#panic (2021) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

polaristhngs · 2 years

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Fearless (12/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: If anyone knew how dumb Panic was, it would be her. The game at first felt freeing. However, when you keep playing, it doesn't appear to be worth it at all, but by that point, it's too late. There was no joy left in the game. It was more than that now.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Violence, Shooting

Word Count: 8.5k

Disclaimer

I do not own the series of Panic or the characters. This is a slight AU of Season 1.

Masterlist || I. PANIC || XI. CAUTION || XIII. RETURNS

XII. TENSE

A week had passed since the last Panic challenge and Heather was frantic. As she, Josie, and Natalie walk across the pavement of the streets of Carp, the brunette cannot help but show her worry about the lack of updates. From the last time they've spoken, Heather told Josie that she had to basically stalk Diggins to ask if she could use her immunity and be back on the game. His lack of response after that encounter made her all worry. She had no regrets about ditching the challenge for her sister but she needed to be persistent for the money.

"Still nothing about Panic?" Heather asks.

"I'm telling you it's been awfully quiet," Josie said. The surface surrounding Panic was hushed following the challenge on the bridge. There was no mention of the game around the town, no hints about the next challenge, and no other players showing any signs of interest in the game. The previous round seemed to resonate with everyone who responded to the questions, even Josie. There was anxiety about the information they provided since nobody knew what they would do with it. She remembered seeing Drew a day after the game. He still looked petrified as if he saw a ghost.

"They're probably preparing for the individuals." She assumed.

"What did Diggins say to you again?" Natalie chimes in.

"He said Panic's a dumb game. There's tension between judges right now, and he'll think about it." Heather frowns, remembering his words.

"That sounds reassuring." Josie sarcastically remarks.

If anyone knew how dumb Panic was, it would be Heather. The game at first felt freeing. However, when you keep playing, it doesn't appear to be worth it at all, but by that point, it's too late. The concept of fighting for money seemed evil in its entirety. Particularly now when she sensed that this summer of playing Panic wasn't like the summers before. But like everyone else in Carp, she was in urgent need of money. If her mother never stole her money saved up for college, she would've never joined.

"Maybe he's right, Heather. Maybe you should sit this one out."

The brunette stopped and turned toward her friend. "You were the one who suggested using my immunity, Nat. I've come this far. I'm not stopping now."

"But you did when you decided not to show up."

"Is she supposed to leave Lily all alone with her mom and her druggie boyfriend?" Josie made an effort not to sneer at Natalie's words. They both understood how Lily was Heather's entire world.

"All I'm saying is that it's probably for the best that she shouldn't go back to Panic, Josie." She glowered. "Why are you guys so desperate about Panic?"

"You were as desperate as us in the beginning, remember?" Heather blatantly reminds her.

"It's just a game guys."

"Easy for you to say when you have a trust fund sitting quietly in the bank. Some of us don't have the luxury to sit around and do nothing all day, Nat."

"Are you saying that I do nothing?"

Natalie shifts her gaze to Josie. "You don't want my opinion on that." Josie reacts. Natalie scoffs at her.

"We are desperate, Natalie. I need the money. Heather and I need the money."

"Winning the prize money is not just about being able to leave Carp but we could actually be set. I'm not just talking about being able to pay bills but think about other things. I could do things for myself this time. Maybe start up something using the money. And as stupid as it seems, I actually think I could go to college with the money we'll win," Josie said.

Josie muses somberly about her plans and what she'll do with the money should she win in Panic. She had already fantasized about driving in her car, leaving Car, not knowing where she'll end up next. She could travel wherever she wanted, preferably far like California, and, probably, settle in the city. Josie would go to the college she wants and finally pursue her dreams of becoming a writer. She'll still call and maybe visit Nick when she could. But she'd be finally contented.

"You've been avoiding the talk about college for months and now you're just deciding to go." Natalie continues. "You guys have been using money as an excuse. You can go to college."

"It's not an excuse. It's not just an easy choice for us to make, Nat." Heather was trying hard not to snap at her friend's naivety of her privilege. "Josie and I are poor, remember?" She wasn't motivated to keep going by the money, but rather by the person she knew she would spend the money to.

"Fine." Natalie sharply says, deciding to give up her asking. "Don't listen to me. But don't say I didn't warn you guys about the game."

The two girls stared at her retreating figure as their friend ditches them on the side of the street. Josie couldn't help but wonder about Natalie's opposition to Heather reentering. She felt bad for making assumptions about Nat's jealousy. With her individuals, Heather may still catch up in the game. And by then, she'd be just mere points behind them, with a chance to compete in the finale.

Heather and Josie decided to rest and sauntered towards Dot's diner.

"She'll come around eventually. You know she does." Josie comforts the frown in Heather's expression. "Don't worry."

As they sat in their respective seats near the store's counter, Josie's gaze can't help but look for that recognizable tall boy in his signature black shirt and jeans working around the place and eventually finding his way in front of her.

"Should I take a wild guess on who you're looking for?" Heather teasingly rested her chin on her palm as she watched her best friend's eyes search the scape of the diner.

"That's it." She blasts, catching the dark-haired girl's attention. "What's going on between you and Dodge?"

"Dodge and I kissed." Josie's expression turned red.

