Peril

Nine.

The birds were tweeting, the sun was shining, and the air smelt like perfectly crisped bacon. But it wasn't. When I woke up, everything was gray, loud groans from the outside were heard, and the air didn't smell good. All the gross things you could think of is what the air smelled like. I felt melancholic.

I stood up and tied my hair. I looked at my face on the broken mirror. They say it was bad luck but I don't think so. Because since I have stepped on the exterior ground, my life was already in hell. No, scratch that, since this zombie apocalypse started.

I wonder who started this chaos. I wish he's life would be miserable.

"Claer." Felix opened the door and peeked his head in. I look towards him, " Yes, I'm ready. Are you?"

"Yes." Felix replied.

We grabbed some armors and defensive gears. The moment I stepped foot out of the cabin, I could feel my heart palpitate. I put one hand on top of my chest and thought if I can handle this.

We started exploring the woods, 100 meters away from the cabin. We left markers on the path so we won't have a hard time going back. We fought and killed zombies along the way. Well, I got used to it already. I'm pretty sure I can handle myself if there would be a war between humanity and zombies.

After a long walk, we reached 3 km away from where we came from. My brother decided that we should go home already before it gets very dark. It was already half past four. The dark clouds already slowly covered the sky.

While we were walking towards home, I saw something nearby. It was a studio type metal structure. It looked like, "The control center." I murmured.

"Don't worry Claer, we'll continue searching tomorrow. We need to go home before hoarde of zombies would attack us." Felix continued walking.

"No. I need to finish this game today." I ignored Felix and walked towards the thing I saw. I didn't care about the leaves and bushes touching my face. The metal thing just caught my attention so much. "Oh my god, I can't believe this." I was already so close to it when, "Claer! Where are you going?" I looked back and saw Felix.

"Can't you see, it's the control center Felix! We won!" I giggled.

"We're not very sure of that yet Claer. Maybe that's just an old army weapon used back then to fight the zombies." Felix continued telling things that was nonsense.

I followed my instinct and entered the metal bungalow. I opened the door then, "Oh god! It's the control center!" I screamed. Felix ran towards me and we saw the same room we saw on the tv yesterday. We both jumped in joy. The walls were green and it was full of computers. I saw a piece of paper on the desk.

Congratulations, you've made it!
Please push the red button.
-Council

I gave it to Felix and let him read it. We searched for the red button then without hesitation, I pressed it.

It released, noisy and cringing sounds. I covered my ears then looked at the monitors. A woman flashed on the screen, it was the same woman who hosted the elimination round before.

"Congratulations affluents! You made it! But sad to say, only one shall be considered as a winner. One must backout and let the other one win. I'll count for 30 seconds and you must decide who."

I looked at Felix with a worried look. He looked back at me with a straight face.

"30 seconds starts now. 30...29..28"

Felix drew closer to me and held my both hands. He said, "Claer, you should go. You deserve to win, not me. Don't worry I will be safe in the cabin. You should go home Claer and reunite with mom, dad and Erine. You're still too young to be alone here in the exterior."

"19..18..17.."

"But Felix, I can't leave you here. I'm not going home without you. Pleaseee." I begged.

"There's nothing we can do about it Claer. You should go. Send my love and regards to our family,okay? Goodluck Claer." Felix slowly stepped backwards and towards the exit.

"Felix, no.." I started to cry.

I pushed the button and when I looked back again towards Felix direction, he was nowhere from my sight. He was gone.

(Felix' Short Point of View)

I went out from the control center with a bit of happiness for my sister and a bit of disappointment to myself. Honestly, I thought that I could have been the one who will be going home but no, I won't. I gave up the victory for my sister because I felt pity towards her and because I love her. I can't stand my sister left here in the exterior,alone.

That would be such an irresponsible act of an older brother.

I was walking away when someone grabbed my shoulders and punched me in the face. It hit my right eye and I fell down. I cannot see clearly with my left eye. All I could see was a blurred picture of what was happening. I saw a silhouette of someone tieing my arms with a cord.

I blinked a few times when vision became clearer. It was a man with a badge on his left chest pocket, it says "Sky Council Patrol" There were 4 of them.

Oh shit. The council has betrayed us. Then I realized my sister, Claer. "Claer! Get out there! We've been trolled! Claer!" I shouted as loud as I can. But it was useless. They already poisoned me with the use of sleeping gas.

Then, I blacked out.

(End of Felix' point of view)

After I pushed the button, a loud alarm echoed the room.

From the control center, I heard someone screaming from the outside. I was thinking of opening the door but then I was terrified.

I stepped back and saw the door opened. I saw Felix, but with a different outfit. He was wearing a black suit with a badge on his left chest pocket. I cannot clearly see the writings on the badge.

"Felix? You came back!" I said with a joyful smile. I was about to hug and run towards him but then he pointed a gun at me.

"What are you doing Felix? Put that damn gun down!" I said in a loud voice.

I saw three other men with the same uniform as him, behind him. I looked at his face with a confused look. The three men grabbed my hands and tied it together.

"Ahh! Let go of me!" I struggled but then Felix shoot me on the right shoulder. I screamed in pain.

"Fe-lix. What-are you- doing?" I stuttered while I was bleeding.

"You failed Claer. I thought you were gonna prove me wrong? But look at you now, a little helpless girl crying for help. Such a coward."He smirked.

Then I remembered something "You! You're fake! You're just a clone! I will kill you! What did you do to my brother!?" I shouted at him ignoring my bleeding shoulders. He transformed into a familiar face.

"Steve Willson? The former game champion? (Please refer to the Prologue to know who is Steve Willson)" I was shocked. He smirked at me.

"Well, say bye-bye to your loser brother Claer. He's a coward like you! Hahahaha" He laughed.

I was going to fight back but then they sprayed me with sleeping gas that made me unconcious.

"Sweet dreams." I heard Steve say.