Challengers

20 : The Scarlet Night

Eden Plateau looked different during the day, and I suddenly felt conflicted about that. Part of me was relieved that it didn't look that scary anymore, but at the same time, I was embarrassed after making a fool out of myself last night. Akala ko nga ay doon kami sa mismong horror house pupunta, but fortunately, the challenge would take place in the nearby building where we stayed last night.

"Oh, babalik din pala tayo rito," remarked Arin. "Pero in fairness, ang bilis nila mag-build ng set ha? Ilang oras pa lang ang nakakalipas."

Like Arin, I was also impressed. The then-empty studio was now partitioned into three chambers—each with a distinct layout to match the scenario we needed to enact—and a narrow hallway where the whole group would be staying.

Dahil kami ang unang naka-figure out ng challenge ay pinapili kami kung anong chamber ang gusto namin. But aside from the labels attached on the entrances, wala naman silang ibang details na ibinigay kaya hindi na rin kami masyadong nag-isip sa pagpili.

"So, the first room is an office setting, while the second is in a university club room," sabi ni Sayuri. "Ano 'yung third?"

"Mansion!" sigaw ni Arin na naglakad sa dulo ng hallway para makita ang label sa huling room.

"Anong pipiliin natin?" Asked Michael.

"Let's go with majority rule," Zion suggested.

Most of us chose the first room dahil iyon ang pinakasimple at familiar kaya iyon ang sinabi namin sa staff at pagkatapos no'n ay isa-isa kaming pinapili sa envelopes na nakalatag sa table.

"Please choose one," the staff said.

Eight roles were written on the envelopes in front of us: two investigators, three female employees, a male employee, general manager, and security guard.

Agad kong kinuha ang investigator role at si Sayuri naman ang kumuha ng isa pa.

"I want to try this," she said while waving the envelope at Michael.

"Galingan mo, ha?" balik ni Michael habang nakangisi sa akin. "Talunin mo 'yang si Elix."

I was sure he said that to cheer his teammate and at the same time, get on my nerves, but someone else got provoked. Zion stood right beside me and flashed a practiced smile. "You won't lose, right?"

"Well...I'll try my best," I murmured.

"Now that all of you have chosen the roles you preferred, we will give you five minutes to read the contents of the envelope in private. Also, please look at the numbers written on the left side of the envelope and enter the chamber in sequence."

Agad naman kaming pinaghiwa-hiwalay para makita namin ang contents ng envelope. I would be the last to enter since mine was numbered eight, and the paper inside just summarized what I had to do.

You are the investigator.

Your goal is to identify three suspects and find the murderer among them. Please write an investigative report once you have obtained evidence and clues about the case. Good luck!

Isa-isa naman silang pumasok habang naiwan kaming dalawa ni Sayuri sa labas. I tried reading their expressions while entering the chamber, but everyone was already wearing their poker face.

After about thirty minutes, Sayuri and I were finally called. Now, it's time to fulfill my role.

***

A gasp escaped my lips as soon as I stepped inside the chamber.

The room was further divided into four quadrants: the main office, general manager's office, office pantry, and security office. Desk, chairs, and monitors lined the main office area, and each cubicle was assigned to an employee. Meanwhile, the general manager's office boasted more space and decorations. Adjacent to the oak desk was a leather couch, and in front of it was a large corkboard containing meeting details and news cutouts. Contrary to the first two, the office pantry looked quite empty as it only had a long table and storage cabinet. And lastly, the security office had a single futon, and a small desk where most of the guard's items were placed.