"What?!" Heather's eyes widened. Josie giggles as the brunette vigorously shakes her joyfully and lightly hits her arm in disbelief. Heather was astonished by the shift in their relationship since she has last seen them jokingly throwing quips at one another and having an unsaid tension.

"Yep. It was over a week ago. After Panic."

"Was that part of the challenge?"

"W-What? No." She laughingly shook her head. "Actually, earlier on he told me that he liked me. He gave me this long talk about what would've happened if we never met and then just said it out of the blue. I thought he was kidding but he said it again and I realized he was being serious. Back then, I didn't know what to say so afterward, I kind of..."

"Chickened out?"

"During the challenge, Diggins asked me about Dodge. He asked if I have feelings for him, and I do. So after, I just went up to Dodge and-"

"Kissed him?" She nods. The Slater girl couldn't believe it either. "Just like that? Wow."

No matter how many times she'd replay that night in her head, she'd look down bashfully in disbelief. It's been smooth sailing for her and Dodge since. Josie never would've imagined how old-fashion Dodge would be. He'd offer to pick her up and drop her off at home at the end of the day, open the car door for her, and even gives her flowers, even if it's just a single piece, after learning what her favorite was. She had assumed Dodge wouldn't be the sort to make silly displays of affection in front of others, but Josie would always find him hanging on to her even if they just parted for a split second.

Dodge was hooked. And so was she.

Her enthusiasm for them was understated, sitting closer to Josie to hear more about the pair. The girl couldn't help but notice the radiance that sparked on Josie's face when she spoke of the Mason boy.

"So what, are you guys dating now or what?"

"Actually, I don't know. We never really talked about it." Josie continued. "I don't know if that indicates you're in a relationship. But we did go out and we've kissed a few times."

"Now you're just bragging."

The girl apologizes in humor. But she wasn't really sorry, she wanted to brag about him.

"How about you and Bishop?" Josie asks, turning the attention to Heather. "What's going on with the two of you?"

"It's great."

"You don't sound great." That strained smile was one that Josie recognized. The same smile Heather would give to her when she would ask if everything was fine. She knew something was wrong. "What is it? Are you guys fighting?"

"No, seriously, we're great, Josie. I mean, he's great." She breathed out. "It's just that...i-it's a little overwhelming finally being with him after years of wanting it."

"Then what's wrong?"

"It's just that his whole rich guy scene. I don't feel like I fit in in all of that. Being around those fancy places he goes to, the fancy people he meets, and his fancy parents. I mean, you should've seen his dad's car collection, I swear the value of those could feed a town." Heather confided. She felt like a piece trying to fit into the wrong puzzle.

"I don't like that look of pity he gives me whenever I talk about my mom, or Lily, or home." Heather lamented. "It makes me feel like a bigger charity case than I already am."

The Slater girl placed her arm around the brunette's shoulder, rubbing it softly. "Heather, it's Bishop. He just cares about you that's all."

"So did he ask you about Midsummer?" Josie asked about the upcoming festivity. "Yep. He asked me yesterday. And also speaking of going..." Heather went on. "Bishop is planning to take me to the drive-in tonight and you're coming with me."

She instantly shakes her head in refusal. "I don't want to be a third wheel."

"You won't. You're taking Dodge with you." She bites the inside of her cheek as Heather smirked at her notion.

"I don't like social functions."

"He might."

"You have met him, right?" She raised her brow.

"I'm just saying he might go 'cause he'd be going with you." Josie gave it a thought. She hated the scene but it would be tolerable as long as Dodge was with her. "C'mon, if I'm going, you're going too." Her best friend gave her a nudge in the arm.

However, a familiar voice interrupts them. "Hey, Heather. Can we talk?" Ray Hall spoke daintily.

The immediate frown rose in Heather's expression as she saw his face. Never again does she want to speak with or see him. Heather accepted all she had to do was ignore him for the rest of her life. "No, I don't think we can."

"Please, it'll only take a second. It's about yesterday."

"There's nothing to talk about, Ray." She said coldly. "It was a mistake trying to talk to you. A stupid mistake."

"Heather, I'm sorry. Look, I didn't mean all those things-"

A part of Josie felt bad for the guy. Despite Heather's rejection, he continues to plead, to give him a chance to speak. Nothing was cutting it with her best friend who refused to give him her attention and chose to stare straight forward at the table, ignoring his excuses Josie didn't understand the context of. And when he ran out of words to say and energy to give, he simply left the diner before looking back once more at the brunette Josie couldn't quite depict what the look meant.

"What was that about?" Josie asks.

"Nothing. I..." Heather breathed in. "I've been distracted during the first week of Panic and at the Graybill challenge...Ray and I almost hooked up."

"Save me the lecture. Natalie already gave me one." She cuts the Slater girl off before she could say anything.

"I feel like such an idiot. I can't believe I think that he might actually have some feelings for me that didn't come out of his dick." Heather frustratingly runs her fingers through her hair as she relived those same feelings she wished he had for her the way she had for him. Perhaps it was love or just the assumption of love, she didn't know. She didn't need to know more about it as it wasn't her problem anymore. "But you were right and Nat was right. He's an asshole. Just like his brother."

"Did Luke do something?" The dark-haired girl's voice sounded alert, protective.

