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Riff x artist!Reader Chapter 3

Notes: sorry guys.😭 I wasnt feeling that great in the last weeks, thats why it took me so long to write a new Chapter. I m trying my best, Friends.✨Hope you like it. Stay Hydrated, love Mai💗

Warnings: bad grammar

Desperate about what had happend to my painting, I sat on the fire escape and pondered. I had to find a plan as quickly as possible. Preferably one that could still work out today. It was already in the afternoon. The sun was shining between the skyscrapers of the city. I saw mrs Murphy lugging her groceries across the street, talking to the janitor of the building across the street. She was probably spreading the latest gossip she had heard at the market. I found myself thinking about Riff again. I had heard his name before - I was convinced of it by now. Maybe mrs Murphy had talked about him once. I thought about how she would spread gossip about me and Riff. I would much rather have that, than stories about me and Tommy of whether or not we were engaged.

Only now the stories about me and Riff were not even that unrealistic. I thought with horror that Mrs Murphy could have found my drawings. If that had happened, then I was as good as dead. My father would probably lock me up in our apartment for months and John would lock up my stuff, or worse, throw it away.

John couldn't stand it if I had feelings for a jet. Or any gang member. He's dreamed of seeing me and Tommy together for too long. Nothing could stop him. Sometimes I think about what I would do if women had the same rights as men. I wouldn't be here anymore. Maybe I would travel around the world, or wear pants. But these kind of thoughts were pointless.

I thought I had reached a new low point of the day, when suddenly I had an idea.

John really wanted me and Tommy to get together. That was for sure. So what if I just played along.

"Brother, I have a question. I know I've already been to docs once today. But is there any way I can go there again real quick? I'll be back in 15 minutes I promise."

" I don't think so. I don't like you spending so much time there. Those gang boys hang out there a lot. That's no place for a young lady like you."

" I know, I know John. But you know I've been thinking about it and...I'd like to ask Tommy out.“ i tried to sound as honest as possible. „ And he's coming to see you tonight. So I thought it would be nice if I got him his favorite chocolate from Valentina. He really likes it and I would love to have a present for him. He is always so generous to me. Please John."

"If that's the case, then thats fine with me. I'm glad you finally fancy him. I've always said you'd make a beautiful couple. But be back in time."

I really hoped he didnt notice my fake smile. The idea of me and Tommy as a couple was too horrible. Nevertheless, I could not help but rejoice. If I was lucky, the painting was still where I had lost it.

I walked through the noisy streets of new york. Past the paperboys on the street corner. A confident look on my face. A bag in one hand. The other one was nervously playing with the hem of my skirt. A habit since childhood. Father had always hated it. He said that my insecurity could be seen from miles away. Besides fidgeting was nothing what a young woman in my social rank did.

Fortunately for me, Valentina had not yet closed. Without thinking further, I went into the store. At first glance it was dark and no one was to be seen. But I heard voices coming from the basement. It had to be Tony and Valentina.

"They will be with me soon," I thought. I was overwhelmed that I was so lucky again. There was no one in the store, which meant I could search intensively for my picture. Without having to find a stupid excuse like "I dropped my pearl earrings" . This thought made me smile.

I went to the table where I had been sitting in the morning. This was the last time i Hand Seen my painting. But instead of my drawing, there was only a pack of cigarettes. The box was almost empty. Only one cigarette was still in it. Dark blue paint was stuck to the side of the box. I took it in my hand to have a better look. Even though my brother and father had the habit of smoking, I had never held such a pack in my hand before. My brother said it was not something suited for me. Just like alcohol.

I had always kept to the rules of the two men, but in this moment the feeling of curiosity overcame me for the first time. What would happen if I would not keep to these rules. But before I should continue to think about whether I should dare to smoke a cigarette or drink a sip from the gin bottle that stood on the top shelf of the kitchen, the door opened behind me. Without giving it much thought, I put the pack of cigarettes in my pocket.

Standing in front of me were Tony and...

Not Valentina. It was Tony and Riff. The two were still engaged in their conversation. Neither had noticed me.

"Come on Tony, it will be fun for you to dance again. And please let me know if you find out anything."

Nervously I started playing with the hem of my skirt again. I wanted to stare at the floor but instead I looked at him again. As if we were the only two people on this planet. He had a beautiful laugh. One of those laughs you always want to hear. His whole face was beaming.

He turned his head a little to the side. With his left hand, unnoticed by Tony, he reached into the bowl next to him.

"Would he look at me? Would he know it was me who had drawn him like a madwoman in front of the store. Maybe he'd say something to me..."

The thoughts just bubbled in my head. I had the feeling of completely losing my mind. I didn't even know this young man! What was i thinking?!

„Yeah, we'll see. And hey, Riff! Don't steal milkyways again." Tony tried to take the candy out of Riff's hand. But Riff was faster, he turned around and ran past me without giving me a glance. I didn't realize what had happened until the door had closed behind him and Tony had said my name out loud several times.

The rest of the day felt numb. I bought the chocolate for Tommy and asked Tony as uninterested and normal as I could about the drawing. But Tony just gave me a knowing look and told me to ask Valentina about the drawing. Tony definitely knew more than he wanted to say. He had probably found the drawing himself. Normally I would be freaking out now. Or start asking Tony about every detail he knew. But the disappointment that Riff hadn't even noticed me, had already triggered a different feeling.

Lost in my thoughts, I walked home. I hadn't been feeling this low in a long time. Now I had to go on this stupid date with Tommy. And my excuse was pointless. With my head down I walked along the street. Not knowing that on the other side, across from docs, an excited young man was walking up and down the road. In the small pocket of his ripped shirt, was a carefully folded sheet of paper.

Fearless (1/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Josie grew up in Carp, Texas. She knows everything that is to know about this town. So it becomes evident that she knows about Panic. She was dead set on winning, and no one was going to stand in her way, that was until she met Dodge Mason. The guy who stirred just as much mystery as the game's secrets begins to unravel.

Warning: Minor Explicit Language

Word Count: 4.3k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || II. HEIGHTS

I. PANIC

"Josie Slater."

The principal announced as Josie made her way up the stage, receiving her diploma. The girl smiled seeing her friends sitting in the crowd, clapping and cheering loudly at the girl. They finally graduated. Josie couldn't help but feel agitated at the step closer to the future. The world held a lot of unknowns and Carp was full of them. But that also gave her a sense of excitement. She kind of liked the unpredictability as it beats the predictable likeness of the town. The trumpets played loudly as the once high school seniors made their way out of the gymnasium.

Josie came running, spotting her older brother Nick from afar. She squeals as he spins her around in happiness. He'd seen his little sister grow up and it couldn't help but bring tears to his eyes.

"C'mon, we said no crying."

"I know. I can't help it." Josie laughs as she hugs him once again. "I'm so proud of you!" He exclaims. "I know."

Josie breaks away from his hug as she spots Natalie and Bishop. Spotting the girl too, the pair came in running, the three breaking into a celebratory hug.

"We made it!"

From the corner of her eye, Josie noticed Heather with her mom and her little sister Lilly. The brunette looked gloomy and downhearted at the sight of her mother's appearance. The two had a stilted relationship that reminds Josie of her relationship with her mother that wasn't around. The trio made their way to the girl. Heather caught the sight of them with open arms, gesturing the girl into a hug.

Now the commencement is done, it is time to party.

----

"What are we toasting to?" Josie asked as she raised her cup.

She graduated. Those 180 days of school cannot end much quicker. The night before summer started, teens her age partied around one of those abandoned barns that became a typical hangout. It was feeling epic for most of them. Her friends, Heather, Natalie, and Bishop, are around the campfire, holding out their cups filled with beer. It was great. Everyone seems to be having a good time.

"No more gym," Heather said. The brunette wraps her arms around Josie and Nat.

"No more gym shorts." She adds.

"No more gym exercises," Bishop says. The three laugh, clanking their cups and taking a drink.

Josie took a long shot of her drink. She wasn't much of a drinker but she'd make exceptions. She treasured moments like these. Just them having a laugh and having fun. Josie moved to Carp, Texas in the first grade. It was an unusual time for one to enroll in a new school. In a tight-knit town where nothing really happens, she felt like she was inserting herself into the story. All these kids knowing each other since they were born, Josie felt like an outsider. Some of the kids didn't make it easier for her. Looked at her like she was some kind of zoo animal. All was good when she met Heather, the short soft-looking brunette who invited her to her lunch table who was filled with other people who'd also grow to be her best friends, Bishop and Natalie. The quartet became inseparable. It sounds cheesy, but aside from her brother, they were all she had.

The mood was sooner interrupted.

"Final collection." Ray puts the bucket out to Bishop.

Ray Hall. She doesn't understand the deal with that guy. He's always been an ass around then. Flirting with a bunch of girls. That kind of local townie. He even looks the part. Josie would describe him as every 90s teen movie guy cliche wrapped into one.

Josie decided to ignore him and placed a dollar bill into the cup.

Ray looked back at Bishop. "Rules are rules."

"School's out, okay? I'm not even playing." The guy shifts uncomfortably.

"Think of it as insurance. It's gonna be one hell of a summer."

"Yeah, I mean... Come on man, I'm not gonna play." Bishop leans back. Trying to get away from him. Ray grabs him by the arm aggressively.

"We're all playing, fucker."

"Hey! Just leave him alone man!" Josie stands up to defend.

"One way or another, a dollar buys you a prayer." He ignores Josie.

"Ray, stop," Heather interjected.

Ray's eyes fall onto Heather. He laughed. "I'm just fucking with you." He stands, letting go of Bishop's arm and finally walking away.

The end of school was also the night before Panic. Every small town has a secret. Ours has a game. The losers stay here where losing is what we do best. The winners get out. Out is the only location worth going to in Carp, Texas. That's why players risk their lives to win. But the game isn't meant to kill you. And it isn't going to happen if you stick to one rule: Don't panic. The reality is that Panic began like so many other things out there. It was summer and there was nothing else to do. The games had traditionally begun the day after the final day and lasted all summer. All seniors are eligible to play. However, there can only be one winner. Each year, new players, challenges, and judges are introduced. But the game has ghosts too. We never have to call them by their names. They know where we are. They know who we are. They know we're not going anywhere.

Heather exhales as Josie walks back to the seat beside her.

"What a dick," says Josie.

"Hey! A new toast. To global amnesia." Heather spoke, trying to lighten up the mood.

"Selective. There are a few things I want to remember." Bishop said as the three toasted again.

"Oooh. What did I miss?"

Just as they did, Natalie entered the conversation. She's everywhere and goes everywhere. If anyone knows much about Carp's business, it's her. She could be a news reporter, she thought. Always smelling out any piece of information. That was one of the few things Josie noticed about her. Natalie walked over and sat in the chair beside Josie.

"We're toasting to a future free of Ray Hall."

"Ugh. That guy sucks." Natalie said.

"Remember when you puked on the 8th-grade field trip?" Heather groaned. "And he told the whole school that you were pregnant!"

"And you told everyone that he had chlamydia!" Bishop laughed.

"No one messes with my girl." Natalie puts her arm around Heather, embracing the girl.

"To revenge."

"To chlamydia!"

"Yes!"

"I'm not toasting to that."

The group burst into laughter, taking a drink around the campfire. They talked about their hatred of Ray and then Natalie threw her books into the fire. I mean, no more school. Just make it through the summer and you're out of Carp, so why not? Josie decides to delay her thoughts of the future right now and focus on the scenery before her. Their favorite song started to play. The four got up from their seats, moving in sync with the tune. From the corner of her eye, she could see Heather and Bishop dancing. Josie and Natalie shared a look. A look meaning they knew the sight all too well. The unspoken thing between Heather and Bishop. It has been going on for a while, no matter how the girl kept trying to deny it. It was cute. She was secretly rooting for the both of them if they ever got together.

Josie took another sip of the beer in her cup. Eventually, the night came to an end.

----

It was the next day. Heather texted her to come over and help her out in placing ads around town. Heather and Josie strolled around under the hot Texas sun. The girls enter the half-empty diner and took a seat near the counter.

"Wait, so he fired you?" Heather nods. "But you're the only one..."

"Who actually does anything." They say in unison.

Heather leaned on the counter, resting. She could tell the brunette was getting stressed out. For as long as she knew her, Heather was saving up money. Not only for her but for her sister. Everyone's been saving up for something. Money didn't come easy and everyone in Carp seemed to be short on it. Now she's gotta figure out how to get another income.

"Well, on the bright side, you don't have to miss the old guy's nagging all the time." She tried to cheer her up. "It's okay. Someone will hire you. You're awesome." Josie places a hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks. But I can't help but worry..."

"You'll be fine. Trust me." She encourages. "You'll find another job. There's plenty of those around here." Josie rubs Heather's shoulder in comfort.

"Menus?" A man behind the counter offers them. The girls snap from their conversation, looking at him. They said yes, skimming through the selection before settling on sodas.

"You're Josie and Heather, right?"

"Dodge," he introduces.

"Yeah, we know." Josie pointed out. "You're the new kid," Heather added.

Dodge lightly laughs. "It's been a year."

"Everyone here has known each other since diapers, so the new guy is pretty big news. Nothing happens around here."

Josie recognized him. The lean boy in the grey Dot's diner shirt. She saw him walking down the hallways of the school. She'd seen him walking around town. He wasn't really hard to miss. He was the only person she wasn't familiar with. Before him, Josie was the new kid. He seemed to be fine all by himself. The boy was pretty quiet. Doesn't socialize much with other people. Josie talked to him once at school. She bumped into him or he bumped into her. She didn't exactly make a good first impression. It wasn't much of a memorable conversation either.

"Carp is actually the capital of nothing. Nothing happening. Nothing chainring. Nothing you want to see or do." Heather continues to rant.

"What about Panic?" Dodge sparks up the question.

The two girls pause in place. It was unexpected but both tried to look unfazed.

"There's no such thing." Josie lies.

"Then how did those two kids die last summer?" Dodge raises his voice with a blank face staring at them. Josie almost choked on her drink. Heads peered over to the three after hearing Dodge's words. This kid is something else, she thought. "Will you keep your voice down?" Heather and Josie looked around in alert. It was illegal to play Panic. Especially with what happened last summer, the police were on more edge this year. If anyone catches you playing Panic, you'll get busted for sure.

"So how does it work? When does it start?"

"You wait for the judges to send out a signal," Josie explains to him. "It's different every year."

"And what, we're just supposed to wait until then?"

"Well, it's hard to rush the judges when you don't know who they are." Heather chimes in.

"We're not supposed to talk about it in public anyway. The cops know about the game now." Josie warns him.

"You could get into deep shit just for watching." Her friend adds.

"I don't want to watch. I want to play." He corrects.

Josie's forehead creased her arms on her chest. She didn't expect this kind of outlook from the new kid. He had a bit of a lonely boy vibe but she seems to underestimate him. He seemed either insane or hotheaded. So which was it? It's intriguing. And kind of odd. Her brow furrowed. She figured it was because of the prize money.

"Such enthusiasm." She recited. "Desperate for money?"

"Aren't you doing the same thing?"

Josie grins, tongue in her cheek. "Fair point." Heather looked back and forth at the pair.

"So what happens now?"

On beat. The doorbell rang as Sheriff Cortez walks into the diner. Immediately spotting them, the teens tense as he makes his way towards them.

"Hey." Dodge greets him as he hands him a menu.

"Miss Nill. Miss Slater." The sheriff greets the two.

"Hello, sheriff."

"Hi."

Cortez settles his hat at the counter as he moved to sit beside them. "Dodge, may I sit beside the cool kids?"

"Go for it."

He sits down next to Heather. Her friend felt uneasy at the sight of a cop, thoughts of their conversation flooded her mind. Josie kept a watchful eye on the sheriff. It's not that she was dubious of the sheriff, but she just got a bad feeling about him. With what happened to his son, the sheriff grew a little neurotic. Even before that, call her crazy but he seems to be just around every corner in town. Knowing everyone's business. Knowing where they are. But he all and all seems to be more interested in busting down young delinquents than doing some justice.

"Where's your mom, Dodge?"

Josie glanced at the boy behind the counter. The stern look in Dodge's eyes didn't go unnoticed by her.

"She's working the night shift." He informs in a flat tone. "Can I get you anything?"

"Make it a root beer," he orders. Dodge complies. Heading over to the corner of the counter, grabbing a beer glass. Meanwhile, Cortez noticed the papers laid out at the table.

"Job hunting?"

"Begging." Heather implies. "Pleading." Josie jokes, getting a jab from the brunette.

"You know, I bet your lucks gonna change when they finish the warehouse. I keep hearing they're gonna break ground any day now." The sheriff informs.

"They've been breaking ground any day now since we were in 8th grade."

The two girls looked at each other, knowing it was their time to leave. Heather sits up, gathering the fliers from the counter. Josie copies her actions.

"Guess we'll be going now." Josie bids as they head over to the exit. "See you around," she says looking over at Dodge.

----

Josie was deeply entranced in a book when the fireworks went off. She dropped her book on her bed, and looked over the window and seeing the sky flooded with sparkling colors. That was the signal. That means Panic was starting. She sooner got a text from Nat telling her to go to the swimming hole. This is it, she tells herself. Panic was officially starting and she was gonna join. She managed to convince herself and others of her desire to join the game throughout the years but now it is actually gonna happen. She wasn't gonna let the nerves take her over. Josie got her swimsuit and packed her stuff in a backpack. She ran to the driveway, turned on the ignition of her car, and started driving.

She made it to the location Nat texted her. It was a sea of people. Kids who are either playing or watching but they all came for one thing. Red solo cups on their hands, socializing with other people. It was a typical sight. No matter how used to it she was, seeing the large group still makes her nervous. It was like the first day of school all over again. Josie spotted her group of friends and headed toward them.

"Hey! You made it!" Natalie greets the girl, pulling the girl into a group hug with her and Bishop. The girl searches the view, disappointed at the lack of Heather. But it was fine. She said she didn't want to play Panic and she wasn't gonna force her to.

"Nervous?" Nat asks the girl at her side. Josie smugly shook her head. "No. Are you?" The two girls exchange a laugh before moving their attention to the boy standing in front of the crowd.

"Welcome to Panic!"

Diggins exclaimed. He stands at the dock holding a megaphone. The entire crowd cheers. Raising their cups and arms into the air. Exclaims echoes the swimming hole as they wait for the challenge to be announced.

"My name is Diggins, and this summer, I will be your host with the most. This year the winner of Panic is gonna take home the grand prize of...$50,000!"

"Holy shit." Josie's mouth gapes. She turns to Natalie who looks just as shocked as she is. "That's that biggest pot yet. Last year was only 30."

The party goes wild. Letting out howls and screams. Her eyes wavered amongst the crowd, there she saw him again. Guess he made it, she pondered. The diner boy in a black shirt and pants, looking at the crowd with his signature narrowed expression. She doesn't know what but there was something about him. She can't decide yet if it was a good or a bad thing. Josie never really noticed that she had never seen him hang out outside of school functions. And she never really noticed how tall he was. Dodge must've felt someone was looking at him as he suddenly peered in her direction, causing her to divert her gaze.

"You all know the rules!" Diggins continued. "What happens at a challenge, stays at a challenge. So I don't want to see any posting, tweeting, or gramming about it. No exceptions!" He warns. "Anyone found in violation risks losing game privileges!"

"The first challenge is the Jump!" The crowd fixed focus on the peaks.

"Remember kids, you want to go out and down into the swimming hole. You miss it, it's gonna be the rocks that break your fall. Take the leap from the lookout, and grab yourself a hundred points. Courtesy of this year's friendly judges, whoever they may be."

"Let the games begin!" He announced.

The people cheer in excitement as they begin lining up.

Josie and Nat head up to the top getting into place. In her black one-piece suit, she took her number eleven and flare and lined up before Natalie, who seemed to have a brief conversation with Dodge. Who she might add, have proven her wrong and was far from being plain skinny.

Ray steps up first to the edge of the cliff. The audience cheered after him.

"Contestant number one, announce yourself!"

"You know my name, Diggins! Your mom screams it every night!" Josie scoffs at the joke as she watches Hall plunge from the cliff with no fear whatsoever. The anxious beating in her heart finally catches up to her.

"The one and only Ray Hall is in!" The boy announces.

"Shit." Her fingers fidget at her sides. She turns to her friend behind her who is all but calm. Nat shot her comforting gesture. Josie was nervous. She talked about Panic for months but now that she's here at the edge of the cliff, everything became surreal. She wanted to do this. She's gonna do this. You can do this, she whispered to herself.

"Contestant number 11. State your name!"

She swallowed and took a deep breath before replying.

"Josie Slater!"

Josie looked down the jump point, examining the height. She took a few steps back, her breathing paced as she tightened her hold on the flare. She sprinted until she was far enough away, giving herself the force to leap from the cliff. She felt like she was floating. The pit of feeling in her stomach disappeared for a brief moment. That faint pause in the air before the landing. All she could feel was the cold air and the adrenaline rushing through her veins. The wind of the night blew through her skin and her hair. Who knew that a few seconds could feel like moments. Josie closes her eyes as she landed in the water. The cold icy water slammed into her body almost instantly.

She heard distorted cheers flooding the atmosphere. She rises up underwater, seeing the people from the other side of the shore. She wasn't gonna back down that easily. Josie smiled to herself.

By the time she swam back to shore, Natalie already jumped. They were both greeted by Bishop who gave his congratulations to the girls. Josie took a towel she packed in her bag, wrapping it around herself. It was still chilly and she doesn't wanna freeze to death.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have another one!" Diggins announced.

Josie focused her attention back on the cliff.

The next one was Dodge, who was walking confidently. Striding towards the first ledge but kept going, seemingly heading towards a higher ledge. She tried not to let the thoughts regarding his build reach her mind as she was more distracted by his course of action.

"Ooh. Hot damn. Looks like we got a player trying for the high point." The group of people whooped. "For all you virgins out there, a quick reminder: a jump from the high point will get you a 25-point bonus."

Josie raised her brows, showing an impressed expression. She recalled Dodge's words back at the diner. I don't want to watch. I want to play. The sense of competitiveness was evidently obvious. She narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms to her chest ready to see the show. The faint red glow illuminated his face and body. Dodge had a somber expression on his face as he peered down at the water.

"Contestant number 13. State your name!"

No reply. The lean boy continued to stare down at the pit, pursing his lips.

"State your name-"

"Dodge Mason."

He yelled, throwing his flare before following it straight down. The girl, along with the spectators, watches warily as the boy landed perfectly in the water. The crowd gasped as they hear the splashes resonating in the air. People cheered as his head reveals out of the water.

"That's player twelve! Making it look easy from the high jump! Way to raise the stakes, Dodge!" Diggins cheered.

Josie watched as he swam back to the surface. All she could think of was Damn. This kid is really built differently. He wasn't kidding when he said he wanted to play. Higher the jump, the better the points. Dodge seems to be pushing forward to be in the lead. He'd be a tough opponent, she thought.

She rolled her eyes as she noticed Natalie walking up to Dodge. She knew the look on Nat's face all too well. Guess she wasn't the only one who sparked an interest in the new kid. But Natalie seemed to have a different plan in mind altogether.

What she didn't notice was her other friend making her way toward Josie.

"Hey." Heather greets her.

"Hey!" Cannot handle her excitement to see her, Josie hugs her tightly. "You showed up!"

"We've made the jump. You should've seen it." Josie tells her. Heather arrives with a dejected expression on her face. That look didn't walk past Josie. She examined her up and down, taking note of Heather in a yellow-striped bathing suit. Confusion sparks in her head.

"Why are you wearing a swimsuit?"

"I guess I didn't want to miss the fun." Heather stammers.

"What do you mean, Heather?" She was confused. "You're gonna play?!" Josie couldn't even believe what she was saying. She wanted to understand what the girl meant. "W-Why?"

"'Cause maybe it's my only option."

"What do you mean it's your only option? Heather, are you ok?" She holds her by the shoulders, trying to get her friend to think rationally.

"I'm fine. I am doing this." She exclaims. "Best friends are supposed to support each other, Josie."

"I am. But... I mean, you can't be serious. You're scared of everything. I mean, you won't even get high with me. You can't even sneak into a movie theater. I mean...this can be dangerous, Heather."

"Well, I've got nothing left to lose," Heather says before walking to the top of the cliffs.

Josie called out her name, trying to stop her. Heather's figure faded into view. She's usually supportive of her friends but what kind of friend would she be if she wouldn't look out for them. Josie ran her hands through her hair, thinking about Heather. She could feel that Heather wasn't in her right mind and she just wanted her to be safe.

She gave up and walked back towards Bishop, who came from god knows where, and Nat. She shot them a worried look. Knowing that for a few seconds they would see what was gonna happen. Heather peered up at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the water and glancing at the group. Nat snapped her head at the sight.

"What is she doing up there?"

Bishop returned the same worrisome look. Both turned their heads at Josie for an answer.

"She said it was her only option." Josie bites her nails anxiously, she was scared for her too. "I don't know what else to do. I couldn't stop her."

"Contestant number 23. State your name." Heather remained silent. Her feet stayed glued on the ground, not itching to move. The crowd leans over intrigued at the brunette as she then moved her feet towards the highest peak of the cliff.

"Is she doing the devil's drop?" Nat mumbled as Heather made her way to the top. The rest of the trio then yelled out her name asking her to come down, but the girl didn't listen. All eyes were on her now. Heather's heart was in her throat. She could hear some people cheer and booed as she stayed in place.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Heather? No harm in turning back. You've already made a huge statement."

Nothing but the cold night air chilling her skin. She tightens her hold on the flare as people called Heather down, pleading for anyone to get her to a safe point.

"Contestant 23. State your name."

"Heather...Nill. Heather Nill."

She backed up just enough to get some distance. It was like slow motion. Feeling the air in her skin as she leaped from the high cliff.

Fearless (2/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: As the second challenge arose, Josie got a closer look at her Panic competitor. She seemed to have no intention to stop playing. But how far is she willing to go to win?

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Violence, Injuries

Word Count: 5.1k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || III. TRAPS

II. HEIGHTS 

"You need to keep your eyes where they belong."

Bishop says to Natalie, causing all attention onto her. She rests her chin in her palm, gawking at the boy working behind the counter. Josie followed her gaze which landed on Dodge.

After the opening jump, Natalie was angry at Heather. Heather has always been the cautious one in the group. And she swore she'd never play Panic. That's why it didn't came as a surprise when an argument broke out between the two. Luckily, it ended in hugs and forgiveness.

The gang felt hungry after Nat's house and decided to go to the dinner. Their conversations were filled with talks about Panic and the possible challenges.

"Ugh please, they are if you ask me."

"Oh sure." Heather teases Nat.

"And...now you're staring." Bishop says to Josie. The other girl gaping at the boy, her eyes seemed to do the same. The dark-haired girl completely snapped from the trance, looking back at Bishop who only gave her knowing look.

Dodge was minding his own business. Doing his job. Helping people out. Taking their orders. Cleaning the table.

"What kind of person doesn't have a social media account?" Natalie complains. Browsing in the net, searching for any info regarding Dodge Mason.

"A sane one." Josie quips.

"Who names their kid Dodge?"

"Must be a family name." Bishop adds.

"Hey, do you think that now the judges know who we are, they're watching us?" Heather turns to Natalie "Of course, they're watching. How else are they gonna get intel on all the players?"

"They're probably tracking us. Where we work. Where we live. Where we hang out. Watching what we do when we think there's no one watching. Keeping tabs on who we're with. They're studying all the players."

"Sounds more like stalking to me." Josie takes a sip of her drink.

The bell rang from the diner's door as Ray Hall waltzes into the dinner, immediately spotting the group. The four teens scurrying themselves immediately.

"What no invitation?"

"Nope." Heather implies. He exhales at her coldness, then smooths over to Josie.

"Hey there sweetheart." Ray inched closer to Josie. The smug smirk never leaving his face. Josie rolled her eyes.

"Fuck off, Hall." She waves her hand to his face. Kept doing it until he backed off from her. Covering his annoyance with a laugh, he sooner makes his way closer to the table. Ray has always been like this to her. Invading her space when she said no. He once tried to drunkenly kiss her during a party. She pushed him off her and the next day, he told people she wanted to sleep with him but he rejected her. Josie always hated him but that sent her over the edge.

"I'm just saying hello to the new kid." He slaps the back of Bishop's back walking towards the front counter.

"Fucking douche." Josie mutters under her breath, shoving a fry into her mouth.

The rest of the group gathered their things and walked out of the diner, parting ways. Josie bids them goodbye as she remains in her chair, still hungry for lunch. She took another fry into her mouth, almost losing it when Ray kept ringing the bell only for Dodge to quickly snatch it from him before he could do so again.

"Can I help you with something?" Dodge asks, not giving in to annoyance.

"Yeah. Go ahead and give me the fuck you." Ray smirks. "I'm here to help you."

"Look, I know your the new guy in town. You probably hear about the games. You probably heard that it was one big fucking hard-"

"Get to the point." Dodge cuts him off.

"The point is, Panic's a local game. We made it. We run it. We keep it a secret." Ray's eyes narrowed. "Strangers aren't welcome."

Josie watched the whole situation go down. 

"You've gotta be kidding me," she whispers to herself. Ray's ego was showing. Josie's been eavesdropping to their conversation. To be fair, Ray was talking quite loudly. He really thinks he'd be able to scare Dodge away from the game. If Ray wanted to win so bad, why didn't he just jump from a higher point?

"All seniors are eligible to play right?" Dodge asked.

"Only very few are eligible to win." Ray nods his head.

"I was pretty eligible when I got those 25 points from the jump." Dodge smirks.

Ray laughed, biting the inside of his cheek. "I like you. Yeah, I do. I like a man not afraid to get his ass beat. It's gonna make it all that much sweeter when I beat his ass."

Josie chuckles under her breath, unable to hold it in anymore. Her eyes quirking up in amusement. It was ridiculous to see Ray try to get Dodge back out from Panic. She'd never seen him look so desperate. Ray being put down was all entertaining. It didn't go unnoticed between the two figures. Dodge glanced over to her. Ray sent the girl a look before exiting the diner.

"I'm taking that you're not friends with him." Dodge says from his remained spot, wiping the counter with a towel. Josie took her attention away from her food and looked over to him, surprised he started to talk to her.

"Do I look like I would be friends with him?" He shrugged, earning a scoff from her. "I can't stand the guy."

"Is he always like that?" Dodge slowly walks over the Josie, stopping in front of her.

"Is he always a prick? Yep." She leans her elbows on the table. "But it's definitely an improvement from the sixth grade."

"What do you mean?" Dodge rests his hands at the space across from her.

"Before you, I was the new kid in town. Same case scenario as you, it took a while for people to warm up. Kids, mostly Ray, used to pick on me." She's reminded by her younger days. She had a hard time adjusting to the town. Unfamiliar faces all around her who also looked at her with the same kind of unfamiliarity. "Felt like an outsider."

"So we're both outsiders then?" Dodge tilts his head, the corners of his mouth turned up.

"Well, you more than me." She points. "Where you from? Why'd you move to Carp?"

Not meaning to pry, but she wants to know more about this kid. His brief comment peaked her curiosity. He didn't seem like an outsider though. Always walking and moving around like he knows what he's doing.

"Needed a fresh start. My family and I, we move around a lot."

"Where were you guys before moving here?"

Dodge stands upright, mindful of her questions. "Around New York State. Mom wanted to move in a smaller town. Guess we settled here."

"So, how's local life treating 'ya?" She simpered.

"Seems pretty good."

Josie took a few seconds to examine him. Her eyes noticing little details from his expression. The cold, plain looking manner he had. The corners of his lips were tightly shut as if he doesn't know how to smile. Dodge stood there, not saying a word. "You don't talk much, huh?"

"Is it obvious?" He banters, sounding oblivious.

"I don't know. You just seem pretty vague." She laughs. Dodge creased his forehead at her comment. He bows down his head, stuffing a chuckle in-between his expression. Josie eyes gleamed at the almost sight she'd seen. It wasn't a definite laugh or whatever it was but it was something. She slumps back on her seat. "You can prove me wrong though. You certainly did with that jump from last night."

Dodge nods. Mouth agape, recalling the previous night's event.

"Were you scared?"

"Of the jump? No. It's the landing that gets you in trouble."

"I'll take note of that." Josie grins.

They talk some more after that. Making polite conversation. Josie stood by her word when she said he was vague. She learned little things about him. He was playing Panic for a reason. A reason seemingly too serious to be discussed. Like him, she answered lightly too. Call her paranoid but her mind drifted to game when talking to him. Dodge seems like a good guy but she still has to be careful. They were officially competitors now. She only wondered if he thought the same about her.

Josie bids her goodbye, walking outside the diner door. Receiving a text from Natalie to meet them over at her place. She makes her way to the street. Suddenly she sees something on the movie theater which caught her attention.

She walked closer to the building. Looking over at the missing words at the movie wording.

G-R-A-N-A-R-Y. It spelled out.

She sooner texts Heather and Natalie about the clue she found. Notifying them that there was a challenge tonight.

----

Josie caught up with Nat and Heather at Natalie's house. Just as she thought, they were discussing Panic strategies. Strengths and weaknesses of the players. A large collage of photos of the contestants with their name and little facts about them laid out in Natalie's wall.

"Wow. You've outdone yourself." Josie compliments as she walked into the room.

"Oh well, you know what I always say: preparation beats perspiration."

"Don't think you've ever said that." Heather remarks. Josie laughs, tossing herself at the spot beside Heather on the bed.

"Just pay attention. Both of you." Nat articulated.

Both girls sigh. If anyone was just as passionate in playing Panic, it was Natalie. Josie was just as into the game as Natalie but not really to this extent. She doesn't have a giant collage of all the participants. She doesn't have a Panic scrapbook made. She had different strategy altogether on how to win.

"If we're gonna win, we got to do our homework."

"I thought that school's over." Josie whines.

Natalie focused back at the wall. "Starting with the players we think are most likely to win..."

"Ray Hall." Heather lists.

"Everyone's betting on him, he's reckless, fearless. He's not afraid of pain."

"He also doesn't care about sabotaging others." Josie adds.

Panic is a dirty game. What did you expect? Sabotage is exceptional if it only confines to the rules of the game. Anyone would do anything for money in this town. The question is: how far can they go?

"And he's a legacy. His brother Luke won the game a few years ago."

Josie took note of this. She remembered Luke. She was just a kid and even then she knew that he was a jackass. That pitiful feeling she gets in her stomach never failed her. In comparison to Ray, he only seems to be worse.

"What do we think of Tyler Young's chances?" Natalie points at the wall board.

"He's a pussy. He's always clinging onto Ray, so he shouldn't be a problem." Josie answers.

"I don't know you're the one who used to date him." Heather teased the dark-haired girl.

"Betting that he could take me out on a date does not count as a relationship. Trust me. He's all talk and no game." She flashed back to that dreadful sophomore year. Josie was a naive girl back then. The guy flirted with her. She pushed away any thoughts or warnings that her mind had began anticipating. Only then she found out that he and Ray had a bet on how long till the girl agrees to go out with him. Safe to say she left a bleeding mark on Tyler's face. "But, he probably won't do anything life threatening. He'd probably be a good judge." She theorized.

"Good point."

They continued talking about potential opponents. What they could possibly bring into the game. Possible motivations. Whether they were a judge or not. None of them really hold a candle into being the winner, in Josie's opinion. But who knows, the endgame can be a mystery. She doesn't know all of them personally but just well enough to know their certain ticks. She's an observant kind of gal. The people there were pretty much an open book. If there were secrets, it wouldn't be hard to deduce them.

"Last but not least..."

"Dodge Mason." Josie centers her attention to his profile. "Mysterious background. Motivations unknown. Weakness undetermined."

"He's hiding something. I'd bet on that." Josie speculated.

Dodge Mason is a mystery. The story about him moving into Carp doesn't fill most of the blanks. She doesn't mind him being guarded as she was too. He was sooner gonna be the puzzle worth solving. From the looks of last night, Natalie might just be shooting her shot.

"Now on to the main event. Challenges usually fall under a couple different categories. We have labyrinths and wilderness drops. Thefts and illegal entry. And all the gross stuff like snakes, rats, and spiders." Heather shivers at the idea. The girl feared everything.

"Challenges of physical stamina under pain or stress." Nat continues.

"Heights, drop-offs. I'd bet anything tonight that the challenge will be a crossing. The points will be for speed."

----

"Alright boys and girls. Chicks and dicks. Ray. Welcome to challenge numero dos. Walk the plank!" Diggins announced, earning a large cheer from the group of teens.

Natalie was right. The crossing at the Granary was next challenge. Josie payed attention to the beams in front of her. The high plank she had to walk across. She wasn't scared of heights but one wrong step and your falling straight down. What sent shivers down her spine was the fact that this was the challenge that caused the death of a previous player. She tried to get that thought out of her head. She doesn't want to sike herself out before the challenge.

"And reminder we have 23 players in the competition. All players receive 100 points for joining, except for Dodge Mason, who get an extra 25 points." Half of the crowd booed while the other half cheered.

Josie looked around the area. Dodge was nowhere to be seen.

"I don't see him. Maybe he missed the sign." Natalie noticed too.

"And Heather Nill, who gets an extra fifty points and immunity in a challenge of her choice." Diggins continues.

Just then, Josie spots Dodge. Walking towards the group with such passion and determination. Someone with something to do and reasons to do it. She followed his movement with her eyes. Something tells her that something changed in the boy from the last time they've talked.

"Maybe I should go say hi?" Natalie says.

"I thought we weren't suppose to fraternize with the competition."

"Getting to know your opponent is how you find their weaknesses." Natalie turns to get a peek of Dodge from across the room.

"Well, now that we're all here...Let's get started!" Diggins cheered through the megaphone.

"Helping me keep records is the ravishing, Summer Calvo!" The girl arrives beside him. Grinning as she flicks her hair.

"Tonight points work by deduction. The slower you are, the more points you lose." He says as Summer holds out the timer for show. "You got 90 seconds to cross before you are in the red and out of the game."

Josie tries to control the butterflies in her stomach. Her hands fidgeting in her sides as she stares back to the tall beams.

First one in the plank was Ray. It was no surprise he'd go first. Smugly walking through the two beams, he made it to the other side by seventeen seconds. His cockiness didn't escape as he ended it with a victory dance. Josie cannot help but roll her eyes every time she sees the boy. Next one up was Heather. She could feel her heart beating heavily in her chest. She could only think her friend was feeling the same. They all watch as she paces slowly down the bridge. Going slower as palpable. Each step echoed a cranking sound from the plank. The rest of the group holds their breath at the sight of her almost slipping. Luckily, Ray was on the other side. Coaching her. Pulling Heather to him into safety at her last step.

"Next up, Josie Slater!" Summer reads out her name.

The brunette stops fidgeting, wiping off her hands in her shorts. She made her way to the top of the beam. It was good view though, she mentioned, if she only looked up and not down. She didn't particularly have a fear of heights. It's the plummeting down to your death she was nervous about. Hearing hoots and shouts from down below made her all and more anxious. She closes her eyes for a while, focusing. Josie tried to avoid tapping her foot on the surface, fearing it might break the platform.

"Josie, your timer starts in three, two, one." Diggins says.

Josie took a deep breath, taking her first step into the plank. She curses and mutters to herself as she took a couple of steps more. Speeding up her steps, she could her the metal crank crying from below her shoes. She steady her feet, keeping focus on the other side of the beam. The closer she reached, the faster her legs moved forward. Disregarding the chill wind that could've possibly tackled her down if she didn't balance herself well enough. She sprints up to the end platform, with enough time to spare. The ground screams and claps as she gives them a thumbs up.

"Josie Slater makes it across the beam in a minimum of fourteen seconds making a new score to beat!" Diggins cheers.

Josie smiled at the result. Climbing down the beam, she was greeted by the warm arms of Heather who gave the girl a hug. At the corner of her eye, she could see the growing fury of Ray Hall at her victorious performance. She smirked at the sight of this. She's in the lead now. Afterwards, Josie sits herself down, calming herself and catching her breath.

"Up next, Dodge Mason!"

Josie peeks her head to the direction. She watches him stand his ground, walking up to the challenge seemingly with no fear.

"Here we go." She mumbles. Her attention never leaving him.

Dodge's timer starts. He strides steadily from the ledge into the plank, cautious but fast. Making it look so easy from down below. The crowd goes wild. As he walked halfway across the middle, Dodge slipped. Taking a tumble, falling off the beam, hanging on by one arm. Josie stood up abruptly. Seeing Dodge almost fall made the crowd gasp and scream.

"Oh my god," she prays under breath. Her hands covering a shocked, worried expression below her face.

Relief had struck her as Dodge shifts his body up, taking one leg and wrapping it around the bridge. He's back up again, causing everyone at the audience to break out into cheers as he did this. It was still shocking on how the boy lost his balance. Dodge reached the end of the plank, with only a few remaining time left. Even so, he was still in the running.

Heatedly making his way down the ladder, he went up to Ray. Grabbing the boy by the collar, slamming him into the truck. This action did not go unnoticed by the folks, the attention on them now. Josie, along with the others, stood back and watch in anticipation. She could see the formidable smirk on Ray's face as he taunts Dodge, who is holding back. Josie could only wonder what the two were hissing at each other.

Murmurs echo throughout the area as Dodge walks away.

"Not even a kiss goodnight." Ray smirks.

Dodge stopped his steps before turning back to Ray. His fist colliding with Ray's face. Blood trickling down his nose, the two boys tackled each other to the ground. Earning and receiving punches altogether. Sides from the crowd either cheering or trying to stop the fight. Josie didn't know what to do as she remained still, watching the two. The cheers from the group sooner faded as familiar sirens echoed through the granary. In-synced, everyone screams as they dispersed like rats. Josie could see Ray running from the chaos. Josie could've done the same but she took a spare second to find Heather and Natalie.

"Everybody stay exactly where you are!" A police officer yells.

The rest of the group seemed to be against her. Like the current moving against the ship. Their running figures bumping into her shoulders, pushing her down the ground. She thinks one of them stepped over her ankle as she felt pain. Everyone just coming out of nowhere. Josie felt a pair of hands in her shoulders, holding her up. She looked over behind her, it was Dodge. Boy, she was glad to see him.

"Hey, stay close." Dodge whispers. Taking her by the hand, he pulls her to the side. The pair making their way through the moving bodies as they hid behind an array of old cars. He peeks over to see if any of the cops saw them. Josie catches her breath, not noticing her grip still on Dodge's hand.

