Note: this chapter contains some strong language.

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"Player 063 — pass. Player 077 — pass. Player 024 — pass. Player 025 — pass. Player 091 — pass."

The tannoy continues to announce those who have passed the second game; while Michael slowly starts to recover from losing consciousness. Whitney leans his head on her knelt-down legs; she holds his face in her hands to support its position while the rest of his body rests on the floor.

"We passed, Michael," she shudders, trying to catch her breath from the ordeal she's just faced. "I'm so glad nothing happened to you."

Michael gives her a weak smile, still coughing to clear his airways. "Thanks ... for saving me."

"I did what I had to do to make sure we both survived and passed the game." She releases air from her nose, as a substitute for laughter. "We made a pact to stick together as far as we could, didn't we?"

"I guess so." Michael closes his eyes, to soak in the moment of victory — even if he'd have died without Whitney's help. He's just relieved that someone was there when he needed it the most.

On the other side of the forest, George and Andrew come out from their hiding spots.

"Still not heard about Elton," George frowns, becoming progressively more worried as time goes on.

"I'm sure he's fine, Yog. They're announcing who passed now anyway," Andrew reassured him. "He's player ... which number?"

"Player 080. Oh god, please let him be okay." George's eyebrows furrow sadly, as he runs a hand through his soft, bleached-yellow locks. "Wish they'd fucking say his number already."

"Player 094 — pass. Player 069 — pass. Player 080 — pass."

"There, see? He's fine." Andrew rolls his eyes, smiling because he's happy for his friend.

George's face instantly gives away his happiness and expelled nerves. "Oh my god, he's okay," he breathes, almost unable to believe it. "I gotta go find him and talk to him. I'll see you back in the main function room, okay?"

"Alright man. See you later."

With this, George jogs away from his friend, in a search for Elton. He arrives at a group of trees, spying Madonna and Lisa walking back towards the direction of the main function room together. "Have you seen Elton?"

"He went up ahead," Lisa informs. "I think he was looking for you, George."

A chill runs down his spine; and a strange feeling rises in his chest at this news. In response, he holds his hand over his heart; as if this is going to rid the sensation he's experiencing. He smiles, shaking his head before running off. "Thanks girls!"

Madonna and Lisa chuckle at their new buddy's enthusiasm.

"He'll be a hard one to lose, won't he?" Madonna questions. "He's such a sweet guy."

"Yeah ... he seems to like Elton too." Lisa folds her arms, before glancing down to step over a rock, which otherwise would have tripped her. "I think they'll have a good bromance. Well — for as long as they're both alive for, anyway."

"I bet he's gay anyway — George, I mean," Madonna guesses. "I'd bet on it."

"There's no way," Lisa cackles. "He's got such a pretty face; he could get any girl he wanted."

"That's true, but have you seen the way he looks at Elton? The comments he makes about him? I'm calling it now. They'll have something going on." Madonna brushes her face with her hand, to rid some of the hair from in front of her face as it's annoying her. "Mark my words."

"We'll see. I'm not after him anyway — I'm after Michael." Lisa smirks, turning her head at just the right moment to see Whitney transporting him over her arm. "Oh my god! What happened to Michael?"

"We hid in the water. He went unconscious," Whitney explains hurriedly. "He's okay. Just a little out-of-it."

"You want me to help?" Lisa offers, taking Michael's body from the other side, hoisting him over her arm. "Gosh, poor Michael."

"I'm okay Lisa ... just weak, and tired," Michael whimpers, trying to reassure her. "I just want to get some rest so I'm okay for the next game."

"You'll be alright soon," Whitney adds. "We'll dry off your clothes and make sure you relax for the rest of the day now."

*

"Hey, Elton!" George calls, finally catching up to him. "Elton!"

Elton turns his head to see George, instantly smiling upon seeing him. "Oh man, you're safe!" He gives George a hug in congratulation, before standing to face him. "I forgot what number you were, so I had no idea what it was, when they were announcing who passed."

"Don't worry about it; the most important thing is we're both safe." He pauses a moment to think of the right way to brooch his next subject of conversation, but with a deep breath to give himself courage, he mentions it anyway. "Hey, I didn't know if you wanted to maybe go to one of our rooms, just so we can relax and maybe chat a little more. Get to know each other before one of us or both of us kicks the bucket."

Elton laughs at George's blunt wording. "Well, sure. Sounds cool to me. Yours or mine?"

"We could go to mine if you like. Bit nearer going to room twenty-five, than to room eighty."

"Yeah, let's do it."

The pair head out the main function room, pacing towards George's room. He brings out his keycard, scanning it against the keypad next to the door number. It beeps and flashes green; so the pair enter. George is not one for keeping things tidy — his bed is unmade; his normal clothing is strewn across the floor; his sink has watermarks from brushing his teeth earlier in the day.

"Welcome to paradise," he comments, throwing his keycard onto the bedside table. "I would say I'm sorry about the mess, but I won't be here long enough to need to tidy it."

"Fair point," Elton evaluates. "So, what do you wanna know?"

"Just about yourself," George invites. "We're only going to know one another for, at most, a few days more. Might as well get into the deep shit while we're alone."

Elton shrugs, knowing it's impossible to argue with such logic. "Alright. Well, my name is Elton John ... uh, well, I'm here because I'm broke. Just like everyone else. Recently got divorced and my ex took everything and left me with nothing. Her parents made her do it." He sits down on George's bed, immediately leaning his head against the headboard. "So here I am, risking my life for a bit of money. Pathetic, isn't it?"

