"Human Rights Advocate Joins Grimm Games." The headline repeated in my mind as Jade stood in the doorway. The shock visible in her slacked jaw.

She scanned the room, trying to determine how to proceed. "You're joining the Games? What does that even mean?"

"That means they just announced the contestants, and my name is on the list." My heartbeat rattled my ribcage. Before I could let the shock settle, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Millie."

"Your sister?" Jade brought her hand to her mouth to cover it as if what spilled out was a bad word. "Did she sign you up? That's illegal. They can't get away with that!"

I knew Jade was puzzled about how my name ended up on the contestants list and its connection to Millie. But she didn't know our full history. She wasn't aware of the times Millie used my name and information without my knowledge, like opening credit lines and not paying the bills. She also didn't know about Millie giving authorities my name when she got arrested for shoplifting and similar incidents.

I snatched the phone from the table and immediately dialed Millie's number, ignoring the kinky strands of dark brown hair that sprang from my loose ponytail and tickled my temple.

Millie hadn't answered my calls in the last two weeks, and the chances were slim she'd respond now, but I couldn't help but try. When the call went straight to voicemail, I wasted no time, blurting out, "Millie, what the fuck? Call me back. Now!"

"She's not gonna call you back." Jade's worried eyes met mine. "Not after this."

I huffed trying to control my frustration and fear. "I know. That's how I realize she's done something I wouldn't like. She avoids me."

Why would Millie do this? What was her motive?

In my mind, I replayed the special graphics that appeared onscreen for each player at the start of a Grimm Game competition. The stats displayed the player's performance in areas like stamina, strength, and mental ability, which viewers used to place their bets.

Did she think using my identity and stats could win her the jackpot? Did she believe being identical twins meant she could impersonate me successfully?

"What are you gonna do?" Jade went on. "What does this mean?"

I paced the length of my desk. "I'm gonna have to talk to someone at HQ. I think Millie signed herself up under my name."

Jade's eyes grew even bigger. "Why would she do that?"

"Because she's not the sharpest tool in the shed," I huffed, smoothing the baby hairs at the sides of my head before tightening my ponytail, which only added to my frustration.

"The promise of twenty million dollars will do that."

I pocketed my phone, picked up my laptop from the floor, and quickly examined the minimal damage. "I'm going to Arcanum headquarters now. Keep your phone on you, yes?"

"No." Jade lifted a finger. "I'm going with. We're supposed to be down there to help organize the protest soon anyway." When I opened my mouth to object, she pointed the same finger in my direction. "I don't care what you have to say, Kam. I'm not letting you confront those spineless schemers by yourself."

I didn't argue. In fact, I admired her drive. It was the first trait I fell in love with after laying eyes on her a year ago. I simply grabbed her hand and gently squeezed it twice before we left the room.

The trek only took twenty minutes. I credited my adrenaline and anger for my hasty strides. Approaching the large multistory building felt like an easy feat when the large "A" in the name landmarked the destination for miles.

The bustling early protesters showed us the gathering's importance. Arcanum had mastered keeping us glued to screens, but the towering building felt like a watchful god.

The building's many dark windows mirrored the struggling city around it, standing out against the graffiti on the worn cinderblock walls dividing us.

The black iron gates marked the entrance, smoothly opening for the occasional employee with keycards and codes.

People from all backgrounds paced along the sidewalk with white signs in their hands, reading "Down with Arcanum," in bold red letters that smeared and dripped like blood.

Some people mingled in pockets of groups as they held private discussions. While others surrounded one of the many collapsible refreshment tables that were prepped with paper cups and jugs of water.

"I need to speak with someone." I stared at the keypad next to the gate, debating if I should abide by the rules of a peaceful protest or attempt to go inside the next chance I got.

"I can try to contact the showrunner, but I don't know how far I can get?" Jade followed. "It might take a few days through email."

Not knowing how to proceed, I pulled my phone from my pocket and searched past the cracked screen to dial Millie's number. For a second, I considered changing her name in my contacts to Wannabe Kam. But this time when she didn't pick up, my anger gave way to growing concern.

As per the structure of Grimm Games, Arcanum flew participants out to HQ the week of filming to prepare for the live show. Season 15 was set to premiere next week. Given our proximity to headquarters, there was still time to withdraw Millie from the games and find a replacement if necessary.

