first sight,love

{Grayson pov}

I am now in the garden while painting I was smiling but with sadness in my eyes while I was painting.My hand trembled as I painted the figure.I was trying to capture the exact details of the face, his sharp brown eyes, and the way his short hair .I was determined to get it right.

Yaney:"Daddy!!!" she running towards my direction

I put my paintbrush down and turn to my daughter.

"Hey sweetie" I crouched down and Yaney quickly hugged me.

I hugged her back, holding her close.

"What are you doing out here?"

Yaney: "I want to see what you're doing daddy"Yaney try to peek at the canvas.

I smiled at him.

"Oh, it's just a painting sweetheart"

I lifted Yaney up and placed her on my lap.Yaney looked at my painting.

Yaney: "Who is that daddy?"she pointed at the figure on the canvas.

I smiled softly.

"That's...someone special to me" i tried to keep my voice even, but I couldn’t help the hint of sadness.

Yaney looked up at me, her young eyes full of curiosity.

Yaney: "Special?"

I nodded at her.

"Yeah, very special" I tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach my eyes.

I look back at the the painting.

{flash back at the Reaper tournament}

In the first game every player was in the harena,the first game was Stop Dance ,is a deadly game of rhythm and restraint, played within a confined arena. Each player begins at a starting point, facing a finish line some distance away. As upbeat music blares, the players must dance, their movements a frantic attempt to reach the finish line. That I don't know the twist The music is punctuated by sudden, jarring silences. The moment the music ceases, every player must freeze, perfectly still. Any movement, no matter how slight—a twitch, a stumble, even a blink—is met with immediate, fatal consequences. Sharpshooters positioned around the arena eliminate those who fail to maintain their frozen poses, turning the vibrant dance into a desperate struggle for survival, where rhythm and composure are the only defenses against death. The tension is palpable: the music's relentless beat, the constant threat of gunfire, and the players' desperate dance between life and death create a heart-stopping spectacle.

the first game was where I saw Hyazekiah from the distance.

I couldn't help but stare at the him from a distance.He was trying his best to dance and keep his composure.Even he is scared.I felt a strange connection to the him,I couldn't explain it I was amaze how Hyazekiah dance,it was first time I was amaze by the dancing.I couldn't take my eyes off him.

Next day I was in my bed staring at Yaney picture I miss Yaney thinking what yaney doing or how she is in the hospital.

suddenly someone talk behind me and sit beside me.

Hazekiah:"Oh who is that cutie?" he ask while smiling at the picture.

I was startled and turn to look at Hyazekiah.

"Oh,um...she's my daughter"I said, my heart skipped a beat just by looking at Hyazekiah.

Hyazekiah smile widen.that makes me blush

Hyazekiah: "You have a daughter!?"

I nodded at him.

"Yeah, her name is Yaney"I said, still feeling a bit flustered.I couldn't help but smile too.

Hyazekiah leans closer,examining the picture.

Hyazekiah: "She's adorable"he said with a warm smile.

"Yeah, she's definitely adorable"I replied, mt heart fluttering at the way Hyazekiah was looking at the picture.

Hyazekiah turned to look at me.

Hyazekiah: "why are you here?is your daughter now with your wife?"

My smile faded a bit at the mention of my wife. Should I say my ex wife.

"Uh,no...we already divorced, Yaney is currently in the hospital, she's sick"

Hyazekiah's expression shifted to one of concern.

Hyazekiah: "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that"

"It's okay"I said, my voice soft.

Hyazekiah gave me a small smile.

Hyazekiah: "You're a good father"

I couldn't help but feel a bit flustered again, but I tried to play it cool.

"Um, thank you"

Hyazekiah: "I can tell you really love your daughter"

I couldn't help but feel a little drawn to Hyazekiah's voice.

at the second game. This game is Players are forced into a frantic scramble for survival, immediately thrown into groups by a selection process. The moment the numbers are announced, group players must race against the clock to reach a designated "circle room" and secure it. This room, presumably offering temporary safety, The element of chance, dictated by the selection random groups, adds a layer of unpredictability and tension. Those who fail to find a partner or group in the allotted time face immediate execution.

I saw Hyazekiah from afar he is looking for his group and I immediately run to him.I run straight to him.Hyazekiah look at me when I grab his hand.Without waiting for Hyazekiah's words, I started pulling him towards the direction of the circle room.Hyazekiah seemed surprise but didn't protest.We reached the circle room and quickly entered, locking the door behind. leaned against the closed door, panting.