"I wanted to confront him on what he answered during Panic. So I went over to his place and was looking for him on his boat, but Luke was there too but I left as soon as I can." Heather continues. "This would probably not sound unusual but I think Luke is up to something. Over at the boat, I found these ballots- betting slips-"

"With our names on them?" Josie finishes her sentence.

Josie nudges Heather closer. "I bumped into Luke a few days ago and I found similar ones that I found in Spurlock's basement." She uttered.

"I know this sounds crazy but I think Luke's fixing the game. There were slips from last year's game too. And I think it might be connected to Jimmy and Abby's deaths." Heather listened intently to Josie. "Abby was pregnant before she died but she had an abortion. I don't know if Jimmy knew or if anyone else did. But what if that was the reason she gave up on Panic. Everyone saw that she was acting off and a lot were betting a lot of money on her."

"They needed her to keep playing for the money. She could've been manipulated to keep playing or she was blackmailed to forfeit the game."

"And you think this person is Luke?"

"It makes sense, Heather," Josie exclaimed. "Panic's been here long enough. He's betting now he could've done so before. He sagged all the money he won before, remember? He tried betting on either Jimmy or Abby but neither won, so he's back now betting on Ray 'cause he's broke and desperate."

"We all know he's just gonna take the money if Ray wins." She deteriorates.

Having a moment to take it all in, Heather was overwhelmed. Sinking in the thoughts of how corrupt the game has turned now. Or it was always like this but they never really knew. It needed to stop before it gets worse. "We need to tell the cops, Josie."

She shakes her head, no. "The second we tell them about us and Panic, they're gonna arrest us. I don't think they're gonna believe us anyway. We're gonna need more than just a hunch and betting slips."

The two girls were troubled. Asking the Slater girl how can they find more evidence, the notion came into Josie's head. "We could sneak into Ray's boat again. I bet there's stuff there."

"We are not sneaking back there, Josie." Heather differed. Josie's expression sunk. "Luke could be there."

"It'll be fine. I have a gun."

"You have a gun?!" She yelled, eyes widened. Josie immediately tried to cover her mouth in silence. Some wandering eyes stared at the two but sooner dismissed their attention. "Where did you get a gun, Josie?!" Heather whispered.

"Does it matter? I always keep it in my bag. We'll be fine." Josie says, earning a judgemental look from the brunette. She exhaled. "I stole it from Spurlock's basement, alright. It's not like I'm gonna use it. It's just insurance. Just in case."

"Just in case, what?"

"Just in case someone would try to mess with us just like they did with Abby."

"Abby was leading in Panic, remember? Everyone knew her only real competition was Jimmy." Josie recalled the stories she'd heard a summer ago on how that year of Panic was gonna be epic. "A guy was betting a lot on him. If they wanted Jimmy and them to win, then they needed her out."

Josie recounted the first time she had heard about Panic. As a kid, she'd see the older kids running around town doing crazy shit. At first, she thought that was how one acted when they were older. She remembered Natalie dragging her and Heather out of the swimming hole, seeing the teens jumping high from the drop, her heart pounding frantically in her chest not knowing what was going on. As Natalie continued to drag to them whatever parties she could and drunk teenagers boasted about the money they were gonna win, Josie was introduced to Panic.

She knew they were just mere fishes playing in a much larger bowl. Lost in their own bubbles as something bigger happens on the outside. They were never aware of how much was occurring outside of Panic. They were able to get away with it so easily. But she refused to allow them to take her down, as they did to Jimmy and Abby. The closer she got to the finish line, the closer to the danger she gets.

————

As the breeze through his car window brushes through his brown hair, Dodge's mind wavered toward something else. After being on edge about Panic, he drove to the ranch to get it off his mind but the email he got sooner after the session drove him back to the problem.

It's been weeks since the last mention of Panic. Dodge thought it would give him some rest or a break but he just ached it even more. The complete silence felt like a giant clock ticking, telling him he was running out of time. The longer he waited, the further Luke Hall was getting what he deserved. He wanted the game to end as soon as it can. He wanted to make Luke Hall pay for what he did to Dayna. And this would finally be over.

The days hadn't been so bad. He'd been with Josie. And it was certainly the best days of his life. At every thought, mention, sight, call, text, or even just by being around Josie, Dodge was happy. Happier than he could've ever imagined. He didn't think it was possible to be like this. The possibilities with her are endless and sometimes he wished the summer would be endless too. Despite his reality regarding his drive for revenge, he wouldn't want to wake up one day and find all the memories with disappeared. He'd be lost.

As Dodge's car took a turn to the street near his place, he spotted a familiar figure of Josie Slater walking across the pavement.

"Hey!" He called out. "What're you doing here?"

Josie gazes at Dodge as he got off his car and dashes his way in her direction. "I was over by your house. I was looking for you but Dayna said you were over by the ranch."

"Well, you found me now." The pair gleamed at each other.

"Have you got any news on your individuals yet?" Dodge asks her. Josie noticed his eyes slightly narrowed with seriousness every time he spoke regarding Panic. "Nope. Not yet." She shrugged. "You?"

"It got in just a while ago. All I got was an email." She peered over the message sent to Dodge's phone, reading: In a world of locked rooms, the man with the key is king. The couple's forehead creased after a second of deduction.

