Life Or Death

Chapter 3

After all of my friends have introduced themselves, it's the people gathered around Mais turn.
The boy who gave a glare to Yuta has blond hair, which ends at about where his neck does, and it half covers his right eye, which is covered by a white eye patch. He's wearing a white shirt, black jacket, black watch, denim, ripped shorts and black boots which are about calf high. If that's even a thing.
"I'm Haru," he gives a small wave and laughs. "Don't really get what's going on but I guess it's nice to meet you all."
The next two girls are stood close together, clutching each other's arm.
One has bubblegum pink hair, that ends at about her hip. She has two space buns in, but the rest of her hair is loose. There's a pearl necklace hanging around her neck and she wears a pink blouse that matches her hair and white shorts. She has white crossed sandals and is wearing a very long white cardigan, ending just under her knees. The other girl has pastel blue hair, one side of her hair tucked behind her ear, and wearing it in high pigtails. She's wearing a white strap tank top, with the material overhanging and a white mini skirt with a black belt. Her socks have fallen down around her calfs and she's wearing simple black shoes.
"I'm...Izumi," bubblegum says. "And this is Yui." She points at pigtails. "She's not too talkative."
Izumi starts fiddling with her hair so I look away and over to the only person who's name I don't know.
He has chestnut hair in an under shave, wearing a black shirt and some black shorts. His shoes are just basic blue trainers.
"Arisu," he introduces himself. "Pleasures all mine."
"Okay. So introductions are all done. Anyone got any idea on what to do next?" Jin asks.
I shrug.
There's suddenly a piercing sound ringing through the air and everyone rushes to cover their ears.
It stops.
We all look up.
"Now what in the hell was that?" Kokomi looks around.
"Sorry, sorry! I've never used this fancy mic thing before." The voice seems young and playful. A girls? "I'm glad you're all warming up to each other. I need y'all to head to the dining room! I believe it was Aiko that woke up there but she's probably forgotten by now with all the excitement sooo I'll tell you something to help you out! Everyone look to your right!"
We all turn to face the wall.
"In every single room in this facility," the voice continues, "there's a map on the far right wall. It'll show you where you are and how to get to any other room! Handy, right? Why don't you use it to find the dining room? There's a nice surprise waiting for you there...hehe...haha...AHAHAHAHA-"
Their laughter is suddenly cut off, leaving all of us stunned into silence.
For a while, nobody moves or even speaks.
Seiko is the one to break the silence.
"Do we...have to listen to it?" She asks.
"God knows," Mai sighs.
"It might be safer than staying here," Izumi murmurs, to which Yui nods solemnly.
"But what if it's not?" Noelle replies. "What if we get killed?"
"At the same time we could be killed for not following orders..." I tell her.
"Let's just go!" Haru says, exasperated.
Slowly but surely, we all come to the agreement to find out what the suspicious voice wants.
And with that, we make our way to the dining room.
As soon as we enter the voice returns to the speakers.
"Oki doki! Y'all finally decided to show up, didja?"
I notice Mai has her hand tightly around Noelles wrist as if she doesn't want her to run away.
"Please look to the middle table!"
No one moves.
"Now please!"
Yuta slowly takes a step forward.
"I don't have all day and I'm about to lose my manners. HURRY YOUR ASSES UP!"
We all move towards the table and look down.
"Cards...?" I murmur.
On the table there are 13 cards lay face down, and a box too.
"How observant! Yes there are thirteen cards lying on the table and you're not to turn them over! Arisu if you don't remove that hand that's creeping nearer and nearer to the table I will cut it off," the voice yells.
I look around to see Arisu quickly snatch his hand away. The voice continues.
"Now when I say, and ONLY when I say so, please form a line and pick up just one card each. And no, no you can't turn them over before picking. The cards face shall remain hidden until everyone has picked! Actually, I don't trust y'all to do this yourselves so I'm going to pick your order!"
What on Earth are they on about? Do the cards have meanings or something?
"First will be Noelle."
Mais head snaps up.
"Then Yui. Then Rouh, Seiko, Aiko, Mai, Yuta, Izumi, Kokomi, Jin, Arisu, Hiyori, and finally, Haru! Okay! Go!"
Noelle prises her arm from Mais grasp and looks down at the table. Her hand scans over all of the cards.
She looks anxiously back at her friends, who return her gaze with just as concerned of a look. She returns her focus to the cards laying out in front of her.
"Please don't be something bad..." I hear her mutter under breath before she reaches out and grabs a card.
She steps back and into Mais arms who hugs her tightly and starts repeatedly telling her that it'll be okay.
One by one they all pick a card until it's my turn.
My hand is shaking as it reaches out. There's still nine choices left. My intuition is telling me to take the one on the far right so that's the one I pick up. I don't dare to try take a peek at it so I just step back, close my eyes and take a deep breath. Everyone left has their turn and then we all twist round to look at each other.
Then the voice returns once more.
"So y'all have your cards now! Take a look and see what you got! Ah, ah, ah though! No showing them to anybody else! That's strictly against the rules!"
I glance around at everybody else. They're all nervously checking their cards. Some people's faces contort into confusion, some to fear and some stay blank. There's nothing for it. I have to check mine too.
I look down. My stomach tightens and my head feels light. I have a lump in my throat. The world seems to lurch sideways.
"Aiko are you okay?"
It's Seiko. Her voice seems so faraway.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," I swallow.
"You sure don't look it.."
My legs give way and I collapse on the floor.
"Aiko!"
My friends quickly rush over to help me back up but I'm shaking too badly. I can feel Mais eyes burning into me.
It said Victim.