They made a run for it when the coast was clear. She could only feel thankful that neither of them were caught. Josie and Dodge made it to some grassy fields next to the granary. They exhale in relief as the blue and red colored lights slowly faded into nothing. Dodge kept his gaze over at the direction, while the girl sits over at one of the rocks, minding her foot.

"What happened?" He walks over to her. She could hear the slight worry in Dodge's voice.

"I fell." She mumbles. "I guess some guy stepped over my foot." She examines her ankle, trying to rub the pain away.

"You should probably ice this once you get a second." He offers, kneeling, taking her foot and slowly bending it upwards.

Her eyes widened. It felt like a weird and awkward action. Josie hastily distances herself from his touch. "Uhm. Thanks. But...I'll be fine."

She tries to stride a couple steps but it only made her foot worse. She tried to repress a cry, almost falling backwards in the process. Dodge manages to catch her before she fell. Wrapping her arm around his shoulder, he helps her sit back down.

"Are you always this stubborn?"

"Depends on the situation." She grimaces. "I'm telling you. I'm fine."

He obviously didn't believe her. Dodge ignores her, kneeling again in front of her sitting figure, slowly putting her foot back into place. She instinctively grab his hand in reflex as she gasps in pain. He carefully laid down her foot in the ground before grabbing his sock.

"Whatcha doing there, boy scout?" She questions, eyeing the boy in confusion as he fashions something with his sock.

"Making a bandage." Dodge says. "Oh, don't worry, I've had my monthly shower."

"What a gentleman."

"Stay still, okay?" Josie decided to keep quiet, observing the boy in front of her. Him looking seriously at her foot. He takes the black cloth, stretching it out before applying it to the girl's foot, wrapping her ankle.

"Let me know if this is too tight."

"So what's this gonna do?"

"Hopefully restrict your movement." Dodge finished up wrapping her ankle. He looks back up to the girl.

"Cinderella, your sock." She chuckles as Dodge places the sock on.

"Thanks, Prince Charming." She salutes.

Josie tried to get up. Dodge took notice and extending his arms to pull her up. She hops on one foot to balance herself. Dodge didn't understand why but he held his breath as he glanced at their holding hands. Josie seemed to disregard this and her close distance with Dodge as her mind was somewhere else.

She peered over towards the granary, not catching the sight of the boy oddly looking at her. "I need to find Heather and Natalie. They could still be out there."

"It's probably not a good idea to go back. Cops could've circled the place."

"Maybe..." She insinuated. Josie took her phone out of her pocket. "I'll try texting them." Flooding her messages with Where are you guys? Are you OK? Luckily, Heather texted back, saying that her and Natalie made it out alright. They called Bishop to come pick them up. She sighed in relief. Josie turned her attention back at Dodge. His hands at his pockets, waiting for her. She felt a little embarrassed.

"Heather said they're fine." She puts her cell back into her pocket.

"That's good," he replied.

"Yeah. Bishop drove them home." Josie nods. "It's getting late I should probably head out too."

There was a brief pause.

"Do you need a ride home?" Dodge offers the girl. She then realized that Bishop was the one who drove her to the granary and that she had no ride back. Josie thought she couldn't accept the offer. He already helped enough. The escape from the cops and with her foot. She shakes her head in rejection.

"No...No I can't. It's fine."

"You really gotta stop saying that." Dodge mentioned. Her face reddened. Does she say it that often? "I drove here." An indescribable look on his face. "Plus, it's not like you can walk home." His eyes dropped to her ankle and back to her, teasing the girl. He folded his arms, just staring at Josie, waiting for her answer. She gave him an unbelievable look as she deeply sighed to herself. Obviously, she doesn't have much options.

She pursed her lips as she mentally facepalmed. He was right. "Alright." She surrendered. His lips formed in a tight-lined grin as he leads the way.

----

"Take another right up there."

Josie and Dodge were in his car. The light beige-colored car skimming under the dim local streetlights. There were no music on the radio only Josie's voice guiding him to the direction to her house. As odd as it seems, Josie surveyed the boy beside her. One hand on the wheel, eyes on the road. Currently disbelieving what was happening. Just a few hours ago, the two had, which she believes, was their first actual conversation. Now, he's driving her home. To ease out the awkwardness, she broke the silence.

"So..." She trailed. Dodge look over to her. The wind blowing a few pieces of his hair. "What happened back there with you and Ray?"

"Just Ray being an asshole."

"So nothing out of the ordinary."

"I forgot to ask but...are you ok?" She questioned. "That thing that happened back at the bridge."

Dodge's eyes soften for a brief second. "I'm OK. Still in one piece. Thanks for asking." He offers her a reassuring smile.

"You're not afraid of anything are you?"

"Everyone's afraid of something."

"Your gonna tell me what your afraid of?"

"Is this some kind of strategy to throw me off my game?" He lifted an eyebrow. Taking his eye off the road for a second to glance at her.

"Maybe..." Josie says in a playful tone. "Why? Is it working?" Dodge's face lifted from a blank expression to an almost full one. It wasn't close to an actual smile but Josie still kept that memory in her head.

A few minutes later, they have pulled over her front door. Some part of Josie wished she lived a little further. She kind of enjoyed her brief talk with Dodge. He got out from the car before her, opening the door in her side. He laid out a hand in front Josie. She appreciated Dodge's helping hand.

"Do you need me to walk you up to the door?" Dodge asks, leaning over his car, his hands on his pocket.

Josie smiled. "I'm pretty sure I could handle a few steps."

The pair shared a comfortable silence. No one daring to say anything. Their eyes not pulling away. The long night started differently and ended as something else. She'd completely forgot about the cops almost busting them and him nearly falling off a bridge. Josie had this unexplainable urge in her stomach, wishing this part of the night would've lasted longer.

"See you around, Dodge."

She started heading her way to the front door.

"See you around, Josie." He said. She didn't expect him to farewell. She also didn't notice how this was the first he's uttered her name. Josie turns back at him, giving him a last good smile before entering her home.

Dodge waited for a few seconds after she went inside. His feet not seeming to move away from its spot. He continued to stare at the last sight of her vanishing figure. He bowed his head. Thoughts running through his mind. Thoughts he couldn't really comprehend. Dodge sighed, sitting up, making his way to the driver's seat and driving off.

----

Josie made her way into the living room. She was exhausted. It's been some night and all she wanted to do was take a long good night sleep.

"Your home late."

She stops her steps. Josie peeks her head to the kitchen is direction. Nick, her older brother, says from the kitchen counter. She saw the laid out bills and dues on the table. Her expression went down. Remembering her reality and her purpose of playing Panic.

"Didn't know your shift ended early." Josie leaned over the wall, looking back at him. She lowered her head, feeling a bit of guilt rushing through her.

"I'm sorry, Nick. I was over at the granary," she informs. "The cops arrived before we even finished the game."

Nick stood up in alert at his sister's words. He was always opposed the idea of her playing Panic. They needed the money but he didn't want her to risk her life for it. He knew nothing was gonna stop her when she puts her mind onto something. And stopping her would only make her want to do it more. His eyes travelled down to Josie's foot.

"What happened to your foot?"

She followed his gaze, hiding her injured foot with the black sock behind her good one in embarrassment. "I fell and tripped."

"You need to put some ice on that." He pointed. Her mind drifted toward Dodge saying the same thing. She just nodded at his words.

"You need to be careful, Josie." Nick cautions her.

Josie went to her room. I really gotta clean my room, she reminded herself. Laying down her comfortable bed felt all too rewarding. She stares at her ceiling, thinking about Panic, replaying the earlier challenge. Dodge's near fall. The cops interfering. She let out a deep exhale. She wasn't going to stop playing. Like everyone else in Carp, she was desperate for money, she'll admit that. But Josie was scared. Josie was scared on how willingly she'd go far just for the game. Thoughts continue to run through her mind. She grabbed a book from her floor filled with them, trying to distract herself, preventing her mind from anticipating what the next challenge was.

Fearless (3/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Natalie runs deep into Dodge’s life an uncovers a secret of his, using it to her advantage. Tension sparks as Josie discovers a twisted turn about their local game.

Warning: Minor Explicit Language, Animal Death, Shooting

Word Count: 5.4k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || II. HEIGHTS || IV. ESCAPE

III. TRAPS

The spectators cheer in amazement as the parade floats in front of them. Whistles and claps flooded the streets of Carp, Texas as they celebrated the Fourth of July parade. Since it had been nine days since Josie had heard any news about a challenge, she basically shut off any contact from the outside world and stayed in her room. She figured she'd catch up on her reading. They entertained her more. Nat basically had to drag her off her bed to join them in watching the parade. Her brother was obviously on board with the idea of getting her out of the house.

Josie watched as the floats went by. She moved closer to Heather and Nat, trying to get away from the sweaty bystanders. At the corner of her eye, the trio spotted Bishop and Diggins.

"Look there's Bishop and Diggins." Heather pointed in their direction. Nat and Josie followed behind her.

"Ladies!" Diggins greets, earning a response from Heather and Josie. Natalie scoffs.

"Don't ladies us. It's been nine days. Have you heard anything from the judges?" Natalie said to Diggins, who shrugged in response.

"Patience, sweet Nat." Josie jokes, putting her arm around Natalie's shoulder. Nat chuckles lightly as they stare back at the floats.

"Oh, check out Leela." Nat comments.

"She looks really hot," Josie says. "Y'know that could've been you." She teased Nat. The girl playfully rolled her eyes. Leela throws a red rose in Bishop's direction, his cheeks blushed. Diggins cheers the boy on. Josie looked back at Heather, her expression shrinking. Regardless of the brunette's attempt of denying it, she has obvious feelings for the boy. She had liked him since they were kids, but Heather felt like he wouldn't feel the same way. But still, it must've hurt not knowing if the person you like returns the same feeling. Josie placed her free arm on Heather's shoulder, pulling the girl in her embrace, the girls comforting her.

A person head over to the group, handing them flags as they kept watching the parade. They remained in place as they watched the last float exit from their view. Examining the flag handed to her, Josie stops them as the group was about to part ways. "Wait!"

"Guys...This has to be a clue, right?" Josie held up the tiny flag in her hands that had a marking or drawing of what she could only deduce was a key.

"Guess we have our next challenge."

————

The crew was now sitting in the park. Nat sitting on the bench as the other three were on the big swings. Laughter filled between Heather and Bishop as they continually swing back and forth. Josie, on the other hand, was sitting rather quietly on her swing, focused on the pocket-sized novel she carried with her.

"Seriously? We got our first clue in weeks. And you guys wanna unlock your precious childhood joy?" Natalie says while looking at her phone and then back at the group.

"It's a national holiday, Nat. It's patriotic to slack off." Josie says, her eyes not leaving the book.

"Relax Nat. We're just having fun." Heather says, causing them to laugh, except Natalie. Heather and Bishop continue their amusement on the swings. Natalie was having none of it. She was busy scrolling on her phone, clearly upset.

"I'm gonna go find Shawna. Maybe she has a clue about the key." She stands up. "You guys keep having fun." She sarcastically says. Natalie was more serious about Panic than anyone. Josie's head peered up, observing the girl's reaction.

"Josie, your coming with me." Nat abruptly pulls the girl out of the swings. She didn't understand why she needed her to come with her. Josie was also serious about the game but she didn't really feel like doing anything today. The previous pair waved the two goodbyes. She didn't bother asking Natalie what was going on and dragged her feet in obedience.

————

The two girls were in the neighborhood. Josie idly follows behind Natalie with red flyers on their arms, placing them on yards or front doors or cars. The dark-haired girl was clearly bored. Wiping the sweat off her forehead because of the hot Texas sun. Josie was pissed at Natalie, to say the least. She hauls her exhausted legs across the pavement, glancing at the girl before her.

"Remind me why I'm here again?" She impatiently asks. "How long do we have to do this? I wanna go home."

"I told you this is recon work, Josie. This could probably give us some information about the game and the competition." Natalie says as she continues to settle the papers at the car windows. Emphasis on the probably. Josie was unconvinced by her notion.

"Because handing out flyers would certainly give us a competitive edge." She articulated. Sometimes, Josie would admire Natalie's persistence but sometimes it just exasperates her. Josie continued to do the task as Natalie abruptly stopped her steps. She nudges the girl behind her, Josie following her gaze direction.

"Look." Nat sheepishly pointed to the cop car leaving a random driveway. Josie recognized the car and the man driving it. What is Sheriff Cortez doing here? Josie's brows furrowed as she examined the suspicious house he was previously in. She peered over the messy gate and piles of mail laid out in front of it. She looked at the tall plants wrapped around the place, almost like hiding the home in plain sight.

Natalie bent down, snooping around the packages left at the front gate. Josie's eyes widened at her action. She snatches the package from the girl's hands and distances it from Natalie to avoid her from getting it back.

"What are you doing?" She whispers. Trying to prevent people from getting the wrong idea of them snooping at someone else's mail.

"Looking at their mail." Nat pointed out the obvious.

"I meant why are you doing that." Her forehead creased at the sight before her. She knew Natalie can be a bit nosy but this was just all too weird. Josie took the package from her again and placed it back in front of the gate. Natalie snatched another piece of mail.

"Look who it's addressed to." Natalie interrupts. Josie blamed her innate curiosity as she dips her head, looking over at the name across the package. Mason, D. Her expression narrowed. D, as in Dodge? What does he have to do with any of this? She turns towards the other girl beside her. Her eyes seemed to be glistening at her discovery. Josie took hold of the package, trying to analyze it a little better.

"Can I help you?" A voice yells. Josie immediately hides the box behind her in panic. The girls peeked their heads across the plants, seeing a blonde figure in a wheelchair out on the porch. Josie then provided a seemingly innocent smile to mask her embarrassment of being caught.

"Hi!" Natalie greets. She grabbed the package from Josie's hand and pulled her by the arm in the other as they approach the front yard of the home. "We were just handing out flyers for the charity chili cook-off," Nat explains.

"Never knew there was a house back here." Josie lightly chuckled. Her hands playing with each other dismissively. The blonde girl just continued to study the two girls lurking in front of her house.

"If you're the one who keeps snatching our packages, I hope you're enjoying all the free mouthwash." The stranger crosses her arms.

"Who would do something like that?" Josie questioningly jokes. She realized they were snooping at their mail just a while ago. Needless to say, she wished she crawled under a rock at the sight of that plain expression that never left the blonde girl's face as she looked at Josie.

"Oh, no." Natalie dismisses her. "We were just bringing it to you." She hands over the package.

"Special delivery, for D. Mason."

"Dodge Mason?" Natalie muttered.

"It's for me, Dayna Mason. I'm Dodge's sister." Josie's eyes went round, the look of shock being obvious on her face. She looks over to her friend, the expression still remaining. "Never knew he had a sister." She recited.

"Don't take it personally. But one time he broke the state record at the legacy rodeo series, and we didn't find out until we saw him on the news."

"He's a cowboy?" Her voice sounded enthusiastically intrigued. Dayna nods. The corners of Josie's lips curved up at the thought of it. She never would've imagined him as someone who would do such a thing. It was unexpected but it made so much sense altogether. It fits him.

"Do you want me to tell him you guys stopped by?"

"I'm Natalie." She introduced. "Josie." She sent her a polite wave.

The pair bid their goodbyes as they walked out of the porch, closing the metal gate behind them. Just then, Natalie pulls out a folded letter from her pocket. Josie's shoulder slumped, giving an unbelievable look to the other girl.

"And yet you still stole their mail?" She sneered.

"I still need that info on our opponent."

Natalie examines the written words on the mail. Her eyes sparkled in appeasement at the sight of what she is looking for. "Look," she tells the girl. Josie peers over at what's laid out in front of her. Reading the capitalized name of the familiar boy they were just talking about. Andrew Dodge Mason. Josie's forehead creased in confusion. It's like new information about him keeps piling up each week.

Josie wouldn't like to think much about it. Maybe he prefers to go by Dodge Mason. Maybe it is a personal choice. The same goes for his sister. Maybe he's just really private. She couldn't blame him for having secrets. Everybody does. But from the look on Natalie's eyes, Josie's sure that the girl would do anything to uncover them.

————

Making their way back to the town square after their talk with Dayna Mason, Natalie told Josie to go home. She was confused at the girl's persistence but she wouldn't say no to the offer. Just before she could go, Josie saw Natalie strolling towards Dot's Diner. She knew that her friend was up to something. She could feel that it was about her newfound knowledge about Dodge. Should she be worried?

The doorbell rang as Natalie made her way inside the diner, standing by the frame of the door as she scans Dodge from a distance.

"Hey. Can I come in?" She greets. An odd flicker in her eyes. Dodge stopped wiping the counter to look at the profile. A small grin on her face as she leans on by the doorframe.

Dodge stands there confused. "Sure." He furrows his brows as he turns to Natalie who is already sitting at the counter. She leans forward. Her hands clasped under her chin, studying him. The invisible boy who had an ambiguous background suddenly has become so clear now. Dodge paused his actions, unsure of what to do.

"Can I uh, get you a coffee or something? Or..."

"No, I'm okay." She exhales sharply.

"I have to say, people have done a lot of crazy things to win Panic, but reenrolling in school after you've already graduated? Well...That takes the cake." He could feel his stomach drop.

"Andrew Dodge Mason." She finishes. "You know what? Why don't we just stick with Dodge?"

Natalie sits more comfortably in the chair, satisfied at his harrowed demeanor. Dodge's shoulders tensed. "How'd you find out?"

"My dad's a cop. He told me to notice things that other people don't really see. Congratulations. I see you made it to the National Rodeo Finals the second year running. Saddle bronc. I didn't know you competed." She loomed closer. "Tell me the truth, you get one chance. You lie to me and I get you disqualified. Are you a judge?"

"No." He answers sharply. "I didn't move here until mid-August."

"Still plenty of time to plan."

"Sure. If last year's judges felt like picking a total stranger."

"Why are you playing?"

"Hurricane Harvey wiped us out. Our house ended up in a pile of splinters about a hundred yards off the foundation. And my sister, um.. she was trying to get to higher ground when a surge swept a car and pinned her up against a bank. She was there for hours. My mom lost her business, the insurance company told us to file for bankruptcy, and hospital bills." Dodge gave his stock answer.

"We were looking to move anyway. I told my mom that I needed to re-enroll in order to apply for a town service award. She thinks that I'm qualifying hours this summer."

Natalie crosses her arms, slightly tucked chin. "You're a really good liar." It was a good lie. Almost convincing enough, but nothing got past her. "But I trust you." She bargained. "And I think we'll make a good team."

"Team?" Natalie nods. "We make a deal. I'll help you win and we split the pot fifty-fifty."

"Look, I lived here my whole life. I know the game. You don't."

Regardless of her almost being close to uncovering the truth, Dodge knew better than to make a deal with Natalie. He looks at her dubiously, listening well to the bargain she was making.

"We can help each other. Share information. Play against the others. We have more chance of getting to the final challenge that way. And then..."

"Then we'll have to face off." Dodge finished.

"But if one wins, we both win," Natalie says, smirking up at him.

"What about Josie? Heather?" He questions.

"What about them?"

"Why are you teaming up with me and not them?" He rests his hands at the counter. Dodge knew the three of them were friends. He knew the girls were close so why would she want to team up with the new kid?

Nat folded her arms to her chest. "Heather swore to me she'd never play. She lied."

"So you're angry at her for playing." He says. "No. I'm angry at those fifty points."

"And what about Josie?" He breathed. He decided to distract himself from the situation by wiping some of the glasses.

"She's been dead straight on this game since junior year. She's smart. She'll be a tough one to beat." Natalie compliments.

"So why team up with me and not her?"

"Being smart doesn't exactly make her trustworthy. Trust me, I know her. She'd make a good judge though. Plus, she thinks I've teamed up with her and Heather. That means I have her good side. That'll give me easy access to her weak points, and that's how we'll win." Natalie simpers before continuing.

"We met your sister today. She seems nice."

Dodge's jaw clenched at the mention of Dayna. We? Does she mean her and Josie? If the two met Dayna, then they must've been in his house. Dodge didn't even want to ask Natalie how they ended up in his place. Natalie already knew too much and if he acts defensively now, she'd want to fill in her curiosity. He wasn't gonna give her the satisfaction she already had but Natalie was holding all the cards. Dodge needed to make sure no one else would find out about what she knows. Natalie noticed the tightened expression of the boy across from her. He can't possibly say no at this point.

"So do we have a deal?" She holds out her hand. "It doesn't really seem like I have a choice," Dodge comments, shaking her hand in agreement. Natalie pulls out a map from her pocket. Dodge's brows knitted, studying the page she laid out.

"Spurlock's farm." Her fingers pointed to the surface. "If we're gonna be partners we're gonna have to come up with a plan because there are traps everywhere."

————

Josie, Heather, and Natalie are all in Dodge's car heading over to the next challenge of Panic. Later during the previous day, Josie got a text from Heather, who got a text from Nat, saying that the challenge was gonna be in Spurlock's ranch. She wasn't too worried about the challenge. They'd probably have to run around the old man's land and try not to get caught. Her ankle feels a lot better now so she had nothing to hold back.

She was confused as to why Dodge had offered them a ride to the challenge. And why that message had come from Natalie. Does she want to know what happened back at the diner? Heather and Josie are seated in the back seat of Dodge's car, Natalie over the passenger side. She examined the boy's face through the front mirror, his expression looking more stressed and stern since the last time she saw him.

The quartet walked over with the rest of the group gathered around Diggins as he was speaking about some riddle.

"Time flies, so fly like a crow. To reap future treasures from wars long ago. Take one of these tokens along when you leave. And send a proof in pictures by midnight to me— Ray can you please stop that!" Diggins yells to Ray who immediately puts the flashlight back into his pocket.

"Um, translation?" One speaks up.

"I wish that I could help you. But the puzzle is part of—"

"You're supposed to steal something." Summer interjects.

Diggins sent a glare at her smirking face before continuing. "You can choose the cornfields or the woods to get to Spurlock's. And 'cause we didn't complete the last challenge, the judges decided it was unfair to award or deduct any points-based—"

Voices interrupted him again. Complaints and disagreements howled at the decision made.

"Some of us actually had to cross."

"The rankings are the same as they were after the first challenge. Also, cause the cops busted us, no more spectators." Diggins says.

Josie sighed in disappointment. She had the fastest time during the challenge which could've put her in the lead. But now, that was gone. And despite the crowd's noises and cheers making her nervous at the previous challenge, she was not gonna lie when she says she will miss the exciting feeling it gave her too.

"You'll have to sneak in, steal something, get out, then take a picture and send proof to me by midnight." Diggins continues. "This challenge is worth fifty points, All or nothing. You need one hundred and fifty in order to make it to the next challenge, so give it all you got. Good luck players."

"And Spurlocks a nutcase. Like, supposedly the whole place is booby-trapped, so just try not to die." Summer says with odd enthusiasm.

————

Heather, Natalie, Josie, and Dodge made their way through the forest and into the cornfield, all following each other. The girls let the boy go first since apparently, he's not afraid of anything. The tall grain plants brushed through their skins as they walked through it. They trod carefully and tiptoed through the maze. The soft crunch noise coming from the plants as they moved had worked against them as they tried to move stealthily. Josie kept her eyes vigilant, peering at any traps. A loud metal screech caused them all to stop dead in their tracks. The three figures except one flinched over the sight of a dead bunny caught in one of the bear traps.

"Jesus Christ," Josie mumbled under her breath. The red blood circled around the bunny's neck as it remained dead trapped at the device. They all walk around the dead animal, avoiding any more traps. They grew tensed at the situation. The group reached an open point of the maze before Natalie spoke up.

"This is taking too long. It'll be faster if we split up." Josie raised her brow at her friend's suggestion. Is she serious? She understood they needed to speed up if they wanted to complete the challenge but she doesn't trust the idea of separating from them in a place like this. Her eyes followed Natalie's gaze towards Dodge. Call her crazy, but she could feel Nat sending some kind of mental message to Dodge. The boy returned the held stare. So she just wants to be alone with him? Josie's eyes examined the two, surveying them back and forth.

Dodge nodded in agreement to Natalie. "Let's meet back in the next break in ten minutes," Nat says.

Josie internally scoffs. Something was going on between those two and she wanted to find out. Did she blackmail him or something? Possibly. Natalie was keen on digging up some dirt on Dodge. But she decided not to tread too much on the scene right now. Instead, she followed the girl's order. She looked back at the group once more before going in a different direction.

She held out her flashlight to her path, cautiously watching her steps. Making her way through the maze, avoiding any more traps that could be out there.

Josie suddenly stop her steps as she heard a sound from across her side. Seeing a dark silhouette, she immediately shuts off her flashlight. Whatever it was, she was ready to make a run for it. Josie kept looking in different directions, hearing the sound getting louder. Getting closer to her. She didn't give it another thought and ran the other way. Speedily and quietly making her way, she bumps into a figure causing both of them to fall down to the ground.

"Ow! What the hell?"

She recognized that voice. Ugh. Pushing herself off the ground, she immediately scowls at the boy before her. Of all the people she could've come across, they picked Tyler. With everything going on with this night, this was probably the worst. She would rather take her chance with Spurlock.

"Well, well, well," Tyler says as he got back up on his feet. "If it isn't Josie Slater falling head over heels for me once again."

She rolled her eyes. "You bumped into me, you idiot." She hits his shoulder with hers as she walked through. Josie followed the path, not sparring the boy another glance. Tyler didn't take a no for an answer, jogging up next to the girl.

"You know you should really smile more. That's probably why it never worked out between us." He hoaxed.

Josie chuckled. "Hmm. I still see that the punch I gave to your face wasn't enough." She turns to him, a fist forming in her hand. "Want a replay?"

"Jeez, it's a joke." Josie is holding everything back from punching him right now. "I mean, c'mon. You should've seen it coming. We were just kids. I don't get what you were expecting." Tyler walks backward, facing toward her as he kept talking.

She inhales sharply, trying not to let his words get to her. It has been years since the whole bet thing, but Josie could still vividly remember getting hurt. That was probably the only moment a boy paid good attention to her. That made her feel what any teenage girl would feel when in front of a boy she likes. She took a shot and she regretted it. Oh boy, she regrets it. What probably hurts her more is that he didn't feel sorry at all. Maybe it was her fault for being swayed so easily.

The boy frowned at her scowled expression. "Are you seriously going to keep being pissed at me? That was years ago."

"Are you gonna keep talking or are you gonna watch where you're going?"

Josie halts her feet, smirking at the sight of Tyler falling down a large dug-up hole. She stifled a large sound of laughter as he flail his arms up in the air at the unexpected drop.

"Help me up," Tyler demands.

"Nah," she shook her head. "No. I don't really want to," Josie smirks as she continues to stare him up from above the ground. The boy getting pissed by the second.

"You bitch!" He yells out loud enough for Spurlock to hear them, causing him to come out of the house with a gun.

"Get out of my property!" The old man yells, firing a shot near Josie. She immediately ducks down, hoping that the cornfields would be able to hide her. She curses under her breath as the old man still kept shooting in different directions.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." She turns her flashlight off, immediately running away from the scene. Josie looks around the area. She was near the edge behind the house. She saw another figure running away through the fields as Spurlock tries to shoot him aimlessly. She breathed in deeply. Using this moment, deciding to risk it, she ran out of the maze and sprinted her way to the back of the house which was right in front of her. Josie could still hear the man's shots being fired. She managed to get inside the house through the basement door.

She leaned behind the door, catching her breath. Adrenaline pulsated through her veins. She mentally laughed at herself at what she has just done. God, you are crazy, she tells herself. Josie pushed herself off the door and skimmed through the room. She decided to snoop around Spurlock's basement. Who knows what the old psycho keeps in his basement? A body? She snoops around old shelves. Maybe she could find something to steal here. She saw a bunch of files laid out inside boxes. Clouds of dust filled the spaces in the basement. Josie jumps at the loud gunshot from the outside, knocking over a small cabinet, causing all of its items to fall off it.

"Shit." She quietly cursed at the noise. If Spurlock had heard, he might shoot her right now.

She quietly picked up the items, arranging them back to the place they left, hiding her tracks. A small box caught her attention. She opens it, taking a deeper look at it. It was filled with betting slips with the list of the players' names. Her forehead creased in confusion. Doc Magic was the name written in the papers. It looked like some people were betting on them on who'd win the game. She glanced over her name, Josie Slater +1.0. She was a little flattered at their bet of her odds at winning, but it was still so messed up.

She took a page or two for evidence's sake. The atmosphere was starting to get shady and she wasn't liking it. Josie kept it hidden in her pocket before making her way out of the basement, walking upstairs to the hallway.

She used her flashlight to guide her as she took silent steps. She still hasn't stolen anything. Josie was about to grab something before the front door came swinging open. Before she could react, a hand grabbed onto her waist and pulled her into a corner. As she was about to gasp, a hand went over her mouth, shushing her. She looked up and it was none other than Dodge Mason. His stare remained on the old man, watching his next move. Josie could only look at Dodge at this moment. They were positioned like that until the man finally left. Dodge removes his hand from Josie's mouth.

"We gotta stop running into each other like this," Dodge says, turning his flashlight back on. She scoffs at his words. He looks down at the girl in front of him. Josie looks up, mainly because of the height difference.

The flashlight illuminated their faces in that small corner. The coast was clear but she remained standing there silently, taking up the opportunity to examine his features. He was tall, maybe over six feet. His towering demeanor certainly matched the somber look in his gaze. She also never noticed the little hint of brown in his blue eyes. How compelling, just like him. Josie coughed, she was staring. She pushed off the wall, moving away from him.

"I didn't need your help." Josie sneers. She drifted her attention to the surroundings. She searched around, looking for things she could steal and take a photo of, and send to Diggins before midnight.

"I wasn't just gonna let you get caught now would I," Dodge says, causing her to pause. "You would've gotten all of us in trouble."

Josie bit the inside of her cheek. Hands in her hips as she scoffs. Bzzz. A sound of vibration came from Dodge's phone. Dodge unlocks his phone reading the text. His neck stiffens and his eyes flared.

"Was that Natalie?" Josie asks, sounding like the girl couldn't care less. She tried to focus on the messy floor of Spurlock's house. Dodge looked back at the girl, shaking his head.

"No...Uhm, yeah. She's asking where we are." Dodge corrects.

"We?" She raised her brow. They both know she was only concerned about Dodge at the moment. "I don't think she's asking where I am, Andrew." She postulated. Josie could see Dodge pensively swallow as she uttered his first name. His challenging eyes boring into her, she raised her arms up in defense. "It's none of my business, but going by your middle name's a little weird.

Dodge breathed out, redirecting his attention to the room. Just the mere utter of his name, he recalled his earlier conversation with Natalie. The deal he agreed to. His team up with her. Dodge skims through the stuff he could potentially steal for him and Natalie the challenge. His phone notifying once more with Natalie's name on the screen, telling him to hurry up.

"So what is it, you both teaming up now?"

"You're sounding a little bitter, Jo. Is there something you want to say?" She snickers at the nickname.

"You got the time, Andy?"

Dodge scratches his head, bowing his head down in embarrassment at what she called him. "Please don't call me that." He pleads. She grins. Needless to say, she was satisfied with his reaction. Josie turned her attention back to the search. A small object caught her eye. It was a gold-like shiny object covered in dirt that looks like it could be worth something. She settled for the old rusty compass she found on the table. She examined it closer to her. BANG! Another gunshot from the outside. Both heads snap in the direction.

"You can't run. You can't hide." The old man yells, shooting psychotically at anything that moved.

Dodge and Josie looked at each other. That was their cue to leave. She hurriedly pocketed the compass as Dodge searched for the way out. There at the ground next to her foot, Josie saw something else that struck her interest. She picked up a small revolver gun. She wasn't thinking when she placed it in her other pocket. She wasn't thinking when she placed it in her other pocket. As the lights turned back on, Spurlock was now standing in the doorway, eyes wild, shouting. The barrel of the gun was swinging toward them. Finding a quicker way out, Dodge hurled a chair straight through the window. 

"Go, go, go!" Dodge shouted.

Once they were out, they made their way to the car. Cautiously running through the cornfield maze, knowing where each trap was set and avoiding them. Not really minding the noise they were making, they just need to get out of there. They run, not looking back. They bumped into Natalie, who suddenly showed up beside the pair. Three of them sprinted towards Dodge's car.

They stopped, catching their breaths when they got enough distance away from Spurlock. The dark-haired girl looked around in realization of her missing friend.

"W-where's Heather? Did you see her leave the house?" She panics.

"No." Natalie's voice shakes. "Call and see where she's at."

Josie hurriedly typed Heather's number. Her foot tapping nervously at the dialing tone. Thank god, she answered.

"Heather! Where are you?"

"I'm almost at the car!"

"Phone!" Nat yelled. Josie's eyes darted. She hung up on the phone and hurriedly went over to the camera.

"Hey!" Josie yells at Dodge. She focuses her camera on him. "Smile!" He holds out the item before Josie snapped and took the photo. She chortles at Dodge's plain-faced expression at the picture. She should get used to it by now. Josie quickly snapped a pic of her with the compass she stole and sent both pictures to Diggins.

The group spotted an out-of-breath Heather scurrying to the car. Josie opened the car door and got her phone out, ready to take a picture of the girl.

"Let's get the fuck out of here." She exhaled. The rest of them made their way into the car. Josie sprinted towards the front seat. Dodge followed her, sitting in the driver's seat. The remaining girls sent their photos to Diggins as they sped out of the ranch. Josie closed her eyes, resting her head on the headboard, exhaling in exhaustion. The longness of the night seemed to not only overwhelm her but the three other teenagers also breathed out in relief as they exited the place.

Fearless Masterlist

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Josie grew up in Carp, Texas. She knows everything that is to know about this town. So it becomes evident that she knows about Panic. She was dead set on winning, and no one was going to stand in her way, that was until she met Dodge Mason. The guy who stirred just as much mystery as the game's secrets begins to unravel.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Violence, Injuries, Mention of Death, Abandonment, Fire & Explosion, Substance Abuse, Shooting

Disclaimer

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

C H A P T E R S:

I. PANIC

II. HEIGHTS

III. TRAPS

IV. ESCAPE

V. PHANTOMS

VI. VISIONS

VII. DEAD-END

VIII. SENSORY

IX. OUTSIDERS

X. TRUST

XI. CAUTION

XII. TENSE

*new* XIII. RETURNS

Fearless (4/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: As a moment of vulnerability strikes the pair, nothing else seems to matter. Nevertheless, no one can be trusted in the game of Panic. The game must go on. Dodge is reminded of his reason and determination in winning Panic when a familiar figure emerges.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Mentions of Death and Accident, Abandonment Issues

Word Count: 5.4k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || III. TRAPS || V. PHANTOMS

IV. ESCAPE

Josie sat on the floor, busy filing the books at the Carp Public Library. Despite playing the game to win some money, she still needed to work to keep some income. She started working over there when she was fifteen. Before, she'd constantly visit the public library, picking and reading any book she found interesting. There weren't many people going into that place. It was quiet and if she wanted a distraction away from anything, her thoughts, people, she'd go there. It gave her peace of mind. There weren't many employees there either. Ms. Nina, the librarian, and the owner had a soft spot for the girl and gave her a job. She'd work there anytime she was free, so pretty much every day. She had to adjust her schedule due to Panic.

"Honey, you've been filing the cabinets since this morning. Kids shouldn't spend their entire summer in the library." Ms. Nina advises.

"It's okay. I'm aiming for employee of the month." Josie smirks.

"Josie, get out of here or you are fired. Get out. Enjoy some fresh air." The lady avows. Josie playfully displays a hurt expression.

"What is it with people and throwing me out? I don't need fresh air. I have books." She gestures to the tall bookshelf in front of her. Hugging some novels to prove Ms. Nina her point. The lady pulls her away from the shelf, dragging her out of the door. Josie whines.

"I'm gonna file the rest of these by myself while you go out with your friends and do stuff teenagers do."

"Y'know you're gonna miss me when I actually leave!" She decreed. Ms. Nina had dragged her outside of the building. She stands there speechless at what just happened. She really just threw me out. The lady shoots her a flying kiss before walking back inside the library.

She groans. What else was she supposed to do today? If it weren't obvious, she doesn't have a life. Heather and Nat were AWOL. Bishop didn't respond to her texts either. She could head over to the diner, she thought. But she wasn't really hungry and it was a little late for lunch. Her feet moved her in the direction back home. Where else was she supposed to go?

Taking a little stroll in the streets of Carp, she surveyed the buildings and streets she was all too familiar with. The town was a mess. She noted the little dent on the side of that building. The piled flyers stack on the wall on top of each other. Windows being cleaned up by shop owners. People going by their day. Josie sighed. It was kind of tiring to see similar familiarities around her. Truth be told, she didn't like small towns. It felt like a giant snow globe she couldn't get out of. She felt trapped. Another part of her reason for playing Panic was the dream of getting out of here. If there were any remains from the prize money she used to pay for their financial issues, she'd use it to get out of Carp and go just about anywhere. It felt like a pipe dream, but it always felt good to imagine it.

Josie viewed a notice slip that caught her eye. Printed on large, glossy sheets of paper, inscribed with the crest of the Police Department.

ANY INDIVIDUALS FOUND TO BE PARTICIPATING IN THE GAME COMMONLY KNOWN AS PANIC WILL BE SUBJECTED TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

In smaller letters, the criminal charges were enumerated, reckless endangerment, destruction of private property, breaking and entering, intent to do grievous/bodily harm, drunken disorderliness.

Rumors spread after the previous challenge at Spurlock's that one of the players was caught by the man himself and was arrested. People said he squealed about the Panic challenges to one of the cops. We don't know if he spilled about the players' identities or further information about the game. Either way, everyone was giving him the cold shoulder.

Josie narrowed the notice, smiling a bit to herself. That wasn't gonna stop her from playing. If anything, it made people more eager to play.  Amongst the reason for being able to change their lives and get out of Carp, it was the adrenaline rush and the excitement that drove competitors to keep playing. The feeling it gave them. Like they could do anything. It was an escape.

Even if the cops manage to catch all of the participants and pretty much force them to end the game, it wouldn't work. Nobody believed that Panic would stop, of course. The game must go on. The game always went on.

She snapped back into reality. As she was walking, Josie spotted Dodge outside the diner, cleaning the windows splattered with paint. The girl readily makes her way toward him but halts her step as someone else beats her to it. She sights Natalie striding beside Dodge.

"Need some help?"

Dodge turn over at his side, seeing the girl grinning beside him with her arms crossed. He eyed Natalie up and down as he stared at her presence. His face remained the same expression as Natalie remembered. A faint and sort of blank expression. It never fazed her as she kept making conversation.

Dodge nods. She loomed closer, grabbing a cloth, and pressing it to the window as she takes off each colored pigment. "It's for the player's ball," Natalie stated, the tall boy looking at her in confusion.

"Player's what?"

"The player's ball. It's tradition for the emcee to host a party for the players and their guests."

"Couldn't they send an e-vite or something?" She chuckles as he roughly washed off the vandalized window. "It's more fun this way. And besides...it's a subtle way to get past the cops."

"Good point."

Josie stayed at a distance from across the street, seeing the two conversing with each other. The dark-haired girl looked down at her shoes, swallowing the something forming down her throat. She doesn't know why she is feeling butterflies in her stomach. She doesn't even know why her expression dulled as she glanced at the pair. Her doting stares at the boy overwhelmed her as she snaps out of it before walking anywhere else.

————

"I told you. I'm not going."

The brunette plops down on her bed, snuggling herself with a blanket surrounded by pillows. Heather is feeling down at the previous sight of Bishop with another girl. As much as she can deny all she wants that she does not hold any romantic feelings for her friend, her reaction fails to overlook. The mouth could say one thing, but the heart speaks a whole different language altogether. Josie brings the girl into a hug as she lays down in the bed. Heather continues to wallow as she extends her arms to Josie. Nat called the girls over to talk about their player's ball outfits. They immediately went over to the other girl's house when she declared she wasn't going. Josie and Nat found her with a saddened countenance in her dim-lit room.

"Heather, you are not gonna wallow in your bed forever just because you saw Bishop with another girl. We won't allow it."

"I'm not wallowing."

"Well, it seems like it."

Nat and Josie pull Heather up from her bed as the girl continues to hug her mattress.

"C'mon Heather. Tonight's the player's ball. You're gonna go. You're gonna look so hot and you're gonna have a good time. And you're gonna forget all about Bishop. Screw him." Nat tries to boost her mood.

"But we're still friends with him, right?" Josie questions. Natalie looked over the other girl before going through the closet of their friend.

"OK. C'mon ladies. So, what do you think? Manic pixie dream girl, tragic ingenue, or dangerous seductress?"

"Hmm..." Josie hums with a finger on her chin. "What about...tragic pixie...seductress?" She compromises.

Natalie snaps a finger at Josie's suggestion. "That's a good one." Josie smiled like a kid getting the correct answer. She glanced back at her friend who still has a visible frown on her face.

"Don't think about Bishop tonight. We're gonna have fun. You're gonna drink and party the hell out of it. We're gonna enjoy ourselves tonight, and you will too! Trust me." Josie encourages Heather. Heather groans as she places a pillow on her head.

"We'll fix you up good, Heather. Don't worry."

Once they finally got the girl out of her bed, the girls were busy selecting outfits from the collection of clothing Nat bought from the store. Choosing left and right for the perfect dress. It's a party. It is important that they get the right outfits for tonight. They picked out a beautiful red and black dress for Heather, pairing it with black heels. Natalie settled for a gold dress, while Josie chose the dark blue off-shoulder dress she had her eye on. Josie excitedly puts on the dress, pairing the dress with dark-colored heels she borrowed from Natalie. The girls started to apply makeup products to Heather's face. Blush at her cheeks, mascara, and red lipstick. Josie decided to put on a little bit of makeup and fixed her hair in a half-updo. She looks good, she commented to herself. After dolling up Heather, Nat and Josie smiled at their finished work, both proud of themselves and at the sight before them.

"We did an amazing job. Are you ready to see yourself, pretty girl?"

"Sure."

The two girls spun the chair, facing it towards the mirror for Heather to see herself.

"Hey, Hot Stuff!" Josie roared.

"Oh, come on. You look amazing!" The brunette cannot resist a smile as she looked beautiful. She felt flattered at her best friends' gesture. They were always there to cheer her up. She was lucky.

"No...I just feel like I'm trying too hard to look good." She examines herself in the mirror.

"No efforts necessary. You're gonna be the Belle of the ball tonight!" Josie exclaims. The girls laugh as the dark-haired girl continues to hype up her friend. They continued to check themselves out in the mirror. They did quite a good job. The girls look gorgeous. It was gonna be a night to remember. A sudden ring went off on Natalie's phone as she came to check it. A smile went up to her face as she read over the name peered over her screen. The two girls notice the distracted expression of the other girl.

