The Adaptive Game

"BREAK A LEG"

- Conner

"I can't stop thinking about it."

"Sandwiches."

"What?"

"We're getting sandwiches for lunch, I know it."

"No, no, I can't understand why Vector killed his entire team. For us."

"He knew something. He knew we were going to die if they beat us."

"Well, no shit."

"Most of us are going to die for this money anyway. He probably just wanted to end it now, right?"

"Maybe he was expecting something like this to happen. Wow."

"I don't want to keep thinking about it. Let's get sandwiches."

"Oh hey, I guessed right!"

We finish our sandwiches quickly. Except Tim, who's with us and isn't feeling the appetite.Someone, player 507, comes over with around 4 sandwiches in his arms like he's holding a baby.

"Hey Tim, you want that sandwich or no?"

"I-It's yours..."

He hunches over, covering his belly with both his arms.

"Who is this, Tim?"

Instead of Tim responding, the guy turns to me and introduces himself.

"I'm Harrison. I'm trading sandwiches for other stuff... Like future game information! Protection!"

"Okay... I'm Conner, this is Emilia, Shaun, David... Wait, where's David?"

"I... I don't know." Emilia replies in a worrying voice.

"You guys wanna join up? I like joining up. I'm already with my friend Jean and Dodge, they're good teammates."

"Okay... Sure."

The Square Guard brings in an Airhorn this time - I guess he got bored of the megaphone.

HONK

"All players, we want groups of 8. Then come through the doors with your team and go downstairs, follow the guards."

"Harrison, how many people do you have? We got Me, Emilia, Shaun, Tim, Buck, I don't know where David is... But we have 5. Get your other two guys."

"Got it, Conner. We'll meet at the front."

"Good. Make haste."

Emilia crosses her arms. "I don't think this challenge will end well."

"They never do. Stay positive."

"I'm serious, bro. It doesn't get easier. Never does."

For once this week, this short badass actually seemed scared.

"Don't worry Ema. Break a leg."