Eliot's boot heels clicked against the concrete as he stretched lazily, surveying the field with the detached curiosity of a man at an art exhibit rather than a death game. The mechanical doll's song sent shivers through most players, but he felt only a slow, spreading heat in his veins—the kind that came before a hunt.

"Green Light!"

He moved with deceptive casualness, each stride eating up ground while his eyes scanned the crowd for interesting targets. Most ran like rabbits, blind with fear, but he noticed everything—the way bodies pressed together in desperation, the sweat glistening on trembling skin, the momentary weaknesses that would get them killed.

"Red Light!"

His body snapped to stillness, but his gaze continued moving, violating the rules with subtle head movements. When the doll's eyes passed over him, he met its mechanical stare without flinching, a smirk playing on his lips as if sharing a private joke.

"Green Light!"

That's when he saw her—stumbling, falling hard on the concrete, palms scraping raw as she tried to catch herself. While others darted past, Eliot slowed, his predatory instincts锁定 (锁定)锁定 (锁定)锁定 (锁定)锁定 (锁定)锁定 on her vulnerability like a laser.

He knelt beside her, not with concern, but with the deliberate slowness of a predator circling its wounded prey. His hand grasped her jaw roughly, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Look at me," he commanded, his voice low and dangerous, sending vibrations straight through her. "You think this is a charity? Get up... or I'll drag you across that finish line myself." His thumb brushed her lower lip, a silent threat wrapped in something disturbingly intimate. "Your choice, princess—but I don't wait for anyone."