"Who are you texting?" Heather asks.

"Uhm...Just Dodge." Nat answers. Heather nudges her friend, teasing her at the sudden closeness of the two. Since when did the two become so close? Was it during Spurlock's? Have they been talking ever since? She remembered their little exchange in front of the diner. They look great. Josie also thought about that. She can't help but have this weird feeling in her chest. She tried to hide that feeling from going up her face, but that didn't seem to go unnoticed by Heather who only glanced at the girl confusingly.

"How did you get his number?" Josie asks, keeping her voice as disinterestedly monotone.

"That day at the diner." She says, not looking up from her phone. "He said he's picking us up." Nat places her phone in her purse.

"Didn't know he's an Uber driver now." Josie jokingly says.

After replying to Dodge, Natalie walked over to the mirror with the other girls. "Did you know he has a sister?"

"What?!" Heather abruptly stopped fixing her hair and turned to look at Natalie with widened eyes. "He has a sister? How did you find out?"

"Me and Natalie went over to Dodge's house. She stole their mail." Josie replies. Natalie rolls her eyes at the girl's judgment.

"I don't understand why he's hiding his sister in the first place," Natalie asks in confusion.

"It's his choice if he wanted to keep it a secret," Josie mutters. She was right. The boy held many secrets and she wasn't interested in revealing any of them to other people if he wanted it to remain as such. She also wouldn't mind if he ever wishes to tell her any secrets about him, because that could mean that he trusts her. But she doubts that that could actually happen. Josie, on the other hand, telling him any secret of hers is another topic to dwell on.

The three girls took another moment to fix themselves up in front of the mirror before a car horn broke them from the trance. Nat peered over the window, telling the other two that Dodge is here. Josie grabbed her purse and headed down the stairs. Nat and Heather stayed for a little while for final retouches. Josie then proceeds to head out of the door first, seeing Dodge leaned up against his car all dressed up, hands in his pockets, wearing his signature black clothing.

"Are you gonna wear something else other than black?" Josie called out as she strode towards him.

He looks down at his black button-down shirt. "Why? You don't like it?"

"You do know there are other colors right?"

"I heard rumors."

The two shared a casual chuckle. Both bowed their heads at their small exchange. The boy took the moment to examine the girl. His eyes traveled down to her. He'd never seen her dress up. She had her hair all fixed up. He also noticed the small red on her cheeks. Josie looked lovely. Before he actually got to say what he thought, a voice interrupted them.

"Let's get going guys," Nat says as she and Heather swift their feet towards the car, opening the car door. The pair looked over at the girls. Josie's eyes followed her friends. She shot Dodge a small smile as she took a seat inside too. Dodge was the last one to get in the car as he took a second to breathe before driving towards the party.

————

The four walked into a raged zone full of almost drunk, party-dressed teenagers. Multicolored, neon lights illuminate the scene at the poolside of someone's house. Music blasted through the speakers as a couple of kids swayed on the dance floor. The girls held each other as they made their way in. The heart beats in excitement and at the sight of alcohol. They examined the crowd before seeing a familiar face.

"Holy shit. Luke Hall is here." Heather points out. The group snapped towards the direction of her gaze, seeing the adult drinking from a red solo cup around a bunch of other kids.

"I thought he moved away," Natalie said, observing the man.

"Wasn't he in jail or something?" Heather looked at the girls for confirmation of the rumor.

"He played Panic?" Dodge spoke up. "He won Panic." Josie corrects. "He wouldn't let us forget it." She had heard about it. The news was all over town, only amongst the teenagers of course. Luke walked around town like he was a king after his win. Dodge nods in response. Eyes narrowing down at the figure like a predator peering over its prey. His expression hardened as his jaw tightened.

"Didn't he hit a pedestrian with his car playing Joust?" Dodge quizzed. Josie turned her head at the boy beside her, seeing how his shoulders suddenly tensed up. "No. There was no Joust that year. Luke won in Roulette." Natalie says. "No one else would touch the gun," Heather added.

"I heard that Luke and Conrad Spurlock were in a stolen car." Summer chimes in.

"Bullshit." Drew, another player, added a reaction.

Josie kept a concerned look at Dodge who looks like he was about to hurl at someone. She had never seen the boy like this. She could see the vein popping out of his neck. The color drained out of his face. Is he even breathing? Josie inched closer to him, whispering. "Are you okay?"

Dodge quickly breaks his attention from Luke and turns to Josie, shaking his head. "What?...Y-yeah. Yeah. I'm okay." Dodge coughs, shutting off his reaction immediately. "I'm gonna grab a drink. Do you guys want anything?" The group broke from their daze and diverted their attention to Dodge's offer.

"Shots!" Heather exclaimed. The group cheered, adding in their requested drinks. Dodge left, heading over to the table with the drinks. She stared at him in confusion as his features dawned another expression. Josie is surprised as she looked over at the empty spots beside her. Heather and Nat seemed to part ways with the girl. Heather made her way to the dance floor. Nat makes her way to another group of people. She looked around in awkwardness, but her feet stayed where they were.

"Anyways, Hunt says the story is all bullshit." They continue the stories. Apparently, the new topic of conversation is Luke Hall.

"Yeah. If he actually hit somebody, they'd be in jail." Josie moved closer to the group speaking, her curiosity taking over her.

"Well, Spurlock and the D.A. are friends from high school." One added.

"So you think he helped to cover up a murder?" Josie quizzically looked at them. Panic took a dark turn last year when Jimmy, Sheriff Cortez's son, died from planning Panic. His girlfriend, Abby, also died from playing. It made the cops more vigilant and the crazy kids more eager to play. Some remembered the events differently. Some said it was an accident, other minds thought it was a more sinister play. Rumors continue to spread like wildfire. Josie didn't know what to believe.

"No, he didn't kill the girl. She's just paralyzed." Her attention snapped focused on the boy speaking. "My cousin works at a hospital in Freetown, and he says she's gonna be in a wheelchair for life."

Josie exhaled at the theory flooding her mind. Could it be? She tried not to think too much about it and jump to conclusions, but she couldn't help it. Some pieces of the puzzle are slowly laying out, fading in like clues. Josie glanced towards the boy over by the punch bowl. With his previous reaction and the allegations about Luke, and what happened last year, she grew confused.

————

Josie spent her night drinking soda from her red solo cup, dancing with Heather and Natalie on the dance floor when one of them comes into view, and walking around from one place to another when they suddenly disappear. She was never the party animal. Josie didn't even like to drink hard. She was pretty lightweight. She'd only go to parties when her friends would go. Josie would often cling to them as she was never the type to come up to someone all by herself and talk to them. She observed the crowds, spotting Ray Hall and Heather having a heated debate in front of the pool.

Her feet swayed over at the back of the house. A little spot she found. There she saw Dodge sitting down in the hot tub. He seemed to be distracted, not seeing the girl walking closer to him. Dodge continued to stare vigorously at the water surrounding him. He's here, his mind lamented. After what he had done, he didn't expect to see the guy. Let alone be in the same place as him. Dodge filled himself with alcohol to get that out of his head. His mind drifted towards Panic and the reason why he's playing it. The reason why he came into this town in the first place. All of it would be worth it in the end. He deeply sighed, all alone with his thoughts. A voice suddenly filled his ears.

"My god, you sound serious." Josie jokes, striding closer to the hot tub. He turned his head in the direction of the voice. He grins. Dodge was pleased to see her. "Didn't know you were the hot tub kind of guy." She continued, getting in the tub, sitting across from him.

"Are you spying on me, Josie?" He teasingly asks her.

"Yes, Dodge. I was standing over at the corner waiting for the chance to talk to you." She sarcastically jokes.

"You got your wish." He pointed out. "Yes, I did." She nods.

Dodge smiles again. Maybe it was the alcohol getting to him but he seems to be doing that quite often whenever he's around the girl.

"So this..." He points at both of them. "...Is that our thing?"

"What thing? We don't have a thing."

"What do you mean?" He softly said. Josie also took note of their little banters. She didn't think he would respond to her quips but him equally matching her wits made her like him more. "I believe we'd actually have to be friends for a'thing' to be established." She smirks, pointing it out.

"We're not friends? Ouch." He holds a hand to his heart.

"I'd actually have to know some things about you for us to be friends, Dodge Mason." Josie was right. They knew each other but it was merely an exchange of names and generalities. They didn't know the important parts. She didn't mean to pry but she kind of want to know more about the mystery of Dodge Mason, especially since little more information about him is beginning to unravel.

"You already know my full name. You know about Dayna. I think you already know where I live."

"Speaking of your full name..." She trails. "Why'd you go by Dodge?"  He looks at her with full amusement. "I'm not judging. I just want to know why you wouldn't rather go by Andrew."

He tries to formulate a grin. Aside from using his second name to be able to re-enroll to high school and play Panic, there is a deeper reason why he wouldn't go by Andrew. But he would rather not dwell on that right now. Instead, he lies.

"Dodge just sounds cooler."

"Seriously? That's the reason." A small tell from his face indicates he was probably not telling the truth. At least not the whole truth. Josie nods, deciding to turn a blind eye, and continued.

"Well, Dodge is certainly memorable. It is kind of a cool name." She sighs. "I wish I had a cool name."

"I like your name," Dodge said quietly. Josie smiles at the compliment.

"I still stand by my reason. I know your name but it doesn't mean I know personal things about you. Like, I don't even know your favorite color." Dodge was about to open his mouth to answer but Josie cuts him off. "—Wait. Don't answer that."

He hums, sitting properly because of how the conversation seems to be going. "Ok. Fine. Ask me anything."

Josie looks up at the sky, thinking of a question. This is probably a big step for him, so she decided to go easy on him. "Why don't you laugh?"

Dodge bowed his head down in embarrassment. "Too personal?" Josie playfully says. Seriously, Dodge thought. Dodge looks back up towards her, grinning. "I laugh." He shrugs his shoulders as he snickers.

"Then how come I never had the privilege of hearing it?"

"You heard me laugh."

"That..." She imitates. "is not laughing. That was like a small smile. It doesn't count."

"I laugh when things are actually funny." He informs. "So do you think I'm funny?" Josie tilts her head to the side, teasing the boy. "It doesn't count, remember?" He squinted.

Mouth agape at his response, the girl chuckles as she splashes water against the boy. He retorts back hitting her with water, thus resulting in a water fight. Both continuously striking each other with the warm water, none of them backing down. They practically almost emptied the water in the tub. She throws water over him, smiling as he paused briefly, using this chance to spray him some more. It was practically a miracle itself, Dodge's laugh echoed through her ears as both stopped their actions.

"You laughed. You're laughing!" Josie points at him in triumph. Continuously saying it, waving it in his face of what just happened. Dodge cannot seem to stop. The girl's reaction added more elation to his laughter.

"Ok. Fine. You win, Josie Slater." Dodge holds his arms up, surrendering. Josie smiles at Dodge. She's at a peak of euphoria thanks to him. The same goes for Dodge. Ever since he moved into town, this was probably the only time he ever shared a laugh with someone. He even barely laughs around his family as Dayna annoyingly comments at him. Josie is probably the only person in town he had the longest conversation with. He was growing comfortable around her. His judgment doesn't know if it was a good or a bad thing but it felt refreshing. Dodge didn't hesitate to look at the girl. Josie wasn't sure what that look meant but she accepted it with grace, responding just the same.

Things went quiet for a while. It was a kind of quiet that didn't feel awkward. Every single quiet thing could be said just by their mere presence. They could probably not talk for so long and things would still remain the same between them. Regardless, Dodge didn't want to stop talking to her. And so did Josie. There's been this weird and interesting instinct that forms around Dodge whenever she's around. Like he's being pulled into something. Something unknown. Something he never saw coming. And coming from him, the unknown could be a scary thing.

"I think you're scared," Josie says.

"Of what?"

"I don't really know yet. But I'm gonna find out."

"You want to know what to know what I'm afraid of?" Dodge inched closer and closer to her. Josie's eyes didn't back down as it kept its gaze on Dodge's.

They were in closer contact now than the night at the granary. She was still haunted by their close proximity that night, and their close proximity at Spurlock's ranch, even just for a brief moment. But then, she was injured and he was helping her. Now...she doesn't know the reason why. Josie just thinks if her mind starts interrogating the reasons, she would lose her mind. They were now at eye level with each other. Her pupils dilated just as Dodge's face drew closer to hers. Josie tried to look like her heart wasn't beating so rapidly.

"Dolphins." Giving her a little time to react, he rose up and made a large splash, causing Josie to cry out. He continued, splashing like a madman. Despite her face and hair getting soaked, she still had a smile on her face.

"My turn." Dodge leans beside her. He paused before thinking of a question. "When'd you move to Carp?"

"That's your question?" Her eyebrow rose. He nods. Maybe it was the whole mood of the night or the feeling that anything could happen and Dodge couldn't help but feel like there was no one else he could relate to in this town than Josie. Maybe it was the perks of being the only two new kids, regardless of her already having a longer stay in Carp. He wanted to know more about her. He figured he'd start with that. Josie clasps her hands before taking a deep breath. "Alright"

"Umm..." She begins. "I moved here from California when I was twelve. My...mom," she almost sneered at the word. "She wanted a fresh start...After my dad died." She blinks in realization. Fuck, what am I doing?

"I'm sorry. I-I didn't know why I said that out loud. I'm sorry. Nobody really asks me about this stuff. Why would I even say that?" Josie scrunched up her face, apologizing for her words. She didn't mean to dump her sad story about her life on him. She escalated the conversation to a different route and she didn't mean to. She ruined everything. Why would you do that? She beats up her mind.

"No. No. It's fine." Dodge comforted. "It's okay." He looks at the girl who's been shaking her head. "My dad died too. He..." Dodge paused. "I'm just saying he's gone too, so I understand. Don't apologize for that." He breathed.

"What about your mom? What happened to her?"

Josie looked away, sighing deeply. "I don't know."

"She left. Right after my dad died, she just left me and my brother, Nick, here. No note. Nothing. Sometimes she'll come around only to steal our money for god knows what." Her mind flashes back to those moments when she would wait on the doorstep, near the phone, looking forward to the mail. Any other way that could indicate that her mom was coming back to them. Josie could feel the liquid forming in her eyes. She fidgets with her fingers as she tried to hold it back.

"I'm sorry, I'm babbling, aren't I?"

"Just keep talking," Dodge says, ushering her to continue.

Dodge continued to listen to the girl as their talk took an emotional turn. He kind of guessed she was holding back on something and was a bit guarded but he didn't think she was feeling a sense of loneliness. Josie reminded him a little bit of himself. He too was carrying baggage but he never would've smiled and pretended everything was okay like Josie. He meant what he said about them both being outsiders. Dodge could see that little hint of despair in Josie's eyes and it angers him to see her brush it off like it was nothing.

"She just runs away from us and crazy enough, I always hope that maybe this time she'll stay." She looks down at her lap, can't seem to meet his eyes in embarrassment. "That's why I'm gonna get out of here. When I get the chance."

"What do you mean?"

"If I ever win Panic, if I'm feeling a little selfish, I would get out of Carp."

"Why are you gonna leave?" His eyes focused on her. "I figured that there's nothing left for me here anyway. Heather, Nat, and Bishop are probably gonna leave someday. And then I'll just be left alone again." She tries to brush off the sad feelings with a light laugh. "Maybe I'm just running away before anyone else gets the chance of leaving me. I mean, would anyone even stay if I ask them to?"

"You could ask me..." Dodge said softly. More like a light whisper he didn't expect her to hear. But she did. She really did. His gaze grew tender at the girl as she turned her look away from her lap and looked at him. It was the kind of look like everything between them has been understood. That for a split second, nothing else mattered. Dodge no longer sees the girl as just this brightly lit ray of sunshine. He still does though, but the sun never shines without rain. Behind that smile was a girl feeling alone. Abandoned.

Josie could feel her heart rising and resting slowly. A gentle, comforting echo in her chest. Her eyes traveled to Dodge's and it gave her a feeling. She didn't know what it was but scared her. Something that she told herself she wouldn't go through once again. A promise she made herself that she wouldn't put her faith in other people anymore. People always disappointed her. If she let her guard down, they'll just hurt her. They always do. His fingers slowly reached for hers under the water. Just before he could reach her, she pulled away. Building up her walls again, Josie coughed at their level of closeness and abruptly stood up from the hot tub. Quickly put on her dress and walked back to the party.

She could hear Dodge calling out her name but she ignored him and continued walking. Trying to find Heather or Natalie. Dodge quickly put on his clothes, running after the girl. He wondered what he did wrong and wanted to comfort her. There is nothing he wanted to do than to reach her and tell her that it was ok. If he crossed a line, he wanted to apologize. He'll apologize for anything if she wanted him to. The train of thought was slowly dismissed as he peered over the large crowd surrounding a pillar left with a big red symbol painted over it.

Friday. From dusk till dawn. Graybill house.

The crowd continued to stare over the message. Deducing whoever did this and having their speculations. Dodge looks around, seeing the runaway girl reunited with her friends. She noticed his gaze on her before looking away. Dodge then turns his attention to the pillar, pressing his fingertip against the pigment.

"It's still wet. Couldn't have gone up more than a few minutes ago."

"But that means—"

"The judges are here," Heather says.

"At least one of them anyway." Ray agrees.

Everyone looked around. Left and right. Eyeing down each other with suspicion. Speculating if the judges are with them right now. If the person beside them was the judge. If they passed by them. Everyone tensed up in the room. Chills ran down their spine as everyone was not to be trusted.

Fearless (5/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Spark ignites as a new challenge emerges. The Graybill House is haunted. Everyone in Carp knew that, but it wasn’t particularly the house that was Josie was scared of. But not Dodge. He wasn’t scared. That was what Panic was all about: no fear.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Mentions of Abandonment, Mentions of Death, Electrocution

Word Count: 5.8k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist  ||  I. PANIC  ||  IV. ESCAPE || VI. VISIONS

V. PHANTOMS

After the player's ball, and their little "talk", Josie ended up not talking to Dodge. It's been a few days and she's been avoiding him. Running the other way at a small glimpse of him. It was a little difficult since he's everywhere around town. She sees him walking across the street, she wouldn't utter a single word to him. She thinks the boy's catching up with her avoidance.

She cringes at her words that night. For the reason of embarrassment. She never opened up to someone before. Personal things she never told anyone but mostly just kept to herself. Josie doesn't know if it was the atmosphere that made her tipsy but a part of her felt comfortable with Dodge. He was a good listener. Now the feeling faded.

He knew just enough of her and she wasn't fine with that. Her mind pondered towards Panic. Maybe he could use that against her. The boy still remained a mystery to her. She wasn't even seeing the boy, so why would she think about him?

As if fate was playing with her, she spots Dodge on the other side of the street. Her feet seemed to stop moving. Just as he was about to enter the diner, he turns to his side, feeling a pair of eyes gazing at him. It was Josie. Josie immediately switches her view straight ahead towards the road. Walking and paced faster as she could to get out of there.

Before Dodge can call out her name, she left. He noticed she was avoiding him ever since the player's ball. He was confused. He didn't know what happened between them. Did he do something wrong? He thought they were starting to become friends and it was a good thing.

He had a new perspective on the girl. It was growing into something. There was a weird feeling in his chest that he hasn't really given the time to think about.

Dodge deeply sighed. His mind lingered at the text he got from Natalie, reminding him about the challenge tonight. He was growing worried. If anyone else knew about his weakness, it could be used against him. Dodge has one weakness, and it was his sister. And no one knew that, besides Natalie.

----

Josie figured since her walk away from Dodge was literally leading her nowhere, she went home. After receiving a text about Panic, she decided to rest until the challenge tonight. She wasn't particularly in the mood to compete in Panic tonight but she decided to suck it up. Her mind was flowing elsewhere and she needed to clear her head. Seeing the car parked in their driveway, Josie figured her Nick was home.

"I'm home!" She greets.

"Hey." A deep male voice greets back.

Josie heads towards the kitchen, surprised to see him even being near a stove. "What're you doing?" She leans over the table, watching Nick badly attempt to cook something that she could only assume was pasta.

"I'm making us dinner. I'm not coming back to work until late tonight, so I figured we could have that normal family dinner."

She slowly nods. Definitely trying not to notice the burning smell coming from the stove. One of the reasons they don't have those normal family dinners, aside from his bad cooking, is because it was always been Nick and her. Ever since her dad died and her mom left, Nick has been taking care of her. Working multiple shifts he can support her through high school. Trying to give her the best opportunities possible. Managing the house and bills needed to be paid. She owed everything to her older brother. If she was going to win Panic, it would be for him. There were times when Josie would see him passed out, dead asleep on the couch after spending hours and hours at work. Making the minimum wage he can to pay the insane amount of cash needed to spend. Nick was sometimes absent in her life, in ways that she can understand. But he always tried to be there when it mattered. Part of the reason why she resented her mother is that her leaving means dumping all the responsibilities on her brother who was only still in college when she abandoned them. She didn't care about them. If she did, she never would've left.

Nick tries to tell her about his day while trying to tame the dish she believes could be pasta. She couldn't take it anymore. She moves from her spot, heading over to the stove. Nick laughed embarrassingly, admitting he doesn't know what he was doing, why does he still bother anyways, and just lets her do her thing. She was a way better cook than him.

"I thought we already agreed that you can't cook." She quipped, turning the heat down, grabbing a spoon, and gently stirring the pot. "Just order in tonight, though. I have a thing tonight."

Nick's eyes darted. He understood what she meant. Josie told him before the summer that she was gonna play Panic. She quickly dropped the bombshell on the first day of her senior year. He remembered quite well because she began her sentence with, "Now I'm officially a Senior..." He was against the idea, of course. He wouldn't be. The accident about last year's Panic game struck the town's core. It was a regular summer day and then suddenly, two kids had died. Regular folks heard multiple rumors but a more silent group of people about how the kids truly died that year. Nick was working at the time the hospital received the call about Jimmy and Abby. He gave a long hard talk to Josie about the dangers of participating in the game. But he knew nothing was gonna stop her when she puts her mind on something. She didn't tell anyone that Nick knew she was gonna play Panic. Most especially Natalie. She figured they'll ask questions and wouldn't trust her.

"Just remember," he reminds.

"Be careful." Both say in unison.

"I know. I know." Josie repeats. "I'll be fine. I'm telling you." She focuses back on the cooking pot, stirring whatever substance in it. Josie pulled a quizzical face as she sniffed down the smoke exiting the pot. Maybe it could be saved, she pondered.

"Speaking of fine..." Nick trails. "Mom called."

Josie drops the spoon at his sudden mention of her. Her shoulders tensed up as flashbacks from those painful memories she had with her rapidly grows in her mind like wildfire. It was always been a sensitive topic to her. She mostly tried to ignore the idea of their mother when there were moments Josie would be reminded of her, but now, it is a definite reference. Josie could already feel the emotions clasping down her throat.

"Why? Does she need money again?" She said coldly.

"Josie..."

"Am I wrong? She only calls when she needs something." She turns around, looking Nick in the eye. She was right. They would rarely get calls from her but when they do, it would always be about money. She'd include some flowery words in her messages too. But Josie knew it was all fake.

"She called asking how we've been..." Josie laughed at the thought. Nick frowned at her reaction. "She's doing great, Jo. Ever since..."

"-So she needs a place to crash." She bitterly grins. Unsurprised by the notion. The small heartbreak in her tone was obvious.

Josie focuses her attention back on cooking. Or at least she tried to. Trying to focus on anything else but her mom. Heatedly stirring the pot as her emotions grew. Her hands were shaking as she gripped the spoon. She's coming back. She'll fall for it again. The sweet talk about how she missed both of them. How she has grown up so much since she last saw them. Maybe spend a day or two with them, if they're lucky, and then she'll leave again. It was the same old routine.

Nick tried to say good words to his sister, trying to calm her down. But she couldn't help it. She meant it when she said she never want to see her again.

"Are fucking you serious, Nick?! You're honestly just gonna let her back in here!" Josie snapped. Frustratingly running her fingers through her hair as she let out an exasperated breath. She chuckles to herself. "And of course, she calls you 'cause she knows you'll basically let her get away with anything! Am I wrong?!"

Her brother only kept silent at her outburst.

"She'll waltz back in here and by the end of the week she's off to god know's where with half our money."

"She says it's different this time."

"Not the first time I've heard that." She intoned.

"We gotta give her a chance, Josie."

"NO! We gave her plenty of chances. She always does this!" Josie infuriatingly slams her hand down in anger. She cursed under her breath as her hand caught a bit of the heat from the stove. Nick moves forward to his sister in concern, grabbing a first aid kit in the process. Looking down at her scalded palm, Josie didn't know which pained her more, her hand or her mom. Either way, she resisted a tear. She didn't want to waste any more on her. He then proceeds to aid her wounded hand, taking worried glances at his sister.

It wasn't easy for Josie. Her mother and Josie were quite close when she was younger. That's why it broke her heart when she left for the first time. Despite that, she tried to keep in contact with her. She'd call her mom constantly. Texted her whenever she could. Josie always kept a tiny beam of hope whenever she replied. Even if it was just a brief OK, Josie was satisfied. But there was a time when Josie called her once again, but this time her mom didn't answer. That one time happened twice and then it became thrice, soon after, she stopped talking to them altogether. Josie would always hope her mom would finally stay every time she would walk through the door. She would let her guard down and she was disappointed. She was always left disappointed. It still surprised her how she can never get used to that feeling.

"I don't want her back here, Nick."

"You're too hard on her, Josie."

She closes her eyes, seemingly holding back any emotions. Her breath caught on her throat.

"My answer's still no."

----

"Congratulations to all of you for completing the challenge at Spurlock's Ranch. Up until now, you've been competitors. But tonight, you become enemies."

Josie drove herself to the challenge instead of riding with Heather and Nat. After that sudden mention of her mom seemingly catching up with Nick, she stayed in her room the whole afternoon crying until it was time to head over to the next challenge. She was upset and wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. Walking closer to the group of people standing in front of the porch, she decided to forget about all that and focus on the game. Her afflicted emotion seems to give her a drive, a thirst to win this challenge.

Dodge's gaze followed the girl as she searches for her friends and walked up towards them. She was the last one to arrive at the venue, he noticed. He was anticipating when she'd make an appearance. He hasn't gotten a chance to talk to Josie and hopefully, he can speak to her tonight. He shouldn't let himself get distracted though, especially with everything at stake but he couldn't help himself. His eyes never left her as he listened to Diggins.

Noticing her friend's depressed demeanor, Heather smiles softly at Josie as she stands beside her. "Hey, Josie. You okay?" She asks, wrapping an arm around her. Her tone was probably one of Josie's favorite things about her. Heather never failed to show how much she cared about her friends. Heather could see the little red under her eyes and her puffed cheeks. She couldn't even ponder the thought of what made Josie look so down. Josie nodded her head, giving her a reassuring smile. "Yeah. I'm okay." She spoke quietly. Hoping it was convincing enough.

Feeling a pair of eyes on her, Josie's gaze shifted towards its direction, the trail shockingly leading to Dodge. Their eyes locked, surprised to see him already staring at her. Josie quickly turned away in embarrassment as Dodge's eyes lingered on her for a bit.

"It is Panic tradition to screw each other at the Graybill house challenge."

"And we all came for that reason," Ray smirked as laughter accompanied the group.

"The rules are simple. You guys stay inside till we come and get you. Players' points will be deducted when you submit proof of them being scared shitless. For tonight and tonight only, keep those cameras on."

"Sabotage is highly encouraged. As a reminder, Heather is still in the lead with 200 points. Dodge is closing up the gap with 175 and everyone else is holding up with 150. And last but not least, there is a 50-point bonus for whoever can solve the riddles in the blood."

Josie's eyes narrowed as she exhaled sharply. Deciding to get her head in the game and put all her energy into the challenge. She was gonna win no matter what the costs. She was more than determined now to win Panic and win the $50,000. Josie was holding up only 150 worth of points. If she wanted to be in the lead, she has definitely got to spend the whole night there with all of these people and solve all the riddles. She crosses her arms in impatience. All she wanted to do was to rush in there and get this whole thing over with.

"Uh, what do you mean, in the blood?" Drew quivered.

"Blood always tells."

"Good luck players."

----

Everyone began to make their way into the house. Flashlights lighting up the empty and dark foyer.

The Graybill house is haunted. Everyone in Carp knew that.

There was a legend surrounding this house. They said that old man Graybill bought the lands despite being warned by the locals that it was a site of burial grounds. He thought the warnings were foolish and decided to build the mansion right above the buried graves. It was a normal night like any other. Just as the children were getting ready to go to bed, blood trickled down their throats as it was slashed viciously with a knife. Screams were echoed in the walls of the house. As Mrs. Graybill left the bedroom to follow the source of the sound, she found her husband covered with blood and holding a knife dripping on the floor. The next thing they knew, four more graves were dug outside the house. The locals continued to be haunted as they saw the hanged figure of Graybill on top of his crooked tree.

This was a continuous horror story told by every single person in Carp. Whether it was to teach kids to not purchase haunted lands apparently or whether it was simply just to put a scare towards someone. But whatever it was, Josie thought it was bullshit.

As everyone warily hides behind Dodge as he first makes his way into the homestead, Josie unusually overtakes him, now being the first in the house. People whispered at her confident behavior. Normally, she would've gone with Heather and Natalie in challenges, but she was in a competitive mood and wants to be alone.

Josie shined her flashlight at the sight of blood splatters on the floor trailing to the wall. She was unfazed by this. There was no way the judges would use real blood for the game. It seemed too costly to buy actual blood just for a game.

"Anyone else freaked out by the random blood?" Drew asked. Shivers ran through the rest of the group as they examined the blood.

"If you're panicking at the sight of this, your certainly not gonna last long." Josie surmised.

She peered closer to the riddle written on the wall, touching the freshly painted blood. Feels real, she commented. Illuminating the flashlight at the wood for better insight. "Dorothy lost her ruby shoes. The wizard lost his head. The king was counting reasons for clues inside the dead." Josie read aloud. The competitors peering behind her were thinking hard about what the riddle meant.

"Wizard." Josie recited. The people in the room focused on her words. "Jimmy Wizard. It was Jim's nickname when Abby started dating him. Some of us started calling her Dorothy." She deduced. The mention of the previous kids' names sent chills down their spine.

"Holy shit," Shawna murmured.

"Clues inside the dead? If the judges are crazier as they seem, guess we have to find the bodies." Josie says.

The rest of the group follows the girl as she made her way further inside the house. Treading quietly and carefully behind her.

"AHHHH!!!"

Josie's screams echo the room. Her peers, except Dodge, stopped and flinched in panic as they heard her frightened scream. Their hearts beat heavily in their chests as they shake in apprehension. They looked around her direction, frighteningly wondering if the Graybill murder legend were true.

"What?! WHAT IS IT?!" One of them questioningly screams in fear.

"It's a chair." Josie hilariously turns back to them. Her flashlight shone below her face, mockingly imitating a ghost. She grins in wicked amusement at the group as they pretty much proved how they can easily pee their pants at a little ghost story.

The group looked pissed at the girl's smiling figure. Yep, she scared them. It might just give her an advantage now as everyone's already scared shitless.

Sparring no other glance at them, she wastes no time and went through the hallway and into the rooms of the house as the group tried to think about what is about to happen. Her mind was already all over the riddle. She went at her own pace. Stirring away from the group.

----

Josie looks around the house after getting a lead from the riddle she was solving. "The Cook and five to dinner, make six tally late. The final count's the winner behind the hands that wait."

Josie figured it was leading to the kitchen so she treaded towards there. She needed points if she wanted to catch up with the rest and win. This entire night was stressing her out. The brief talk about her mother affected her so much. But she needed to keep her head in the game. She wasn't scared of haunted houses. She didn't even believe this one is. It's the people here she was wary about. She wasn't teaming up with anybody. She certainly wasn't planning on hooking up with someone here to pass the time. Sabotage is plausible.

She wandered around the hallways looking for other possible clues. If this place was fixed upright, it could've been a nice house, she noted. Her flashlight examines the walls filled with torn-down wallpaper and broken picture frames. Just then, she stumbled upon a wooden door and a familiar figure trying to open it.

It was Dodge.

He breaks his attention at the entrance and turns around, recognizing the girl's presence. He sees her. Despite that, she abruptly turns around, ready to sprint away.

"You're avoiding me." Dodge pointed out the obvious.

Josie halted, squeezing her eyes shut. Shit, did he see me? Her mind started calculating if she were to run away, would he catch up. This is the last thing she needs right now. With the issue at home, she didn't expect to run into him. She can do this. Can you? Her mind fought against her. She can't handle talking to him right now, but she decided to suck it up for the challenge.

Josie turns back to him. "What? No." Her nose flares. It was clearly a lie. She tried to pass on a nonchalant expression, which failed by the look on Dodge's face.

"Need help?" Not knowing what else to say, she changes the subject. He extends his arm to the door, gesturing "after you." He moves to the side, giving her space. Josie walked towards the door, moving beside him.

The pair tried to open the lock. Pushing the door but it won't budge. With her attention on something else, Dodge used the opportunity to examine the girl. This has been the closest they've been since the player's ball. It was only been a couple of days but it felt like months. He'd only seen her whenever she would pass by the diner or around town and would run the other way. It was good to see her. Dodge's eyes traveled down, noticing the bandage wrapped around the girl's hand.

"What happened to your hand?" He stops his actions, moving his attention to her injured palm.

"Nothing," she brushed off. This doesn't stop him. Dodge grabbed her hand, gently inspecting it. He traced the burnt mark on her hand with his fingers. Just softly touching the bandage above the surface as he looks at it seriously. Josie exhales, trying to ignore the exchange.

"I burned my hand." She explained. Dodge snaps his head back, breaking his look on her hand and onto her. His eyes daunting hers. "It was an accident." She continued. "I was cooking and my hand touched the pot or something..." She yanks her hand out of his hold. "It's nothing."

"You should be careful, y'know." Dodge sighs.

"You sound like my brother."

She successfully opened the lock as they began pushing open the door. The sound of wood scraped against the cold floor as they finally made it into the kitchen. Dust and cobwebs were made visible surrounding the room as their flashlights illuminated the area. The lights flickered on and off as they entered the room. They continue to examine the corners of the room, looking for clues, till their gaze settled on each other.

"That's what I call mood lighting." Her sarcasm is evident.

"Aren't you afraid of the curse?"

"I'm pretty sure I have bigger problems than a little electricity." She beams up towards the flickering lights right above them.

Silence befalls them. Josie trying not to think about Dodge's lingering eyes sneaking a look at her. His haunting presence beside Josie. She should just solve the riddle and get out of there. Yep, that's the plan. Dodge can't seem to shake away his thoughts about her too. This is not the place nor the time to talk about this. But he needed to. He wanted to. He just had to know.

"So is there a reason why you've been avoiding me?" He breaks the silence.

She averts her gaze. "I'm not avoiding you."

"You know your nose flares up when you lie."

Josie was speechless at his observation. She blinked fast, trying to hide the heat rising to her cheeks. She decided to ignore him. That seems easy enough. She moved towards the corners basically any direction where he isn't, searching for possible clues.

"I doubt they'd hide a clue at the sink." Dodge taunts her. "Maybe try the dishwasher."

Her eyes rolled. Josie was already pissed off at the beginning but her annoyance seems to grow bigger by the second as she inhales sharply. She's still on edge at the talk back home about her mom coming back. Her feeling of embarrassment from sharing personal stuff with Dodge is still there too. Both things seem to be striking her at the same time. She soon takes out her anger at the kitchen stuff. The scrabbling sound echoes in the kitchen area. Josie tries to remain composure as the other boy casually leans against the wall watching the girl rummaging stuff.

"My bad. I don't think they have a dishwasher at this house."

She broke composure. "What is your problem?!"

"Me?" Dodge innocently asks. "I don't have any problem. Maybe you have a problem with me."

She exhales the breath she didn't know she was holding. She knows where this was going. Dodge saw the fragile expression of the girl. He decided to shoot his shot and ask her the questions that have been stuck in his brain ever since.

"Are you really just gonna keep ignoring me forever?"

"It's been three days." She corrects.

"Is this about the night of the party? Did I say something wrong? Did I do something wrong?" Dodge motions towards her. He tries to reach for Josie's hand but the girl moves further away from him. Josie shakes her head, she runs her fingers through her hair in frustration. "You know you can tell me anything right."

"Just because I told you my sob story doesn't mean I wanna run to you whenever I have a problem."

"We're not friends, Dodge. Ok." She coldly says. "We're nothing and you're nothing to me. So you can stop this good guy act you are waving at my face and just leave me alone." She tried to exit the kitchen, not liking where this is leading towards. Josie needed him to be far away. Josie needed him to stop. For both their sakes. She didn't have time for this. This is the last thing she expected to happen tonight.

Dodge blinked. He wasn't gonna lie when he'd say her words didn't hurt. Dodge could see the pent-up anger in her was doing all the talk but Josie's words still cut through him like a knife. He'd never been the one to care about what other people thought about him but hearing her say that she was nothing to him...it stung. Dodge looks down at his feet, debating in his mind what he should do.

"You think that's gonna do you any good?" He asks.

Dodge's words made Josie halt her steps just as she was about to walk through the door.

"I don't remember asking for your opinion."

"And I don't remember you answering my question." Dodge enunciated. "You think running away is gonna solve your problems? It's not."

"Maybe you should just learn how to back off from time to time, don't you think?" She snaps at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're suffocating, Dodge. You're suffocating to me. And you're probably suffocating Dayna."

This was the trigger. "Don't talk about Dayna."

"Why? I'm just speaking the truth."

"You know what else is the truth? You complaining about your mom running away from your family, but you're out here doing the same thing she's doing."

"Shut up! I AM NOT!" She defends

"REALLY?" He says widely. "Then what was that whole thing you've been doing for the past few days?"

He cornered her into a wall. She leaned back, overwhelmed with everything. Amongst the other growing feelings, it scared her. This man who she has only known for a few weeks had known more about her than anyone else in her life. Not only that but he also proved how she could talk to him if she wants to. Why does he care so much? Josie's always been cautious of people. They either left or disappointed her. She wasn't gonna make the same mistake again.

"So what's it gonna be, Jo..." He drew closer. "What do you want?"

That was the question. Josie closes her eyes, sinking in the exhaustion she was feeling. She was tired. She was tired of all of this. She was tired of the argument. She was tired of avoiding Dodge. She was tired of carrying this baggage and weight on her shoulders. She can't breathe. Everything else in the world felt like a giant ball trapping her, having no else to go. Slowly the corners of its inside grow smaller and smaller, crushing her. Opening her eyes once more, she found Dodge staring deep into her. She felt like he could hear her thoughts. Know every single word running through her mind. Know the next move she was gonna make just before her brain could process it. Josie knew what she must do. She stood up straight, the cold facade showcased clearly towards Dodge.

"To win the game."

Josie walked past him, finally exiting the kitchen door and making her way to the hallway. Dodge exhaled at her fading figure. He ran his hands across his hair exhaustingly at what just happened. He meant what he said when he said she could go to him. She could talk to him about anything, and he would sit down and listen. He thought they were actually getting along but her reaction made him question a lot. That night wandered on his mind. He was frustrated and confused at the girl. All Dodge could do was retreat back from the walls in his mind. For the first time in his life, he wasn't sure what to do next.

----

After her walking away further from the kitchen and following a trail of clues that lead her into an isolated bedroom, Josie collapses, sitting down near the wall. Trying not to let her growing tears streaming down her face. Her arms wrapped around herself. She tried her best to remain silent. Hearing other voices in the other room. Josie fidgets her hands resting on her lap. If anyone else saw her, they might as well mess with her right now. Her mind didn't drift towards Panic, but just by the thought of people seeing her so vulnerable. She hated feeling weak despite it being a natural feeling.

She exhaled frustratingly. What is wrong with me? The question echoed through her head like a church bell. Dodge probably thought she was messing with him. Being all nice to him one day and then suddenly turning to the other page. He was right. She was running away. Maybe it's genetics. Or a thing that runs to their family and had only skipped Nick. The bedroom lights continued to flicker above her peering figure. Technically, it wasn't the house that was scaring her. It was something...someone else.

Josie darted her attention to the door as it suddenly closed. The feeling of worry transitioned to anger as soon as she heard a click of the lock and a couple of giggles from the other side. As she said, Sabotage is plausible.

"Haha. Very funny," she says unimpressed. "Now, open the door. It's freezing in here."

Josie waited. Waited for anyone from the outside to listen to her and open the door. Trying to get a glimpse of the sight behind the door through a tiny keyhole, Josie cursed under her breath. Fuck. No one was there. He or she just left her locked inside the room. Unbelievable. This was probably payback for messing with them earlier in the challenge, she figured. Josie kicks in frustration as she remains locked inside.

----

As the hour of the night continued, Dodge made his way further into the lower ground of the Graybill house, taking note of the cobwebs and bags of dust filling the pathway. Regardless of the frigid eeriness of the setting, Dodge kept his cool. Moving swiftly, silently, and carefully, illuminating his forward movement with only the booming silence filling the room. Normally, other kids would've been frightened just by being an inch close to the house. But not Dodge. He wasn't scared. That was what Panic is all about: no fear.  Dodge has fears. Everybody does. But he couldn't afford to be scared. He wasn't afraid. He just didn't care.

Suddenly stopping at his feet, Dodge breaks his attention from the darted walls. The boy holds his breath as he sees a haunting silhouette that his brain optimistically anticipates who it could be. As Dodge tries to further solve the riddles in the house, he's been internally hoping that he would cross paths with the girl once more. A single footstep or a breath of the wind gave him chills. He tried not to seem disappointed when he turns back and see that it wasn't her. But he was. Dodge crossed the line by mentioning her mother. But the way Josie mentioned Dayna had set him off. Before the boy could apologize for a second slower than his realization, Josie dashed out of the kitchen. The conversation obviously got out of hand. Dodge called out her name but she dismissed it.

Peering his flashlight visually closer to the darkening figure, Dodge sighed in annoyance at the appearance of Ray Hall and his lackey, Tyler Young, wandering behind him as they spotted the house's basement.

"And I'm telling you, that bitch just left me there for dead—" Tyler tells Ray.

The teens' eyes squinted as the lean boy continued to shine a bright glare onto them, striding closer to them. Ray challengingly smirked as he saw the adamant Dodge Mason.

"You wanna smoke in the shithole?" Ray asks Dodge, pointing at the door.

"Nah. I'm cool."

"Well, if you change your mind..." Tyler grinningly laughs before heading his way down the basement, then followed by Ray.