"I'm getting a sinking feeling in the pit of my gut," I admitted. Jade's comforting palm on my lower back wasn't enough to ease my anxiety. "I'm calling the business line."

"And if they answer?" Jade narrowed her eyes, thinking. "Tell them they failed at background checking their players? Threatening legal action might work. They really like throwing their contracts and legal rights in our faces."

"You're right." I nodded and scratched the hairs at my temple. "I can let them know that Millie lied about who she is and signed up under my name without my knowledge."

"The truth."

"She'd be disqualified, right? They would have to pull her out and recast someone else."

"Do you really believe a company that broadcasts real, live deaths onscreen cares about the people who sign up?" She huffed and her frustration was palpable.

"I agree," I nodded. "But a lawsuit might hit them hard. They've built their whole image on being law-abiding, and an illegal operation could shatter that facade."

Jade mimicked me and nodded. "You should definitely go for it. In the meantime, I'm gonna try your sister again." She pulled out her phone as well.

When I dialed Arcanum's number, an automated message greeted me. "Welcome to Arcanum Entertainment, home of Grimm Games. Sign up to win twenty million dollars or place your bets as a spectator for a chance at the winning prize pool. Press one to be added to the growing list of contestants."

I sighed, growing more impatient. As the recording continued, a still figure stood out from the energetic crowd. Holding the phone to my ear, my gaze locked onto the bearded man in dark, dingy tatters. His grip on the half-eaten red apple was tight, like he was clutching a baseball.

The recording persisted, "If you're a member of the media and wish to contact our media representatives, please visit our website."

I glared at the phone. "This is bullshit." I pressed zero on the keypad, hoping for a human connection, but my faith quickly dwindled as time ticked on. I knew no one would answer. They probably never do. When the automated voice prompted me to leave a message, I did. "This is Kamila Wendall. The real Kamila. There's been a mistake with your lineup—"

"You traitor!" the words erupted from the grimy man. Before my eyes could focus on the apple, the red blur slammed into my temple. I winced in pain, and gasps echoed through the crowd. The man yelled, "You lying bitch," before vanishing around the corner.

"What the hell, asshole!" Jade shouted at him before turning to me. "Are you okay?" Her hands were in my hair, moving aside wet strands to assess the damage.

I wiped the remnants of the apple from the side of my head and face with my palm. "That hurt."

Some bystanders came to my aid to make sure I was fine. It felt good to know not everyone had lost their compassion. But someone from the bunch sneered, "Aren't you Kamila from Ensemble Org? I thought you wanted to see this place crumble. Why would you sign up?"

"She signed up for the Games?" another curious person asked.

"Yeah," someone answered. "Did you not see the list? It went public today."

"I don't get it," someone else joined in. "Why are you here then? Not to protest."

Jade slipped her hand into mine, reminding me I had an ally. "There was a misunderstanding. We're trying to get to the bottom of it."

"Sounds like you couldn't resist that twenty million to me," someone accused.

The person before me countered back, "She's one of the founders of the organization. She wouldn't give in like that. That would be a huge 'fuck you' to the rest of us out here."

I turned to create distance between us and them, but as I attempted to retrace my steps, more people gathered around us slowing our progress. "Please," I managed. "This isn't what you think it is." But more and more commotion broke out.

As the space grew more suffocating, a black car with black tinted windows pulled up to the gates. We weren't required to have a permit when coordinating the gathering, but thankfully the protesters respected the private property and didn't attempt to go inside or obstruct car or pedestrian traffic.

As the gates slowly opened, the car didn't move, getting our attention. The dark tinted back window concealed the identity of the passenger, but their window went down a sliver to allow the elderly, feminine voice to come through. "Ensemble Organization?"

Curiosity prompted me to approach the car and confirm. "I'm a local social worker for the organization." Would she complain about the protests and throw food at me too? "Can I help you with something?"

"I'd ask the same of you, Kamila." The judgmental tone in the voice put me further on edge. "I'll send someone out to escort you inside."

I narrowed my eyes, leaning down to peer through the opening to get a better look. "Who are you?"

"Someone with a proposition that can work in your favor." The window went up before I could ask for clarity, and the car continued through the entrance.