"Guess you need to find a key," Josie suggested. "Probably. They didn't mention a date or a time yet though."

"You nervous?"

"A little bit, but we'll get through it. I know we will." He gave her a light peck on the cheek.

Wondered about her sudden silence, he asked her if something was concerning her. He noticed how often Josie would go into a daze. Her brows were wrinkled in thought and her eyes shifted around like she was on guard for something. Dodge squeezed Josie's hand, seeing how lost she was in her own head again. He knew something was wrong but he didn't want to push it.

"Are you gonna stay over tonight, or...?"

"No. Well, that reminds me." She loomed closer. "Actually, I came here to ask you something."

"There's this party thing the town throws every year at Coral Lake." Josie looked down, her hands nervously fidgeting on the sides of her legs. "And I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go with me to Midsummer..."

"Are you asking me out?" Dodge couldn't help but smirk.

"Yes. Yes, I'm asking. But I mean, y-you don't have to if you don't want. The party's pretty stupid actually, so it's fine if you say no." Josie continues to ramble. "N-Not like I want you to say no. I'm just saying you can but I do want you to say yes. But don't feel pressured to say yes though 'cause-"

"Hey, hey, hey." He cuts her off. Holding her by the shoulders which seemed to ease her anxious breathing. Josie apologized for babbling to which Dodge replied with a chuckle. She didn't have much experience with dating, not asking a guy out herself, so this was all kind of new to her. It was new for both of them.

"Yes. I'd love to go with you." Dodge grinned.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously." He smiled. "Actually, I saw a flyer in town, and I was planning to ask you but you kinda beat me to it."

Despite her earlier reluctance, Josie mentally agreed of going. Dodge saying yes was the right push that got her to decide to go. The prospect of being around Dodge didn't seem too horrible, even though Josie disliked going out to places where she knew she wouldn't exactly fit in. When they are alongside one other, difficult situations become bearable. Perhaps it is how they saw one another. They were each other's safe place.

"I didn't think you'd like those types of stuff."

"I don't sometimes, but I like you and I want to take you to this thing."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. You had a crush on me since the first day of school." She quipped. The two gazed at each other as his hands snaked around her waist.

"I really want to take you out on a date, like an actual date, so I think maybe Midsummer could be it," Dodge tells her about his wishes. He looked over to her, lips slightly pouted.

"...That first official date could happen tonight." The girl grinned as she continued. "Heather gave me this idea. She and Bishop are going to the drive-in tonight and I was thinking we could go..." Dodge bit his lip as she continued to look at him with those eyes that would make him say yes to anything.

"Always finding ways to be around me, huh, Slater."

"I guess I just really like you, Mason."

He never had a girlfriend before. Nothing came to mind when you ask him if he remotely liked someone. He never had particular expectations regarding relationships. He also never realized how his days previously felt so empty. He wanted nothing but to skip forward and end it all. But that was before Josie Slater. Everything else before her felt like a fever dream.

I shouldn't be thinking like this, his mind fought as panic rose on him. He was scared. He was uncontrollably scared. Scared of losing her. Scared of being lost without her because, for the first time, he felt like he belonged. A part of him knew that she was meant for something. Something better. Something bigger. Something greater. He knew that as the days of summer passed and reality comes knocking on their door, he'd have to see her fly away.

"Josie..." He spoke.

"I..."

Bzzzzzz. Josie's phone vibrated, cutting off Dodge's words before he could say them. "It's Heather." She mentioned. Shoving his hands into his pocket while he masks his disappointment, he listened thoroughly as Josie read the text her friend sent her, asking her if she could stop by her place to get ready. After she declined his offer to drive her there, he sighed. He was desperate to spend more time with her, but guess he just has to wait until tonight.

"I'll see you tonight?"

"See you tonight."

"Just promise me that you won't wear anything black."

Dodge laughs. "That sounds like a challenge, but I promise."

"See you later, Dodge Mason," Josie says before giving him one final kiss on the cheek as they parted ways.

The boy watched her depart the street as her figure walked away from him, then got back in his car and headed toward his house, which was only a few doors away. Making a turn and parking the car in their driveway, Dodge groaned as he shifted toward his rear-view mirror noticing the familiar sheriff's car following him and pulling over in front of the house.

"Afternoon, son!" Dodge kept a watchful glare as Sheriff Cortez exits his car and made his way toward him. "My mom's not here." He answered quickly, quickening his steps to the front door, ready to escape from the guy.

"I'm not here to talk to Jessica. I'm here to talk to you." Cortez tried to keep it light.

"Yeah. Well, I kinda already have plans tonight, Sheriff. So I can't really-"

"I need to speak to you, Dodge." The sternness and sharpness of Cortez's voice were enough to make Dodge comply. Stopping mid-step from the stairs, he stopped, turning back to the old man who now got his full attention.

"Still no news about Panic?" He breathed out, getting right into business. Dodge only shook his head at the question.

"How about your individual? Nothing?"

"Nope. Not yet." The Mason boy casually shrugged, keeping it nonchalant as the sheriff continues to grill him.