Disappointment striking again, Dodge decided to ignore those pending thoughts and continue with the challenge. Opening double doors, Dodge enters a desolated room. It was cleared. Nothing on the floors. Nothing hanging from the ceiling. It was skeptically empty. The only thing filling the room was the mucky, old curtains, and a large clock.

Wait, he thought.

Surveying back to the clock, Dodge's brows wrinkled as he noticed the hour hands stopping still at the numbers five and six.

"Five to dinner. Six late" Dodge recited from memory. "Behind the hand."

Dodge examines closer to the timepiece. Looming over for any traces of hints to finally solve the challenge and get out of there. He jiggles the device again. Pushing and pulling it back and forth, searching for a way to open the clock. Dodge looks over at the top, bottom, and behind the piece. Finally, his eyes narrowed, staring straight into the X-marked in red ink right on top of the electric circuit. Dodge hastily drags the large clock out of the way to get a closer glimpse of whatever's inside the thing.

The taste of victory felt somewhat bitter as the boy's mind was filled with confusion as he reads out from a small piece of paper.

Emma Campbell, Eddie Douglas, John Davis, Abby Clark, and Jimmy Cortez

"This was all the people who've died on the game."

Clues inside the dead. His mind lingered back to what Josie previously recited earlier on. Even so, he was still bewildered by all of this. He didn't understand why the names of the previous players have been mentioned. Is it some kind of game the judges are playing at?

Speculating even further, Dodge moved fingers back to the powerless outlet. At a stroke of bad luck, a strobe of electrical light bursts out of the socket like a flash of lightning as the power comes back on, throwing and knocking Dodge out swiftly.  

----

Still trapped, Josie hugs herself, taking a moment to examine the empty room she could only assume was the master's bedroom, judging by the size, figuring out a way to unlock the door. The dark night seems to set her back as she only had the moonlight to illuminate her surroundings.

Like an intuition, she turns towards the positioned lamp across from her. Looking weirdly over at the flickering light inside its bulb.

Josie's shoulders quivered upwards as the lights suddenly came back on.

Fearless (6/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Dodge had a secret. He liked secrets. They fueled him and gave him a sense of power. But it wasn't the same for Josie as she becomes closer to uncovering the truth the more she stays entangled with Dodge.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Electrocution, Fire, Injuries

Word Count: 5.8k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist  ||  I. PANIC  ||  V. PHANTOMS || VII. DEAD-END

VI. VISIONS

It all just happened so quickly. Still trapped in the isolated master's bedroom, Josie looked a bit puzzled at the sudden reappearance of the lights in the Graybill mansion. At a sudden flash, the bulb inside the illuminated lamp exploded. Josie jumps, flinching at the strobe of electricity bursting out of the bulb and inside the socket. 

Breathing heavily at the unforeseen happening, she tried to remain calm and collected. For that split second, she remembered where she was. She was playing Panic. The judges must've rigged the house and this was just part of the ruse, attempting to scare her. This wasn't the first time the night continued to play her. Josie saw a fake body being hanged under a chandelier. If it wasn't the judges manipulating the game, it was probably someone playing a prank. I mean, someone did trap her there. 

Josie's assumption was interrupted as she heard growing screams from behind the door. Leaning her ear against the locked entrance, she couldn't quite interpret what the person was saying, but it sounds like...

"FIRE!"

A what? Josie continues to question. Hearing large footsteps, the girl tried to get a glimpse of the other side. From a keyhole or under the door. Josie could see the quick running silhouettes of a number of teens. She panics as she sees the shadows of the fire growing madly, flaming to end parts of the hallway. 

"Fuck," she curses under her breath. She needed to get out of there now. 

She jiggles the knob. And again. And again. Pulling it. Trying to yank it open. But nothing. Her hands grew red from her strong grip on the door. For an old house, it was surprisingly sturdy. Her feeling of alarm and fear of dying heightens as she sees the smoke starting to flow inside the room under the threshold of the door.  

Josie coughs and coughs as the fumes from flames seem to reach her lungs. Visions started to grow blurry and her body felt exhausted due to the lack of oxygen. Reaching for another attempt of opening the door, she stumbles upon her steps, nearly falling to the floor. 

Josie was pissed. Pissed at the people who trapped her there in the first place. Pissed at the fucking sturdy door. Pissed at the fire that came out of nowhere. Pissed at her mom. Pissed at her brother for mentioning her. Pissed at Dodge for caring so much. She's also pissed at the way she treated him. The flush of emotional anger bottled up from earlier events resurfaces at this very moment. Fuck this. Running out of ideas, Josie harshly and violently kicks down the wooden door. And again. And again. Repeatedly doing the same action every second. The reverberation of her stomping kicks surrounds the large house that is almost crumbling to ashes. 

Finally. It opens.

Josie breathed out, drained from her escape. Not wasting a second, she hurriedly marches down the hallways of Graybill's. She got out of the room, now she got to figure out how to get out of the house before it burns down.

Reaching down the fragile stairs and to the foyer, she impulsively searches for Heather and Natalie. She ran towards the living room where she last saw them. She passed through other figures running out. Looking at their faces, if any of them were her friends.

"Heather!" 

"Nat, you here?!" 

She shouts. Josie kept calling their names. And again. And again. Nobody was answering. She ran from room to room, hoping they were in one of these rooms and that they were safe. She pondered from left to right. Any direction where they could possibly be. She just prayed that they escaped. The flames were growing rapidly from around the house. Everyone else ran out the door. She tried to make her way to the hallway until the fire started to grow visible from there, already burning half of the house. She didn't care about that. 

The rest of the group who managed to escape took refuge outside the Graybill House. The guys settled down an unconscious Dodge on the grass. Just before the fire grew at large, Drew manages to find the senseless boy lying passed out on the floor. As the fires emerges, the boys carried him out to safety. Drew exhaled in relief at the movement of a pulse on the side of Dodge's neck. He's still alive, thank God. He could see Dodge's eyes starting to open but weakly closes them back. Drew could see minor breathing from the boy's chest, but he still wouldn't wake up. 

Ray was the last one to walk out of the door. He looked at the group, searching for that one person he was eager to see standing safely amongst them. She wasn't there. His panic grows.

"Where's Heather?" He alarmingly asks.

"Nat's missing too," Troy said. 

Drew paused from examining Dodge's motionless state and stood up. "Has anyone seen Josie?" 

Ray rapidly ran back into the house, disregarding the fires coming from all over the corners of the place. 

"Heather!" He screamed. He continues to call out to her if she could hear him and make her way to him. He calls her out her name again. Where is she? He was scared, as he hated to admit. Ray was with Heather moments before the fire. If he didn't piss her off, she might have been with him and she wouldn't get lost inside. Left and right, all he could see was the large blaze burning everything at its demise. From the corner of the room, Ray saw a moving silhouette, stumbling its way towards him. It wasn't Heather. 

"Ray!" Josie called out. Her hand covered her mouth from the smoke, saving up any oxygen she had left. Her legs gave up, losing her balance. Ray catches her exhausted self. She has been running around for a while. Anywhere where there the burning flames hasn't touched yet. Anywhere where she thinks her two best friends are. She was disgruntled by her failure. 

She also found herself also searching for Dodge regardless of their fight. She ran back to the kitchen, trying to guess which direction he went after that. Josie called out his name. She didn't know if she should be glad or worried about the lack of response. The fire kept coming but she didn't give up. At that moment, she heard a voice calling out Heather's name. 

"I can't find them," she whispered to Ray as he fearfully listened to her words. 

As a piece of wood falls closely to their heads, they cued to leave. Walking out with her arm wrapped in his shoulder, they both helped each other leave the crumbling room, coughing up before their lungs gave out. 

Others were relieved to see Josie come out alive but no Nat and Heather. Josie heard Ray exclaim that they couldn't find the missing girls just before she nearly collapsed out on the grass. The enervation already getting to her. She tried her best to keep her eyes open and her breathing intact. But, she was just tired. 

The fire still kept going. Already tearing down the front hall. Josie knelt on the ground coughing, catching her breath, her eyes moved towards the familiar figure laying down on the grass. She slowly moves toward him realizing that he was unconscious. The whole group of kids staring at the burning building in front of them that's already looking like the gates of hell and the fire that seems to perish anything in its path.

"I'm gonna call 911," Drew said, taking out his phone.

————

The sound of ambulances was the last thing Josie heard before her eyes gave up on her. The next thing she knew, she was in the hospital. The first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was the sight of Nick worriedly hunching beside her bed. Luckily, she heard that it wasn't anything serious and that she just needed to get some necessary rest. Josie wasn't particularly worried about her condition. It was her brother's reaction she was worried about. 

"Here," Nick hands her a cup of water and carefully places the blanket on her shoulders. "You must be exhausted."

She noddingly took a sip from her cup. The dark-haired girl realized obscurely, taking a second to survey her look right now. "Why do I got this blanket on? People had been putting this blanket on me all night." She asks him.

"It's for shock."

"I'm not in shock."

"Nick, I'm telling you I'm fine," Josie reassures him.

Speaking of terrible timing, it was during her brother's shift that they got a call about a fire and that his sister was involved. The rest of the group decided to say that they were at a party if the cops were to interrogate them about what happened. Playing Panic must remain a secret. No one was planning to snitch anyway, but everyone was also confused about how the fire started. 

"And I told you to be careful!" Nick exclaimed. She understood why he was angry. What kind of brother wouldn't be. He angrily paced around the room. When she told him she was gonna join Panic, he had the same reaction. He knew nothing was gonna stop her when she puts her mind on something. It was a dangerous and reckless game and Nick only made her promise one thing: do not get hurt.

Nick stops and stands in front of Josie, alarmingly examining her condition as she tried to appear alright. He exhales in relief and goes for a hug. "I just want you to be safe. You could've gotten seriously hurt. You're lucky." She returns the gesture. "But I didn't. It was just a...house party accident." Josie lies. 

After being told that it was fine to move around, she immediately goes over to Heather's room after being told by Natalie that she was unconscious. Nat told her that she and Heather were locked in a room during the previous night. Nat tried to get help but it was too late. Heather fainted in the middle of the backyard due to the smoke in her lungs. Josie's heart breaks at the sight of her best friend lying down listless in the hospital bed. 

"You tell the cops that," Nick tells her. "How did that fire even start?" He questions her. 

Her eyes narrow deep in thought, questioning it too. "I don't know." 

Josie gave him a comforting smile, trying to convince him to drop his questions about the night before. She couldn't stop thinking about that night. How everything went south so fast. She taps her foot restlessly on the floor. Her thoughts just kept flashing back to the fire, her running through the fire, her talk with Dodge. It was some night. She snaps back to reality.

Josie stands up closer to her as Heather slowly opens her eyes. She's awake. The girl looks around, wondering where could she be. She searches for a familiar face. Josie came into the view.

"Hey," she greets the girl.

Heather's mind kept flashing back to little memories. Still trying to grasp what just happened. "W-What...What happened?"

"There was a fire. Remember we were out partying over at Graybill's." Josie leans in. Her voice pronounced every single word carefully for the other girl to understand. 

"Party?" Heather repeats. 

"Yeah. We were out at a party." Josie repeats to the girl. Heather finally catches on to what her friend meant. She glances at the figure behind her friend. She could only bet Josie's brother already called her mom and would come at any moment now. 

"Yeah...the party. I remember." Heather confirms.  

As Nick focuses his attention on the clipboard, Josie walks closer to Heather's bed. "Nat's dad been asking around about what happened," she whispers. "If anyone asks, it was a house party and some idiot caught something on fire."

Before exchanging further concerns, Bishop knocks on the doorframe as the two girls turned to look in his direction. Heather looks at the boy holding a small card that she believes is meant for her. Josie looks keenly between her two friends, knowing that it was her cue to leave. She could tell by the heartened expressions of the two that they needed some time to talk. They both had that look in their eyes, Josie notices. She exits the room, giving the two some privacy.

"Hey." 

Josie turns around, confused at the sight of Ray Hall holding a small bouquet of flowers looking slightly sanguine as he asks her his question.

"Do you know where Heather's room is?"

Josie pouts her lip bewilderedly. "You're asking me about Heather?" 

"Yeah." Ray nods assuredly. "She's awake right?"

Still confused by his sudden concern for her. "She is. Heather's in there talking with Bishop." Josie points at the room before her. Josie's curiosity to peer inside Ray Hall's grew as she observed his once confident mood die down slowly. 

"Are those for Heather?" She nudges toward the red flowers his holding tightly beside him. Still looking angsty at the two talking figures behind the doorframe, he shakes his head in response. 

"No." Ray swallows his words. "These are for someone else. These aren't for Heather. She seems busy so...Nevermind. I'll just go." 

In a snap of a finger, Ray hastily walks away from Heather's room. Ray would never fail to confuse Josie as she furrowed her eyebrows at his unexpected action of throwing away the bouquet into a trash can. Poor flowers. She didn't know what that gesture meant. But it almost seemed heartbreaking. She shrugged off that thought. It is probably just Ray being Ray. 

Like her body knew before her mind could process it, Josie's feet drag themselves exiting the hallway of Heather's room.

"Where are you going?" Nick's question halt her. 

She is then hit by the realization. "I'm just gonna check up on Dodge." She says softly, biting her lower lip. 

"Dodge?" 

"Yeah...Uh..Dodge Mason," She stumbles over her words. "He's my friend,"

Nick repeated the name to himself. Searching the name Dodge Mason in his mind most importantly like files, especially by how his sister sounded concerned by the boy. 

"I think he's in B8. He's probably awake by now," he says. "He's the kid who got electrocuted, right?" 

Judging by her shocked reaction, he assumed she didn't know what happened to him. He also noticed his sister's worried manner. Josie always played with her fingers at her sides whenever she was worried or nervous. 

Josie nodded at his words and headed out. "Ok, thanks."

She was running. Why was she in a hurry? Why was she rushing at all? Josie kept thinking. She shouldn't even be running in the first place, the doctor advised her. Josie continues to mutter to herself in the hospital room he was in. Looking at the signs written above, searching for the right one. Millions of thoughts ran through Josie's mind, mostly about how Dodge got hurt in the first place. She couldn't help but feel like it is her fault. If she didn't piss him off, maybe he would've been safe. Nick said he was awake and she needed to talk to him. Well, if he doesn't want to talk to her, she still needed to see if he was alright. It was merely a polite action with sincere intentions, but her feet were saying something else by the way they were almost sprinting. 

Found it, she thought to herself. 

Now that she was there, her feet chose to remain detached away from the door's opening view. She can see from a long distance from the open door, he was awake. Dodge was seated upright with the nurse at his side that seems to be taking his blood. She exhales in relief at the sight of him. Josie hastened towards him but she stopped. She was nervous again. Why was she so nervous, she questioned. The last time they spoke, the conversation took a turn. She doesn't know if it counts as an argument. More like a fallout. Was it? She groans in frustration. Josie just needs to talk to him. This is awkward. Is he mad at her? Does he even remember? God, she's overthinking again.

She lurked outside the door. Almost hiding from him. There was another woman inside. Josie continued to pace outside the hospital door. Her fingers fidget at her sides. Josie gave a normal nod to the nurse glanced at her as she walks out of the room. Maybe to get her to ignore how crazy she's acting. She pauses her irrational movements, overhearing the words she can't help but listen to. 

"This was a bad idea," the woman says. It's probably his mom, she gathered. 

"Can you sit down? You kind of making me dizzy." Dodge says. 

"You getting hurt too was not part of the plan. I think we should call this off."

Plan? Her mind lingered. Josie leans a bit closer to the door to clearly hear them. She knows she shouldn't eavesdrop but she couldn't help it. 

"I already told you, the fire had nothing to do with the game," Dodge soothes.

"You wouldn't have been there in the first place—" Dodge's mom stopped after the nurse walks back in. "...Of all the stupid places to throw a party." His mom tries to cover up.  

"I know." The nurse says. The mother lets out a canned laugh. She gives Dodge a worrisome look only for him to return it with a reassuring one.

Dodge could understand his mom's worry. When the devised plan was set into motion, his mom panicked. What parent wouldn't? Dayna is also still livid at his participation but she knew she couldn't do anything to stop him. Who would let their kid or brother participate in a game that involves risking their lives for a pot of money? But that wasn't why Dodge was playing. Dodge had a secret. He liked secrets. They fueled him and gave him a sense of power. But it wasn't the same for the girl peering over the door. For her, secrets just gave her something bigger to lose. 

Josie's eyebrows furrowed. She is so confused. So his mom knows he's playing Panic? This kid seems to grow more mysterious by the minute. Why new guy wanting to join their local game makes so much sense now. Her mind tries to put the pieces together. It drifted towards the night of the player's ball, what one of the group said. About Luke Hall hitting someone with his car. About a girl getting paralyzed and ending up in a wheelchair. Josie then remembered Dodge's tensed reaction towards Luke. If she was sure that the girl was Dayna, then Dodge is probably planning something against Luke. But what does playing Panic have to do with anything?

Josie slowly backed away from the hospital door she was watching over and paced the other way just before they could see her, forgetting her initial reason for visiting the room in the first place. She continues walking away, looking down at her steps, overwhelmed by her theory in mind. But she wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. She wants to find out the truth whether Dodge bothers to tell her or not. 

Not watching where she was going, she bumped toward a tough build. Josie's head snapped upright looking at the man in the sheriff's uniform. She could feel her legs shaking. It was Sheriff Cortez. 

"Woah. Easy there, Josie." Cortez says in a convivial tone. The girl blinks as her thoughts pondered. She diverts her widened eyes into the ground as she tied to control her shaky state. She remembered him stopping by the Mason household when she and Nat were in the neighborhood. She can't help the feeling of being skeptical of him. The man stared at the girl's silence. She decided to play it cool. 

"Hello, sheriff." Josie greets. 

"Heard about that fire last night. Sad to hear about what happened to you and your friends." She held her breath as he continued. "Y'know, you kids should really ought to be careful," Cortez utters. "One day, you're out there having your fun, and then next, trouble comes along."

She observed him and kept mindful of his words. Josie couldn't help but feel there is some meaning behind what he was saying. She pulled out a tight-lipped smile. "Well, we'll make sure to call you when that happens, sheriff." 

Josie quickly bids goodbye and hurriedly walks away before he stopped her. "I have to ask you one more thing, Josie." She exhaled before slowly turning back to him. The sheriff's eyes pierced through hers. For the first time, she felt scared. 

"Have you heard of any break-ins around Spurlock's ranch?" Josie holds her breath. Her fingers play anxiously at her sides but she tries to hide it. "Apparently he saw a couple of kids your age running around his field..." Cortez strides closer to her. "And he reported some missing items. Have you heard about that?" 

Josie recalled the betting list around the players she found in Spurlock's basement that night. And she recalled the gun she took from his living room. Josie wasn't gonna let her mind ask herself if Cortez was referring to the list she found or the gun as one of the missing items. A lot of things were probably stolen during that night and he had no definite proof that she was there. She remained unfazed but her body was panicking.

"No. I don't think so." She shook her head, acting oblivious and innocent. "But if anything comes up, I'll be sure to tell you."

Sheriff Cortez eyed the girl suspiciously as she makes her way away from him. Josie didn't bother to look back and just kept walking back to Heather's room. 

————

Josie felt the wind brushing her hair as she drove towards Dodge's house. After the scene at the hospital, she mostly kept to herself for the past week. The most talk she had was probably with Heather during Josie's occasional visits. There was no news about the next challenge. Maybe the judges are just waiting for things to simmer down until the next game. It was good. It gave her time to think about things. Heather was already discharged from the hospital a couple of days ago and figured it was a good day to talk to Dodge. She realized she never got to apologize to Dodge about that night and what she said. Josie mentioned words she didn't mean just because she was angry. She was a coward and she was pushing him away. She doesn't know if he was gonna forgive her. And he shouldn't if he wants to. She at least owes him an apology, he deserves that. 

Josie pulled over to the driveway of the Mason's household. She examined the outside of their house, it remained the same as the last time she visited. The metal gate still rusty as ever and the plants still being taller than they supposed to be. The girl slowly exited the car and made her way through the gate, noticing the plastered mail and packages laid on the ground. She is beginning to wonder if they ever bother checking their mail. Josie plays with her fingers nervously, looking around if someone was home. Josie locked eyes with the blonde Mason who noticed the girl's presence and made her way through the front door. 

"Hi." Josie waves to Dayna. 

"Hey." Dayna greets back. 

"I'm Josie." 

"Yeah, I remember. You're the one who was stealing our mail, right?"

Her shoulders fall as she exhales through her words. "I wasn't stealing..." She breathed. 

"I was kidding," Dayna says. Josie was reminded a bit of Dodge's personality. Now she could understand that it was probably a Mason thing. The blonde crosses her arms, examining the girl standing before her. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Is Dodge home?" Josie asks. She glanced over at the doorsteps' opening, hoping to see Dodge on the other side. 

"Why are you looking for Dodge?"

"I just need to talk to him. It's kind of important."

"You're out of luck. Dodge isn't here. He's over by the ranch." Josie grins at the thought of Dodge in a cowboy hat but she couldn't help but worry altogether. 

"I heard he just got out of the hospital. Is that good for him?" Dayna took note of the girl's showing concern that seems to interest her. 

"He usually does that when he has too much stuff in his head. But I wouldn't worry too much about him."

Josie nods. "Is he really that good?"

"Well, he did beat my dad's record. Dodge did beat my record too but I don't like to admit defeat." Josie chuckles at Dayna's joke. 

"Dodge sounds characteristically competitive." Josie smiles. It was kind of a relief that his competitive personality wasn't just brought in for Panic. That's a bit of realness in him. She wants to learn more about him. Dodge didn't mention much stuff about his life to her. Or to anyone in general. So few facts about him are compelling to her. Like a book, she's aching to read. 

"You can watch some of his games on my laptop if you want?" Dayna suggests, pointing at the inside of her house. 

Josie instantly shook her head, saying no. She couldn't possibly intrude. Dodge wouldn't probably want her lurking at his house anyway. 

"Look, my mom is working late tonight and Dodge wouldn't be back until this afternoon. So, I'm aching for some company."

Josie felt a little bad for the girl before her. It must've sucked being alone in the house with nothing much to do. Carp was boring, to say the least. Only the people there made it a little more tolerable. 

"Sure." She agreed. 

It felt weird setting foot inside the household. Just observing it from the outside, finally making her way inside feels surreal. It looked seemingly plain and just a normal-looking house. The blue-green colored walls and the surprisingly neat living room. There weren't many picture frames or familial memorabilia placed out for non-relative viewing. Josie also took note of some of the items still inside their boxes despite the family already residing a year in Carp as Dodge told her. 

As the other girl came back to her view, Josie and Dayna chatted. Remarkably, the older sister was more engaging than her younger brother. The girl played her videos of Dodge in the saddle bronc than made her wince but at the same time enjoyed the sight of it. The girls actually got along well. Spending their little time talking about basically every topic that comes to mind. 

"Are you a friend of Dodge?" Dayna curiously asks the girl. 

"Uhm. No..." She blinks. "Yes...Kind of. I'm not really sure yet." Josie looks down on her feet, hiding a bit of shame. She recalled what she said to him that night. We're nothing and you're nothing to me. Her words seem to strike her too. She was harsh to him. Josie remembered why she was in their house in the first place. 

"Well, whatever you two are, I hope you stick around. I'm starting to like you." Dayna sends the girl a warm smile which she returned back. The two shared a laugh. Josie was mostly surprised at how she got his older sister to like her. What did I even do, she wondered. 

"You can go watch Dodge if you want. He's training over at Jones' ranch. It isn't far from here." The blonde tells her, closing down the laptop. 

After giving it some thought, Josie decided to head over there. Dayna gave her goodbyes to Josie as the girl drove off in the direction of the location. Dayna even wrote down the address of the ranch so the girl would know where to go. 

————

Parking across the stables, Josie walked over to where the other few spectators were. Her feet led her to the fences. Same as the others, she waited in anticipation, looking over at the bull pit. Josie doesn't really know what to expect. She's never been the type to engage in public events without her friends. She only expected to apologize to Dodge but it seems like she got a front-row seat of the show. Plus, she's never been a fan of death-defying sports. Or anything that involves riding a wild animal. 

Josie looked over the familiar figure in a cowboy hat hovering over the bull, getting ready to ride it. She smiled to herself seeing his serious demeanor. It was the kind of focus that seems to intimidate her but in some instances, it just puts a smile on her face. Half of her mind was anxious for the boy. Who rides a bucking bull that is meant to throw him off for fun? Apparently Dodge. Her question was answered as Dodge nodded, signaling the men to open the pit. 

The large bull heads off to the center of the pit. The bull aggressively moves forward and back, trying to buck off its rider. Dodge stays mounted as the rest of the people there are cheering in excitement. Josie eyes the show, astounded. She couldn't make out Dodge's expression as the animal was trying to yank him off it. The bull's echoing steps as it graces the dusty soil. Despite its attempts, the tall boy remained on its back. His dominant hand holding onto the animal, while the other freely move above the air. "What the hell," she mutters under her breath. This is intense. 

The audience cheer as Dodge gets off the bull, completing his allotted time. "Woo!" Josie cheered alongside the crowd. She couldn't help herself. It was amazing. He was amazing. She clapped loudly, standing out amongst the others. 

Dodge waves to the people as he tries to catch his breath. That action seemed to delay itself as he spotted the dark-haired girl behind the fences of the pit, cheering at him. The girl sent him a proud smile that only seems to make him pause in place. He hasn't seen her for days. The last time the two interacted was the night of the fire and Dodge tried to forget that night. Suddenly, she's here. Did she come over to watch him or was she just passing by? Josie watched him. She was there right now. He echoed the thought in his head. Nobody else watched him compete aside from his mom and sister. There was a comforting feeling seeing her there. Or just seeing her at all. Dodge coughs, snapping back to reality as he exits the bull pit. 

Josie's eyes followed the boy as he left the center. She moves from her spot, spotting Dodge at the corner of the ranch. Her feet moved in his direction, needing to talk to him. Wanting it now more than ever. Dodge's gaze focused on the girl. Their steps matched as they finally met in-between. 

"Hi," Josie says. 

"Hi," Dodge responds. 

"Didn't expect to see you around here? Are you lost?" Dodge teases. Josie moves her head down, covering a grin. It was kind of a nice feeling he could joke around her. It could mean that there wasn't any ill-feeling between them. 

"Not really." She placed her hands on her hips, mimicking the boy in front of her who raised his eyebrows. "I came here to talk to you." 

"I came by your house but Dayna said weren't home so she told me you were here," Josie says. "She showed some of your games..."

"And what? You impressed?" 

"Eh..." She mischievously shrugs her shoulders. "Seems good enough." Dodge showed a playful hurt expression as the two shared a laugh.  

"Dayna and I talked." Dodge tensed up at the sound of his sister's name escaping her lips. "You don't have to worry though. I won't tell anyone else about her if that's what you want." She whispers, reassuring him she'll keep the secrecy of his sister's existence.

Dodge nods as his eyes soften at the girl's words. He looks down at the ground, trying to hide that expression from his face. It was nice of her to remove the worry that was growing in his mind. Josie understood that Dayna meant a lot to Dodge and if it's his wish to keep that private, then she'd respect that. 

"I wanted to see you." Dodge lifts his head up and looked at her. Josie crosses her arms to her chest, and the weight of the topic of conversation is becoming evidently visible. "I want to apologize. About what I said that night...of the fire." 

"I didn't mean anything I said. I was just..." She paused. "Something happened at home that made me upset and I took it out on you. You didn't deserve that. You were only trying to help. It was all my fault."

Dodge shakes his head. "I mean, maybe if we didn't fight then you wouldn't get into an accident or something—" The girl continues to say. 

"It wasn't your fault." Dodge cuts her off. "It was stupid of me to touch the outlet in the first place."

"That's kind of true." Dodge smiles at Josie's remark. It was pretty stupid. 

"That night of the player's ball." Josie plays with her fingers as she continued to talk. "You didn't do anything wrong. Nobody really seems to listen to me. And you did. You did everything and it scared me." 

"You're not nothing to me, Dodge. You're my friend. I'm sorry." She apologized. 

"You're not nothing to me too, Jo."

Dodge stared at the girl before him. He exhales the breath he didn't know he was holding. All he could do was blink as Josie continued. He'd never seen the girl like this. Appearing vulnerable and a little broken. All he wanted to do was to hold the girl and hopefully distract her from those impending thoughts. But he held back. 

Dodge gave Josie a warm smile. Walking closer to her, he grabbed her hand in comfort. She took that as a sign of him forgiving her. She smiles back at him, swallowing the almost tears that formed in her eyes as she spoke a while ago. 

"I said some things that night too. And I'm sorry for saying all those things about you and your mom and it wasn't right. You don't have to agree with me. You could argue with me and knowing you you're probably saying in your head that I was right but I was wrong. You were right, I should back off from time to time."

"Can we both admit that we both said some pretty stupid stuff that night?" 

"Yes," Dodge lamented.

Josie frowned at the painful smile the boy showed. Their fingers still entangled with each other, she gave his hand a small squeeze.

"Maybe I don't want you to back off this time." She could see the hesitation in Dodge's eyes. "Just promise me you'll stick around, Dodge Mason."

"I promise, Josie Slater."

Fearless (7/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Dodge had a tremendous desire to win Panic. It wasn't about the money. He was doing it for his family and nothing was gonna get in his way of winning. After that, all would make its way. Then, it would all be over.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Mentions of Suicide and Accident

Word Count: 6.1k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || VI. VISIONS || VIII. SENSORY

VII. DEAD-END

"You're in a good mood," Jessica says as she notices her son's peculiar demeanor. Polishing the table counter with a micro grin on his face.

Dodge had been surprisingly upbeat for the past week. As Dayna would describe it, he was acting weird. Having a smile on his face more than usual. The two women in the house noticed how the boy seemed more eager to get out of the house during the day and sometimes it wasn't even about work. The two can never get him out of the house even if they had to drag him out. He was even becoming a bit more vocal towards her and Dayna. Coming home, asking them about their day. Not just aiming for small talk but a full conversation, which is limited for the quiet child.

"What do you mean?" Dodge lightly laughs.

Her eyes simpered at hearing his laugh. Just like the sight of his lightheartedness, it was a rare moment to happen. It has been a while since she had seen him like this. It was good. "Nothing. Just...you look happy." She gushed.

Jessica looks at him endearingly. Whatever was happening around him or whatever is the cause of his joyful mood, she would just pray that it would continue. The boy had never been like his old self after his dad died. That feeling only elevated during Dayna's accident. Dodge shut himself off from everyone. He found it difficult to drop his defenses. Something just happens that makes him put it all back up and lock himself away from the world again.

"I just really like cleaning glasses." He jested.

"I hope you feel the same way about the dishes." His mom tests him.

Dodge's joyous temper continues to shock her as the boy simply remarked. "Sure." His two feet immediately make their way to the kitchen. His mom quakes at the sound of the sink water running. She didn't understand how long his good mood was gonna last but she was absolutely gonna make the best of it.

The mother turned her head towards the opening frame as she heard the doorbell ringing.

"Oh good. You're here." Sheriff Cortez says as he made his way closer to the counter. Jessica could feel her breathing agitatedly accumulating as the sheriff laid his hat down on the table, sitting more comfortably as he stares at the mother.

Dodge tautened as he heard that voice. He abruptly stopped washing the dishes and hurriedly exited the back as he protectively stood beside his mom.

"Nice to see you, Dodge," Cortez comments at the lean boy's presence. "I was just gonna ask where you were."

Dodge's expression hardened at the sight of the man before him. He would often visit the diner just looking for his mom. When he does make it on time for her shift, the two would have more private conversations. Dodge would often look at his mom attentively and Cortez, cautiously. The whole time Dodge pretended not to notice their outlandish relationship. Those late-night visits to their house were more than just about Panic as he hated to admit. He hated how Cortez was constantly cheating on his wife with his mom. He hated how his mom always had a piece of a shit date she would invite over at the house. Dodge hated how Cortez was kind of their saving graces now because if anyone else knew how Panic operates, it would be him. But still, he never trusted the sheriff. The man was helping them but it still doesn't mean he could be trustworthy.

"The Derby's tomorrow. I'm just here to check if your son's all good and ready to go." Cortez glances at Dodge, who is leaning his back against the wall, staring him dead in the eye.

"The whole town's gonna be there. I don't know if you heard but Luke Hall's back into Carp." The mention of his name struck a cord between the two Masons.

"If it all goes according to plan, then all you have to do is win." Cortez reminds Dodge. "Just don't forget who you're doing this for."

It was as simple as that. All Dodge needs to do is make it to the final challenge and win the game, and then all would make its way. Then, it would all be over.

Dodge had a tremendous desire to win Panic. It wasn't about the money. It wasn't about leaving Carp. He wasn't doing it to feel something either. But like some people, Dodge was doing it for his family. He remembered that drive towards the nearest hospital during the night of Dayna's accident. Her screams still kept ringing in his ears until now. When his family found out that she couldn't be able to walk anymore due to the car's collision, they were all heartbroken. Another part of Dayna was too broken that night. Her spirit. It made Dodge angry. Angry that he couldn't do anything to take the pain of his sister and his mom. And it was all because of Luke Hall. It was all his fault. He'd messed with Dayna's car, fucked with the steering in advance of the showdown, forcing her off the road. Dodge wasn't gonna let him get away with it. He wasn't gonna let anybody hurt the people he loved. He had prepared for this. He knew the stakes. He knew what he was getting into. Dodge was gonna let anything stop him.

He was gonna win Panic. He was going to do it for Dayna. He was going to do it for revenge.

————

It was the day of the Derby. The trio met up with Bishop, who was saving their seats. The whole area was filled with a bundle of Carp locals excited to watch the game unfolds. The Panic challenge was scheduled on the same day as the Carp Country Fair that happens every year. The start of the event usually begins with a type of sport. Whether it be bull riding or good old-fashioned baseball. The judges might've thought that it would be clever to combine the challenge with today's event. An easy way to lay off the cops, especially with the fire the last time.

It was a big field. Numerous colored cars are parked close to the track course and other spectators also lining up to watch the show. Josie also spotted some food stands from the corner. The bright sun shone on those typical afternoons. The wind blew through their face, attempting to cool them. Josie surprisingly enjoyed the day. Euphorically feeling the warmth as she beamed her face to the sky.

Josie looked back at her other friend, Heather, who seems to be busy talking with Ray Hall. The two seemed to have a flirtatious exchange by the way the boy was gawking at the brunette with his signature smirk. What surprised her was the girl reciprocating it back. After the pair noticed her advancing presence, they awkwardly dispersed. Josie only eyed the boy suspiciously as he bids his goodbye to Heather. Heather turns to Josie, looking like she had been caught red-handed.

"What's going on between you and Ray?"

"What do you mean?" Heather innocently pretends.

"What just happened back there?" She pointed at Ray's previous spot. Heather tried to brush the situation off but it was obvious something just happened. Josie just didn't know what it meant.

"I don't know what you mean." Heather drags the girl by the arm, leading her back to their seats. "C'mon. Let's go. The race's about to start."

Josie just chuckled at Heather's flustered reaction but she remained skeptical about the two's relationship. She had chosen not to speculate much about it on how Heather always seemed quick to defend the Hall boy when they would talk about him. Josie also remembered that unusual gesture Ray did when visiting Heather for the first time. And now this. Or whatever that just happened.

She surveyed the place. Looking around for that familiar tall boy who probably wouldn't be hard to miss. Hopefully, if he didn't suddenly decide to change his aesthetic, he would be the guy in black. Josie glanced towards the other side of the track seeing Dodge, confidently standing as he holds the helmet in his hand. Dodge looked across the bleacher's direction after finally spotting the dark-haired girl wearing yellow. The pair locked eyes from across the area as both waved at each other.

"You go ahead. I have to do something first." Josie says to Heather. She pulls away from her friend's arm and headed toward Dodge's path. Heather only looked at Josie's fading figure as she disappeared into the midst of the crowd.

"Hey, cowboy."

"You came." Dodge greets her. A smirk peered over his face as the girl made her way closer. Regardless of the two keeping in touch for days, either by hangouts or texts and calls, they act as if they haven't seen each other for such a long time. Josie rests her hands on her hips as she quirks up her eyebrow at the boy. "I told you I'd come, didn't I?" She beamed.

"Are you gonna place your bet?" He referred to the wager on who will be the challenge's winner. She noticed some people holding out their caps, asking people to place their bets on someone. "Already did. I placed $20 on you. So, don't you lose out there."

Dodge grinned. "Yes, ma'am."

The two looked around the track. People getting to their seats. Racers getting to their cars. Seems like the race is about to start. Josie gazed back to her reserved seat beside Bishop and decided it was time to retreat back to the bleachers.

"So..." She turns to Dodge. "I'm gonna head back to my seat now."

"Wait, Josie." Before she could walk away, he held onto her hand. Dodge tries to formulate the words he was thinking into his mouth. "You going to the fair later tonight?"

A soft grin appeared on his face as Josie nodded in confirmation. "Great. I'll see you there."

"Good luck, Mason." She pats his arm. The two teens part ways before she made her way to the bleachers and him, to his car.

————

Dust darts into the air as roared engines of the cars collide with one another. Cars deliberately ram into any other vehicles in their sight. Josie wiped the sweat she could feel dripping down her forehead. She didn't know if it was the mixture of excitement, worry, or the blazing heat from the bloody sun. The race has been going on for 15 minutes and only a few cars remained on the track. The crowd goes wild as the cars continue to pound on each other. Josie noticed Dodge in the yellow car and kept her attention on him the whole time. Following him was Ray Hall in the green car, laughing maniacally as he stirs around and bashed the competition.

"I promised Dodge sonic if he won," Natalie said looking at Dodge. The trio's eyes were now following the boy, who is now competing against Ray. The two unsurprisingly knocked the others out of the park, leaving just the two of them, which is probably not a good sign.

"You totally like him!" Heather teased Nat as she tried to hide her reddened cheeks. "But I'm not really sure he likes me." This caught Josie's attention as she turned her head to the two's conversation.

"He doesn't seem like he's into me." Nat continued. "But I'm not going to give up." Her friends exchanged a chuckle, Heather wrapping her arm around Nat.

The dark-haired girl only remained silent as she kept her focus on the derby. She's convinced herself that she doesn't care about Natalie's growing attraction to Dodge as it wasn't her business. It wasn't much of a secret either. Everyone with eyes would know that Nat had obvious feelings for Dodge. He'd probably like her back if she ever made her feelings evident towards him. Sooner and later he would. Nat always gets the guy. Josie tried not to think about them at all. Just preventing impending thoughts from flooding her mind.

"Holy shit!" Josie flinches.

The thoughts about that were interrupted as a loud crashing echo of metal sounds filled the area as Ray rams his car onto Dodge's, retreating the boy into a corner. The crowd screams in excitement and anticipation as Ray's car slams continuously on the yellow car. Dodge's car seems to lose its balance as it darts onto the corner of the racetrack. Cheers grew louder as the dying breath of the car's engine collapsed. Ray won.

Josie ran her fingers through her hair, sullen at the sight of Dodge's defeat. Ray was celebrating his victory by jumping on the roof of his car and pumping the crowd's cheers.

Dodge cursed under his breath. He got out of the car, taking off his goggles and helmet in exasperation. He hated losing. And he especially hated seeing himself lose against Ray Hall. The other boy's smug face never disappeared from his face as the spectators crowded him. With the other boy distracted, Dodge took the opportunity and made his way closer to Ray's truck, equipped with a screwdriver. With Ray's attention being on the two girls he had in his arms, Dodge made a long scrape at the boy's truck, scratching it. At nobody's notice, the corners of his lip curved up in satisfaction.

Dodge exited the tournament area before a voice made him pause his steps.

"Hey." The boy turns to his side, recognizing the guy's face all too well. It was Luke Hall. "Dodge right?"

"Yeah. Your Ray's brother, right?" Dodge pretends.

"Yeah." Luke stands. "I won Panic in my year." He says rather boastfully. He could only internally scoff at the guy's poor attempt of intimidation. Dodge only kept his undaunted expression and looked at the figure before him dead straight. "Actually, Ray's worried that you're gonna win this year," Luke smirks, referring to the boy's recent defeat.

"There's no need to be afraid," Dodge says to him. "I'm going to win."

Dragging his feet away from Luke, Dodge makes his way to the girl he spotted pacing in his direction. Finally seeing him into a clear view, Josie offers Dodge a sympathetic look as all he can offer back was a tight-lipped smile.

"You are all sweaty," Josie stated her observation as Dodge wiped the sweat off his forehead. She fidgets something in her pocket before tossing the boy a small towel. "Thanks," he said.

"Guess I owe you $20."

"You can make up for it at the fair tonight."

She tried to make him laugh and it worked. She figured he needed a good laugh after his loss since she knows that the boy was a bit competitive. Josie's attempt to distract the boy doesn't seem to work that much as they could hear the echoing cheers from Ray's direction.

"He's having the time of life," Josie looks in annoyance as the boy jumps on top of his car, hyping the crowd up.

"He should enjoy it while it lasts though. That's probably the only time he's ever gonna win." The two giggled.

Josie looked past Dodge's head and noticed the lingering figure of Luke Hall behind Dodge, looking at the pair. His eyes shifted from Dodge to Josie. She narrowed her eyes in confusion as the guy from afar seemed to be deep in thought as he caught Josie's gaze.

"Why is Luke Hall staring at us?"

Dodge whirled around seeing Luke examining the two of them from afar. He tugs Josie's hand, concealing her away from Luke's eyes. The last thing he needed was to get Josie involved in all of this.

"I don't know." Josie overlooked the slight tremble in his voice. "He said that Ray was worried that I'm gonna win Panic."

"He should be."

"That confident in me, huh?" Dodge smirks.

"I know you're gonna beat him eventually." She cajoled.

Dodge was a strong competitor. Josie had done the math in her head. Nobody else knew much about him. People wouldn't know what to expect. He'd be the one to beat. She remembered his mom's words during that day at the hospital. You getting hurt too was not part of the plan. She didn't know what it meant but it made Dodge all more determined to win. Josie was determined too. She was playing Panic for her brother. She was gonna get out of there. And nothing was gonna stop her.

"And that just leaves you and me," Josie said.

————

The cheers of festive locals and highlights of the satisfying ringing from the booths fill the area of the fair as the night continues. After the derby, the celebration continued. As numerous booths kept piling up, everyone in the venue seems to be finding ways to enjoy themselves. Ray was on top of his truck, spilling beer everywhere as drunken teens partied and drank more around him.

