to say something back to him, but holds her fire for now as the man still in charge of them plows ahead.

“Ms. Andrich and Mr. Lopez will also fight with knives,” he says. “Saad and Mr. Tipton will be given revolvers—”

Tipton already knows which way the board wants this to go, but he can’t help himself. “How’s that going to work, exactly?”

The Host ignores him and proceeds, “—as will young Mr. Jordan and our friend Mr. Lin. Mr. Oliveira and Mr. Hase. Hand-to-hand combat, for lack of a better expression.”

The Host looks directly at Hannah Wagner now.

“Mr. McHenry and Miss Wagner will engage in hand-to-hand combat as well,” he says.

“Hold on,” Jack says. “You’re talking about me having a fistfight—with a teenage girl?”

The Host smiles again. “Fists, feet, elbows, knees. Knock yourselves out.” He shrugs, and grins. “Literally, if necessary. Whatever ends it.”

“Ends it how?” Jack snaps.