Visions focused, almost as if he was examining the boy, he interrogates. "You sure?" Dodge looked away for a second. Not because he was gonna break. He would never. It was to shudder away the scornful glare he was about to send towards the sheriff's continuance. Looking at him straight in the eye, he answered. "Yeah, I'm sure."

The two stood quiet before Cortez released a light chuckle. "Well, that's disappointing. The sooner the game ends, the sooner this is over, right?" The teenager let out a tight-lipped grin before returning back to his plain expression.

"I noticed that you've been distracted lately, son." He trod forward.

"You keeping tabs on me now?"

"I do. If it means that our plan would work." Dodge wanted to roll his eyes as he continued. "You've come this far. You're not slowing down now."

"I'm not." He folded his arms to his chest.

"Dodge, remember the plan. You have to be in the lead at Panic so you can go against Luke at Joust. It's not gonna work if you're not. You understand that?"

Dodge did understand. For a year, that was all he understood. There was never a day that goes by that he doesn't look up at his ceiling in the middle of the night and replay the whole idea in his head. From the night of Dayna's accident to those nights he spent right beside her at the hospital and all those months in physical therapy. When Sheriff Cortez reached out to his family with a notion, a flicker of hope and rage surged through Dodge. Nothing was gonna get in between him and Luke Hall. Cortez made sure of that.

"Heather Hill is in the lead, right?" The sheriff referred.

"She was, but she didn't show up so she forfeited."

"Then, who is it?" He asked, impatiently. "Who is it now?"

The seventh challenge at the bridge didn't count any points but deducted one if players took longer to walk through the tracks. That means the fugitive challenge for finding the flags was the last pointed round, Dodge opined. He could still clearly recall the tenseness. His blood was rushing as he ran throughout the city trying to elude the police. He also recalled discovering the flag that was hiding in plain sight. He remembered pleasantly finishing in second after the person he admit he wouldn't mind losing to.

"Josie Slater?"

Dodge felt his breath hitched as Cortez mentioned her name. With Heather out of the running, Josie was leading for scoring first at the flag challenge and still has most of her points intact at the previous one.

"She's tough I'll give her that, but she'll crack just like that mother of hers." The boy flexed his hand, open and closed. He inhaled sharply as Cortez continued to talk about her.

"Now obviously all you have to do is beat her. Shouldn't be a problem."

"Don't drag her into this."

"Son, if she's playing Panic, then she's already part of it," Cortez spoke slowly to get him to understand.

"Don't go soft on me now, Dodge." He gave him a tap on the shoulder. "You weren't like this with that Natalie Williams."

Right after he made the deal to team up with Natalie, Dodge told Sheriff Cortez. Natalie digging more about his past was a dilemma they don't have time to spare for. Cortez gave him a warning. To take care of it or he will. She won't be a problem, Dodge said. With Natalie, he would have quickly dismissed anything that may have put the plan in jeopardy, but with Josie, he felt divided.

"What is it? You have a thing for her?" The man asks. Dodge gripped the side of his arms. His hands almost turned red, holding back. "Panic's a game, son. Josie Slater, Natalie Williams, Heather Hill. Everyone in this town is willing to do anything for just about anything. Don't be fooled."

"You don't know her, sheriff."

"I knew her since she was seven." He stated. "Trust me. I know her."

"You think she wouldn't cast you aside when it comes down between the both of you? Panic is her ticket out of Carp and she's not gonna miss that shot. You know that." Cortez points out.

"Keep an eye on her."

"Leave Josie out of this." He sent him a sharp, deadly gaze. It wasn't a favor, it was a warning.

"You're not just gonna throw it all away because of some girl, are you? You do remember who you're playing for?" The man walked closer. Dodge tried to keep his breathing under control as Cortez continued to lecture him. His knuckles formed into a fist. It would only take a second the send a punch flying to Cortez, but he resisted.

"This is for Dayna. This is for your mother. This is for you. And the justice you all deserved."

"What are you gonna do, Dodge?"

Anger was his fuel. It was the only thing that kept him going as the need for revenge flooded through his veins. He only wanted to scream at this point. He wanted to go atop the highest mountain and scream. Dodge grows more and more torn as they move closer to getting their payback. He knew that if he made the wrong move, he would either lose Josie or the opportunity to face Luke. But every move appeared to be the wrong one.

The Mason boy's shoulders fell. His gaze was set on the ground as some part of him knew Josie wouldn't back down so easily in Panic. That she would give everything she can to win, just like he would. Dodge didn't want to go against her. That was the last thing he wanted to happen. Because he knew that he would throw away the game if it means that she would be alright.

He had to do something. He'd restrain her if he has to. They were already in the tricky part of Panic. He'll do anything to keep her out of all this. He wasn't gonna let her get hurt.

"I'll take care of it."

————

Dodge Mason felt like he was hanging over a tightrope. His heart racing the whole drive towards Heather's place. He was slightly grateful for Josie's suggestion to bring Heather alongside in the car. Then maybe she wouldn't notice his silence.

Leaning up against the car, he took out his phone, texting the said girl that he was outside the house. Even just by merely texting her, he felt guilty.

Panic rose through his chest the second Cortez mentioned Josie's name. It sounded like a threat when he told Dodge to keep an eye on her. She wasn't a threat. She was Josie. His Josie. Just like that, everything felt different now. The last thing he wanted was to drag her along with their plans. Dodge knew it was dangerous. He was reckless and he didn't care, but it wasn't the same case with her.