Josie and Dodge remained beside each other, watching the chaotic sight before them. The two weren't pretty much fans of partying and socially interacting with people they don't really care about so it was ideal that they stayed in each other's company. The other's presence made the situation somehow more tolerable. The two played a little game. Call it judgement, but the pair continued to look at random people. Surveying them. Both made bets on which of their unique observation about them was accurate. It was fun, but Dodge was winning and his smugness was irritating Josie, who was far from accepting defeat.

"How about him? What do you think?" Dodge points at a 30-something-year-old man, looking so callously bored as he wastes all of his remaining money on a stuffed monkey. The look of boredom slowly transformed into frustration.

"He is so gonna lose that one."

"You sure about that, Jo?" He bets. The boy laughs as the girl strongly nods her head at her notion. "That's his third try. Do you really think he's gonna score this time?" She points out.

"Third time's a charm though." Dodge optimistically says.

The two teens watch in anticipation as the middle-aged man sets his sight on the target once more. It was oddly a dramatic moment. The man breathed out deeply. His eyes sharpened, staring straight like he was in control.  Like church bells chiming triumphantly, Dodge cheers to himself as the girl groans in frustration. Josie comically rolled her eyes as the guy finally wins his stuffed monkey he has been achingly chasing since the beginning.

"How are you so good at this?"

"It's all about reading people." He whispers to her.

Josie hums, finding his words all too silly. She continued to scoff at his self-satisfied face. "I hate you, Mason."

"Sure you do, Slater." Dodge dashingly jests.

"There you two are!" Heather jovially hails as she spotted Dodge and Josie who seem to be in their own little world.

The other girl gave her best friend a waggish look as she spotted her part ways with Bishop after the pair's private talk in the bleachers. "Where have been? Busy talking with Bishop?"

Heather tried to hide her flushed cheeks but it was rather transparent to see. Josie turns to Dodge standing beside her, keeping him up to date. "They've been in love since they were kids."

"I'm not in love with Bishop and he's not in love with me." The brunette excuses.

"It's called reading between the lines, Heather."

"You're one to talk." Heather discourses. Josie smirks. The defensive was all too familiar to Josie. Heather usually does that when she likes someone or just the mere talk about Bishop and her feelings for him. Deep inside Josie was really rooting for both of them.

The dark-haired girl nudges the boy beside her. "Dodge, back me up here."

"I never actually met Bishop." He mundanely states, earning a light slap in the arm from the girl. "But I've seen you two and you guys kinda look good together."

"Both of you shut up." Heather points to Josie and Dodge, who had teasing grins on their faces.

At the corner of their eyes, Natalie walks over to the group at the expense of sighting Dodge. The girl walked boldly as she made her way closer to them.

"Hey! I've been looking for you." Nat motions to Dodge. "Let's go check out the Ferris wheel." She says as she tugs Dodge's arm, leading him away from Heather and Josie.

"You're leaving me?" His head directs towards Josie, coquettishly asking.

"Good luck," she said quietly.

The two girls watched with contradictory expressions as the two disappeared from their view. Josie gave Dodge a light smile as the boy turns back, looking at her once more before leaving with Natalie. After seeing the exchange, Heather felt a sharp pang of realization go through her. From her mere looks and the way the girl talked about the boy. She had heard in Josie's voice a familiar longing, a hollowness. And she knew then, immediately and without a doubt.

"You like Dodge."

"What?"

"You like Dodge," Heather repeats.

Josie only looked at her like she was a madwoman, laughing uncomfortably at what she said. She voiced that idea in her head and it just didn't make sense to her altogether. She did like the boy, she'll admit that, but Josie didn't like Dodge like that. There were times when she would have agonizing thoughts about the boy. She mostly thought about him during the days before and after Graybills. She had been thinking much about him these days too. She figured it was about their blooming friendship. It was natural. Josie doesn't like the boy and she doubts the boy feels the same way about her.

"Dodge and I are just friends."

"So are me and Bishop but that didn't stop you." Heather comebacks.

"So you admit that you do like Bishop." The dark-haired girl tries to revert the subject but failed to do so judging by Heather's quirked brow towards her.

"I don't like Dodge that way. And Nat likes him." She continues. "Isn't that like breaking the girl code?"

"Is that it? Because Natalie likes him? She doesn't even know if he likes her back."

"Well, sooner or later he would. Nat always gets the guy. Dodge would like girls like her." Josie harrowingly says.

"Are you still hesitating because of the Tyler thing?" Heather implored. "You gotta forget about that dick. Don't worry. Dodge isn't gonna—"

"I'm not scared of Dodge." She continued. "I just seem to have bad luck on guys. And I also seem to be only attracting pricks like him." She points at Tyler doing a keg stand as the rest of the crowd cheers him on. The two girls look in disgust as the beer drools from the guy's mouth. This is embarrassing. Damn, maybe she does have bad luck on guys.

"Maybe you'll get lucky this time." Heather favorably says to the unenthusiastically annoyed face of Josie.

————

The girl found her way to the shooting gallery after Heather disappeared once more. She figured she was in a fair and might as well have fun. And plus, she was always good at these types of games.

Josie kept focused on her target as she continuously fired straight towards it, not missing her shot. She remained as she had always been when behind a gun. Her shoulders steady, feet planted fairly onto the ground, and her breathing was slow and relaxed.

"Easy killer." A voice she recognized as Dodge's simmered from behind her as she held out a gun.

"Didn't expect to see you here. Where's Natalie? Shouldn't you be hanging out with her?" She blatantly asks, trying not to sound like she wasn't wondering when the pair's little date would end. She is surprised to see him back so soon. She mentally cursed at her friend's words as Josie couldn't stop thinking about what Heather said.

"Trying to get rid of me, huh?" Dodge smirks but grew to seriousness at the shorter girl's silence. "I told her I wasn't really interested."

"At Ferris wheels?" She quipped. Josie turns to her side, dropping her fake gun for a second to look at him. "Nat likes you, y'know."

"Really?" He seemed disbelieved by the idea. "I mean, it's kind of obvious." She says before raising the gun back up again.  

The boy at her side took a moment to examine the girl's focused demeanor at aiming dead straight at the target. Her arms extended forward holding the plastic gun. She looked too serious at winning that stuffed animal. Josie took a deep breath, exhaling, before pulling the trigger and hitting the last of the pins.

"Nice shot." Dodge compliments as he claps a little too loud.

"Woo!" Josie rejoices at her win. "Congratulations." The guy in the booth says. Dodge couldn't help but stifle a laugh as Josie raises her arms up in the air in celebration.

The man in charge asked Josie which prize she liked. In a humorous mood, she pointed at the small dolphin plushie, recalling the night Dodge told her about what he's scared of. The boy laughed as she hands him the dolphin.

"Here you go, cowboy." Josie tosses it to him. "I know you're scared of dolphins but I promise this one won't bite," she jokes.

"I will treasure this forever." He puts the plushie in his pocket as they move towards the food stand.

"I didn't know you can shoot."

"It's Texas. What did you expect?" She shrugged.

"My dad taught me and my brother when we were kids," Josie said, recalling those Sunday afternoons when her dad would take them out to the farm and set out cans across. Her mom didn't like it obviously because Josie was too young but she can be very stubborn.

"How about you? Just bull riding for you, cowboy?"

"You're making it sound so boring," Dodge whined. "Trust me, it is far from sounding boring." Josie postulated.

"I still don't get you're against it. Saddle bronc is a fun sport." Her expression wrinkled as she repeated the boy's words. She had seen Dodge ride before. It doesn't seem fun. "Yeah. If you have a death wish."

"Hey, y'all!" Summer voiced to the pair, and they responded back similarly. "These are for you two." She says, handing both of them tickets. Reading the cards that noted their points in Panic. Josie's being 270. She glances over at Dodge's reading 275.

"Want to get out of here?" Dodge suddenly asks the girl. She takes her eyes off the card and looks at the boy. Her eyebrows quirked up at the notion of his question. "Want to go get ice cream?" He asks. That had her convinced.

She swayed her feet. Looked around, noticing no ice cream stands within the area. "Where?"

"C'mon." He takes her by the arm, leading her to his car.

————

Dodge drove Josie to Dot's Diner. It was a little late in the night but luckily it was still open. The last customer left as they arrived. The guy behind the counter decided to call it a night as Dodge offers to close up the store for him.

He grabbed two spoons and a bucket of chocolate ice cream, both of them sharing it while sitting close to the counter. The pair exchanged quips and talks. Laughter filled the empty diner. It was that kind of conversation where you feel that you could talk to this person about anything. It could as silly as their favorite drink and why. She found out that Dodge's was coffee. A little typical of him but his reason being that it felt like home astounded her.

"Have you ever thought about the future?" Josie asks him. Dodge looked up from above, sinking in her question. "I mean...Yeah, kind of."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Haven't you?"

"Not really." Josie awkwardly laughs as she retreats back into the ice cream, scooping some more.

Dodge had a plan in his life. He was the type of guy to think things through. He has always lived like that and it was convenient for him. Dodge spent most of his life making up plans in his head like it was the end of the world and he has little to no time. Part of her was a little embarrassed that Dodge got it all figured out while she didn't. She could already picture a kind of exciting future for him.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"I haven't really pictured my life outside of Carp."

"How about college?" Josie paused at his words, confirming his speculation. "You're telling me that someone like you isn't planning on going to college." Dodge couldn't even believe the words that he is saying.

"Someone like me?" She smirks.

"Y'know..." He leans back into his chair, surveying the girl. "Smart." Josie could only bellow with laughter at his compliment.

"No, seriously. You're mostly ahead of every class we share. I remembered you correcting Mr. Murphy's paper. He was so pissed." She laughed at that memory. The teacher gave her detention after she prickled his ego. "I've heard you solve almost half of the riddles back at Graybill's House. You're probably the smartest person I've ever met."

As surprising as it seems, people never really noted Josie about her intellect. She never really believed herself to be someone smart. She wasn't really the smart one in the group. It was Bishop. Natalie was the pretty one in the group. Heather was the girl next door and the ultimate friend that you can rely on. Sometimes, Josie felt lost. She has been friends with them for so long but sometimes she felt like they were in their own little world while she was just floating through space.

"It's not like I don't plan on going to college. It's just that..." Josie reasoned.

"The money?"

"...Yeah."

"Fine." Dodge claps his hands.

"Let's not think about college or money or Panic for a second." His vivacity has her intrigued. "If you were to do anything, go somewhere, be anywhere you want to be. What would you do?"

"I haven't really thought about it?" Dodge gave her a crooked smile, not believing the girl for a second. "I mean, I had the idea but it kind of just stops from there." She defends.

"Ok." She exhales in surrender as the boy kept the same expression toward her. "I'd travel. I don't know where but just go to places I wanna go see. I've been stuck at Carp for a long time so the list is probably endless."

"Where do you wanna go?" He loomed closer.

"Maybe I'd start with New York first." She chuckles. "I'd always wanna see Time Square. I'd probably write about it and move onto the next place on the list."

Josie then moved on to ask him. If she was gonna share about her unrealistic life plans, then he must too. A small grew to her lips as she saw the small glow from Dodge's eyes. He'd already thought about his answer. Dodge blushed at the idea. "I'd be on the road."

"Just anywhere. I'd go to places I haven't been. I'd revisit places I liked. Just see everything."

"So that's it? For the rest of your life, just moving from place to place?"

"I'll probably settle down when I'm ready. Maybe a little farm of my own or a ranch. I'd probably have horses."

"And a dog?" She trailed.

"I'll get a dog." Dodge chuckles.

A brief pause. Dodge gave himself a moment to think about the future he wanted. He was being truthful when he mentioned those things. A life he pictured. It was a definite for him. Something he'd knew would happen because it's something he'd want to happen. His eyes dilated as he returned the look of the girl beside him.

"So if I ever stop by New York, would I be seeing you?"

"I'd like that." Josie couldn't help but feel the heat rise from her cheeks.

"I suppose you don't need to hitch a ride, right?" She giggled at his witticism. "I have plenty of space. Just saying. I'd be saving you a spot if you like."

"Well, that can be arranged."

The pair exchanged another echo of chuckles. Something that's already becoming a common thing between the two of them. Sometimes, Dodge wished that it would always be like this. Just the two of them. Not having a care about the outside world. If he could stay at that diner forever, he would.

"I have never seen you like this," Josie remarked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." She points at him from head to toe. "Like that." Dodge's nose scrunches, chuckling at her comment. "I never really seen you enjoy yourself." Josie took another scoop of the ice cream.

The boy looked down at his lap, and Josie's words echo in his mind. When has he really laughed like this? He doesn't even remember a time when he just sat down and enjoyed himself. Dodge never really let himself let loose even years before he moved into Carp. Crumble his defenses down just for a second. After the events of the past years, he grew to be guarded. Stronger, tougher. He figured if he didn't let anyone in, no one would hurt him. He broke down fear and replaced it with something else. That had been the source of courage for him. It's what kept him going.

"It has been a while." Dodge tried to smile before it faded.

"When have stopped having fun?" Josie took another scoop of her ice cream. Dodge took a deep breath before continuing. "Since my dad died."

Josie's expression dropped at the mention of his late father. She recalled their talk at the party. Both kind of shared the similarities of having a dead dad. Josie's eyes soften, looking at the changed state of the boy beside her.

"He was actually the one who taught me how to bull ride. He taught me and Dayna."

"I'm sorry." If anything, Josie understood what it felt to lose a father. Luckily for her, she didn't feel any sign of regret or guilt after her father died. Both she and her dad knew it was his time and their time spent together was still all beautiful memories. She places her hand on top of his, lightly squeezing it. "How did he die?"

"He hung himself. We were over at the ranch one day. Maybe I shouldn't have asked him to go with me. It was the last day I saw him alive. We'd always joke that he would die with a bull rope in his hands." Dodge lightly laughed at what he said. He could feel his chest rising, almost on the verge of tears but he tries to hold back.

"I'm sorry that was—"

Before the boy could apologize, Josie jumped off her seat and immediately circled her arms around Dodge. Despite Dodge's reassurances that he was fine, Josie kept her arms locked into him. If anyone knew about being fine, it would be Josie. She knew what fine meant. He wasn't. Josie would be there for Dodge as Dodge would be for her.

"It's not your fault, Dodge."

A small tear rolled down Dodge's face as he heard her words. Nobody had told him that before. After his dad's death, he never spoke to anyone else for months. He and his dad were not particularly as close as he was with Dayna but the man was still his father. He had never cried as much. Tears suddenly turned into thoughts in his head saying filled with regrets. Josie fought against those voices in his head as she whispered more soothing words into his ear as he hugged her back, slightly sobbing into her shoulder. She softly caressed his back, trying to comfort him with her mere presence.

After a couple of minutes, the two pulled away. Josie could see Dodge trying to gather up the words he wanted to say. He uncharacteristically did not long for silence whenever she was near him. There were many things he wanted to say but he halted some of those. It didn't feel like a time for talking.

At that moment, nothing else mattered. Josie looked at him like she could understand his entire being and nothing frightened him even more. It was ironic. For a guy who supposedly isn't afraid of anything, he was scared of her. Dodge was scared of what she'll see. If that would change the way she looks at him. He wasn't ready for that. They say that the eyes are the windows of the soul and right now, he could feel that she was staring at his.

Dodge wondered if he would reach for her right now, would she reciprocate? Or would she pull away? Would she stay there with him? Or would she run away again? Dodge tries to answer his pondering questions as he slowly leans toward Josie. Dodge closes his eyes, sharply inhaling as their foreheads slowly connect, closing in on any space left between them.

Shit.

He was screwed.

Fearless (8/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Dodge was already a step too close. The millions of scenarios running through his head wondering what would've happened were driving him insane. But he couldn’t risk jeopardizing himself.

Warning: Minor Explicit Language

Word Count: 6.4k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || VII. DEAD-END || IX. OUTSIDERS

VIII. SENSORY

Shit. He was screwed.

Dodge had been up awake for a while, just staring at his bedroom ceiling. He stayed that way the whole night after he drove her home, still thinking about it. The boy didn't even bother to change out of his clothes which his mom chastised him about. He groans, tossing and turning, covering his face with his pillow as he remained flushed as he recalled the previous night's events. God, he was going crazy.

He remembered quite clearly what happened. He and Josie were over at the diner a little late in the night. They began talking about their future plans. Her dream of going to New York is making him itch to go there too. Dodge then spoke about his dad. Somehow, it felt good to talk to someone about that. It felt a small piece of weight had been lifted off his chest. He did feel great about it afterward. It was nice to have a good cry every once in a while.

He then remembered what he'd done after that. What he was about to do. Dodge was already a step too close. He cursed at himself for slowly leaning in towards the girl. Who knew that a microscale of a step and an action, actually, would have the power to change things ever so naturally. Dodge didn't want to jeopardize their blooming friendship with a mistake he was going to make. He knew how the girl noticed even the smallest details and he only wished that Josie didn't notice his odd behavior that night. He was gonna kiss her. He wanted to. And the millions of scenarios running through his head wondering what would've happened were driving him insane. Thank God, he was stopped as the teens' phones shined brightly against the dark diner. A notification coming from Panic about the next challenge.

Subject line: blank. From: judgment@panic.com.

Keep wary of the red & the blue as you find waving all day without trying lost at night.

Town Square, 10 P.M.

The boy was now in the diner. Makes himself busy with work in front of Heather as the two of them wait for Natalie and Josie to discuss the next challenge of Panic happening tonight. He could feel his palms sweating as he continued to polish the counter. Was he nervous? No. He couldn't be. It's just nerves before the game. That's what it was. That used to happen to him before he got up on the bull. It's no big deal. Dodge lost the previous one and he needed to win this challenge.

Heather deeply sighs as she massages her temples, catching the attention of the tall boy behind the counter.

"You ok?" Dodge asks concerning.

The brunette removes her hands from her face and turns to look at the boy. "Yeah. I'm..." She pauses. "How do you know if you like someone?" She suddenly asks.

"What?"

Heather sits up straight, leaning her elbows on the counter as she moved a little closer like she was telling him a secret. "I mean, if a guy who you thought couldn't possibly like you that way tells you that he does, what would you do?"

"As you?" Dodge gave it a thought. He never really pondered to himself these types of questions before. He had had crushes then and there, but they never really developed to anything more than that. He doesn't really have the time to think about it, so when the girl across from him asked him, he was caught off guard.

"I'd probably be happy about it." He shrugged his shoulders. "Not meaning to pry but, is this about Bishop?"

Heather nods. "He told me that he liked me. Last night. At the fair." She says as she drifted back to the previous night.

Bishop pulled her into a corner and told her that he felt the same way, regardless of the girl rejecting to admit her feelings for him. She just found out that he always felt the same since they were kids. The statement only made her mind crumble with more questions.

"Isn't that supposed to be a good thing?"

"But. What if... There's another guy that you'd thought you'd never be into becomes a guy that you...kind of be into." She slowly enunciates.

The corners of Dodge's eyes squinted as he became more and more confused as Heather continues. He rests both of his arms at the counter, feeling a little bit overwhelmed with all this talk. "Sounds dramatic."

"Nevermind." She brushes it off as she leaned back in her chair.

"I'm sorry I'm not that much help." Dodge apologizes. "I think you should talk about this stuff with Natalie or Josie. I'm not good with this kind of stuff."

"What? Relationships?"

"People."

Humor seemed to do the trick as the girl laughed. At least he manage to cheer her up just a little bit despite not being helpful.

"But just don't think about it too much. It'll just mess everything up." Dodge advises. "As my mom would say: you'll just know. That can apply to everything."

Heather listens to the boy's answer which just made her all too confused.

Their heads snap in the direction of the doorway as the bell echoes in the diner's area. Natalie made her way quicker after immediately spotting Heather, looking as prepared as ever as she carried a small notebook and pen. She messaged Dodge earlier this morning. Told him to meet her, Heather, and Josie at Dot's. Them teaming up is still secret and ongoing, but Nat needed to talk to the other girls too to keep up the ruse of her teaming up with them.

Natalie's expression dulled as she looked at the other empty spot beside Heather.

"Josie's not here."

"She should be here any minute. She said her car broke down."

"Well, tell her to hurry up. We have to talk Panic strategy." Natalie says as she set down her stuff at the counter.

"Hey."

Their eyes shot up at the entrance at the sound of the doorbell as the girl they were looking for finally showed up.

"Am I late?" Josie exhales, a bit out of breath.

"You're right on time," Heather assures her. "Nat just showed up."

Josie nods at her friend's words as she wiped off a drop of her sweat from walking all the way there. She had a bit of an awful morning. She woke up late because she was up all night and didn't bother to check her messages until they kept popping up on her phone. Nat texted her of an emergency Panic meeting which she completely contemplated going to. Her case of bad luck continues as her car suddenly broke down just five blocks from the diner. She reminded herself to bring it to the shop afterward.

She then makes her way to the counter and sees the chocolate-haired boy who is looking at her weirdly since they parted ways last night.

"Hi." Josie greets Dodge.

"Hi."

"You tied your hair up." He points out for some unknown reason. The weather was hot, Josie comments. There's no deep-rooted reason as to why she chose to have her hair up. The girl just blankly stares at him at his observation, not understanding why he said it. Dodge wished he would just crawl up under a rock and die. Josie quietly grins at the new sight of the boy squirming.

She remembered last night vividly. They were both seated quite more closely. Enjoying themselves with a tub of ice cream. One thing led to another, they were in each other's arms. Maybe Josie's eyes were deceiving her but she thought she saw the boy leaning in. That question kept her up all night. Even on the ride back home, Dodge was unusually quieter than usual. Keeping his eyes solely on the road, she felt awkward being in that car. It was even more awkward as they both said goodbye. Dodge couldn't meet her eyes after that and immediately drove off.

Josie sets herself comfortably to her seat next to Heather as Natalie clasps her hands, ready to get into business. She then laid out her notebook filled with various interpretations of the riddle they all received via email. All they knew is that it is happening tonight and at the Town Square, which is an odd place to hold Panic. It was just too public. If the judges are planning something, they all have to prepare for it.

"Do we have to steal something again?" Heather suggested.

"I don't think they'd repeat the same challenge, would they?" Dodge retaliates.

"There been no records of repeated challenges in Panic," Natalie says as she looked over the page. "But it does say 'Keep Wary'. Sounds a lot like the Spurlock challenge."

"Maybe they're changing it up this year. That could happen." Josie exasperates. "So what, we're gonna run around town square like a game of tag?" She crosses her arms as she continued to make theories in her head.

Natalie grabs a page and reads the riddle once more. "Obviously we have to find something in the center of town. A treasure hunt?"

"Sounds childish."

"Red & Blue." Dodge ponders. "Maybe we're playing by teams."

Josie read the mysterious email once more. As the other members of the group grew stressed at trying to figure out what it meant, the other girl just enjoyed it. Riddles kind of excite her. She had read a lot of Sherlock Holmes with her dad when she was a kid. It was fun. The rush she feels when she was getting her brain to work. The adrenaline she gets when she manages she solves it.

Find waving all day, Josie read once more as she thinks to herself before coming up with a conclusion. "A flag?"

The four teens scurried outside of the diner as they raced towards the town hall, the place where the large American flag under Carp's property seems to be missing. The group spotted a few number of cops examining the emptiness surrounding the tall metal pole where the flag used to be.

"So I guess we are finding the flag then." Dodge pointed out.

The next thing they noticed was the large graffitied lines painted across the threshold of the building. The police surrounding the area instantly took note of this and the all too familiar symbol that they investigating for so long known as Panic as the remaining young adults felt a wave of anxiousness as they observed from afar.

Loose lips sink ships. Nobody tells. Or else.

----

"So the cops would be watching us?" Heather asks as a pang of panic filled her chest.

After another round of scouting the terrain, the gang returned to Dot's diner and took their original seat. The notion of the cops being present at the scene tonight has caused the duress looks between the four of them.

"The judges wouldn't like to get the cops involved in Panic."

"Seems a little subtle of them, don't you think?" Josie rolled her eyes. "We just have to make sure that we won't get caught," She says to the two, trying to give them some kind of reassurance.

The game is becoming more mystifying as it continues. She doesn't understand what is going on in those wicked minds of the judges. Maybe it was a spark of bad luck and bad timing that the cops would be there. She didn't like how Panic was turning around. Josie is still speculating if the previous errors in earlier challenges are results of sabotage or the judges playing a game with them. The game was slowly changing.

"Can I get you anything?" Dodge asks the dark-haired girl as he suddenly reappears after he disappeared in the kitchen a little while ago. The boy had been roaming around the place. Going back and forth in the kitchen. Kept making himself busier than usual. Just like Panic, something was going on with the boy. Josie looked at him confusingly. What is going on with him?

"No. We're fine. Thanks." Natalie answers him.

Ignoring her friend, Josie stated her order. "I'll have a coke and fries, please." Dodge nods at her request. Josie just contained to stare at him, seeing Dodge rushingly moving towards the back once more to get the lady her glass of coke and tray of fries.

"My dad might be there tonight. I can't let him know I'm playing." Natalie worriedly rubs her fingers on her forehead. "I need a good alibi."

The three girls took a moment of silence, finding a good reason for them to escape their night routines with their families and participate in the challenge.

"Tell your dad you're having a sleepover with me and Josie. He'll buy that."

"Great idea!" The girl simpers at the brunette's suggestion. She sighs assuredly that everything would luckily go smoothly tonight.

"I can't go." The two girls snapped their heads toward Josie. Both are already voicing their thoughts about her rebuff of the invitation.

"Nick's shift starts at night. He's worried enough as it is with my late-night adventures. And I still have to take the car to the shop which is on the other side of town." She reasons.

"How are you gonna get to the challenge?"

"I'll figure it out. It's fine."

"Just make sure you show up on time, ok?" Natalie reminds. She offers a large smile to the girl and gestured accordingly.

Her two friends left minutes later after summarising their agenda for the challenge. Having no idea what was gonna happen, they decided to stick together and if they manage to separate, they'll keep in contact with each other. Josie took note of the explicit mention from Natalie of Dodge being with them. Natalie gets up to get the stuff she needed for the game at her place. Heather apparently has other plans too in which the dark-haired girl sullenly watches as her two best friends left their spots beside her. Josie, however, stayed, still waiting for her order which arrived on cue like a prayer being answered.

"Here you go."

She thanked Dodge as he settles it down in front of her. Her stomach grumbles at the sight of food. She didn't get the chance to eat breakfast this morning and all she had for dinner was chocolate ice cream. Even when she was digging in, the boy remained standing in front of her, gawking at her.

"Do you like macaroni?"

The fry remained meters away from Josie's mouth as she stopped her actions midway as she was caught off guard by Dodge's question.

"Uhm..."She trailed. "Y-yeah. I like macaroni." Josie answered bewilderedly. "Why?"

"My mom's making macaroni."

The boy looks at the still confused expression of the girl. He exhales irritatingly at himself. What's going on with him, Dodge asks himself. His hands played nervously as he stared back at Josie, trying to muster up the words he'd been rehearsing in the kitchen.

"Heather said your car broke down and my place is just a block away from the shop. So, I thought I can give you a ride to the game. If you want." Dodge surmised. "The game is starting a little later tonight. Since your brother's out, I figured you don't have dinner for yourself. You can wait at my place until we have to drive off to the challenge."

Josie's mouth was agape. She lets out a realizing 'Oh'  as she finally understood what Dodge was saying. It was unusual to see Dodge not be his snarky and quick-witted self. The nervous fingers, the straight positioned stance as he looked down at his feet, the words formulated in his head but not finding a way to actually say them. The last time she saw him a bit lost for words was the time she saw him walking through the halls of their high school. She figured that was because he was unfamiliar with the school. But ever since the first Panic challenge, she had never seen the lean boy lose that staggering confidence he had since the first time the two had talked in this very diner. It was kind of adorable seeing him like this.

"Ok," Josie says with a smile on her face as Dodge grinned back in relief.

"Ok," Dodge repeats. Ok, he mutters back to himself as he bashfully looks down at his fingers. She agreed to his invitation. That was good.

"You ok, Dodge? Is this about last night?"

Josie examined the boy, concerned. Josie had been analyzing the boy's actions since the second she had walked into the place. She'd been trying to figure out what was filling his mind that has been bothering him. He seemed to pace back and forth the whole day he'd been working, but Dodge had been spending his recent time just dozing off in his own thoughts.

"No. I'm fine." He shakes his head, asserting that she did nothing wrong. His behavior had been all him and his excruciating subconscious.

He could finally understand that maybe Josie was feeling this way too after that night of the player's ball and why she was avoiding him. But Dodge wasn't gonna start ignoring Josie. Of course not. But facing her right now was also just as tough. It was scary. Regardless, his brain wasn't crammed with useless and throbbing thoughts. He didn't need to think further ahead of the situation. He could only focus on the moment right now. His heart wasn't palpitating and he almost seemed at ease.

Dodge smiles at Josie. "I'm great, actually."

"That sounds good."

Their talk had been cut short as a staff member calls back Dodge from the kitchen. As he fumblingly walks back, the pair bid their brief farewell with a wave. Both parted ways with large grins on their faces. Just before focusing back on her food, Josie looked back once more at the disappearing figure of Dodge. She beamed back to herself as she felt a flicker of excitement for tonight.

----

"You sure you don't want me to take the car?"

Nick exclaimed from the living room as Josie continued to pack her backpack ready for tonight. She got another message from Natalie saying they should bring essentials just in case. Josie recalled the night of Graybills where Nat basically brought her entire room in her bag at the game. She sighed as she run her fingers through her hair at the messy sight before her. Her stuff laid out on her bed. She didn't know what else to bring for a challenge they have no idea what it was about.

After a moment of thought about precaution, her feet moved towards the bottom of her cabinet. She bent down to reach the small box where she kept some stuff she liked to keep secret. Mostly saved up money and personal memorabilia. Josie's face grew worrisome as she took the small revolver gun out of the box. Josie breathed out as she examined the five bullets inside. It was just in case. Her mind debated as she decided to bring it with her. She was never planning on using it. Ever. She hoped she never would. But something about tonight made her feel like something was gonna happen.

"I could just take the car to the shop myself," Nick says. "It's fine. I can handle it," Josie reassures.

Walking downstairs, she was greeted by the sight of her brother sprawled out on the couch as he watched television. Josie heads closer to the doorway, carefully selecting a pair of shoes as she prepares for her leave.

"Do you want me to order in for you tonight?"

"Actually, I'll be at Dodge's until Panic tonight." The older Slater took his eyes off the monitor, his full attention is now fixed straight on his younger sister's sudden announcement. "His mom's making dinner."

"The same kid who's been driving you home?" She hesitantly nods with a tight-lipped expression at the earshot of his slightly teasing voice. Nick was familiar with the boy. There were times when he would spot the two on his porch late in the night after the Panic games Josie was playing. He remembered Josie's anxious demeanor when she began uttering the boy's name back at the hospital.

"Is this like a date?" He raises his eyebrows.

"What?! No." Josie sounded appalled and defensive at the mention of a date. "Dodge's mom and sister are gonna be there."

"So it's those 'meet the family' kind of dinners?"

"Shut up!" Josie groans.

Technically, Dodge asking her if she wanted to have dinner seemed like a similar step to a guy asking a girl out. But this wasn't the case. He wasn't asking her out and this wasn't a date. Why would Dodge even ask her, she internally laughed at the question. Dodge was just being a thoughtful friend and she would be crazy to think that maybe it meant something more.

"I'd like to meet him." Nick unexpectedly suggests that made Josie panic and cringe.

"What?" She questioned with a widened and shocked expression at the notion. "Why?"

"If you're having dinner with his family, then I think you should invite him here too." Josie paused, contemplating the idea in her head as Nick inferred. Although Dodge drove her home on most occasions, he never actually step foot any further than the front door.

"Dodge's just a friend."

Nick smirks. "Kind of sweet of your friend to invite you to have dinner with him."

Josie internally curses at him. She looks at her empty wrist with a pretending shocked face. "Oh dear, look at the time." She holds close her backpack as she opened the front door. "I'm gonna head out now. The car's not gonna fix itself." Josie tried to ignore the large smile peering over her brother's face before closing the door shut.

----

Knock. Knock. Knock

Regardless of having already visited the place times before, Josie was still nervous. She was standing at the front door of the Mason residence, waiting for somebody to answer the door. She was standing out there for a while. Ironically, this took longer than her going over at the car shop. The first few minutes were Josie trying to muster up the confidence to even walk closer to the threshold. She fidgets, feeling herself growing nervous. Her feet didn't dare to move away from its spot, her fingers clutching at the sling of her backpack.

What felt like forever finally came to end as the doorway opens and she was greeted by a familiar blonde.

"Hey, Josie," Dayna welcomes.

"Hi." Josie was cringing at that awkward wave she did.

"I haven't seen you for a while." Dayna rolled her wheelchair closer to the doorframe, clearly happy to see the girl again. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh..." She felt a small hit of disconcerting as she bowed down to her shoes for a second. Dodge didn't tell her. This was embarrassing. "Dodge told me to meet him here."

"Dayna! Who's at the door?" A voice shouted from the inside. The gal before her averted her attention from the dark-haired girl towards the direction of the kitchen in the house before shouting back. "It's Josie."

A familiar figure she recalled seeing working in Dot's diner emerges into her view, wiping her wet hands on a towel. She walked closer to the entryway sending Josie a polite smile, recognizing the girl she had served to along with her friends times before. "Hi, honey."

"Hey." She greets the siblings' mother. She could only stare at the two women in front of her, seeing the resemblance between them. Despite the different hair colors, Josie could see the similar eyes and nose between Dayna and her mom. Now that you think about it, Josie could also see some resemblances of Dodge on his mom's features.

"So wait again. Dodge told you to meet him here?" Dayna reverts back to the topic.

"Yeah." She says. "There's a party thing tonight and he said I could catch a ride with him since my car broke." Josie lies under her nose.

"Dodge asked you to come over?" The blonde asks once again in confirmation, both women staring at Josie in some kind of way that made her self-conscious.

"Uhm...Yeah, kind of." She tries to turn over the attention away from her. The two had been looking at her like she was kind of some alien. "Where is Dodge?" Josie asks as she peeked over at the inside of their house, hoping to see him there as she also noticed his car wasn't on their driveway.

"He's just finishing up at the dinner. He should be here soon." His mom says.

They both welcomingly motioned for her to enter through the door. Both gave her a way as they step a little over to the side as she made her way inside. Josie felt a little hesitant as she enters, thinking she was intruding on their evening. If she was, she could only blame Dodge for inviting her over and not telling his family.

"Is that her?" Jessica whispers to her daughter seemed to be overlooked by the girl. "Yeah, that's her."

Josie surveyed the room once more. For a house that appeared small from the outside, it looked pretty spacious inside. The place seemed to remain the same way as it was since the last time she visited. It remained vaguely neat looking almost as if it was a dollhouse despite the large boxes that remained unpacked from taking up the space from the corner of the room.

"I'm sorry for the mess. If we knew you were coming over we would've tidied up." Dodge's mom apologizes.

"It's alright..." She dallies. "Jessica. But you can call me Jess." Jessica or Jess introduces herself to Josie.

She smiles, feeling a bit more comfortable being around them. Their hospitality was fairly obvious. Dayna watches the girl as she trod closer to the wall filled with pictures of her and her family. Josie never got the chance to explore it when she was there a week ago. She grins to herself as she took a look at childhood photos of the two Mason siblings. Dodge and Dayna in matching cowboy hats and boots as they stand beside horses. Moving on to the next picture and to the next, she could mostly see either one or the both of them being out on the field. Newspaper articles were laid out too, showcasing the pair's success in bull riding.

"Are you gonna stay for dinner, Josie?" Jessica asks from the kitchen, placing on what she could assume was the macaroni Dodge was talking about in the oven.

"If that's okay with you." Josie insinuated.

"We'd be happy to." The mother gushed. "You kinda caught us off guard. You see, we don't get many people here. Particularly Dodge's friends."

"Like he has any." Dayna retorts, making the dark-haired girl snort in laughter.

Jessica sneered a look of disapproval at her daughter before she looked apologetic toward Josie. "He's just not that chatty to other people." She reasons.

She tilts her head, innocently joking. "I haven't noticed." Josie sarcastically comments, not noticing the small look of exchange between the two women. Yes, Andrew Dodge Mason being closed off and vague is something she hasn't noticed. She figured he was like that too with his family for them having to apologize to her for Dodge being like that. She continued to let herself be distracted by the impressive and charming limited number of photos of Dodge hung up on the wall. Shooting her chance to goggle at them before Dodge pulls her away from them out of embarrassment.

A noise of a dying engine from the outside had broken their trance. Dayna looks over the window, seeing Dodge's car pulled over their driveway. The second Dodge walked inside the house, he felt his chest jump a little at the sight of Josie, not expecting her to show up regardless of her saying she would. He stood there near the doorframe, thinking of other things to say other than "Hey." Dodge could feel Josie sensing his awkwardness as she sent him a soft smile after responding the same way.

"You came," Dodge gazed.

"Why do you always sound so surprised?"

"I just- I didn't think you would show up."

"You took your car to the shop already?" He asks as he places his hands in his pocket. "I know a guy over there. I could ask him to fix it up quick for ya if you want."

"Thanks."

The two other Masons watch the two, mostly Dodge, as they anticipate their next move like an audience watching a scene unfold.

"I'll add a place for you on the table, Josie." His mom breaks the silence of her son, starting to take out four plates to set up on the table. "Dodge, help me over here." She called out to him. The boy used his long legs to make his way to the kitchen, darting, sooner followed by his older sister, leaving the Slater girl all alone in the living room.

"You didn't tell us she was coming over." Dayna pointed out, smirking as she observes her younger brother. Dodge ignores her as he held onto the dishes his mom handed him.

"I was a little busy at the diner."

"Oh, please." Dayna didn't buy it. "You have your head on your phone for days and you couldn't send a quick text?"

"Where'd you meet her?" His mom joined in the conversation as it grew interesting. "At school." The blonde rolls her eyes at Dodge's usual vague answer. "You don't have friends at your school." She retaliates.

"I'm starting to feel a little hurt here." Dodge fakes a hurt expression as the three made their way to the dining table.

The two women peered over the large opening of the dining room to the living area, surveying Dodge's friend sitting on the couch, playing with her phone. "I like her," Dayna says. "Me too." Jess agrees.

The teen halts his table arrangement as he taps the pair to stop staring at her like a tiger in a cage. "Are you guys gonna stop talking about her? I mean, she's right there." He lowers his voice.

"Hey, Josie!" His sister playfully decided to brush aside his pleading. Josie turns around at the sound of her name being yelled. "The photo albums are in the top box to your left if you want to see more." Her suggestion sparked her interest, standing up from her seat to make her way to the pile of boxes. Dodge's eyes widened, running across the room towards her. He immediately grabs her wrist to stop her from moving any further. He heard her willful and curious requests but chose to ignore them and her growing grin at seeing the boy so flustered.

The boy leads her by the shoulders to his room. He didn't know if he was hiding himself from his family or hiding her. "Just tell us when dinner's ready!" Dodge shouted to them, trying to sound cool, before closing the door behind her.

"Whatcha got there?" Dodge knocks at the girl's bulging backpack, sounding solid. He tried to fill in the complete silence between them as he basically shoved her into his bedroom. "Just stuff for tonight," Josie explains seeing the unbelievable expression on the boy's face. "I didn't know what to bring." She raises her hands in defense.

"So you brought your entire house instead, Mary Poppins?"

"It's best to be prepared." She checks on him. "How about you? What're you bringing?"

Dodge treaded through her side, opening his closet in search for his backpack that he already packed with essentials just for Panic. He pulls out items such as extra shirts, towels, a flashlight, batteries, a pocket knife, rope, and other stuff you can find boy scouts seem to have. Josie looked past him, dumbfounded, glancing at the insides of his closet filled with similar-looking black shirts and other shirts with dark shades.

"Is that all of your shirts?" She asks, bewildered. "Yeah. What about it?" He innocently responds, not knowing what's the problem.

"They're all the same color."

He holds up a different shirt. "This one isn't."

"Dodge, that's grey."

He tries to hide a smirk at her defeated face while looking at his wardrobe. "Remind me to take you shopping or something."

"Always finding ways to spend time with me." Josie tried to ignore his flirting.

A sudden air of silence escaped from the girl's lips as she paced around his floors. Dodge grew conscious, he turns to find Josie looking stunned as she studied his room. Agitated, he asks her what was the matter.

"It's neat," Josie blatantly says from her observation earning a humoristic scoff from Dodge.

"What do you mean?"

"I just didn't think that your room would look like this."

Dodge leaned against the wall as he watched her explore his room. "What did you expect, Josie?" He chuckles.

"I don't know." She wanders. "Dark walls, dirty laundry on the floor, angsty teenage music. Maybe I was just picturing the bat cave."

The whole room was exactly the opposite of her expectations but made sense altogether. The walls were in a light shade of yellow-green, which is a surprising color she least associated with the boy. Dodge's bed was made, neatly folded, and the pillows were arranged. A few number of old records were stacked on top of each other. She should've known he'd have records of country music. He'd play them loud on the radio when it would come on. Moving closer to his bedside table, Dodge could feel the heat rise to his cheeks as Josie grins at the sight of the little dolphin plushie she got him at the fair. She crunches down, examining the little array of books he had.

"Those were my dad's old books." He says, looking at her focused on holding and reading the book title. "Technically, he owns them but I don't think he ever read them."

"Do you read?" She asks.

"A little bit." He gave a half shrug. Dodge swayed his feet, shoving both hands in his pocket. He could feel the heat rise to his cheeks as she tries to cover the small quirk at the corners of her lips.

Dodge followed closely behind her as the Slater girl strode towards the shelf holding his trophies and some picture frames filled with his family. Her fingers lingered over them as she read the words engraved.

"So obviously, you're good." The tall boy couldn't help but have his blushing smile rise to his face seeing Josie looking at him both impressed and proud.

"I was almost as good as my Dad," Dodge spoke in a melancholic tone. "I was sixteen when I got that after I beat his time. I'll never forget the look on his face after I came out of the pit that day." Josie could see his eyes slowly watering as his gaze shifted to the trophies behind her.

"He'd be proud of you, Dodge." She encircled her one arm on him, comfortingly lightly squeezing his shoulder. "Not really. He was drunk." He mumbles, recalling the bottles and bottles of bourbon around the floor of the house. Even at the corner of his eye, he'd see his dad take a sliver of a sip in the flask he carries around. "Sometimes I think he'd drink 'cause he hated losing. When he taught me and Dayna, he drank a lot."