Next game Hide and Seek, but with a twist! Two teams, Black and white, face off. The Black team hunts down the White team, "stabbing" (eliminating) any they find. The White team must hide and reach a safe room guarded by… well, guards.

Me and Hyazekiah were part of the white team.We were currently hiding from the Black team, who were actively searching for us.

and when someone we heard foot stepp I corner Hyazekiah and cover Hyazekiah mouth.Hyazekiah froze, his breath caught in his throat as I pressed him against the wall.My eyes darted around, listening for any sounds.i leaned in closer to Hyazekiah, My body pressed against him.My heart pounded in my chest, feeling the heat radiating from his body.Our eyes locked to each other.

I could feel Hyazekiah's breath, warm and quick against my hand.

Next day the other player included me and Hyazekiah was trying to escape from the base.We were running through the hallways, trying to find a way out of the base with other player that wants to escape too while holding a gun

"Stay behind me,I'll promise I'll protect you,we can escape here"

Hyazekiah nodded at me.

We turned a corner and saw a group of guards blocking Our pathThey immediately fired their guns at us when they saw us.We exchanged gunfire with them.

Hyazekiah – I'm out of ammo. I need to go back there to get more.

I nodded at him.

"Be careful,I'll cover you"

He nodded at me.

We were caught by the guards and I was shot.

And Hyazekiah still not coming back.

I was laying down now on the bed.Yeah I finally escape because my friend help me to escape she is a guard thier.And I was waiting now to her because she promised me she will help Hyazekiah to escape too.

suddenly the door opened and I saw my friend the one who save me elodia.

Grayson:"Elodia!"

I'm trying to sit up.

Elodia:Don't move, you're not healed yet.

She came to my side and helped me sit up.

Elodia:"You're one lucky bastard"

Grayson:"where is hyazekiah?is he in the other room?I'll go there to see him!" Im trying to stand up

Elodia placed a hand on my shoulder, preventing me from getting up.

Elodia:"You're not going anywhere."she replied firmly.

Grayson:"what are you saying ?let me.i need to see hyazekiah"I insisted.

Elodia:Grayson, Hyazekiah is already dead!"

My world stopped spinning when I heard that.

"wh...what are you saying... hyazekiah still alive"

Elodia:"You heard me Grayson. Hyazekiah is dead. "Serious tone.

My world seemed to crumble at those words. My mind struggled to comprehend what i had just heard.My tears slowly flowing into my face

Grayson:"No. It can't be true.He still alive"I refused to accept it "And You promise me you will help him to escape "

Elodia:I tried Grayson,I really tried but I was too late when I go back he is already dead

My grip on the bed sheets tightened.

Grayson:"No...no...no I need to go back your lying I know he is still alive I can feel it. if you can't save him I'll go back thier to save him" trying to stand up

Elodia placed a hand on my shoulder.

Elodia:"Grayson, he is gone...there's nothing you can do now"Her voice was gentle but firm.

I'm still in denial.i couldn't accept the harsh truth

Grayson:"No, there must be something we can do. We can go back, he is still alive" trying to stand up.I pleaded

Elodia shook her head, restraining me from getting up.

Elodia:"Grayson listen to me, it's too late"

I couldn't bring myself to believe it. my mind was a whirlwind of disbelief and denial.

Grayson:"No, No...no" burst to cry

{End of flashback}

I finally snapped out of my thoughts, realizing that Yaney is still at my lap and looking at me . I smile at Yaney.

I looked at the canvas, the painting of Hyazekiah's face staring back at me.I sighed, the pain of missing him was still present in my heart. I'm sorry Hyazekiah if we don't try to escape maybe your still alive ,maybe I'm with you right now,maybe I'm the one whose protecting you right now.

I look at Yaney she studied the painting, her small hand reaching out to touch the canvas.

Yaney: "He's pretty"

I chuckled softly at my daughter's words

I gently placed a hand on top of Yaney's, guiding her fingers away from the still-drying paint.

"Yeah, he is" I said softly.

"Okay let's go inside it's not good for you to stay long outside.

Yaney nodded, climbing down from my lap.

Yaney: "Okay, Daddy"

i stood up, picking up my paintbrush and palette.I followed Yaney back inside the house.

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