He let out a breath. Exhaling sharply as he tried to figure out a way to pull her out of the circle she was already in while also not letting her find out the truth. He needed her gone from the games. The idea of putting her in danger made him fume in anger but also ache in desperation. The tall boy taps his foot restlessly against the ground, waiting for the two girls to come out.

His intrusive thoughts were immediately interrupted upon hearing those daring footsteps. Those steps that always strode with certainty and balance. Never faltering even when the world tried to bring her down.

"Hi."

Looking up from his shoes after hearing the familiar tune, his eyes trailed up seeing the girl that he was most nervous about but also excited to see.

"Hi," Dodge said back.

"You're not wearing black," Josie pointed out. He let out a chuckle. "I'm not."

Dodge didn't even try to cover the grin she could so easily get from him. Laying out his hands outward, he showcased himself. She took a moment to look at him up and down. Giving an unbelievable smirk seeing the Mason boy all dressed up. Instead of wearing his usual color, he wore a dark blue dress shirt, and underneath was a light grey t-shirt. She also noticed how the hair she continuously ran her fingers to has been brushed a bit over at the side which made her see his face better.

Looking at her was like waking up at the right moment as the sun peeks and being able to see the first ounce of sunlight. Beautiful moments tend to happen less often around him but this time, this second, this was one. He smiled to himself seeing that spark in her eyes. Her lips had a little color of lipstick on them but are still familiar. Her cheeks were red and her summer yellow dress she paired with a denim jacket.

"You look beautiful."

"Thanks."

"You look very beautiful."

"Is that all you could say?"

"Honestly, I'm trying to find the words." The pair exchanged a bit of laughter. Her smiling seemed to melt the ice forming around him.

She loomed closer. "You clean up nice too. Handsome, even."

Dodge's eyes soften as the corner of his mouth quirked up in delight. He looked at her, trying hard to memorize this moment. He wanted to remember her exactly as she was right now. Her staple smile. The kind of smile that could save his entire world and crumble it down the second it disappears.How her bright yellow dress made her look like the sun, the way her long dark hair always looked so neat as the wind blew. Even the very faint bruise on her ankle that Dodge remembered during the first night he drove her home.

"Hey, I need uhm- I need to tell you something..."

"Sounds serious," Josie said in a laugh wrought with nervous energy. "Everything okay?"

"Y-yeah. Uhm...Josie, I-"

"Hey, there lovebirds!" Heather's loud voice yelled out from behind them as she approached them with quick and exciting steps. "Sorry I took so long your girlfriend here didn't even bother to help me look for a jacket." She pants, nudging her friend.

"You look good, Heather." Dodge complimented politely.

"I interrupted something, did I?" She shifts her gaze between them.

"Dodge was just about to tell me something," Josie said. She goes back to Dodge. "Sorry. What was it?"

"I..." His voice was about to crack like ice. "I- I don't know what movie we're watching tonight."

Their brunette friend let out a small chuckle, clasping her hands, she mentions. "It's The Princess Bride. Have you seen it?"

Dodge nods.

"Alright, well- let's go. C'mon guys." She waves her hand, nudging them to follow her as she makes her way to the car. The pair let go of each other, following her sooner after.

Just before he could open the car door, Josie pulled him aside for a second. She rosed in concern. Seeing his demeanor change, she asks. "Dodge, you okay?"

"Yeah." He spoke confidently. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Her eyes wander around his in thought, finding some truth that she'll settle to. Josie gave a smile, wanting to enjoy the night rather than interrogate him for something she believes that he would tell her eventually because he trusts her, right?

"Ready?"

"Ready when you are."

————

Sitting comfortably in the passenger seat of Dodge's car, the pair quietly watched the movie projecting in the large white silk across from them. It's been thirty minutes since they arrived and no one said a thing except for excerpts of are you enjoying the movie? or are you cold?

"Hey, you good?"

Giving out a tight-lipped, reassuring smile, she says, "I'm fine."

"Do you want me to get you a drink or something?"

"Dodge, seriously, I'm fine.

Looking over to Heather and Bishop's car right on their left, they seemed to be immersed in the film too as Dodge likes to pretend. He's been acting a little closed off these days ever since Josie's encounter with Luke. He'd be guarded and mostly tried to be alone with his thoughts, like what he's doing right now. Neither of them was fully paying attention to the movie. Both of them were idly gazing at the film while their minds were elsewhere.

She was also veering off in another direction. She was nervous about what she and Heather were finding out about the betting ring for Panic players, especially after learning that Luke was involved. And how she could sense in the pit of her stomach that Dodge is keeping something from her about what is also going on between Luke and himself.

In a daze, she felt his hand reaching for hers. His fingers grazed on her skin, both hands intertwine. Her body felt suddenly fizzy and warm.

"Are you gonna miss me?" Dodge asked suddenly.

"Don't be an idiot," she said, nudging him.

"I'm serious." He shifted, sitting closer and turning his shoulder to face her. "I'm gonna miss you so bad, Jo."

"Nothing bad's gonna happen, Dodge." Her words seem to soothe a part of him. Telling him that everything was going to be ok.