"Yeah." She exaggeratingly exhales. "I probably wouldn't admit defeat too if I was your dad." Josie glances at him, attempting to make him laugh. She internally breathes in relief seeing the boy release a light laugh.

"He was a bit competitive."

"Reminds me of someone I know." Josie quipped making him feel a lot better now.

Dodge reminisced those days on the field with his dad. Some days when Dayna wouldn't be there because of school or work, it would just be the two of them. He'd watch his dad ride from the sidelines and be blown away by him. Watching his dad tackle the bull, he almost looked like a superhero taming the impossible. Dodge wanted to be like him. Even when he was a little kid, the man wouldn't sugarcoat things with him. His father was a strict man when it comes to bull riding. He felt like a dancer being trained to dance. He fell so many times than he can recall. He got up many times as he can count. Dodge could accredit his father for his driven nature. Which felt like both a blessing and a curse.

He turned to look at her, surprised to already set her gaze on him. The two were now inches apart, standing all alone in Dodge's bedroom. Dodge's breath was taken away, feeling a sudden shiver run down his spine. He figured it was the chill in the air. Josie also tried to get her breathing under control, seeing how close he was towering over her shorter figure. Josie didn't know whether to trust her eyes but she could've sworn Dodge traveling his gaze to her lips. It reminded her of the previous night when they were just like this. She felt goosebumps running through her skin as she could feel his fingertips reaching for hers. Dodge was feeling fearless, slowly leaning into her. Like magnets, she took one more step. Josie tiptoed, trying to close any gap left between them just before the door slammed open.

"Hey!"

A voice announces herself in the room causing the pair to snap away from each other. Dayna rolled herself inside Dodge's room in her wheelchair, sensing the sudden awkwardness from whatever she interrupted. She clears her throat before turning to her brother.

"Mom said dinner's ready."

"Oh, great!" Josie enthusiastically says before hurriedly taking her bag and exiting the bedroom.

"I'm starving," Dodge stated before dashingly walking out too.

Dayna's eyebrows furrowed by the weird responses of the two teens.

----

The whole meal went through smoothly, aside from the humorous childhood stories their mom told Josie about them. It was entertaining to see Dodge squirm in his seat out of embarrassment. Dayna was joined in the laughing until her mom started to tell tales about her. Josie felt welcomed there. It has been a while since she had been around a family like this.

Josie and Dodge lied to the two women about their whereabouts, bidding their goodbyes and saying they were going to a party. Dodge could sense the girl's anxiety upon the drive on the way to the challenge. It made him worry too.

It was 9:56 p.m. Parking his car on a nearby street to the town square, the pair could see other participants starting to arrive at the location. Josie could spot her previous classmates such as Ray, Tyler, Shawna, Drew, and others more. Once they locked eyes with Heather and Natalie standing by in the center of the crowd, Josie and Dodge braced to stride their steps forward.

"Ready?" She asks him.

"Ready when you are."

Fearless (9/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: A test of discovery, capability, and loyalty. Josie was a wild card. Dodge seemed to fall deeper into the rabbit hole. Falling deeper and deeper into the game than he had imagined. Everything about them had turned into something he hadn't anticipated, which is perhaps what made it dangerous.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Mentions of Death and Suicide

Word Count: 6.3k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || VIII. SENSORY || X. TRUST

IX. OUTSIDERS

"Welcome to the elimination round!" Diggins announces.

At the stroke of ten, Diggins and Summer emerge from out of nowhere. Diggins stood tall at the water fountain, watching the reduced number of crowd. Some people cheered. Some did not and only watched with doubts in their eyes. At the corner of the park, Josie could see Ray clapping, and so was Tyler. Dodge had his arms crossed, quiet, staring soullessly at the scene. All Josie could probably do at the moment was keep her silence, scared of making too much noise and waking up the small town of Carp. It was getting late and the town was pretty much empty. Stores were closing up. The local folks were going home. The only thing left there was a group of kids ready to play a game.

"Tonight, we're playing Fugitive!" Diggins exclaims, the crowd seems to throw away all sense of caution as they cheered aloud.

"Still doesn't explain the flag," Dodge whispers to Josie.

"The game of Fugitive combines elements of a number of outdoor games such as capture the flag, and cops & robbers."

"All players are the fugitives." Each participant looked at the other in confusion. "And the cops are, well—" Diggins shrugs casually. "They're the cops."

"This is a test of discovery, capability, and loyalty. There are only eight bandages of flags smeared all across town. Anyone who finds one of the flags and sends it to me, and manages not to get caught before sunrise is going to the next round. Those who do get caught are OUT of the game." Summer further exclaimed Diggins's words, slicing her hand through her neck.

"Loose lips sink ships. No one tells. Or else. Courtesy of our lovely judges." He warns.

Josie found her way into Dodge's gaze who was already looking at her with a kind of distress in his eyes. She felt her shoulders tense while listening to the seemingly impossible agenda for the night. So they basically have to survive the night by not being caught by the cops and at the same time, find a bandana with no clues whatsoever about its location. Carp was a small town, but it wasn't that small that she could find whatever she was looking for in a blink of an eye. Josie was masking her pang of anxiety with a stern and determined expression, matching Dodge's face.

The three best friends looked at each other for a moment of reassurance. They had a plan that they would stick together no matter what happened tonight. Josie was worried that the three would get separated once more. She only prayed that the events of the previous challenge happening once more would be most unlikely.

"It's every man for himself."

The loud sounds of sirens echoed through the quiet night as the colors red and blue illuminated the reflecting windows of closed stores in Carp. Hearing the sound becoming louder and the visual becoming closer, the group of teenagers swarmed and dispersed like kids in a playground. Sudden glimpses of heavy bodies clash with one another as they find a way to safety. Running left and right, the scene was chaotic. In the midst of her running, Josie could see six cops coming out of cars. She overheard one radio the station about the number of kids playing Panic.

The four teens tightened their looks at one another, signaling each other, sprinting their way into a small alleyway where Dodge led them to. Heather, Nat, Josie, and Dodge crouched down, hiding in the dark, some on the side of the garbage disposal. They shield themselves from the swarming cop cars that seemed to grow by the minute. Josie noticed two more cars showing up. One was following another group who thinks they can outrun it. She saw some already getting caught and sitting in the backseat. Dodge peeked his eye to the side of the wall, studying the scenery. The two remaining girls sat still, both trying to regain their breathing. Josie rushes to Heather after seeing her state.

"Don't worry. We're gonna be fine." Josie hums, rubbing her shoulder in comfort.

"We need a better plan," Natalie lets out.

"How are we going to find a flag? There are cops all over the place." Josie remarked. Not trying to sound like a downer, but they were fucked. "Do you think they saw us? Do you think they know who we are?" She could hear the alarm in the brunette's voice.

"If we get caught, then they will." Dodge quietly trod towards the girls who were all squatting in the dark corner. "We need to move but they're circling the place." He exhaled.

"We need to split up, divide, and conquer." Heather's eyes went round at Natalie's proposal. "We'll go one by one, not cause any attention, and we'll try to find the flags."

"Yeah, that's probably better." Dodge looked appalled at the sound of Josie's agreement. Josie gave it a thought. They wouldn't be able to complete the challenge if they don't act quickly. They couldn't stick together, it would be way easier to locate them and get arrested. The group can still keep in contact with one another through their phones, the girl voiced out.

"One of us is gonna get busted." Nat noticed the slight tremble in Dodge's opposition. "We won't," Josie reassured him.

Standing tall, she volunteered to go first. Making her way to the more lit part of the alleyway, she poked her head out of the corner to see if the coast was clear. Seeing the vanishment of the five other cars, she tries to head out before Dodge suddenly took a light hold of her wrist.

"Be careful, okay," Dodge mumbles under his breath.

The boy watches her disappear into the shadows. Silently but speedily jogging further away to another street corner. He gazed at her from afar, glancing at the police officers if they manage to see her. Nat left the corner afterward, then followed by Heather, and then Dodge.

————

Within minutes of her run, a cop car had spotted Josie. She felt like she was running from her life. Her heart beats quicker at the alarming sound ringing behind her. She continued to sprint far away, she wasn't gonna go to jail for Panic. If anything, she was going to jail for something far more epic. Running into a silent corridor near a store, Josie successfully climbs over a large metal fence. She panics and hides in a corner when she saw nothing but a dead end beyond the fence.

Placing her hands on her knees, Josie tries to control her breathing, seeing the car still lingering in the territory behind the fence. She curses, hearing the sound of the opening car door and the sight of the policewoman walking out.

"C'mon out kid." The woman alerts. "I know you're in there."

Josie froze. Despite the lady already knowing where she is, the girl still tried to be in control and kept her silence. The upside is that the policeman didn't know who she was and couldn't see very well in the dark. Josie was hiding herself behind a wall. Goosebumps fill her skin, hearing each step getting closer and closer. Josie closes her eyes shut, ready to meet her doom when she hears the metal of the fence jiggling. The officer climbs up on one foot and then another on the rail. The young girl can feel the panic rising from her.

A large volume of glass breaking echoing in the quiet night of small-town Carp made the two figures flinch in ambush. Just before she could reach the top, the policewoman turns around glimpsing a teenage silhouette with a brick at hand and a broken window. Another broken glass was heard again, this time the woman climbs down and dashed towards her car. The unfamiliar image Josie couldn't recognize from afar immediately pursuits away from the sound of the ignition.

Josie squatted down to the ground, finally breathing the sound of relief. She could only thank the other person who seemed to distract the cop and drive her away from her tail.

Checking left and right for any other speck of the authority, the girl makes her way to the location she was risking herself going to. She checks her wristwatch, it was around 11:38 p.m now. She only had a few more hours to find a needle in a haystack up against twenty other players. Since the night's goal mostly became a game of capture the flag, she instantly thought of places where a flag could be hidden. Josie figured that when they were running around town like headless chickens, the judges would hide it somewhere unreachable for them. Deciding to follow her hunch, she snuck in and climbs to the bell tower of Carp.

Climbing and finally making her way to the top, Josie shivers at the coldness of the evening mood. She took a second to admire the scenery before her. The tall spot on the bell tower allows you to see everything and anything of Carp, Texas. At that moment, her world didn't feel so small to her anymore, not when you have a view like this. She could spot places she visited with her friends and routes she had walked countless times. If Josie squinted her eyes, she could see a tiny person hiding on the side of one of the closed buildings watching a police car driving by.

Josie looked around the small interior of the tower. She checked above and below the bell chain, any mottled corner, or a staircase handrail for a sight of a bandage.

"It's not here." She slightly jumps, whirling around at the voice suddenly speaking up. "I already checked."

Josie didn't know if she should be delighted at the presence of Ray Hall before her instead of a cop. But that egotistical smirking expression he had on his face pretty much continues to annoy the crap out of her.

"How'd you know I was up here?" Josie took a protective stance.

"I was just about to leave the block when I saw you running up here." He beckoned. "I thought you needed the heads up. Didn't want you to waste your time." The girl rolled her eyes at the dubious sound of his concern.

"Where's the rest of your buddies?" Ray asked.

"We decided to split up. Better odds of finding the flags."

"Who's idea was that? Lemme guess...Natalie." He snickered. "And you agreed to that?"

"Teaming up is important in games like this."

"Like how Dodge and Natalie are teaming up?" Josie tried to show no reaction to his observation. "What makes you think that they are?" She interrogates nonchalantly.

"Well, it's either that or they're hooking up. At first, I thought it was you and him but after Graybills'..." Ray examines her before covering a chuckle. "I didn't think so."

Josie didn't know why the gesture pissed her off. She didn't want to back down and directly thought of a reply. "Speaking of Graybill...what happened back there with you and Heather?" She grinned to herself seeing the faltering expression of the boy like a deer in the headlights. Josie was maybe close to passing out but it didn't give her the inability to hear Ray call her name Heather's name with such alarm and panic. It almost seemed like he cared.

"So what is it? Do you like her?" The girl went straight to the point. Asking the question she'd been dreading to ask either of them.

"Would you even believe me if I told you?"

"No." Josie stood there, arms folded, judging him. "But this isn't about me. It's about Heather. I don't know what kind of game you're trying to play on her but stop."

"What makes you think I'm messing with her?" The boy hissed, standing up straight defensively.

"She's still in the lead and is most likely to win." She trails. "And you're an asshole." Ray bit the inside of his cheek, resisting and almost holding himself back. "Heather doesn't need you in her life Ray, so leave her alone."

"First of all, don't tell me what to do." Her feet remained planted as Ray walked toward her, intimidatingly. "And second, don't make Heather's decisions for her, Josie. You don't know anything."

"And you do? You think you know her better than me?" She challenged. "You've never acknowledged her like a fucking human being until like what— a couple of weeks ago." Josie scoffs, remembering all those times Ray would pick on Heather. The rumors he'd spread and laugh alongside his group of friends. She snapped back at him. "I'm her best friend and I'm only trying to look out for her. Whatever that is and isn't going on between the two of you, someone is bound to get hurt and it would most likely be Heather."

"Let's say you do care about her." She scratched her head, thinking. "If you care about her, you wouldn't drag her down with you." The Slater girl warns him.

Josie's words seemed to chime in his mind like a bell even after the girl left sooner after her last statement. Ray knew he didn't deserve her. He was a lowlife, destined to be stuck at Carp, while she was meant to fly. Some beautiful's nice to look at. But there are some beautiful makes you feel like you're flying. And it hurts. Because for a second it makes you forget that it's leaving you behind. As he hated to admit, Josie was right. He would only drag Heather down. He's a Hall. He is deadweight. And it's bad news to a girl with wings.

————

1:58 a.m

Leaving the boy alone with his somber emotions, Josie paced through the streets of Carp. She surveyed the block before leaving the bell tower, marking that it was clear. No red and blue lights and sirens were sighted and she didn't see any other Panic players being put in the back of a cop car and being chased by one.

Her mind whirled back to her conversation with Ray about Heather. She would be lying if she said she didn't feel bad for Ray. His relationship with Heather was probably the closest human emotional feeling he had ever had. But Josie didn't care about him. She cared more about Heather and how she would end up getting hurt. Heather's been through so much and Josie just knew that Ray would end up affecting Heather's life so much more than Heather would like to admit. The same goes for Ray. She could see it in his eyes that he deeply feels something for Heather. Other than Panic, that was also another dangerous game in play. Love. It was a bitter and unpredictable thing. You've already lost once you get the taste of it. Like money, it can corrupt the strongest of minds and cloud one's judgment. Josie only feared for herself.

Stopping her steps, she observed the hanging worded letters by the cinema marquee. Looming closer to her disbelief. Josie smirked to herself seeing a tied black bandage just by the sign flapping in the wind. Sparing no time, she dashes to the marquee, claiming it before anyone else can find it. Josie dropped her backpack to the floor. Pulling herself up, she climbs to the wall, aiming to reach the right height of the marquee. The girl wanted to thank her best friends for being the sole reason why she learned how to climb fluidly.

"Yes." Josie cheered quietly as she untied and clutched the flag she had been running around finding. She plops back on the ground and hurriedly gets her phone out of her pocket. Sending a quick pick of the black bandanna to Diggins, she asserted victory after he replied Congratulations on her win and said that she was moving on to the next round.

————

Dodge was left in a foul mood. The impressions of other players already finding the remaining flags made him disgruntled. Dodge couldn't afford to throw away the game just because of this challenge. The thought of losing never crossed his mind and was never an option. Another sensation of trouble flooded his mind. It's been a few hours since the Slater girl and he had parted ways. He tried to shake that feeling of worry off his chest. He believed in her. He knew Josie wouldn't allow herself to get caught unless she decides to be. She might've already got one of the flags by now, he voiced. And that would've meant she won.

He had no problems losing against her. Dodge was confident in her just as he was confident in himself. Josie was probably the only person, aside from Dayna, that he would be happy to be defeated by. He just wished it was with different stakes. And that just leaves you and me. He didn't allow Josie's words to escape his mind. He had prepared himself for Panic and the standoff between him and Luke at Joust. But it never pondered Dodge's senses that he could go against Josie. Dodge underestimated Josie's same tone of competition that he admired so much that he didn't know what to do if he did. He'd envisioned a million scenarios in his head and nothing ends with either of them not getting hurt. Dodge was conflicted and as Cortez would continue to remind him, Don't forget who you're doing this for.

The tall boy dragged his feet running back to the town square park where they were gathered earlier after getting a message from Natalie telling him to meet her there. Dodge didn't want to but composed himself to do so when Natalie persisted and reminded him of their deal.

Spotting her at the nearby fountain, he eased himself and sauntered towards the girl who was busy reading off her phone to even notice him. Natalie beams her head up, hand in her chest startled by the sudden appearance of Dodge from the shadows.

"Jesus!" She silently yelled. "You scared me."

Unfazed, Dodge's expression remained apathetic. "Why'd you call me out here?"

"One of my sources says that one of the flags could be around here."

"Your sources?" He asked dubiously. Nat showed him the screen of her phone. "It's a text chain. One of them said they saw one of the flags planted there." Dodge looks upward in the direction of her finger. At the trees? He questioned.

"Check that one. See if you can find one." She ordered. Dodge turned to his wrist checking the time. It was 3:09 a.m. He laments at himself. It was only a few hours until sunrise and he still found nothing.

"You called me up here to climb a tree?" Dodge snarked.

"We made a deal, remember?" Nat asserts. "You help me and I'll help you."

The boy smirked as he slightly scoffs. Walking close to the tallest tree near the post, lightly jumping as he extends his arms, effortlessly pulling himself up and climbing the branches of the hardwood.

"Very, uh, convincing," Dodge sarcastically remarks. The Mason boy wasn't blind and he could see how she was just blatantly using him. Maybe he was using her too. He knew things about the game and so did she. "Where'd you learn how to lie?"

"You see, it isn't a lie unless you believe the story you tell. But you already know that don't you?" Natalie articulates, watching the tall boy pause his search for a moment.  "I bet Josie knows it too." She foretold.

"What are you trying to say?"

"You've been out of your head since the derby, Dodge."

"And you think that Josie has something to do with it?" Dodge lied. He knew that Josie did have something to do with it. Dodge didn't think anyone else would notice how he's been acting. He and his thoughts alone are the only ones who know Josie's true effect on him and he wasn't planning on anyone else to unmask him on it.

Dodge continued to survey the branches of the tree, seemingly looking unfazed by Natalie's conception.

"It's Panic, Dodge. It's a game." Natalie prompted him.

He was done with the conversation and its sudden twist into an intervention. Fuck, she sounded like Cortez right now. Their constant reminder of his reality and the sense of urgency to focus on Panic. Ascending back down, he jumps down the earthy pavement and turns to Natalie.

"So what're you saying, Nat? That she's playing me?" He didn't mean to sound defensive. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he gave it another thought. Dodge seemed like the type of person you wouldn't like to mess with, Natalie observed. If she was, then Josie was playing a risky game. Now the predator had become the prey.

Nat shrugged her shoulders. "Josie knows what she's doing." Dodge's mouth set in a hard line. "Just don't let your guard down."

He blinked. Apparently, that's all he could do at the moment being.

"Seen anything up there?" Nat snaps him back to reality. Dodge stared at her back, masking his running judgment.

"Nope." He lies. "Nothing."

Just before any other words could be exchanged, Dodge leaves, vanishing into the streets with a blue scarf held tightly in his grasp not giving it a chance to disappear on him. Dodge lied to Natalie. It wasn't the first time he did so. Upon his uprise, he spotted the blue flag sorrowly hidden amongst the common leaves, the wind flapping against it. He didn't understand how others couldn't have seen it, but he did. And then he just took it, hiding it in his fist without Natalie noticing. Maybe he was in a bitter mood but he didn't want to give it to her. He had no intention of letting anyone else win.

Grabbing his phone out of his jeans pocket, he took a pic of the blue flag and sent it to Diggins. Dodge sighed, breathing in the smell of the impending peak of dawn as the dark dusk slowly surges into a nice shade of navy blue. He liked this kind of weather. God, he needed to get some sleep. His exhaustion drove him distracted as he soullessly strolled towards the pavement.

Just before Dodge could've reacted to the loud siren resonating in the silent neighborhood, a hand caught hold of his shirt, yanking him into a corner to hide him. He winced slightly as the boy's body swung, slamming his back against the brick wall. Ready to call out the person, his mind went blank as his eyes bore into Josie Slater standing in front of him. His gaze remained on her he didn't even notice the cop car steering away from their view.

Escaping her alerted sight of the police, she shifted her eyes to Dodge who was staring at her with a bewildered expression.

"Hiya, cowboy." Josie grinned. How the tables have turned. "Y'know if we continue to run into each other, I'll think that it means something."

She admits that she felt disappointed when the boy didn't answer back with a witty reply and continued to look stunned as the color drained out from his face. Josie tried to talk to him once more.

"I thought you could've been caught just like the others..." Josie knew he would be the least likely to get busted by the cops but she just needed to spark up a conversation with him. "...But obviously you're here, so I guess not." She mumbled the last sentence.

"You found the flags already?" The dark-haired girl raised the question. Dodge didn't know why he hesitated for a second before raising the dark blue scarf. "How about you?" He asked. Dodge couldn't help but feel a sense of pride when he saw her raising the black bandanna in front of him.

"Dodge, you look tired." She comments, seeing the small bags under his eyes.

"It's been a long night."

"A rough one?" Josie raised her brow. The corners of Dodge's lips quirked up. "You could say that."

Just don't let your guard down. It was an ironic and gentle reminder of his reality. After his conversation with Natalie, all he wanted to do was go home and go to bed. He felt it hard to meet the gaze of the girl. Dodge knew better than to underestimate her. So it maybe wouldn't come as a surprise that she was just messing with his head all along. Getting to know the new kid to figure out ways how to fuck with his head. If that was her plan all along, it was working. For the time being, at least, until he figures out what to do with the beating feeling on his chest. Josie was a wild card. He seemed to fall deeper into the rabbit hole. Falling deeper and deeper into the game than he had imagined. Everything about them had turned into something he hadn't anticipated, which is perhaps what made it dangerous.

He shoves his fingers into his pockets due to the awkwardness that he was feeling. "So what now?" He breaks his silence. "Should we head home?"

The girl hums while nodding at his suggestion. "We could do that." She tilts her head mischievously. "Or..."

"Jo..." He says exhaustingly. "Josie!" He says alarmingly. Dodge tried not to raise his voice any louder as he continued to call out to the girl who was casually walking in the other direction of the avenue. The Mason boy didn't understand why he followed after her like a dog. He didn't question her action either. They'd made it this far, and he was wary that they'd been seen by a cop.

Dodge hastily rushes after Josie who suddenly ceased her steps in front of a building he passed by countless times. It was the Carp Public Library that Josie decided to pay a visit. Dodge's eye widened as he saw Josie heading over to the main door while fidgeting with something in her bag's pocket.

"W-wait a second. Stop, stop, stop." Josie turns back around, her forehead wrinkled after hearing the stammer in the boy's voice. "What are you doing?" He questions, standing further down the stairs away from the girl. Is she gonna break inside?

"You're not breaking in inside a library." He tells her.

"Of course not." Dodge didn't know if he should feel concerned by the way she spoke. "I'm just looking for the key." She searches inside her bag once again.

"You stole their key?"

"Dodge, you have got to calm down."

Dodge stood there dumbfounded as he watched the girl jiggle a small metal key into the keyhole of the large wooden door. Once the door opened, the Slater girl slowly turned back to the boy. A grin crept up Josie's face, waving over the boy, daring him to come inside as she held the door open. "Y'know you're just gonna feel guilty if you decided to ditch me." That made him chuckle.

It was one of those looks that Dodge was already familiar with. She looked at Dodge with those eyes that made him debate his every action. Was she a bad influence? Definitely. Would he regret this? Dodge decided to take the risk as he made his way up the small stairs and through the wooden entrance, playfully rolling his eyes at the girl looking self-satisfied.

Josie never saw anything like it. No matter how many times she had worked there, the public library still gave her a warm homey feeling. Maybe because it reminded her of her childhood. Her dad was a big book fanatic and would bring in borrowed books or buy some from garage sales for them to read. Most of the books she kept were his, inheriting them after his death.

"It's nice, huh?" She smiles almost proudly at the glimpse of Dodge's speechless utterance.  

"I've been taking Monday and weekend shifts because of Panic, so I haven't really been around here as much." His eyes followed her as she moved towards a tray of unkept books and brought them over to a near-empty shelf. "I think my boss is getting suspicious of my terrible excuses. I promised her I'd get this done."

"I didn't know you worked here." Dodge bowed his head.

"You didn't ask."

The boy watched as she stacked books after books on shelves. Josie seemed to be in a daze as she reads a bit of the title and its synopsis in the back, and then placed them neatly by category on the wooden edge. She had seen the Mason boy work continuously at Dot's diner, so it's his turn to see her in her element. And it was soothing, to say the least. He was skimming around a section after Josie told him to feel free to look around, but his gaze can't help but travel in her direction. His attention to her was evident as he abruptly moved his feet in her aid upon seeing her short legs not being able to reach the top shelf.

"I got it!"

Dodge felt like an idiot, coolly retreating and scratching the back of his head as the girl grabbed and stool on a stool instead. Josie mentally chuckled at his sullen steps back to his previous place where he grew curious about the records held by the town history section.

Dodge had no interest in learning more about a town he finds uneventful. Half of his minutes spent in front of the heavy metal cabinets filled with newspaper articles about every single superficial thing that happened inside Carp made him nothing but ache in the comfort of his bed. Water shortage, missing cat, the town celebrates the Fourth of July. Dodge exasperates. Heather was right. Nothing ever-interesting ever happens in Carp. Most Carp Daily Register headlines read the same mundane thing, except for the ones that stood out to him.

The boy read some lines from the articles about their mysterious causes of death and took note of them. It was the names of the previous kids who died at Panic. The oldest written record of the death has probably dated back to the early 2000s.

Dodge moved his fingers from each page and finally found what he was looking for. Teens: Jimmy Cortez & Abigail Clark die in tragic summer suicide. He read.

"It was really bad," Josie spoke up from behind him. "The cops were swarming all over town. A sergeant once came knocking on our doorstep in the middle of the night asking about Jimmy. I didn't know until Natalie called me and said he died playing roulette."

"So they just ruled it out as a suicide?"

"His luck probably ran out after Abby died," She recalled the rumors. "People said that they weren't acting like themselves, maybe lovers quarrel or something. Then Abby killed herself and it really messed Jimmy up. Probably what drove him to put a bullet in his head."

"Panic can bring out the worst in us."

"Hopefully, not to us," whispered Dodge.

The boy rests his body on the table, hands extended on the hardwood as he breathes it all in. Their deaths weren't a surprise to him. He knew about it before entering the game but hearing all these stories just spurs his head and itches for the truth.

"If I tell you something, promise me you won't tell anyone. Not even Natalie." Dodge peers his head forward, watching the girl rummage something in her backpacK and hand him a few pieces of paper.

"I found these at Spurlock's basement." Dodge examines. "These are betting slips for Panic. Our names are in there and I also found Jimmy and Abby's names." He continued to study each slip, his name constantly appearing on top with the most odds written next to it and Josie's name following after his.

Josie had the slips in her possession for a while, not knowing what to do with them. She didn't know what it meant. But she knew it meant trouble and risk amongst the players. Josie couldn't find herself to trust to tell anyone, not even Heather and most especially Natalie. Upon seeing the police earlier, she had this aching feeling in her stomach that there is something more to Panic than being just a game they play to get rid of boredom. Because of Dodge's sudden curiosity about the deaths of the previous players, she felt that she could tell him of her discovery.

"By the looks of it, a lot of people were betting on either one of them to win." Josie points out.

"But Abby and Jimmy were dating, and she wouldn't want to go against him." Dodge theorizes.

"Jimmy was dead straight on winning. But even if he wins, they would probably share the prize money. Everybody knew the two would stick together." Josie folded her arms to her chest as she goes on to wonder.

She remembered walking down the halls of the high school or anywhere around town and she would see the happy couple all over each other. She once talked to both of them, they were nice. That's why the announcement of their deaths came as a shock to her. Josie was also saddened by the cover-up just to protect the game. After that, rumors and whispers spread like wildfire. Those hasty rumors surrounding them never sat right with her, but who was she to know?

"Why would Abby kill herself?"

"Blackmail, maybe?" She raised her shoulders at the notion. It can be possible. Nothing seemed to be off the table now. "She was leading and this Doc Magic guy was apparently losing a lot of money." Dodge's eyes followed hers as she read the slips that were named under Doc Magic. His slips mostly consisted of Jimmy's name being atop. Something chilled inside him as he read the mystery guy's slips listing his name too.

"Why are you playing Panic?" Dodge broke his attention, listening to Josie's sudden question.

It has been a question that she kept replaying in her mind for quite some time. It always started with her uttering those words. Sometimes she'd rephrase it to make it less awkward and maybe a bit easier for him to answer. And each time Dodge would answer it as vaguely as he can and sometimes less realistically than the others. She had once rose the question to him, but she must've underestimated his ability to redirect questions he didn't like to answer. She was starting to think maybe he didn't have a reason or just wanted her to shut up.

"I can use the money."

"You don't look like a guy who likes to shower himself with money."

"It's not that bad of an idea."

She lightly sneers at the cheeky smirking face of Dodge Mason.

"Do you think if we weren't playing Panic, we would've met?" Dodge questioned.

"What do you mean?"

"If neither of us moved here, do you think we would've met? At another time? Another place?" Dodge imagined it in his head. Maybe it was luck that they crossed paths at all.

His question left her bewildered as she imagined the scenario. "I never really thought about that."

"The first time we've met, I thought you didn't like me." Josie brushed it off with a light chuckle.

"You were always giving me that look every time you see me at the halls or something."

She remembered the stares Dodge would give her whenever they'd cross paths. A brief glance and he'd have a weird expression that Josie can't deduce. He didn't appear nervous at all during their last year. He always looked like he was so ready to get out of class, Josie observed.

"You didn't even look like you wanted to talk to me."

"It's my fault." Dodge sounded sorry.

"I thought you hated me."

"I would never hate you." Josie wasn't gonna lie when she'd say that it felt good to hear him say that.

A memory flashed through his head of one of his first days at the high school, still fresh from his move to Carp. Their things went flying down when he bumped into her in one of those quiet hallways. His mind was off its course. Getting lost in the labyrinth of the campus, his arms & feet losing their balance, and being rendered speechless by the sight of her. Dodge remembered her introducing herself, and him being stunned and not being able to formulate the right words that sounded like his name, she must've thought he had a dreadful voice. He didn't like to think that their meeting would've been up to chance. Just a mere change of action, if he never got lost, if she moved a second earlier and didn't collide with him, if he didn't talk to her when she walked up into Dot's diner, if neither of them bothered to move to Carp and join Panic, they probably wouldn't be talking to each other right now.  

"I guess...I was scared of you."

She laughed at the idea of Dodge Mason being scared of her. For as long as she knew him, Dodge wasn't scared of anything other than himself. Even with that, she knew Dodge would probably manage to shake off that fear. What did he even mean by that? Which part of her scared him? Did she intimidate Dodge? Probably not.

"Why are you scared of me?"

"Because I like you," Dodge confessed.

Josie held her breath, not expecting the answer. The answer that was said so casually like air being breathed. The seconds the boy uttered those words felt like infinity as it made her chest clench with a warm and slow palpitation. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to do. Her eyes avoided his, face flushed, cowering its direction elsewhere instead of him who was gazing right at her soul.

"Funny."

"I wasn't trying to be funny." He looked at her seriously.

"You can't just say those things, Dodge."

"What? That I like you?"

"No, you don't." She didn't buy it. He was messing with her.

"I do."

"Stop it." She punched his shoulder. That tiny punch bore no damage on Dodge's arm, but he still let out a slight Ow. "Shut up." It almost sounded like a warning coming from her lips.

"Is it so hard to believe?"

"I do like you, Josie Slater."

Fearless (10/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Josie was always cautious. She had taught herself from experience to never put her reliance on others again. She blamed her innate distrust and built defenses on affection on past misery. She'd been fooled, played, and lied to. And Josie wasn't gonna go through that again. 

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Mention of Abandonment

Word Count: 6k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || IX. OUTSIDERS || XI. CAUTION

X. TRUST

Josie blamed her innate distrust and built defenses on affection on past misery. Dodge's words continued to curse her like headaches in her brain for days. Josie was familiar with those pretty words. She was told that she was liked, that she was loved, and that they cared about her, but in the end, she was only left disappointed. She'd been fooled. She was played. She was lied to. And it hurt. Josie wasn't gonna go through that again.

"Easy on the plate," Nick told her.

Josie apologizes for the noticeable scrapping sound of the glass as she tried to gently cut her piece of meat. Taking a deep breath, she ate. The older Slater eyed her, watching his little sister being rough on inanimate objects. She was rough on the furniture too. He'd seen her almost belligerently arrange the pillows on their couch and clean up the living room. It must've meant she got something on her mind and was procrastinating on thinking about it. If she wasn't trying to move from one place to another she'd become muddled with thoughts. It must've meant she got something on her mind and was putting off thinking about it.

"So..." He changes the subject. "Midsummer's coming up soon. You excited?" He tried to cheer up her plain-faced response. "C'mon, you like dances."

"First of all, I don't like dances, you do. Second, it is not a dance, it's a rich people's party. And in case you've forgotten, we're poor."

"Yep. That's the spirit," Nick said sarcastically.

"Why do we even have to go this thing every year?" Josie complained. "We're not rich and the party's just a waste of money. It's just stupid."

"Are you upset that you have to go or that you couldn't find a date?"

Bishop would most likely ask Heather to be his date, and Nat would most likely have dates lined up already. A date wasn't absolutely necessary, but it wasn't a horrible idea either. Josie wouldn't fit in the scene.

The event was generally attended by the town's privileged and middle-class dwellers. They were one of the town's sob stories, with the older brother left alone to raise his little sister, especially since Nick managed to raise her rather well. They were a symbol of pity, and the party invitation was only another example. It's yet another mediocrity celebration in this town, but Josie wouldn't dispute that it was amusing. Her brother wasn't reluctant in expressing his enthusiasm to help Josie fit in. She didn't want to let him down, and her friends would be there, so she agreed to go.

"You can ask that Dodge boy to take you." Nick grinned as he took a bite.

"I swear, I am this close to throwing this plate over your head." He tried to hide a laugh at the forming red on Josie's grip on her fork.

"You're doing that thing again."

"What thing?"

"The thing where you act like a bitch 'cause you like someone." She scoffs, looking offended.

Josie slammed her cutlery at the table before standing upright and walking over to the dishwasher. Nick was amused by her typical teen girl crush defensive attitude. Josie wasn't the sort to fall for every guy she met, but when she did, it was clear. When she saw his teasing, she'd become forceful in covering her flushed cheeks. She was always so protective of the contents of her heart.

Nick knew that someone was filling her mind. He had an idea in mind but it was a long shot for her to answer.

"Is it Dodge?"

"God, you never shut up do you?" There was that defense again.

Nick remembered a similar reaction from their conversation regarding their mother's absence. Josie and her mother were very close. Sometimes, her mom would reply to her texts and calls. When the time came when the woman stopped responding to her, Josie still preserved the sliver of hope. But that feeling always ends up getting crushed.

"Not everyone's gonna hurt you, Josie."

"—Probably. But they still do." The dark-haired girl tried to formulate a smile debating against her watery eyes and shaky voice. "People I start to care about just end up hurting me and I'd hate them for it. And I know that Dodge would hurt me a-and I don't want to hate him."

"Maybe you should try to give this another shot. It might surprise you." Nick hoped she would.

Josie was always cautious. Her shoulders securely kept her aloft while her feet remained stable on the ground. She never faltered. She never stopped going. She brushes aside any obstacles in her path, but when she falls, she falls hard. Only something troubling might cause her to lose her composure. She had taught herself from experience to never put her reliance on others again. It was a distraction, and she was always the one who blamed herself for them. Being distracted would only leave one plummeting into the deepest despair. And Josie had already fallen times before. But would she take the chance again?

Maybe.

————

READY TO GAMBLE YOUR FAITH?

Diggins texted her later in the night. Another challenge was about to commence.

There was that willingness to be preoccupied once again. Josie presumed that everyone else had received a message from Diggins, but it came to her as a surprise when Dodge Mason suddenly appeared on her doorstep.

It took at least a week for one of the pair to have the guts to cease their brief separation. Dodge looked like a hapless teenage boy standing in front of her door. Mouth agape but no words seemed to come out of it. The girl, who was usually full of humorous quips, was too stunned mute. However, she needed to know why he was there.

"I figured you needed a ride since your car's in the shop."

"I could just ask Heather for a ride."

"Yep." Dodge stuttered. There was that option. "Yes, you could've."

"So why even be here?"

Because I've been looking for an excuse to talk to you for days.

"It's getting late and if we show up to the challenge late, we'd have to forfeit." Dodge thought of an alibi.

He was right again. Josie couldn't decide whether she liked or despised his proclivity for being correct. Checking the time on her phone, they only have at least half an hour to spare to get to the venue. Josie failed to phone Heather or Natalie to arrange for her to be picked up for the game. She intuitively didn't bother to because for a couple of challenges, Dodge would normally pick her up. Perhaps she was expecting him. She didn't have to contact him or anything. He'd just be there for her.

She was left with no choice but to get into his car to drive them off to Panic. The entire car ride was voiceless except for the radio that thankfully filled in their silence. After pulling over and parking over by the side of an empty road, the pair began their voyage through the forest.

"You know walking faster isn't gonna make us any less lost," Josie shouts over the speedily walking figure of Dodge Mason.

"I am not lost," Dodge says so stubbornly.

She couldn't help but whine after strolling in circles through the woodlands for the past twenty minutes. It could either be anxiety about missing the challenge or aggravation of being around him. She tried to put some distance between herself and him, but the night was clearly not on her side.

"Is should be right here?" Dodge looks over at the maps on his phone.

"What here? There is no here, Dodge."

Dodge licks his lips, scratching his head as he gets closer to annoyance. He strides over to her, showing her the content on his phone. "Diggins said to meet them right here at Parkers Mount."

"So you just copy-pasted the word woods in your GPS?" Josie sassed making Dodge let out a loud huff of irritation.

"Just admit it, we're lost." She states. "No, we're not." He retaliates.

Checking at the maps for direction once more. "Alright. There should be a road there for about two kilometers that way." He points over in the straight direction in front of them.

"That's a tree."

"It's past the tree."

Stomping her feet towards the pathway, Dodge rushes behind Josie to pursue her. "I can't seem to shake the feeling that you're a little pissed."

"What gave it away?" She gave a tight-lipped reply. Dodge couldn't help but snicker at her sarcastic tone.

"We should find the road any minute now." He looks over the girl's troubled demeanor. He figured that he could cheer her up with that. On the bright side, they were gonna get out of that mess.

"Look we're gonna get to the challenge on time if that's the problem."

Josie stops abruptly before turning to him. "It's not about Panic. It is you. You are the problem."

Dodge came to a halt as he watched her exhaustingly speak the words that had been eating her up for days. The way her eyes also spoke to him with such hesitation and chaos, she inhaled sharply before continuing.

"You've made me walk through the woods in the middle of the night. I am cold and my feet are killing me. You know I hate hiking." She did, Dodge agreed. "We've been running in circles for the past twenty minutes and we're probably gonna be eaten by tigers or something. And all you can think of is Panic."

"And yet still. Despite that, I am still not mad at you. Well— maybe a little. What's pissing me off is that I can't seem to truly hate you and that's the problem. Shit. I think I'm losing my mind."

This isn't what he wanted. Watching the girl before him battling with her own emotions isn't what he wanted. He didn't have a compelling justification for telling her how he felt, other than the fact that he wanted her to know. He rethought everything after learning about Jimmy and Abby, and he realized he couldn't imagine his life without her. His existence would be incomplete without her in it. It was as if a little voice within his skull begged him to hug her and never let her go. Perhaps his confession was his poor attempt to be with her.

He was right. Dodge should've kept it to himself, then at least Josie wouldn't be so conflicted and torn. However, she wasn't. Josie knew the answer. Unlike Dodge, she was too fearful to admit it.

"I shouldn't have put you in the spot like that. It was my fault." Don't say that, she begged. "It's okay. You don't have to feel bad for me. You don't have to say anything or embrace it or even allow it. You already don't anyway."

"—I never said that, Dodge."

"I'm not asking you for anything, Jo. But I just need you to believe me. Believe me when I say that you are my favorite person in the world. You make me laugh. You make me smile. Hell, you make me want to talk." He bemoaned.

"Ever since I moved to Carp, I've been counting the days until I get out of here. But you're basically the only reason why I looked forward to walking around this shitty town because I know I'd get to see you. I hate it here but you make me want to stick around for the good parts. I know people have broken your trust before, and you don't have to trust me, but I need you to believe me. At least believe it in your heart and in your mind because I do..."

Josie Slater stood there, stunned and speechless, couldn't take her gaze away from the boy who'd just poured out his entire heart in front of her and was waiting for her to crush it with her bare hands. Dodge felt vulnerable. Maybe that was her power over him. Most of the time, Dodge felt like shit. But with Josie, he felt that he could breathe. He was at peace. She was his anchor. But Dodge was bad luck. She didn't need to be with him, he thought. He would tie her down when she was meant to soar. He'd sink her down alongside him like he often does with people he loves.

"Dodge, I— Ahh!”

Just before she could finish her sentence, a piece of cloth was wrapped around her eyes. Josie cursed internally at their interruption. Two figures emerged from out of nowhere holding ropes and bandages, aiming to subdue the two teens. Josie could guess that Dodge was seized too, hearing his groans and the sound of a struggling teen she could only assume was Diggins trying to hold him down. With both of their sights covered, the pair were led to a mysterious white van parked along the sidewalk of the road Dodge directed earlier.

Josie was on the verge of slipping out of her seat throughout the lengthy and oddly silent bumpy trip. She could feel the tremors of the person next to her and smell the musky aroma of the one on the other side. The car came to a halt again, and she heard a teenager's body being tossed to another seat. Josie didn't panic. Hopefully, the shivering person beside her knew it was just a game. The whole thing just seemed way over the top.

When the car finally stopped after minutes of driving, a hand grabbed Josie by her arm and led her to a lineup of other players. There they stood: Shawna Kenny, Drew Santiago, Dodge Mason, Josie Slater, Natalie Williams, Ray Hall, and Tyler Young.

"Welcome players to the seventh challenge," Diggins spoke.

"It's true that what you don't know can never hurt you. And what you do know must come at a cost. One man's bluff challenges you to face three fears at once: fear of darkness, fear of falling, and the fear of the unknown."