"Not at all." George sits down beside his friend, also leaning his head against the headboard. "It's better than the reason I'm here. I just wanted to kick-start my career."

"You wanna sing, don't you?"

"Yeah ... " George lets out a sigh, appearing disappointed in himself. "I've always had the desire to be something. To be someone in this world. I love people; they're my favourite thing. I love the idea of so many knowing my name and celebrating me for my passion. It's so exhilarating and exciting to me. Don't you agree?"

Elton makes eye contact with George, giving him a genuine, kind smile. "I think it's a wonderful wish."

The prolonged period of looking at one another causes George to feel slightly flushed, so he looks away — instead glancing down at the floor. "Well, that's what Andrew and I came here for. We thought, if one of us won this thing, then maybe we could kick-start our band. But now ... even if one of us won, the other would be dead. It hurts too much to even think about, but ... that's just the way it is, isn't it? We have to accept it." Tears form in the young man's eyes, at the idea of losing his lifelong best buddy. "I have no idea whether I'd rather lose Andrew, or Andrew lose me."

To show his support, Elton places a hand on George's. "I get it. In fact, even the idea of losing some of the people in here hurts, doesn't it?"

George looks back up at Elton, with slightly blurred vision from the tears. "It does," he mutters, only just audibly. He knows, more then he's willing to let on, that losing Elton would be the hardest to lose following Andrew.

"Who do you think's winning this thing?" Elton asks, out of interest. "'Cause it's a tough one to decide, isn't it?"

"I think it'll be you, or perhaps Prince. Maybe Freddie. He seems quiet, but he seems quite a strong contender too." George rests one arm behind his head, because the headboard is proving too hard to lean against. "What about you?"

"Well, I'd rather be the winner. But I don't think I will be. I'm guessing Prince. Or maybe Michael or Whitney. But really, I think you're pretty good at this too."

"Me? Why's that? I've not really brought anything to the table, have I?" George scoffs; his laughter is sweet and contagious. His previous saddened state has diminished.

"Well, you're a nice guy. You're funny, and you always like to have a game plan. But ... you're not afraid, either." Elton nods, as if agreeing with his own words for self-validation. "You're fearless."

"Well, fearless is something I'm definitely not," George corrects, pushing his hair back a little with his free hand, to prevent the yellow floof from entering his line of vision. "Trust me on that."

"What makes you think that?" A sincere expression has formed on Elton's face. "I'd genuinely like to know."

A moment of silence begins. George looks concerned; almost as if he doesn't want to answer the question that's just been put to him. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. He wants, so badly, to open his heart up to Elton — but the nerves put him off.

"W-Well I—" He pauses, still unsure on how to start his explanation. "I-It's not anything major or anything, I—"

"You can tell me George." Elton's expression becomes inviting, and this alone convinces George to confess something he has not confessed to very many people in his lifetime.

"I ... my parents are devout Christians. They go to church; read the Bible; pray. You name it — they do it. Um." He pauses to think on what to say. "Uh, they are very ... they're very homophobic. Because they chose to listen to the Bible. You know how it goes. A-And that's where the issue lies because I'm ... " Shame causes him to come to a complete halt with his sentence. "I'm not fearless, because I can't tell them I'm gay."

Elton's sincere expression dissolves to one of sadness for his friend. "Oh, George." He rubs his arm in gentle strokes, to try and soothe him. "I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. But you shouldn't be ashamed for being gay."

"A-Andrew is the only person in the world who ever knew. He never judged me once. That's what's so difficult being in here." The tears that had vanished suddenly reappear in George's eyes, quickly falling down his cheeks. "If he's the one to die and I somehow survive, I'll be alone in a world where nobody accepts who I am." His silent tears transform to loud sobs, at the idea of being without Andrew in the real world again. He falls into Elton's arms, in a harsh hug; Elton holds him tight with no intention of letting go.

"I've got you George. I've got you. And I accept you. And I value you. And your secret will die with me if I'm the one to go, I promise. And if I survive and you don't, I'll make sure everyone remembers you as George — the most lovely guy I've met in a long time."

"Thank you," George cries, his voice muffled from being held against Elton's shoulder. "I just don't know if I can face the world without my partner in crime. And the idea of him facing the world without me is—it breaks my heart, Elton."

"I know. But that's why we need to make the most of the time we have left in this place," Elton decides. "No use in spending the whole time being emotional. Otherwise we won't make the most of each other while we're all still here."

"I know. You're right. I'm sorry." George pulls away from Elton, wiping away his own tears. "I'm being pathetic, crying over being gay."

"I get it." Elton smiles, facing opposite him on the bed. "I really get it."

"I don't think anybody really gets it unless they're actually gay like I am," George says. "Not to try and make it a competition."

"Ah, I see," Elton chuckles. "You assume I'm straight."

George's eyes widen in instinctual reaction. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Yeah, you didn't expect that, did you?" Elton laughs. "I'm gay too."

"Oh, my god." George gasps, wiping the final tears away with both hands messily. It would be a lie to say he isn't overjoyed hearing this. He grins at this newfound information. "You kept that quiet."

"Well," Elton begins, returning the smile at the notion he is finally understood. "I guess I have some explaining to do."

~~

Chapter 7 ahh! I think George and Elton are adorable!