Josie felt a loud, cruel throb in her chest as if her heart were about to burst. She had been making an effort to avoid the possibility that they would part ways after the summer. She would be off for college, and Dodge could do whatever he wanted. She'll miss him more than words can express.

For a second, she didn't think. She just leaned in, closed her eyes, and kissed him.

Dodge kissed girls before but not like that. He often found it stressful to try to determine if he was doing it correctly or whether he was doing too much or too little. He never really cared about it until his first kiss with Josie. But with Josie, he forgot to think, or even breathe.

Their lips moved in sync. It was a kind of kiss that gave her body tingles and made her want more. He murmured her name, his voice hoarse with something more. His strong body pressed against hers. His firm hand firmly touched the small of her back, and his other moved to her neck, enticing her with the gentle warmth of his skin and attempting to draw her in. His mouth probed hers as her hands went through his hair, clutching on for dear life. She was simply there, inhaling the smell of him, of his lips, while the movie thudded softly in the background.

Then, abruptly, Dodge pulled away. "Wait," he said. "Wait."

Dodge drew back an inch, frowning. He sighed and stroked his hair with his fingertips. As soon as he stopped touching her, Josie yearned for his touch to come back.

"I can't..." Suddenly he looked different- changed, full of regret, like someone she barely knew. "I don't want to lie to you, Josie."

"I need you to back out from Panic."

She stiffened suddenly. "What are you talking about?"

"Please listen to me, Jo. Just trust me."

"How could I?" She grimaced, distrustfully. "You're not even telling me why."

"Did Natalie put you up to this?" Josie was shaking. "No, she didn't-" Dodge fends. "I completely forgot about your team up with her."

"That's not what this is about."

"-Well, then tell me what this is about."

"You don't want to know, Josie."

"Try me."

She was staring at him so intensely, Dodge could feel the warmth between them.

"I can't let you keep playing and I can't let you go to Joust because I have to. And if you're there, then I can't win." His throat tightened "And I have to. I have to win. I have to beat Luke. I'm not gonna let him get away with what he did to Dayna."

"Is this about what he did to the girl in the hit-and-run? Is this what you and your mom were talking about? Your plan?" Her words pondered through his head as those memories flash back into his brain like a slideshow. Dodge closes his eyes as he deeply exhaled, feeling defeated and seen by her. "Or you could tell me that I'm wrong." Josie wanted her to be wrong.

"I'm playing for revenge," Dodge says. "It's all Luke's fault and he's gonna pay for it."

She felt suddenly cold. The word revenge was so awful. Straight and sharp, like a knife.

"You can't just decide to do that, Dodge." Josie continues to stare at the blank state of the boy. She sighed to herself, cursing and feeling betrayed.

"But Luke can just decide to run over my sister and get away with it." His jaw clenched in rising anger. "He's walking around without a scratch on him. I just want to get even."

"So, what are we, Dodge? Just pawns to your little revenge plan?"

"I don't want to hurt anyone, Jo." He had tremble in his voice. "How am I sure of that?" Her icy words stung his chest. "Because I don't. But Luke is gonna get what he deserves." Dodge had the urge to take Josie's hand, but Josie was hugging herself tightly.

"You're scared." He says, observing her distant figure. "You're scared of me?"

She turned away from him. "I think I'm gonna need that drink now."

This was what he was trying to prevent. What he was relieving himself from. Dodge felt a pang in his chest as she looked at him with those eyes. He felt he was a monster. Maybe he was. Dodge wasn't like Dayna. He couldn't make peace with the past. He couldn't change his nature. He was out for vengeance, and he was going to get it. But everything came with a cost.

Exiting the car and giving her space, he retreated behind the food truck further beside the other cars. Leaning his head down the truck, he felt cold. The cold was washing through his whole body. He was freezing, confused and furious. He didn't feel like himself.

"Fuck off, Ray!" He turns toward the commotion coming from in between his and Bishop's car, recognizing Bishop's voice and the nauseating sight of Ray Hall.

When Ray saw the pair smitten with one another, he made the petty and cruel decision to mess with them. Calling out while banging on the car's window. Heather longed to strangle him while glaring scornfully at Ray, but the Hall boy seemed unbothered. She wouldn't even talk to him. He's got nothing to lose.

"I'm not gonna say I'm not surprised. I mean, if the son of the richest guy in town has a thing for me, I'll jump on that train." Regardless of Bishop being face to face with him, Ray gave a smug smirk. "Seeing how cozy you two were, I guess your daddy didn't pay for that one, didn't he Bishop?" He winks.

"Just fuck off, asshole."

Ironically looking up, grinning as he recognized her bossy tone, he fumes. "You seriously have got to mind your fucking business, Josie."

"Leave them alone, Ray."

"You don't get to tell me what to do." He points, intensely treading closer to Josie which Bishop immediately stood in her defense and harshly pushed Ray away. "Just get out of here, man."

He scoffs, biting the inside of his cheek. "Don't push me." He warns and dashed to push the boy with stronger force. Heather instantly ran out of the car as a fight is beginning to arise. Josie rushed to pull Bishop out from Ray's punches and stop him from giving some. From the corner of her eyes, she could spot others seeing the two boys shove each other repeatedly. Their grunts are getting louder and are gaining an audience.