Her spine tingled when she heard the sound of a moving train. But she was not convinced. Summer most likely brought a speaker in an attempt to send them panicking. Josie was well aware that the railway station was at least an hour's drive from Carp. The van ride took no more than fifteen minutes. God bless Drew's innocent heart as his voice spoke with a tremble, questioning the train noise.

Winners of the challenge would move on to the individuals. Diggins explained that they would cross the tracks bridging to the other side and make it back to the van. We could choose to walk blind or we could ask for a hand and they'd get to ask you a question.

"What kind of questions?" She recognized Natalie's voice.

"Quid pro quo," Diggins says. "We help you and you help us."

Despite knowing these people her entire life, she did not trust them. There's always more to it than meets the eye. Josie was already thinking about how Ray and, especially, Tyler would respond to questions about her if they were questioned. She could already pinpoint who would cave or not and be eliminated. There's probably only one person there she could trust. Josie felt guilty as her mind debated on whether to trust Natalie. If anyone were to do anything to move up into the game, it would be her. But, for Panic's sake, wouldn't she do the same? Josie was torn between her ambition to win and her moral conscience.

Sensing her silent anxiety, Josie pulled her hand away as she felt Dodge's fingers brushing against hers. A bashful attempt of comfort that didn't go unnoticed by the two emcees who only smirked at the scene.

"Shawna Kenny, you're up first."

————

Dodge Mason was calm.

He has always been since the very first day he set foot in Carp, Texas. He maintained his composure in the face of fear. Preferring to stare it right it down with a tight smirk on his face. Nothing was gonna get through him. He reminded himself that.

His position was steadily still as Summer left him standing alertly on train tracks when his turn came up. He was blinded, seeing nothing but darkness. Left with nothing but his senses and intuition to guide him from falling. He could hear the sound of the train and the small waves of the sea. Dodge took small careful notches forward. His foot trying to find a sure hardwood it could land on.

"So do you like living life on the edge?" Diggins badgered.

"Ahhh! That is a very good one." Dodge mocked.

He rolled his eyes under the blindfold as the boy advised him to watch his step. Were they this annoying with the other players or were they just planning to get a reaction off him?

Taking another simple but cautious footing, Dodge remained unfazed, not reacting to any clever wisecracks Diggins was throwing at him. Truth be told, he wasn't buying it. The van, the blindfolds, their entire setup. Dodge believed that they were all probably standing very nice and safe on about a scrape knee distance away from the vehicle.

The whole thing was a test. Frightening them to get one to pour out each others' secrets. He knew better than to put his trust in these people. Trusting people meant letting them in. Putting your entire conscience into their hands and them having the power to do whatever with your trust. It was a blind game and it is your choice to take the leap. Was he ready to do so? Yes, he is. He knew what he was getting into when he told her what he felt. The vulnerability it cost. Dodge didn't trust anyone in Carp except Josie. He'd risk it all.

"Careful Dodge."

The further he tried to stride, the more fearful the two hosts' faces expressed. The hardboard wasn't as steady as Dodge was. One wrong step and shift of wave could easily send one plummeting down below. Every creaking sound from the board heard as the Mason boy took a step felt like a step closer to falling.

"Argh!" The other teenage boy reacted, a fist in his mouth.

Diggins and Summer's whole body flinches as Dodge took a large step moving forward, beating the gap between rails that could've made him lose his balance.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like any help?" Diggins voiced alert.

He was now positioned at the center of the bridge, right above the brimming waves of the seashore and yet the boy remained stubborn. "I already told you. I'm fine."

He didn't panic. Both feet planted firmly on the tracks, Dodge reached for his pocket and dragged out coins he prepared just in case. I should've told Jo about this, he regretted.

"You see if you cut a deal with the judges—"

His body paused, shoulders falling as he listened well to the last coin dropping not on wood but on the water rippling just down below him. The echo of crashing waves against rocks became more evident to him. Fuck.

"Then you're already in trouble."

The boy turns around to the burning gazes of the other teens, watching in anticipation and anxiety on his next move. This is fucking stupid, he argued. Diggins's hand in his heart as Dodge pretended to tip over. Pretending to lose his balance had both hosts halt in panic at the sight of his act. Good. Dodge flipped it, each coin landing well on the wood felt like reassurance as it guided his direction towards them.

Tap, tap, tap. After a couple more coin tosses, Dodge was back safely on the dirted ground. They didn't know whether to feel impressed or terrified at Dodge's defiance and boldness.

————

Josie already felt her feet slipping.

Just mere steps away from where Summer last placed her, she felt like an idiot as she trotted like she was on a tightrope. Her arms advanced forward and her shoes grinding on any hardwood surface they could find. She remembered the challenge on the granary. Despite being so far up, she maintained her guard and balance. Fortunately in that chapter, she had her vision to assist her. Now, she was walking blind.

"Watch your step," Diggins warned her just before her foot landed. She didn't know if that was a genuine warning or a quip. Her blind walking was making her all feel angry and Diggins wasn't helping.

"Shut up," Josie's deep voice had sent a mental glare to Diggins's face.

Her breathing went rapid. She swallows, reminding herself that this was a test. Fear was a great contributor to an interrogation. And it was working on her.

She was terrified of the unknown. Things you never saw coming.  Things you didn't expect to happen.  Things you can't explain. Things that could catch you off guard. It's scary. She hated the expectedness of Carp, but it gave her reassurance. Familiar things won't hurt you. Sudden things led to an unpredictable path. Perhaps that's why she just left after Dodge's confession.

Her body weight shifted, swaying to the side as she let her guard down. Almost falling off the rails. Diggins asked her if she needed help, sounding genuinely worried for her. The girl wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her stubbornness that had Diggins scratching his head.

The creaking train tracks echoed continuously as Josie took one step over the other. Not caring much about balance now, she speedily moves forward making her nearly tip over.

"Fucking hell, Josie! Just ask for help!" Diggins shouted.

"Fine!" That word sounded like a surrender.

At her compliance to ask for help, they would get to ask her at least five questions but she only have one chance to do it before the timer ends. If she took any longer than twenty minutes, Josie would be automatically out. Diggins and Summer stood side by side. Peering out their phones, Summer hits the video record, and Diggins starts the timer. Both watched the standing dark-haired girl awaiting their questions.

"Anything you have to say about your fellow players?" He starts."Screw you?" Josie quipped.

"You've known these people your whole life. Know any secret of theirs you like to share with us?"

"Tyler's a two-faced dick who would rat out Ray in a heartbeat. He likes to pretend he's being a loyal friend but honestly, he just wants to make sure that Ray would never find out 'cause he would kill him.”

Diggins approached with interest. "What do you mean?"

Josie took a deep breath, before. "Ray doesn't know but Tyler used to sell drugs to his mom."

The haunting news broke out during those regular weekends that Ray's mother died. She heard from her brother that it was because of a drug overdose and that Ray's father found her passed out on the cemented ground with foam coming out of her mouth. When they were dating, Tyler used to openly tell the submissive Josie the people he sold to and blatantly mentioned Ray's mom, as Josie recounted. It didn't take a second for Josie to put two and two together. Especially after seeing Tyler's panicked reaction to the tragic news.

"How about Heather? Or Natalie?"

"Ray's in love with Heather," Josie spoke out. It was more of Ray's secret than Heather's. If anyone knew that Ray Hall had a heart, that susceptibility would be used against him. "I don't know when the two of them even began, but he cares for her. I saw the look in his eyes when I told him that he would only hurt her. It looked like it crushed him."

"Natalie's been teaming up with Dodge. He's been helping her from the get-go. Dodge told me that she offered to split the money with him if either of them wins." She snickered. "Hopefully, Dodge gets a bigger cut since he mostly seems to be doing all the work."

"How nice of Dodge to tell you," Diggins spoke in a tone that Josie didn't understand.  "Josie Slater, you and Dodge Mason seemed to be awfully close." He stated.

"Is that your question?"

"An observation." She offered a tight-lipped attitude at their shift of topic.

"Do you know any secrets of his that could be any help to us?"

"I don't know any secret of his. He doesn't talk much." Josie lied. Diggins asking her about Dodge was a bit of a surprise but she should've seen it coming. Dodge and Josie had grown closer during the summer days and anyone with eyes would've agreed. Dodge and Josie exchanged little details about each other, getting to know one another quite well even when the other didn't notice. Josie did know his secrets or at least some of them. She believed that Dayna could've counted as a secret, but she wasn't gonna rat her out to them.

"How about his fears?"

"That's a stupid question."

"Must be afraid of something."

"He spends most of his time saddling on a fucking bull that tramples him off for fun," Josie responded, tilting her head to make a point. "Still think he's afraid of something?"

"Look, if you want to know Dodge's secrets, you're talking to the wrong person. Like he would even tell me anything." She mutters.

"You sounded heartbroken for a second there, Josie. Is there anything you'd like to tell us?" Diggins kept his voice composed but also felt intrigued.

Shit. She slipped for a moment there.

"I thought this wasn't about me."

"Do you have feelings for Dodge?" Her breath hitched. The question caught her off guard just like the words he said some nights ago.

"The judges need an answer, Josie."

"You can tell the judges to fuck off, Diggins." Josie Slater, a ray of sunshine, Diggins said internally.

"Clock's ticking." Summer reminded.

"We'll ask again." The boy repeated. "Are you in love with Dodge Mason?"

She tried to find the answer in her mind. "I don't know," Josie whispered.

"Answers should be a yes or a no."

"I don't know, OK. It's not that simple. Dodge is probably the most confusing person I've ever met. He can either be silent and thinking or loud and sudden. Every time I'm with him, I never seem to know what to do, what to think, or what to say. It's insane because Dodge always seems to know what to do. I'm hopelessly lost and he's endlessly certain."

"I used to think I was cursed. In a stroke of bad luck, people close to me would get affected. Maybe I used to say that just so I could sleep at night or just a poor effort to try to comfort myself, but I knew the truth. People don't leave because of some fucking messed-up reason, they left because of me. I used to think that bad things simply happen to me, but they didn't. I was the bad thing. I'm the problem."

"You still owe us an answer," Diggins said.

"Isn't it obvious?" Josie said defeatedly. "If I were to admit it, it would've meant that it is true. And if it were true, then I would've already lost him. And I don't want to."

On the night of the Graybill challenge, when she told Dodge that he was nothing to her, Josie lied. Oh boy did she lie. He was never nothing. Dodge was something. More than something for her. For Josie, he was everything. And nothing terrified her even more. For him to look at her and see nothing but broken pieces needed to be fixed. Perhaps she was doing both of them a favor. She's saving both of them a heartbreak. If he wouldn't break her heart, she knew damn well that she would break his.

————

The Mason boy released a breath of relief seeing the Slater girl seated safely inside the white van. Feeling a set of eyes on her, Josie and Dodge locked eyes. Seeing the sorrowful look in her eyes, Dodge had to fight the impulse to go run beside her and ask her what was wrong. Despite being seated apart, Dodge had the urge to take Josie's hand, but Josie was hugging herself tightly.

The whole ride back to town was silent. All kids, except Dodge, looked so lost and defeated. Them not knowing that they basically sold their souls to the devil. Josie overheard some players being eliminated but still managed to give the judges information they needed against the players. Josie passed but the feeling of victory left out a bitter taste. None of them got hurt. They were all safely sitting in the car on their way back home, but they all had to pay a small price.

As the ignition stopped and the van came to a halt, all remaining teenagers exited the vehicle after being dropped off at the center of town. It was midnight and most of the stores were closed by now. The second they got off the van, the players went their separate ways and went home. Everyone, except Josie, whose gaze remained planted on Dodge who was about to find his way back home too.

"Hey..." Dodge turned his direction to her as she called out to him. "Can we talk?" Please say yes, Josie pleaded.

"Sure," Dodge said.

The tall boy followed the girl who led him through an alleyway, a little farther from their dropoff site. Josie's hands fidget at her sides as she felt the boy's presence follow hers.

At their quiet little corner near Dot's diner, they felt safe. Ironically, in spite of darkness and the endless unknown possibilities before them, they felt safe. Not by their surroundings but by each other. Gathering up all her courage to meet his eyes, she spoke.

"About what you said..."

"You don't have to say anything, Josie." He shook his head apologetically. "No, I'm gonna."

"Were you telling the truth?" She crossed her arms defensively. "Why would I lie to you?" He said.

"For the sake of Panic."

"You really think I would do that to you?"

"Anything's possible." She shrugged as she loomed closer. Josie held her breath. She wanted to be certain. Perhaps this was her warning to him. His last chance to run away from her now is if he knew what was good for him. "And you don't know, maybe I'm fooling you too. Have you ever thought about that? Just how sure are you with me, Dodge Mason?"

"Sure enough to know that this you trying to push me away. The same thing you tried to do during that night at Graybill's." He inched towards the girl causing her to move backward. "You're pushing me away, Josie. You're trying to run away, but guess what, I'm not leaving you. I promise I'll stay, remember?" She did remember.

"You're right. I am not sure whether you're fooling me, but I don't care."

"Go on." He dared. "Fuck with my head. Say that you've been using me. That this was all a lie. Say that this is all for the sake of winning the game. But I want you to look at me dead in the eyes and tell me the truth that everything that happened between us didn't matter."

"Let me be clear..." She sauntered.

"I'm high maintenance. I tend to get clingy and needy, but there are times when I just like my own space. I would want to talk to you constantly, make you laugh at my cheesy jokes, and stop you from doing something stupid. But I'm not gonna save you. I may try. I care a lot and it's kind of a problem, but whatever issues you got going on there, I'm not gonna be the one to fix you just like I don't expect you to be the one to fix me. Remember that I'm just another fucked up girl that's also looking for her own peace of mind."

His wandering mind was too loud. Biting the inside of his cheek like he was holding himself back. Dodge never planned on fixing her. She wasn't broken. She was Josie. For every part that he'd seen, that never changed. She was like a struck of lightning. It is unexpected and might take you off guard. Most people would be terrified by lightning, but Dodge is not one of them. It can choose to terrify him but he won't budge. The pulsing burst of light that made him feel alive and convinced him that he wasn't alone in the world. Lightning is both dangerous and beautiful. Dodge was captivated by her, and she had the power to destroy him at any time.

"You try to push me out, but I just find my way back in," Dodge said.

That piercing look of Josie's that Dodge had never met before sent a sliver of fear in his veins. He had seen the different expressions of the Slater girl but never this one. That antagonizing look that made him want to beg on his knees to apologize to her, saying that he didn't mean anything he said even though he did. With a fist forming on her hand and the glare she sent him, Josie looked like she wanted to punch Dodge. Then she did something that surprised him more. She kissed him.

She was kissing him, Dodge realized.

Josie tugged him closer to her. Her hands cupped Dodge's cheeks like she was holding the entire world and not wanting it to disappear for even a second. Dodge was shocked, to say the least. Every fiber of his body vibrated with intensity as her lips gently pressed against his.

What has brought them together? Loss? Misery? Two poor souls and their ill-fated meeting has brought them to discover something bigger inside themselves. They would begin to know the force of devastation it costs when falling for a person. It was a blind gamble, expecting a light outcome at times like these. But she was worth it.

Taking his caressing hands off her waist, he slowly reached up and pressed his hand against her cheek. He could feel her chest rose as he took the lead. Gotten surprised at the beginning, she relaxed, immediately sinking into his arms as Dodge moved his lips talentedly on hers. Dodge kissed her. Really kissed her and he did so with his entire body. She completely faded onto him. The intensity and tenderness of his lips when he took her made her melt. If he had to fit an entire lifetime into this kiss, he would. It had to be perfect. Or if not perfect, then at least be damn good.

An inner voice in his head told him to kiss her. Kiss her for as long as you can. Kiss her for as long as she wants. Kiss her until they get out of that alleyway and move on with their lives. Kiss her as long as she will allow it. And it was true. All Josie needed to do was ask. He was hers. And he'd continue to be hers for as long as she wants. He'd be hers indefinitely.

Letting out exasperated breaths after pulling away, the pairs' foreheads connected, and their eyes remained closed as they continued to savor it. That lingering feeling of longing shimmered so strongly even just after mere seconds.

"What was that?" Dodge teases.

"My answer."

"I didn't get it."

"You want me to tell you again?" Smirking as she leaned into his ear, whispering. "I really like you, Andrew Dodge Mason."

"You're making me crazy about you, Josie Slater."

Her laugh made him want to bottle it up. As their foreheads leaned towards each other, Josie didn't even need to open her eyes to feel the bright smile formulating on Dodge's face, and the same goes with Dodge. This must be the happiest they have ever been. Neither of them wanted to pull away from their respective touch. Her hands were soft against his chest while his were selfishly encircled his arms on her waist, not wanting to let her go. Both teenagers can't seem to hide away their joy, with large grins peering along with their faces as they blushed at what just happened.

It would be a long road, Josie knew that. This was something more than they can fathom to explain, and she wanted it to be right. He was the first to fall, but she would fall even harder. Josie was a millstone. She will, nevertheless, make every effort not to saddle him with her problems. The happiness shimmering in Dodge's blue eyes made her want to try. And she will. She'll try her best. She'll do everything she can to make it work. And if it does, maybe they can.

Fearless (11/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Relationships are pushed to the test as secrets and mysteries began to unravel themselves. As Josie and Dodge draw closer to each other, they also come closer to the truth.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Mention of Disability, Implications of Assualt

Word Count: 6.1k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || X. TRUST || XII. TENSE

XI. CAUTION

Every rising beat from his chest continued to remind Josie that he wasn't a dream as she lay her head at Dodge's soundly sleeping figure. After their kiss last night, Josie sadly remembered that she had to go home, but Dodge didn't want to let her go. His sweet whining grasp on her hand made her laugh as he dropped her off at her front door. One thing led to another, she was now gazing at him while he slept peacefully beside her. His chest rising and falling convinced her that the events of the past hours were not a delusion.

Dodge was sunkissed as the light beamed through the bedroom curtains. The golden yellow sunlight was almost highlighting him as something important. He looked beautiful. Certainly, a sight to see, but Josie was feeling selfish. This was all to herself. 

"Mhm..." Dodge whimpered. 

He must've sensed something was missing. Without lifting an eye, his arm shifts across the mattress to search for her. Josie almost let out a chuckle at the distressed crease on his forehead before he found her and settled his arm on her waist, pulling her closer to him and nuzzling his lower lip on her forehead. 

"You're staring at me, aren't you?" Dodge said in his morning voice. 

The red reached Josie's cheeks, shutting her eyes before he manage to catch her. "Nope, I'm not."

"You're staring at me." He flirts. "Is it because you like me so much?"

She teased. "Hmm...I don't think I remember saying that."

"It's probably because you were too busy kissing me last night."

Josie lifted her head, flushed and surprised. Dodge then sooner opened his eyes, a large grin peering on his face. "See, I knew you were staring at me."

"Careful now Slater, you're gonna be so damn in love with me."

A warning she would fail to steer clear of. Josie was done with the restraint and mindfulness because with Dodge, she was sure. She didn't need to be afraid or watch her back because, for the first time in a long while, she could properly rest. It felt like a nice exhale after a long time of holding her breath. She didn't have to overthink everything all the time. She didn't have to speculate on how long things were gonna last. For the first time, delightful times like these were overlooking the bad parts. Dodge was like a rush of euphoria. If only they could stay like this forever. Josie didn't believe forever could've existed, but with Dodge, she's reconsidering it. 

"You're an idiot." She says so with a wide smile.

He would want to get used to waking up beside her every morning. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder or holding her hand when walking on the street or just simply being domestic together. Those little gestures and moments they would get to spend together made him look forward to waking up from his miserable life. Because, just like now, Josie was the glowing light of his life. 

Narrowing his eyes in a determined and cheeky look, he inches closer to her. His right palm cupping her cheek, he took a second to soak her in, taking his time. Dodge tried to hide his satisfied smirk as red blushes on Josie's cheeks as he glances down at her lips, ready to kiss them once more. 

"Joooosieee! You want some breakfast!" The older Slater shouts from outside her room, causing the pair to pull away from their morning bliss. 

Nick's booming voice nearly made Josie scream in frustration. She didn't understand what had gone through his mind because he is not often this loud and obnoxious when he is off duty. His abrupt intrusion caused the two to recoil, which led to Josie unintentionally pushing Dodge off her small bed. "Shit! Sorry." She whispers apologetically at the tall boy. 

"Uhm...You can't cook, remember?!" Josie tried to distract her brother while talking to him. 

"You keep saying that and end up eating it anyway!"

"I'll just help you make breakfast." 

"Alright, sure. Get out here and help me!" Josie's eyes widened at the sound of incoming footsteps. "J-just a minute!"

Nick responded with some words Josie was failing to comprehend because she was busy trying not to panic to figure out how to get Dodge out of her room. Nick wasn't an overly protective brother who would forbid her from speaking to boys. Unlike some, he would encourage it. But having a boy sleepover in her room overnight after playing an illegal game where she had to answer questions to avoid falling to her death and her realizing her feelings for the boy afterward and kissing him and not wanting to separate from him just yet, she invited him over without his knowledge is a whole other story. 

As he much hated to do so, this was his cue to leave. Thump. Ruckus can be heard from Josie's messy bedroom as Dodge bumps into her stuff, mostly books on the floor, as he hurriedly looks and puts on his jacket and shoes.

"Remind me to lend you some of mine, if you want." He says, referring to his books. 

"Really? Thanks." Josie's eyes soften at the gesture. Damn, she loves this guy. "Now get out of here before Nick sees you." She led him out to her window before tossing him the keys to his car. Dodge knew he needed to, but his feet remained stubborn as she continued. 

"Wait!" He halts before turning to her. "When can I see you again?"

"I don't know...later?"

"Later? I can't wait that long." She bit the inside of her cheek. Jeez, he sounded like a kid. At least he's cute. "Sucks for you." Josie razzed. 

"What time?" Dodge asked intuitively. "If you don't give me a time, I think I'm gonna lose my mind—" 

"DODGE, just get out of here," Josie laughingly whined before giving him a quick peck on his lips to shut him up. The gesture appeared to be effective since Dodge stopped abruptly his defiance and completely paused on the spot. She took use of the opportunity to push him toward the window once he had respectfully approached it.

"You still haven't given me an answer though," he said midway.

"Fine," she surrendered. "12:30. Does that work for you?"

Climbing back up closer to her, all he gave was a sweet peck at her cheek for an answer before saying, "See you at 12!"

Josie watched him jog towards his car parked across their driveway. As cheesy as it sounds, she kind of already missed him. As if his heart triggered the same feeling as her, he turns back around in her direction, giving a light wave before getting in his car and driving off. 

Gathering the courage to exit her bedroom, Josie made her way to the kitchen table. Sitting on her chair and feeling herself rest on that cushion, she breathed out as if she had just gotten off a high rollercoaster. The moment of adrenaline coursed through her veins became like a morning call for her. Josie was genuinely delighted by the endearing touches, hilarious quips, and things to look forward to. All she could think about was him.

"Good morning." Nick greeted. 

"Hey!" 

Given that everything he had been seeing for the previous several days had been the opposite, it wasn't too difficult to notice the brilliant smile spreading across much of Josie's face.

"Pancake?" He skeptically offered. "Sure."

She's either drunk or on drugs, Nick surmised. Josie wouldn't just blatantly accept anything he cooked, maybe except for sandwiches, without a certified quip at the beginning and her gentle reminders about his inability to be a reliable cook. Nick was merely trying to conceal his tremendous disbelief at how drastically she had changed overnight as he watched her uncomplainingly dig into her breakfast. He is clearly rethinking it in light of her increasingly creepy-happy grin.

"So I take it Dodge isn't joining us." He says, taking a sip of his coffee as she nearly choked. 

"W-what?"

"Dodge? Wasn't he just here?"

"Did you really think I wouldn't know?" He raised a brow. Josie experienced her oldest brother's presence with a new level of apprehension.

"We don't have curtains, Josie." His shoulders fell. "His car's parked across our house. I saw him start the car and drive off." The younger Slater felt like she was about to facepalm. "If you guys are gonna sneak off, at least try not to get caught."

"I just hope you guys are at least using protection." 

Hrrk, Jose wheezed. That time she actually choked. 

"I'm just saying, kids your age are sort of active with se—"

"Oh my God, Nick, please stop talking!" She yelped. "Dodge and I... We're not...W-we're not even... He literally just slept over that's it!" 

"I'm not talking about last night. Maybe sometime in the future—"

"Oh please, please, please, shut the fuck up, Nick. Pleaseee." Josie pleaded. Perhaps avoiding awkward talks like this was one perk of having absent parents, but she failed to remember that her brother is a hospital nurse. He essentially gets paid to give these kinds of conversations.

"I just want you two to be safe. I want you to be responsible and maybe I just don't want you to end the same way as Abby Clarke, Josie."

"Wait." She wavered. "What do you mean? Why mention Abby?"

"I guess only her parents knew but," Nick says. "During the summer of last year, she came to see Dr. Robbins and she asked to get an abortion. I was the nurse on duty that day and I  remembered that she went to your school. After her death, we told her mom. She was devastated." Nick recollected. 

"Like I said, I just want you to understand what you're getting into." He advised. 

Josie's thoughts were filled with new information after his abrupt disclosure that Abby was pregnant. She was pregnant and had the abortion during the summer of Panic.  Nobody else knew or knew the reason why, but did Jimmy know? Was she planning on telling him? Josie remembered her suggestion of blackmail during her conversation with Dodge. A secret of hers could have allowed Abby to be manipulated. This could be it. With the right resources and dedication, nothing was a secret in this town. Someone with power and knowledge must've gotten to Abby. 

When they began playing Panic, everyone was aware of what they were getting themselves into. Their fears and secrets would creep up from deep inside, ready to resurface and haunt them. As invincible as they like to perceive themselves to be, the players were the pigs. Animals who fought irrationally for their own piece while they were being prepped for slaughter. Even if it didn't seem like it now, there were bigger things happening within the game.

————

His drive back home almost felt uniquely strange but in a good way. It was like he left and came as a whole new person. Almost complete. Dodge kept shifting to the passenger side of the vehicle during the whole trip, remembering that she had been lying next to him only moments earlier. He missed her, which would have made him seem mopey. 

Dodge chuckled to himself, blushing and shaking his head, still in disbelief of the events of last night. He may as well prepare for Josie, who has a habit of catching him off guard. Locals must have thought he was insane, not knowing the context of his joy. As his fingers brushed over his lip, Dodge was reminded of how it had been against hers only minutes before when his. He merely looked back on that evening and wished he had taken the initiative. Josie, however, did, which would've meant that she was finally letting go of constraints and allowing him to love her.

As he strutted towards the pavement with a broad grin on his face, Dodge was welcomed by his sister, who was sitting in front of their porch watching him with a mood that was markedly different from the one with which he had left the home.

"What're you smiling about?" Dayna interestingly asked. The younger Mason left the house around midnight and returned the following day, smiling and beaming. Of course, she was curious.

"Me? Oh, nothing." His tone didn't seem like it was nothing, she knew. 

"Mom was worried all night. You didn't even call."

"Yeah, I must've forgotten. I was just..d-driving all over town after Panic."

"Okay..." Dayna hummed. Dayna rolled her eyes as Dodge attempts to either play dumb or gatekeep whatever it is that was going on. "Fine, don't tell me."

Peering over her phone, Dayna decided to change the subject. "Anyways, I have to tell you something."

"Remember that coach. The one that Anne told Mom about—the one that specializes in physical disabilities. I just got an email from him." Dayna could already see the bubbles forming in Dodge's head. "He thinks I could be in competition shape by next year."

"Dayna," He mumbled. "It's crazy."

Dodge folded his arms in uncertainty. This wasn't the first time they were fooled by hope. She'd seen a dozen different doctors and been going to physical therapy for over a year now. But there'd been no change. No sudden miracle. Dayna had made an effort to be optimistic, but Dodge couldn't help but feel reality hit him in the face every time he noticed his sister's disappointment.

"How are you gonna stay on a horse? You're gonna get knocked off before you even get to the gate—"

Dayna grimaced. "I thought you'd be happy for me."

"It's too dangerous." He warned. 

She scoffed, laughing. "You're hardly the one to lecture me about danger." 

Dodge deeply sighed, knowing what she was talking about. "I am playing Panic because of what happened." He reminded.

When the plan of Dodge competing in Panic came up to the light, Dayna was reluctant as he was persistent. Dayna never approved of the notion of his putting his life in danger to exact revenge for her. But Dodge knew it was worth it if it meant Luke Hall finally getting what he deserved. The satisfaction he would feel to finally be able to see the broken down Luke Hall on his knees defeated after Dodge got the justice they deserved for what happened to his sister: his best friend and partner in crime. 

"Ever since we moved here, it's been about what happened. Getting justice for what happened, and making things right as if they can be fixed or undone as if they can unhappen." Dayna said miserably. "Y'know, the funny thing is, the closer we get to justice, the lesser I care about getting it."

"Dayna, Luke ruined your life." 

"No, he didn't." She cuts him off. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. He didn't ruin a life that never happened." She bowed her head, trying to hide her sorrow. "Sorry, you can't stand the one that did." 

"Come on," He calls after her leaving figure as she fled back to the inside of the house. "That's so unfair. Dayna, that's not what I—"

Dodge could only frustratingly run his fingers through his hair as Dayna continued to ignore his callings. He berated himself for upsetting her.

Although she felt thoughtful of Dodge's protectiveness over her, she couldn't help but feel guilty for being the reason for his reckless actions. She doesn't want to see her little brother take on dangers in order to give her justice that would ultimately be meaningless. Dayna knew she was never gonna walk again and she had made peace with it. Dayna could only wish that Dodge would too.

————

"What am I looking for again?" Heather asked as she and Josie surveyed around the acre of Anne's farm. The three figures are now standing in front of a giant gate, staring across an open field.

"You'll know it when you see him," Anne says. "They're usually crepuscular."

"Late risers." Anne nods at Josie's note. The woman then opens the agent's door, throwing treats into the ground then locking the door once again. The two teenage girls kept their eyes wide open at whatever they should be looking at. Ready to feed on their curiosity and anticipation. This should be interesting. 

On Anne's whistle, a large tiger emerges from behind the fallen trees. Both Heather and Josie took cautionary steps back as the big animal runs, making its way toward them. Both girls looked at each other, they were just thinking the same thing. Oh my god. Its black stripes on its orange hair glistened in the air under the hot Texan afternoon. It then made slower steps as it paused in front of the treats laid out for him, eating. She figured the animal's name is Tom, as Anne pointed it out.

"Anne, that's a tiger." Heather looked at Anne like she was insane. Anne only looked at Tom with such admiration as if he was the most beautiful thing in the whole world. 

"He was only 20 pounds when I took him in. Some creep had a whole zoo full of exotic animals that he kept in locked cages."

"Isn't he still dangerous?" Josie asks.

"Yeah. Extremely." Anne's words definitely did not reassure a feeling of safety between the two girls. "I raised him from a cub, so he knows me. But he's still a tiger."

"What do you mean?" Heather looks at the woman insightfully.

"Just because I have him in the yard, it doesn't make him a pet. These gates have to stay closed at all times." Anne warns Heather. "Understand that?"

Heather nods her head, signaling her understanding. Why would she want to leave the gates open? The tiger might get out or someone might stumble inside the cage. It is dangerous. Heather looked back at the tiger ravaging the treats in front of him. After finishing its meal, her eyes didn't leave the animal as it travels back to the safety behind the trees. Probably shielding itself away.

"You girls don't mind helping me feed the horse for a while, right?" Anne asks.

Heather and Josie happily agreed to do the task as they head down the stables following Anne, ready to take the horses out for a walk in the field. 

Heather invited Josie to help to intend the animals. Thankfully, Anne agreed to tag the other girl along. Since she had nothing else to do, Heather invited the girl to help in tending the animals. Heather started working for Anne after encountering her at the market. Maybe it was just some luck out of nowhere that they met when she was looking for a job. It wasn't bad at all. All she had to do was basically take care of the animals there. Feed them, watch them, watch the house and the farm. A little pet sitting and light chores. 

On such usual afternoons, the sun shined brightly. In an effort to cool them off, the wind whipped past their faces. Josie enjoyed the day. She smiled at the sky and ecstatically felt the warmth. 

"You're in a good mood," Heather observed. 

"Am I?" A little sense of smirkiness can be heard in Josie's tone. 

"I guess something exciting happened other than Panic last night." The brunette's voice had a slight gloom in it. After keeping Heather up to date about the previous night's challenge, she couldn't help but hide her despair in missing it. Heather's absence meant she was out of the game. The brunette didn't give it a second thought and drove off when her sister needed her. She wasn't sure what would happen to her now.

"So, how's it going for you and Lily?" Josie asks her friend.

All she understood was that Heather and her mom had a bit of a fallout, and the two girls kept their distance from their mom, causing her to miss last night's challenge. Heather told her that they had to sleep in her car just to get away from her mom and her stoner boyfriend. Josie's expression softened as she turns to the girl beside her. A sullen expression rose to Heather's face but she tried to cover it up with a smile.

"We're doing fine." Heather tries to reassure her. "My mom's gone AWOL but I'm handling it."

"You could always stay at my place," Josie suggests, Heather shaking her head. "It's not a problem for me and Nick. We have a spare room, we've got enough space, and it's perfect for you and Lily."

"I can't ask you to do that for me, Josie." 

"You'd do the same for me."

Heather paused, giving it some thought. She nods in agreement and the dark-haired girl pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back in comfort. Josie hated seeing Heather look so down. The girl was ever optimistic but there were moments were her spirits were tested. The girl basically raised her little sister and would go through hell and back just to protect her. She didn't deserve these stones thrown at her. Heather was the strongest person she knew.

"I'm always gonna be here for you, Heather."

"I know." She sniffled. Heather knew that Josie would always have her back. She's lucky to have a friend like her. The kind of friend who would run back into a burning building, looking for her.

"What will I do about Panic?" Heather sighed. "Nat said I could use my immunity and be back on the game." 

"Could you do that? Why'd you want to be back on the games?" She wondered. The girl didn't understand why her friend would be reluctant to go back. It was unsure if the judges would allow her to reenter Panic. Continuing the game might be overwhelming for Heather's situation.

"I just don't want to let go of that $50,000," Heather said reluctantly, thinking cautiously. 

Heather was worried. Worried about the judges' questions. Worried about whatever Ray must've said. And what if he answered questions about her. If he did, then people would know. And if people would know, then it wouldn't be long until Bishop finds out everything about her and Ray. Heather doesn't want to ruin the already growing relationship between her and Bishop. Heather needed to enter Panic once more and prevent all of it.

"Girls in here!" Anne hollers. 

The two girls sauntered their steps towards Anne's direction inside the stables. Wow. Both girls' hearts raced at the sight of the selection of horses positioned tall near the barn doors. Heather and Josie followed obediently after Anne, grabbing a bucket of grass alongside her and heading toward the steeds and feeding them.

Josie approached a horse that drew her attention. As she notices a black stallion hunching over in the corner and appearing to be in distress, her eyes soften in pity. Josie felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. "Charlie strained his ligament a few weeks ago. Poor thing's been in pain for days." Anne said.

"But he's gonna walk just fine soon, right?" Josie asked. 

"Oh yeah." The woman slung her arm encouragingly at the girl. "The boy who tends the horses here is great. He's dealt with harsher injuries from my other horses. Believe me, Charlie's gonna be fine."

"He's about your age. You should know him, he goes to your school. His name is Dodge Mason." Anne announced. 

Wait, Josie paused. She halted her actions of feeding the horse and turned to face the woman. "Dodge Mason?" She asked. "Andrew Dodge Mason? He works here?"

"Yes. For a while, actually." The grey-haired woman said. "See, I knew you knew him." 

"We're friends with Dodge." Heather chimed in, who was equally shocked to know of Dodge's connection to Anne. 

"That's great!" She was grateful. "Poor boy, I thought he didn't have any. He seemed a little reserved." Josie silently shook her head in agreement. "Especially with what happened to his sister, I can understand why. It tore him to shreds."

"W-what happened to Dayna?" Josie stutters. 

"She had a hit and run accident about two years ago. It was a very terrible accident that cost her her legs. They were devastated and his family decided to move to Carp for a fresh start."

"Did they manage to catch the culprit?" The brunette asked. 

"They still haven't." She looked down. "Luckily, Sheriff Cortez has been helping the family since they got here. He's been trying to lock up the driver for a long time but he said they haven't found any leads." 

"Sheriff Cortez?" Anne nods at Josie's query. "That's really nice of him to help Dodge's family." The Slater girl stated blandly. 

The idea of Cortez helping Dodge didn't sit right with Josie. His whole involvement with the Mason family never did sit right with her. His drives near their neighborhood and his visits to their house. Dodge didn't like it when he'd show up to talk to him or his mother privately when he shows up in Dot's diner. Josie remembered the quick shift of mood on Dodge's face when it was Cortez entering the place. Now she finds out that he's been helping them to find a culprit to Dayna's suddenly sinister cause of disability. 

Josie recalled a talk during the player's ball. She had speculation about an injured girl too and a potential hit-and-run accident, but it was too far-fetched and a bit of a long shot to be true. Can it be—

"Oof," Josie muttered as she bumped into a rough figure and items of theirs started dropping. 

"Watch where ya going, little girl." 

Fuck. She recognized that voice. Among all the creeps in this town she could've bumped into, the universe picked him. Even Tyler or even Ray would've been better. As she anxiously raised her head up from the ground and onto his face, Josie still shivers at being close-ranged with Luke Hall. 

You know when big scary things like lions or tigers felt less menacing and large from afar? Because of the large distance separating between you and the predator and from afar, it feels like they can't hurt you in any way?  It was like that with Luke Hall. 

She felt uncomfortable as Luke looks at her, up and down. "Well, I guess not a little girl anymore." He comments. 

"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." She immediately tried to leave but then he blocked her way. Josie swallowed in dismay. 

Helplessly grabbing his fallen items on the ground to avoid meeting his preying eyes, familiar pieces of ballots grabbed Josie's attention. It was the betting ballots for Panic. Why would Luke have this, she wondered. He must've noticed her looking before he suddenly spoke up. 

"Ya'know you should be more careful there." He lights a cigarette he took from his pocket. "You wouldn't want to cause some trouble, now would ya?" 

"Sorry, I was uhm...busy. Thinking," Josie explained. 

"Care to share?" Josie moved back as he hovered closer to her. "No. I'd much rather move away from here, thanks." Her feet quickly tries to escape from him without waiting for even a second, but his hand constricted on her arm and prevented her from doing so.

"Oh, c'mon. Don't be like that." Luke kept going. Josie was desperate. It was like fighting against an annoying dog. She kept her stance on the ground, refusing to give in. "NO. I don't think so." She snatched her arm away from his clutch and started to walk away at once. 

Luke smirked as he watched her depart, her drawbacks just made her more appealing to him. "Well, you can come to visit me anytime." 

Josie felt panic and uneasiness. Her heart was beating so quickly that she was on the verge of running farther away with her strides. She turned around once again after sensing his gaze. She was chilled by the creepiness of his look. Distracted, she felt herself collide with another body. Josie jumped. Her already shaky self made her flinch at the clash. 

"Woah. Hey, Josie, you okay?" Looking up, Josie immediately felt safe. She had already breathed a sigh of relief and contentment upon hearing Dodge's voice and seeing him.

"Thank God. It's just you." 

"That's a good thing, right?" The sound of her chuckling gave Dodge a small sense of respite, but he is still worried. She had distress visible in her eyes, he saw. 

"Seriously, Jo. Are you okay?" He asked seriously. "Yeah, I'm fine." Josie shakes her head and tried to formulate a convincing smile. But that never worked on Dodge, who could see right through her. "Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing. It's—" She breathed out. "I bumped into Luke and we talked, and then, um— Don't worry about it. Everything's fine now."

"No, it's not, Josie." Surveying the street, Dodge quickly spotted the back of Luke Hall's head like a hawk. The Mason boy huffed sharply as his legs strode towards his direction. Seeing the piercing look in his eyes, Josie immediately stood in front of him, blocking him from doing anything stupid. 

In an effort to stop him, she grabs hold of his shoulders. "No, no, no. Dodge, please don't do anything—" 

"I'm just gonna go talk to him." His tone sounded seething. She could practically see the fumes radiating off his head. She could see the fist forming in his hand which made her worry about what he was gonna do. Dodge doesn't usually get ticked off. He usually keeps his head down, avoiding trouble by avoiding people. But Josie wasn't just any person. He's not gonna keep his head down. Dodge wasn't going to allow anyone to mess with her.

"Just let it go, Dodge. Please..." Her pleading collided with his thirst for confrontation. Flexing his hands, and breathing in and out, Dodge tried to calm himself down. 

Seeing his disappearing back walk away, he felt bitter but he listened to Josie anyway. She was right. This wasn't the time nor the place to confront Luke. Guess he'll just have to do it in Panic. He was furious to see Luke Hall almost hurt another person he loved. It was like he was taking joy over fucking people over. What pissed Dodge, even more, was that he couldn't do anything about it. Just like Dayna, she was telling him not to do anything about it even though she deserved the defense she should get. But he still listened to her. Josie's pleads were the only thing that was holding him back. 

"If he bothers you again, promise that you'll tell me, ok," Dodge asks desperately. Josie nods, rubbing his shoulders, reassuring him that she will. 

If Luke ever tried to hurt her again, Dodge is gonna ruin his life. More than what was initially planned. Josie might say he was overreacting but he wasn't gonna sit on the sidelines until her life was ruined and destroyed like Dayna's. He wasn't gonna let Luke get away with it this time.

"Let's go." She nudges him forward with her hand holding his. His eyes stayed on hers, trying to fight the urges to turn back. Josie exhaled as she could feel Dodge relax as they took a minute of silence in their walk. 

Dodge turned towards her. His eyebrows crinkled at the sight of the Slater girl trying to resist a giggle. "What are smiling about? What's so funny?" He innocently asks, confused as the girl beside him looks at him with that hint in her eyes. 

"Did I overreact?" He asked. "No, you didn't," Josie shook her head, reassuring him. 

"I totally did." Dodge lamented. "I'm sorry for that. Sometimes I just get—"

"You apologize too much." She cuts him off. 

"Sorry." Dodge apologized earning a playful eye roll from Josie. "Some people would say I'm being too much."

"Well, too much is better than nothing." 

"I never really remembered a time where someone would come up to defend me. It was always me doing the defending." Josie expressed. "But you did. And it was sweet. And I'm thankful." She gave his hand a light squeeze. 

Guess he was on an emotional edge from his talk with Dayna this morning. When he saw the distressed look on Josie's face, a part of him was about to snap at Luke. His strong emotions always seemed to get the best of him. When it's all overbearing, he'd act on impulse. Maybe it was a cry of desperation to save them. An echo in his mind told him that despite his trying, he would never save anyone. He could try again and again but he'd be always too late. But then, it was like her words were magic. Any sense of insecurities about himself washed away from her mention of thanks. 

"Is it weird that I'm kind of liking this vibe from you?" Josie raised her brow. Her statement made him throw his head back from laughter. "A little bit," said Dodge. 

"I just don't want anyone messing with my girl. If anyone tries anything with you, they're gonna get way more than just too much."

"My girl?" She smirked. "I didn't know Dodge Mason had a knack for pet names."

"It sounded pretty confident too. Assuming you did kind of like me first, I should've seen this coming." 

"Well, I've got to figure out ways how to show you off."

"I didn't think you were the type to show off." 

"I'd be subtle, but you just have this effect on me." 

"What kind of effect?" She was curious. 

"The kind of effect that makes me not want to screw this up. I don't know what's gonna happen in the future. Screw Panic. Screw Carp. I want this to work."

Dodge had never been a big believer in long-lasting relationships. Growing up, he never really had reliable relationship figures in his life that made him believe in such things. Even if his dad were alive today, he and his mom would've gotten a divorce. He remembered the times when they used to argue and he could hear it all the way in his room. Dayna would tell him stories and other things in an effort to divert his attention. It was clear they didn't love each other anymore but both were just stubborn to make the first move to end it. But with Josie, it felt right. Like the way his hand is still holding hers, as Dodge noticed. She makes him want to try and Dodge is never the type to give up. 

Touched by his words, Josie gave him a peck in the cheek that's probably becoming a thing now. Dodge wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they continued their walk. 

"Speaking of work..." Josie recalled the previous conversation. "You didn't tell me you worked at Anne's farm." 

"How'd you find out about that?" 

"Heather works there too. We were there earlier and Anne said you helped tend with the horses." Josie couldn't help but feel curious. "Yeah, I go over there sometimes after the ranch," Dodge answered quickly, surprisingly wanting to end the talk soon. 

"She really knows a lot about you, doesn't she?" Her voice meandered. "I wouldn't say a lot."

 "Well, she's mentioned you and your family a lot." Josie breathed. "Especially Dayna." The boy's steps halted by a second as Josie spoke of Dayna like she spoiled a secret. 

"Y'know you never did tell me about her accident."

"Well, it's not really a topic I like to talk about." He was starting to sound defensive again. "I'm just saying, maybe it would've been nice for you to be able to talk about it to someone. I'm right here, Dodge." His gaze resisted meeting hers, knowing he would lose if he does so. 

Dodge knew if he said anything more, Josie would react the same way Dayna reacted. Perhaps he was scared that once she knew the truth, she would look at him differently. The same eyes that looked at him with such affection would turn into disdain. He knew what would happen when he would give in to his feelings. When he woke up beside her this morning, a part of him wished they could've just stayed like that forever. He wouldn't need to leave and then go back to reality. He wouldn't need to compete against her in Panic. And he wouldn't need to think about getting revenge against Luke Hall. But nothing seemed to go his way. 

"Anne also mentioned that Cortez was helping you guys find the culprit. Any idea who it was, Dodge?" She searched his eyes for any reaction but it remained as it was. 

The Mason boy hesitated to speak. Rehearsing the words in his head to get it right. It killed him to lie to her, but it was for her own good. "No. I don't know." 

He didn't know what to feel at her plain expression smiling at him. "Alright." She said. Josie didn't know if what he said was the truth. Whatever it was, she accepted it as it is. A part of her hurt that Dodge didn't bother to tell her. Despite the reveal, that was the part that stung her the most. Dodge is very protective of Dayna. If he trusts Josie, he would've told her, right? Maybe he didn't get a chance before, Josie tried to remain optimistic. She just wanted him to tell her something or anything. Could be the truth or a lie, she didn't care.

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.

Fearless (13/x)

Pairing: Dodge Mason x Female OC

Summary: Dodge wasn't gonna lose Josie too. He promised himself he wasn't gonna let Panic destroy their relationship as the game took a personal toll on him. Past and present collide in the unexpected exposure of the player’s motivations.

Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Violence, Mentions of Substance Abuse

Word Count: 6.9k

Disclaimer

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

Masterlist || I. PANIC || XII. TENSE

XIII. RETURNS

"Wanna tell me what happened?" Sheriff Cortez probes her chiefly. 

Sitting nervously in a chair at the sheriff's department across Cortez, Josie starts to recall the events of last night. From Ray jumping on Bishop and Heather, to Josie jumping in to defend them, to Luke hitting her, to Dodge jumping in to defend her, and Luke choking Dodge. 

"So all of that happened in a span of an hour?" 

"Luke was beating and choking the life out of him. He could've died." She crossed her arms, defensively. "I wasn't gonna sit back and watch him do that." 

She froze in fear. She still got goosebumps remembering Dodge's state. His wheezing and coughing blood as Luke continued to strangle him. How his brown-blue eyes suddenly turned red and his skin turned pale white almost losing all its life. Even remembering what Dodge failed to tell her, she would've never imagined losing him like that. Even if she was against his idea of revenge, part of her impulse realized she might do the same for him or anyone else. 

"Witnesses say that you pulled a gun on his head." He reads off the report. 

"I-It was a rock." Josie lies under her breath. "A rock?" He raised his brow. She tried to nod calmly. "It was pretty dark. Maybe they didn't see it right."

Taking off his hat, Cortez loudly sighs as he scratches his middle-aged hair. "I did warn Dodge not to get distracted. Must've been why Luke Hall got the jump on him." He pinched the bridge of his nose. His stare studied narrowly towards Josie like she did something wrong. "But that's fine, I guess. Because he did it to save you."

She didn't know how to react to Cortez complementing Dodge's heroic, but impulsive, action. He wanted to be proud but the bitter smile he wiped across his face contrastingly told otherwise. 

"Why are you only dealing with me?" Josie huffed, upset. "What about Luke? Won't you talk to him?" 

"I'll deal with him later. Don't worry about that."

"So how is Dodge? Is he- is he doing alright?" He rests his elbow on the table, leaning and in the thought of the Mason boy's condition. 

"I don't know." Josie looks down at her fidgeting fingers.

The cops Bishop called came to the scene a few minutes later. Most of the teenagers in the drive-in dispersed after the cops arrived except for the group who only wandered cautiously as they took a look at Dodge's wounds and escorted them home. That was the last time Josie had seen Dodge. She took the ride home with the nice police lady who told her she needed to visit the department in the morning. 

Josie spent the whole night staring dazed at the ceiling of her bedroom and melancholically shifting her gaze to the spot beside her that felt so empty without him. Neither bothered to call the other. Maybe it was the jitters of what just happened. Maybe it was also avoiding talking to each other because they knew they'd have to talk about what Dodge said eventually.

"I haven't seen him." Her throat felt dry saying it. She bites her lower lip, trying to hold back emotions. 

"Maybe that's for the best if you know what's good for you. Wanna keep some distance from each other just to be safe."

"What are you saying, sheriff?" She questioned the man who pretentiously sunk into his desk chair. 

"He's been here a year. No trouble. No bruises. He's been keeping his head down. Now, he's getting into fights. Whatever's going on between you and your friends-" 

"Luke Hall is not my friend."

"Well- whatever's going on, I don't want Dodge to get involved in it. I'm not saying it's your fault but I'm just trying to look out for him. Y'know, he's like a son to me." The man surmised. "I wouldn't want to put him in harm's way as much as you do."

His words felt like a shove to an edge of a cliff. He said he didn't blame her but his expression sure did so. His scowl covered up behind ailed looks made her stomach pit in misery and discomfort. Another feeling of it being her fault. With his odd closeness with the Mason family, Josie believed that she was dragging him down with her. 

"Can I go now?" She impatiently says. 

"Yes. Yeah, sure."

The girl immediately stood up and stomped towards the door, departing the space of Cortez's desk before he called out her name once more. "Josie..." Her steps stopped, turning back around. "If there's any problem, be sure to go to me. Alright." 

"I'll keep that in mind, sheriff." She faked a smile. 

As the teenage girl left the room, irateness transformed his face. Frustratingly running his palm across his face in a disgruntled slouch on his swirling chair. He nearly slammed his hand on the table after hearing what Luke did to the boy. Luke wasn't gonna mess up his boy, not when he's so close to winning it for them. Cortez wasn't gonna let Dodge make the same mistake his son, Jimmy, did. He wasn't gonna let him throw away the game and the money just for some silly young love the boy would probably forget either way. The Mason boy wasn't gonna drop now. Not when they're so close. ----

Trudging through her workplace as she rashly classifies history novels, bewilderment struck her. Ms. Nina continued to ask her what was bothering her but continued to fail to express the reason. There were times she would love the sound of her being right but this time, she wanted Dodge to prove her wrong. When pieces started to fit into her mind, all she wanted was Dodge to tell her otherwise and that her thinking was getting the best of her. 

She felt mad. She felt crossed. She felt-

"I thought I might find you here." 

Turning around, she found the Mason boy standing conservatively near the double glass doors with his hands in his pockets. She missed him but she didn't want to see him. Josie tried to avoid him by going further to the bookshelves, drowning herself in tasks. 

"Josie," Dodge calls out, following her. "Josie." She ignores him again. "Josie!" He pitched his voice. 

"Shhh." The girl shushes him, a finger on her lips, and her eyes enlarged. "Keep quiet!" 

Just before she could run away and ignore him again, he clutches her arm desperately. "I need to talk to you, Jo." 

"But I don't want to."

"Josie, please just listen-"

"Why couldn't you just tell me?" She slumped. 

She thought for a while that Dodge wasn't telling her something. And the whole time, she convinced herself that it wasn't a big deal. Josie would make excuses that would ease her mind. She'd say that if it's something, he'd tell her because he trusts her. She leaped and decided to take a chance, but the person she thought would be the last one to withhold something from her proved her wrong.

"A part of me wanted to tell you the truth about this whole thing, but that also meant putting you in harm's way so I didn't. I wasn't gonna drag you into this. That's why I told Cortez that-"

"So Cortez knows too." She wanted to laugh out of frustration. "He's in on this?!"

"SHHH." Her slightly raised tone received a pausing shush from an older man across from them. 

"Cortez's been helping us from the get-go. He's been trying to bring charges against Luke to the D.A. for some time." 

"And you trust him?"

He doesn't, Dodge answered. But Cortez was the only one who helped them with Dayna's case and who told them it was Luke. He's been a big help to them for months. Under the circumstances, Dodge had to trust him. It was the only way to get Luke to jail. 

"Heather knows people are gambling on Panic. We also found out that Luke is part of it too. We think Luke might be in charge." Josie informs. 

She felt like punching his unfazed expression. Humming in response and setting his sights on the soles of his shoes or the interesting contents of the floor. Josie laughs ironically. 

"You're not surprised." She says, biting the inside of her cheek spitefully. "Because you already knew, didn't you?" Josie felt like an idiot. 

"Cortez suspected ever since he found out about Panic, but he didn't know enough about the game or how it worked in order to build a case. So he needed a way in." The boy spoiled, not being able to meet her eyes. 

"So you've been helping him too. Were you spying on us the whole time? How about the cops during the game, did you guys plan that too?" She couldn't help but accuse and speculate at the moment. Arms crossed, she narrowly gazed at the boy as her skin boils. 

"Even when I'm working with Cortez, I'm still in the dark about the game just like all of you."

"But that's the thing. You're not playing to win. You're playing for revenge."

"That's winning for me."

"It's not illegal to gamble in Texas. But it is a felony to be the house. That's how we're going to catch him. If I win, we can prove that Luke is getting a kickback as the bookie. That's what Cortez needs." 

"This is the only way," Dodge said. 

"So it's really been all a game for you."

"I-" He ran out of breath. "I've been trying to win." 

She couldn't recognize him. The boy who she believed that she knew to her core felt unfamiliar now. His eyes were now filled with rage and misery. His shoulders carry the weights he's been drowning with. It hurts to look at him.

The Mason boy's phone lit up in notification. A message from Panic sparks up stating: TUMBLEWEED HOLLOW, 10 P.M.

Both knew what it meant. 

"Guess you have to go." Josie exhales in exhaustion and sadness.

"Good luck, Dodge Mason. I really hope you win this one." She stuttered. Immediately walking away, swallowing the emotions bottling up in her chest and now evident in her eyes. 

Dodge was scared of telling her. He knew she'd react this way. But he didn't anticipate how much it hurt happening in reality. He anticipated that she would turn away from him. Maybe that was a good thing. She doesn't have to be in harm's way and he wouldn't lose her any more than he already did. He lost people that he cared about. He almost lost Dayna. And for that split second Luke Hall smeared his hand across Josie's face, an instinct rose into Dodge, screaming that he wasn't gonna let Luke take her away from him. Dodge wasn't gonna lose Josie too. He promised himself he wasn't gonna let Panic destroy their relationship. But it didn't. He did. 

Giving her one final look, he solemnly took his steps towards the exit and left.

Josie buried her head in the novels and books piled up in front of her. Wiping the sniffs off her nose, distracting herself through work. Ms. Nina trolled up beside her, pulling the girl into conversation after seeing her hunched shoulders.

"Was that your boyfriend? He seems like a sweet boy." The woman jilts her chin, a sly grin on her face. 

"You never even met him."

"What happened to his face?" She asks, observing the cut on the boy's lip and the blue-purple bruise atop his right eye. Josie had her lips pulled into a straight line. "He got into a fight 'cause an asshole shoved me. They both started punching and things just went out of hand. Dodge really shouldn't have. It was my fault anyway."

"I doubt he thinks that, Josie." The Slater girl felt comfort in the gentle squeeze toward her hand. Ms. Nina always had an aspect for saying the right things to reassure people. "Only love makes you that crazy, hon. And that damn stupid." 

"He does do a lot of stupid things." She releases a chuckle. 

"He's been keeping this secret from me and I don't know I just got mad."

"Why?"

"Because it's not the first time people don't tell me the truth just to spare me from getting hurt. They think they're protecting me or saving me, but it really just makes things worse." Josie bemoaned. 

"Nothing feels real anymore."

Josie wasn't delicate. She was defensive.

It wasn't the first time someone lied to her, hid things from her, or only told her half-truths. Truth be told, she got used to it. Her mother used to have this habit of telling her she'll be gone for an hour but in reality, it's code for goodbye forever. She'd wander around the front door, waiting for her to come back any second. And those seconds turn into years. Josie just never really expected it from him. The guy who dared her to break her walls of trust issues and take a risk. Perhaps she was scared that she wouldn't notice the half-truths and lies in the future. As the world keeps changing, maybe just like her mother, he'll leave her all of the sudden.  ----

The Slater girl drove rushingly with a fueled temper in her brain to Ray Hall's place after receiving a threatening text from an unknown number which she can only assume to be Luke. After finishing her work for the day, her phone vibrated in her pocket as she walked along the streets of the town. She looked around warily as if someone was watching her. 

"HEY!"

Josie screams aloud, grabbing the attention of the younger Hall fixing up scraps laid out in front of their porch. Ray's expression grew baffled as he turned around seeing the girl carelessly parking her car and stomping her way toward him furiously. The next thing he knew, she grabbed the rusty metal fences he was carrying and threw them away on the ground. 

"Tell Luke to stop whatever shit he's playing!"

"What are you talking about?" 

"If he thinks he can scare me to back out of Panic, he has a bullet coming in his head."

His once boring mood changed into an active one. The sound of her threat whispered alarms in his head. Moving defensively near the space, he raised his tone. "What the fuck are you talking about, Josie?" Ray questioned. Fishing the phone out of her pocket, she showed him the message that only sparked confusion in the boy. 

THE BETS ARE IN. THE GAME IS ON. 

QUIT NOW, IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU.

"I don't know what the hell this is." He tossed the phone back to her. 

"Oh please." Josie scoffs. "I know what you and Luke are up to."

"I know Luke's running bets on Panic and you're in on it. Fixing the game like your brother did last year."

"If I was fixing the game, I'd be winning," Ray yelled out, both smugly and rationally. If he wanted to fix the game, he would've made himself the winner from the beginning. He wouldn't need to go through lengths just to get to the next round.

"Y'know someone's gonna come down on Luke for what he did to Dodge's sister." She heaved, treading intimidatingly towards him. "Tell me something, what kind of animal leaves a girl on the road like that."

"What do you mean Dodge's sister?" His face paled in confusion. 

"She's gonna be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, Ray. But I guess that's just the whole family way. Leave a girl on the road to die." Josie shrugs. 

"You think your family's so perfect?" Ray snorts. "Your mom was a junkie. And the only reason you started hanging out with Tyler and me was 'cause she needed some more." Josie froze on the spot after hearing him utter the mention of her mother. 

She felt ashamed looking back at her desperate attempt to get together with Ray just because he was Tyler's friend and, even if she loathed to admit it, she liked him. Her mom was addicted and she seemed to only make it worse. Josie would also smuggle some for herself. 

"That's the difference between you and me. I don't try to lie away the worst parts of myself." She gulped as Ray looked her straight in the eye. "One of us makes it all the way to the finish line and the other one fucking chokes." 

"You know what your problem is?" She exhaled with a sharp tinge on her face. "You could be walking with a blindfold on, staring at the pictures that are going on in your head. And you'd be convinced that your eyes were wide fucking open. You gotta know what to be afraid of. When to be afraid of it. And you gotta know the difference. Every decision is dangerous when you're wearing a blindfold."

"Come clean about what Luke is doing and maybe Cortez won't come down on you too." 

"Did it ever bother you that this whole thing is a complete cliche?" The boy muttered exhaustingly as he sat on the steps of the porch. 

"Fine, go to jail with him. I don't fucking care. Be my guest."

Josie turns around heading for her car, not wasting more sweat on the guy who wouldn't listen to her. If he wants to be stubborn, then so be it. She had nothing to lose on that. Before unlocking the car door, he stops her. 

"Dodge? H-How is he?" Ray asks. 

"Breathing."

"How are you?" 

"I'm good." She plainly says, getting in the car and turning on the ignition. Josie couldn't help but feel slightly awed at Ray's concern. 

"You're seriously gonna drag yourself into this, Josie?" 

"I just want things to be fair." She says. "Tell your brother to stop messing with me or he's gonna get another thing coming." The dark-haired girl warns before driving off. 

Ray rested his arms on top of his head as he looked up at the sky feeling torn. Many emotions are running into him right now. Mixed of astonished and betrayed at another fucked up thing Luke did. His brother was an asshole who did stupid shit, Ray admits that. But it still shocks him that things like these continue to surprise him and that some part of him still wants to defend the only family he had left.  ----

Dodge surveyed his sights as he pulled up on an almost abandoned ranch with dark twigs and cut-down trees atop and below the wooden houses. Probably doesn't seem abandoned under the daylight. He deeply exhales, cracking his knuckles, frantically running his hand across his face, minding the bruise under his eye. If there is anything he's not in the mood for, it's this. Dodge has been stressing about his individual challenge for weeks and now it's here on impeccably terrible timing. After Cortez found out somehow, he chastised him to keep his head in the game. That this was his only chance.

Shutting the engine off, he spots Summer sitting seriously on the edge of the wooden steps, bowing her cowboy-hat-filled head intricately while waiting for him to show up. 

"Howdy, stranger." She stood and greets. 

"You're the welcoming committee?" 

"At least you don't have to pay for admission." She quips. 

Dodge heeded right behind her as she went deeper into the place. He studied the almost unending space of the ranch. The tall boy wanted to roll his eyes. The setting is quite elaborate for an individual challenge. Probably because, unlike everybody else, they had nothing on him. Psychological or emotional torture wouldn't work on him. 

Stopping in front of a sign, he reads.

"Tumbleweed Maze?" Dodge chucked. "I'm almost offended."

"The judges...they're looking for a specific key. You have one hour. Find it and you're in." Summer advised. "And keep it moving, because every minute you spend looking, that's just another point you won't get."

"In three, two, one."

Unenthusiastically at first, the Mason boy quickened his steps forward going into the maze. As soon as he left, Summer couldn't cover the grin on her face anymore. He had no idea what was coming. 

Unfazed, he trailed across poorly structured wooden boundaries they'd call a maze. Some walls broke. Some intact. The dimly lit lanterns kept his vision from going sore. From the corner of his eye, he could spot some crap and trash on the ground. The smell was inevitable and the insects trilling in the background were the only ones keeping him company. He followed surely and undoubtedly. Left, right, left, right, right, left, and another left. Dodge got out of that maze easily. But he didn't walk confidently. That wasn't the challenge yet.

Exiting the maze, his eyes grew partly wider seeing a bigger setting right in front of him. The wooden houses seemed endless. There was fog coming out of the corner. The world was lit dark so he didn't know if his sights were betraying him. 

Dodge kept his direction straight. If he squinted his eyes, he could see the shining silhouette peering from the barn door opening from across the ranch. Immediately sprinting towards there, he didn't want to waste any more time and wanted to get this over with. 

"Shit." He muttered. 

Opening the wooden doors, he nearly stumbled backward. His mind got busy and his judgment was tested seeing a thousand or maybe millions of keys hanging from the ceiling with a thread. At every step, he saw different-looking ones scattered all over the floor of the empty barn. 

Walking closer to the middle, he sharply exhaled in annoyance at the twisted humor of the judges they liked to call a game. 

"Hello? Is someone there?" 

Dodge froze as his eyes grew wide. His breath hitched in dread as he recognized that voice. He heard that sound every day for nineteen years of his life. The one who would tell him bedtime stories and calm him down in the middle of a storm. The voice that sang to him lullabies and lulls him to distraction whenever their parents would argue like crazy. The voice that dreaded him to shreds in that haunting night. No...It couldn't be. 

"Dayna?" 

"Oh, god. Please help me!" She shrilled, pleading. 

"Dayna!" He crouched down to the small wooden door, knocking. "Dayna, are you in there? Can you hear me?!"

"They know about our plan!" She screamed.

"D-Dayna, it's Dodge, can you hear me?" Each word grew louder and alerted. He kept knocking on the wood, asking for a sign or a response. He taps the floorboard frantically. Grabbing and hauling the tightly latched padlock to set her free but it wouldn't budge. 

"They put me down here!"

"Just be calm, okay? I'm-I'm right here." The panic in his voice echoed in the void. "I'm g-gonna, um-"

Dodge rose up to his feet hectically, nearly staggering his steps as he looked high and low for the key that would unlock the latch. At every decision, he felt unsure. At every key he set his eye on, a voice in the back of his head told him it was wrong. Dayna's frantic screams and call for help made him question everything. All he wanted to do was cover his ears, close his eyes, and ask the world to stop. 

"Fuck. Fuck." He mumbles under his breath, wiping the drop of sweat dripping from his forehead. The Mason boy grabbed every single key he believed could open the trap. The metallic clinking sound echoes the room as he snatched each one. Yanking them out from the strings tied to the ceiling. Plucking them out from the ground. 

He was on his knees again, using every key possible if he had to if it meant freeing his sister. "I'm gonna get you out of here, okay?" He tried reassuring her as his hands shook in anxiety. "Dayna, k-keep talking to me. Dayna, can you hear me?!" He cried out. Dodge clamored out for help from Summer, but there was no answer. He groaned in frustration, nothing seemed to work.

"Hey, this isn't funny!" He yelled aloud. 

"Dayna!" Dodge screamed desperately. Red flushed in his face while his hands turned dark. Fumes grew under his nose. His heart went rapidly, battering the door again and again. Slamming his marked fists against the wood, trying to break it open if he has to. The dead silence of Dayna gave him flashbacks of the past that left him with a burning, unbearable intensity on his chest. "Fuck!"

He continued to call out to her. Now, wretchedly and defeatedly slam his foot on the wood board. Every crashing step was a desperate cry for help. Fear and panic pierced through him like a bullet. Terrible thoughts flowed through his mind just like the night of her accident. What if she doesn't make it? What if he loses her? It was his fault all over again. If only they didn't fight, maybe she wouldn't have gone off on her own that night.

Pulling the lock once more, he moved quickly as it itched, finally breaking free. Dodge opened the wooden door but just before he could sprint towards his sister, his steps halted. His mind rendered confused as his chest rose up and down, exhausted. There was no basement. No room underneath. No cage or trap, like he reckoned. It was empty. Nothing but the key hung over the small voice speaker that played Dayna's voice. She screams and pleads on repeat. Bending down, Dodge grabbed the speaker, still staring unbelievably at it as he stood. Still listening as Dayna spoke once more. He laughed. He stood there laughing. His laugh of anger grew louder and unhinged as he threw the speaker severely on the wall, smashing it into pieces. 

Dodge clenched the key, which seemed to be mocking him as he looked at it, in his red blood-boiled fists. He nearly blasted the barn door shut as he exited. Nothing else filled his senses as he sauntered back to the entrance of the Tumbleweed Maze. Dodge tossed the key towards Summer who was standing carelessly near the sign waiting for him. 

She checks over the timer on her phone. "That took a little longer than I expected. But congratulations. You're still on the running." Summer smirked. 

"You know I gotta tell you, Summer, you got me there." The Mason boy infuriatingly chuckles. His lips released an outright grin but his gaze narrowed sharply against the girl. "Is this some fucking joke to you?"

"Don't blame the messenger, man. The judges orchestrate the whole thing." 

Dodge flexed his hand, open and close. Trying to control his temper and the bullshit utterance of the judges of Panic. His shoulders rose up and down, thinking about how they got him. They got him so well, that Dodge wanted to punch himself in the gut. Them has the nerve to mess him through the important person in his life. They played with him well.

"Well, you can tell the judges to fuck off."  ----

Heather strolled inside the regular young adult bar they used to dread going to when they were in high school with her head wandering contradictorily on the clouds. She didn't know why she had to be there. The place was empty and quiet but the lights still detected it open. It has Panic written all over it, what else would it be? Only the unknown message sent to her number gave her a reason to. All it said was MOTOR LODGE, 10 P.M. No more follow-up texts. No clues. Nothing but a location and a time dictated her plans for the night. 

"Diggins?"

The only response to Heather's call was silence. 

The brunette trudged softly. As she loomed closer to the blackboard, her brows crinkled in puzzlement reading the letters posted.

SPECIAL SCREENING TONIGHT IN THE BAR

FEATURING NATALIE WILLIAMS 

INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGE 

What was she doing there if it was an individual challenge? Was she part of it? Or was it some silly local prank other teens were playing on them? Heather wandered dubiously inside the establishment, surveying the unfilled and gloomy room. She lost her luck in trying to turn the lights on. Shifting her attention, Heather dragged her feet in front of the working television with a Panic symbol plastered on it. 

"Swear to God, my dude, if you put porn on that screen, I'll kill you." She says to the heedful ghost watching her from afar. It was Panic. Someone was always watching. 

She rested her palm on the table, waiting for the show or whatever it is they had planned for tonight. Still wondering about her purpose for being there. A need for an audience? 

"Hello?" 

The girl whips her body around. Her nose let out a calm exhale. Her shoulders faltered down in relaxation after seeing Natalie's familiar face walking toward her after spotting her. 

"Heather." Natalie's voice went low. 

The last time they spoke was when Natalie told her to back out of Panic. Both girls had fights but they always managed to get past it at the end of the day. They haven't spoken to each other since so that's why their interaction felt so awkward. Neither could meet the eyes of each other while speaking. 

"What are you doing here?" Natalie asked. 

"Umm...urgent summons."

"But you're not playing." Heather didn't know if it was a genuinely confused reaction or a reminder. 

"I think I got invited to your individual challenge." 

A jutting noise was heard from the corner of the room. Both girls squinted, awaiting for the dark figure to emerge from the shadows. 

"Josie?" Natalie said, confused. The dark-haired awkwardly stepped into the room, skittishly waving at the girls. "Sup." 

"What are we doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

"A text told me to come here."

Josie's forehead creased seeing the setup television screen. "Alright seriously, if they're gonna make us watch porn or some weird snuff film, fuck it, I'm leaving."

"Are we just gonna, like, talk through your favorite movie or something? What'd your invitation say?"

"It didn't." Natalie sighed. "I just got a start time, some friendship necklace thing, and- Damn."

Just then, the grey television screen turned on. Heather and Josie's eyes went large at the screen flashing a scene of Natalie in a blindfold answering questions on the hanging train tracks while being filmed by Summer and Diggins.

"I should've brought popcorn." The brunette smiled. 

"Wait a second. They were filming us?" Josie asked. 

"Score! Are we gonna watch your video next, Josie?"

Natalie looked stunned, frozen in her spot with a hardened expression differing from the girls' astonished one. 

"Turn it off." 

"Okay, admittedly, it's not your best look."

"Turn it off." She said, "Turn it off." She repeated. Natalie dashes near the screen, searching for a remote, a cable box, a wire, an off button, anything. No. No, please. 

"Nat, what's wrong?"

She turned around to the bewildered girls, tears nearly forming in her. Palpitations reached her chest and wavered her breathing. Her shoulders shook in panic and anticipation of what they were about to see as the video continued to play in the background for them to watch. 

"Dodge and I made a deal. We're gonna split the money if either of us wins. Dodge probably told Josie already because he has a thing for her, but Heather doesn't know." Natalie admitted. Heather was quiet and focused. 

"Because she'd be angry?" They recognized Diggins's voice in question. 

"Because Heather, Josie, and I made a deal first."

"So you lied to Heather?"

"She lied to me. Besides... I don't care how many points she got at Jump. There's no way she's gonna win. She never finishes her stories. She never even applied to college. As soon as she has a chance of actually getting what she wants, she just quits." 

Shifting her focused stare from the screen to her, Heather is shocked. Her mouth hung open hearing more of Natalie's words. "What am I watching?"

"Please just let me explain." Josie watched Natalie tremble at her spot. Desperation flowed down her face. 

"This isn't real 'cause you wouldn't say those things about me, right Nat?"

Heather didn't know what to say. Her tiny bubble of hope that none of this was true and was just a trick of Panic was about to pop as she continued to watch. She stood there, hands crossed to her chest, shielding herself as she listened to Nat admit she sabotaged her by trapping her in the basement at Spurlock's ranch. The girl's eyes watered, heartbroken, hearing her best friend say that no one can stop 'cause no one has to. Heather wasn't a competitor. All she got was just sheer dumb luck. 

"You seem to spend most of your time sabotaging Heather," Diggins spoke offscreen. "What about Josie? Why bother making a deal with her in the first place?"

Josie held her breath as her name was mentioned. Natalie's teary eyes moved to hers and all Josie thought was that she didn't know what to feel for her. 

"Honestly, I'm surprised she even made it this far. I don't even know why she joined Panic in the first place. Maybe it's her last attempt to feel something that doesn't require pills. After she got clean, she got boring. But it didn't make her less useful. Josie can keep trying to make it to the final but she'll crack in the end like she always does. She always chooses to run away when things get tough. She's a coward."

"Stop it, we get it! Stop it! Stop, ok. We get it. Stop!" Natalie pleaded. Running a hand through her forehead, her breathing went rapid. She wanted to run to them. Hug them, apologize, anything that she could do to earn their forgiveness but she knew it was too late.

"Guys, please I -" 

"Nice to know what you really think of me, Nat."

Josie could feel Heather's sorry eyes glancing at her from her side. The Slater girl didn't know what to do and just shifted her gaze down, sniffing and wiping the water falling from her eyes. Natalie's words felt like bullets and nails piercing through her skin. Like what basically people expected her to do, she ran out. Dashing her feet out of the bar, out of the door, and ran to her car. On her way out, she spotted Diggins watching in the corner of her eye. She felt Natalie running after her before being stopped by Diggins. What did you do, Josie overheard Natalie say. 

As she drove far enough, she turned the car off. Her whole body shook in tears as her mind continued to replay Natalie's video. Her brain went as far as going back to her earlier conversation with Ray. Maybe she was lying to herself. She could try to change but it's useless. Like what Dodge said, she was acting like her mother. Something she feared and dreaded happening.

-----

As the ignition went down low, Josie sat inside the parked car blatantly staring into space consumed with her own thoughts. She buried her head into her hands, exhaling slowly. She had a long day. All she was eager to do was sink into her bed. Drown herself into the blankets and pillows or read a book if she can't do that. She tried to distract herself by reminding herself once more that she needed to clean her room. Giving herself the effort to get out of the car and walk through the porch, she beamed for a moment, peering through the curtains and seeing the house lights on. Josie couldn't wait to talk to Nick about the day she had. Walking through the porch, she hurriedly pushed the front door open, not knowing what was waiting for her.

"Hey!" Josie tried to add some light to her voice. "Nick, are you home?" She searches the living room before seeing him seated at the kitchen table.

"Anyways, are we gonna order in tonight 'cause I don't really feel like cooking-"

Josie stopped speaking immediately and fixed her gaze on the familiar person sitting across from her brother. A face she prayed she would never see once more. A face she wants to forget. The person who has hurt her the most throughout the years. The woman abandoned her family in the middle of an unfamiliar place after their father passed away.

"What is she doing here?" Josie asks Nick. Not even sparing a glance at her mother. "I said, what the fuck is SHE doing here, Nick?!" She yelled. Nick heaved a sigh at his sister's unsurprising reaction. 

Josie could describe their relationship as strained. It's been five years since they last saw their mother. For a while, he'd check up on their mom if he can manage to find her. The last time they ever spoke surprised him. That time, it was her who reached out to him. She sounded good. There was a feeling of optimism again that Josie would remind him to shut off.

"She came here to see us."

"You're really falling for that again. Seriously?" Josie laughingly scoffed. "Are you sure she's here to see us or do you mean the cabinet where we keep all the money?"

"Josie."

"What?" She raised out her arms. "I'm just pointing out the facts. That's what she did the last time." Josie bit the inside of her cheek. She held her breath as she could feel the tears forming in her eyes. She wasn't gonna cry in front of this woman. She promised herself that she wasn't gonna waste her tears on her anymore.

"She's sober, Josie. She's been clean. All she wants is to apologize."

"Not the first time I've heard that." She defensively crossed her arms. "All she does is lie, Nick! Why can't you see that?!"

Josie, I'm sorry. Josie, I've missed you. Josie, I'm better now. Josie, I'm right here. Those were the words she'd hear often. The apologies and the promises that meant nothing to the person saying it. Josie felt so stupid to believe such promises. It took her a long time to learn how to not fall for those tricks again. But every time she tries to open her heart, the world around her always gives her a chance to speculate.

She remembered the time when her mom called her and revisited her home in the middle of the night. Her mother was unrecognizable back then. Her clothes disheveled, the bags under her eyes were dark, her hair looked like it hadn't been washed. She saw the scars on her arms that Josie was too young to understand. But despite that, she let her in. At the crack of dawn, she left like she wasn't even there.

"I should leave."

"That was quicker than I expected. You beat your last record." She mockingly claps as her mom stood from her seat.

"I just wanted to see how the two of you are doing."

"Oh! How very nice of you to think of us." Josie derisively says. "As you can see, we're doing just fine. I would've cleaned the house but I didn't know when you would show up whenever it was convenient for you."

"You know, I think about you two all the time."

For a second there, she drifted back to her childhood. There was that sweet tone Josie recalled that talked to her, sang to her, and assured her that everything was gonna be alright. The genuineness of her expression made Josie miss her. She missed her mom. Josie fought against the idea in her mind of wanting her back.

"I think that's guilt," Josie said halfheartedly.

"I understand that you're here to make amends or whatever shitty reason you crawled back in here. But if you think we can just forgive you for putting us through hell when you left and we're going act like some big happy family, then you're fucking wrong." She stated. 

"If you were any smarter…" Nick tries to get a hold of Josie's forwarding stride but she manages to escape his grip. Holding in the tears and looking her in the eye, Josie refused to blink. She wasn't gonna falter. She wasn't gonna let her hurt her again. "Never come back here again."

Not looking back, Josie stomped her way into her room. Her feet increased their pace just enough to get her out of there. The other Slaters glanced in her direction. Nick bowed his head down in disappointment as he heard his little sister slam the door shut. 

Josie wanted to run. She wanted to run away. She didn't know where but all she knew was that she needed to get away from there. She paced around her room, her feet growing restless, her heart pounding loudly like soldiers marching on the ground, and her arms growing tired as it rests above her head. Josie wanted to scream. Screaming so loud that the world would just fall apart like she is. Her hands fell on her knees as her sobs filled her surroundings. She clutched her chest as she let out the mixed frustration and sadness in her system. Her breath hitches as she closed her eyes, letting the tears fall. Seeing the emptiness surrounding her, Josie allowed her body fell forward, drowning in self tears and misery.

teehee i feel so special 🥰

i'm no longer withholding writing a cute fluff piece based on this post i made a half hour ago, nor am i withholding writing mike pieces any longer because we all deserve it, whether we believe so or not. anyway, darling @ysuftmikey this is for you. and this would take place when he gets back to the hotel after this

May 16, 2024 Cannes, France

“It’s going to be nice,” you remark, tracing your finger over the rim of your wine glass. “I know you need it.” You push back against the headboard to extend your legs outward, watching the man in front of you begin to unbutton his dress shirt. “Just relax, do nothing. Day drink.” You pause as you watch him shrug off his shirt and lay it over the edge of the bed. “Fuck.”

He bites the inside of his cheek to stifle a smile, but you see his eyebrow raise at the word. “Is that all you have on our agenda?”

“What more could you want?”

“We could do that at home.” The sound of the metal of his belt reverberates against the walls, and you watch from your placement on the bed as his eyes stare directly into yours.

“Yeah, but not with a view of the French Riviera…”

“Can always close our eyes and imagine.”

“It’s not the same, babe.” You lift your glass to your lips to take a sip. He’s already slipped out of his dress pants and laid them neatly over the armrest of the chaise lounge. “How about I run us a bath?”

You watch as he methodically climbs over your limbs, almost tragically laying on your claw clip, before he relaxes his body between your legs, his head resting on your stomach. “Let’s just lay here for a bit…please.”

You can feel his hand rubbing circles on the exposed side on your waist, and his breath slow and drown out, close to sleep. You run your fingers through his hair, pushing little pieces out from his forehead, before finally resting on his cheek.

“I’m proud of you, you know? I’m excited for tomorrow.”

You feel his breath hitch in his throat, and he lightly adjusts his position above you. “Nervous… Hate speeches.”

“Don’t think too much about it. We can write something for you – at least have something to go off of.”

“I’m glad you’ll be there. Wouldn’t be able to handle it if you weren’t.” You can’t see his expression, but you can feel he’s softened. The creases between his brows having mellowed. “I love you.”

“I love you too…” You can feel him tracing invisible patterns on your exposed skin. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I don’t care what’s going on… I’d drop anything for you.” He gently moves, and you feel him place a singular kiss on your stomach, nuzzling his nose deeper up your chest. “You deserve a holiday. You’ve worked hard this year, and I know you didn’t want to do the press tour, but it’s over. The worst is over. Just need to get through this weekend.”

He finally lifts his head up, his eyes piercing blue, save for that splash of brown. “Still want that bath?”

You smirk, reaching over to set your wine glass down on your bedside table without jostling your partner too much. He pushes himself from the bed, still laying between your legs. “I got bath salts, rose petals, candles… The whole nine yards.”

“Are you trying to seduce me?” He quips, roaming a single finger up and down your thigh.

“I mean…yeah. Duh.” You give him a look that says, “I wouldn’t be doing all of this for nothing.”

“We can skip all of that…save the middle man and just skip—”

“Michael, I fucking swear… Let me be romantic.”

“You’re always romantic.” He’s leaning forward, his chest stark with yours. You feel his lips begin to craze light pecks across your jaw, and down your neck.

“And you best believe it.”

ok but WHY IS THIS SO OLIVIA RODRIGO AND LOUIS PARTRIDGE CODED 😭😭

When Mike goes to famous!reader’s shows, does he film her? Does he sing along? Does he just watch with his jaw on the floor the entire time?

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS QUESTION, also featuring in this ask are the songs tejano blue by cigarettes after sex; sex by the 1975; wake me by bleachers

Here are a few fan testimonies from previous shows:

Tell me how the fuck did I just see Mike Faist backstage at her DC show tonight? Babe is getting the groupie treatment.

Mike being at her show tonight isn’t helping the dating rumors and quite frankly knowing all of the words to Tejano Blue isn’t helping either.

Homegirl is really dodging all of the dating rumors but then brings the man in question on tour with her and expects me to act normal about it?

Nobody seems to be talking about Mike Faist backstage at [reader’s] show and recording the entirety of Sex on his little red iPhone. DROP THE FOOTAGE, MICHAEL.

Mike singing the lyrics to Tejano Blue so proudly like, “Yes, we have fucked. This song is about me. Thank you for wondering.”

On most occasions, he will be backstage watching, but if it’s a Columbus show, he’ll probably be in the audience with his family. (She puts them in VIP). He knows all the words to all her songs; his camera roll is full of pictures and videos he’s taken at her shows. He even brings his Nikon to take photos of her. He’s always smiling and laughing at her crowd banter. And of course he always looked the most concerned when she takes a fall – whether that be from spilled water or purely her clumsiness. The most notable moment happened at a Columbus show, of all places, and her foot got tangled in her microphone wire and she fell hard.

“Just leave me here… Don’t worry about me—I’ll finish the rest of the show down here… Anyone who recorded that, I will sue you if you post it anywhere, I fucking swear. Don’t test me.”

And it’s quite funny when she performs the more sexual songs at the Columbus shows, because she gets so shy and embarrassed and will skip over entire lyrics because there is no way she is about to sing about fucking her man in her car, with his mother in attendance. She’ll pass. She even mouths “I’m sorry” into the camera at the more explicit lyrics.

And if you’re one of the few lucky ones who have stood near Mike at the Columbus shows, you’re always in for a treat.

Me @ Mike Faist after every song: honey do you know this song is about you?

[reader] trying to be on her best behavior tonight because her mother-in-law is here

Does Mike know he’s dating [reader] or should I tell him?

SOUND THE ALARMS SHE SAID TONIGHT IS A SPECIAL NIGHT AND BEFORE SHE PLAYED WAKE ME SHE SAID IT WAS FOR ALL THE LOVERS OUT THERE AND SHE POINTED TO HERSELF AND MOUTHED “MY LOVER” AND MIKE’S MOM (presumably) SMILED AT HIM AND HUGGED HIM

[reader] really said “that is my man” and let us go ballistic

[reader] singing the words “I can’t believe I captured your heart” and staring directly at Mike Faist wasn’t on my BINGO card but