"Woah!" The voice of the other Hall came into view. "What's going on here?"

"Tell your brother to leave us alone," Josie yelled.

"Feisty, there." Luke grinned down at her. It sent a chill down her spine as she looked at him now after Dodge's admission. It made her irk at him even more.

"Both of you dicks should just leave."

"Do you really want that, sweetheart?" Luke sniggered. Ray grabs Luke by the shoulder as he inches closer to Josie, telling him to just leave it. "You know I would've bet a lot of money on you. If only Ray wasn't around." He whispers.

Her hands formed a fist as she felt his fingers brush her arms and his other arm circling her waist. "Let go." He doesn't listen. "Let GO!" She punches him in the gut.

"What? I thought you liked that. You liked it before." Luke laughed, yelling out the last part for everyone to hear as more people gathered. Josie could hear Ray's pleas to his brother as Bishop tried to shield her away from Luke as she rages. "Your mom certainly did. You know what they say like mother like daughter."

That was the last straw.

Breaking free from Bishop, she darted toward Luke's smirking figure and punches him in the nose. Hard, strong, and straight. One is the first punch. Second, to make sure it hurt. The people around gasped, including Heather, Bishop, and Ray, seeing the blood rushing out of Luke's nose. The pain in her knuckles was excusable, satisfaction rose on her. The very pissed-off Luke retaliates, slapping the teenager hard and harshly. She could've sworn the slap echoed around the parking lot. Josie winced and groaned. The side of her face stung and a tear just fell from her right cheek.

It was lightning-like. Dodge suddenly rushes in to defend her, taking Luke by the shirt and delivering a clean blow to Luke's bloody face while dragging him away from Josie's position at the end.

He could feel it. The cold in Dodge's chest had turned into a hard fist. It was pounding on his ribs and trying to burst through his skin. As if all the anger and vengeance he was saving up for their confrontation on Joust were bursting at this very moment. Luke failed to fight back. His flailing arms could not stand a chance against Dodge. Dodge continued to attack. Punching and punching and punching the man continuously, not even giving him time to breathe. Dodge didn't care about the blood marking on his skin, the looks people were giving him, or the pain and numbness he was feeling on his knuckles. Ray tried to shove him off, but he didn't even flinch.

"Dodge. DODGE!" Josie shouts, running close to him. She grabs his shoulder trying to pull him away before he does something stupid. Something he might regret. "DODGE! Stop! You're gonna- DODGE, PLEASE!"

His trance was broken by her begging voice. His eyes scream in grief and despair as he stares at the bleeding Luke, his fist, and then her. Luke seized the opportunity to knock the Mason boy to the ground while he was off guard. With the advantage, he doesn't waste time pounding the boy in the face, arm, chest, or stomach. Josie froze in fear. The sound of Dodge writhing in agony and coughing blood caused her breathing to become erratic, and she began to shake with panic.

Luke caught him and wrapped his arms in a circle around Dodge's neck, strangling him. Ray ran up to Luke's side as his eyes grew wide. He shoved and shook his brother to get him to stop, but it was pointless. Menacingly staring at him dead straight, Luke gripped tighter at Dodge's neck, choking him and watching him slowly lose the life out of his eyes.

Josie took off running. Running towards Dodge's car, she ducked inside her purse the thing she thought could help. She needed to do something. Josie overheard Heather scream to Bishop to call the cops. Dodge's visions started to feel drowsy. His eyes began to turn red and his face pale. Her eyes widened, seeing Dodge's arms tap desperately and vindictively at Luke's arm to let him go before he took his last breath.

Click.

He didn't need to look. He didn't need her to say. As his breath stuck in the pit of his throat, he was trembling. Just one pull of the trigger, he'd be dead. Feeling the barrel settled patiently on his skull, Luke knew he needed to pull away.

"Easy, sweetheart."

"Let. Him. Go." Josie threatened, holding the gun down to his head.

As soon as Josie drew out the old revolver, the joyful applause quickly faded into frightened quiet, including Ray, who was tentatively holding out his hand as he moved forward.

Finally letting go of Dodge's neck, the Mason boy let out a desperate cry of air. Josie sighed in relief seeing him okay, squatting down on the ground, coughing, inhaling and exhaling. Still with the gun on his head, Luke laid out his arms up in surrender.

"Careful, sweetheart, you might hurt yourself."

"Oh, would I?"

BANG! She shot just right by Luke's foot which had the whole scenery duck down in fear including the nearby people flinching as she took the shot. Eyes darted, scowling on Luke, she points the gun back to him.

"If you do anything to him again, next time it's the head."

"Now for the last time, while I'm still being nice, fuck off!"

Sending her one last glare, Luke and the rest of his party got on their truck and drove off. Everyone else seemed to get the message, some driving off and others going back to watch the film that Josie never noticed was still playing in the background.

There was no joy left in the game. No lightness or humor at all. Panic, as far as Josie knew, had never been this serious. It had never been played with so much secretiveness, either. With everything that just happened in the past half hour, Josie didn't know what to do. But she knew that this is more than just their game now. None of them was safe. No more. Never again. At last, she realized too that despite everything, the game was still ongoing. And that she had just lost.