"Huwag mo nang subukan," dinig kong sabi ni Isaiah na nagpatigil sa 'kin na gawin ang binabalak ko. "Don't put yourself in danger. Like what you've said, let's just follow them."
Dahil sa sinabi niya, I keep my eyes looking at the ground without making any movements. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na kami nakaluhod, pero ramdam ko na nagsisimula nang kumirot ang tuhod ko. Nangangalay na rin ang baywang ko. I am thankful that the floor isn't made of stones, but tiles. Baka kanina pa nagdurugo ang tuhod ko.
"This is insane," bulong ni Isaiah na nagpabuntong hininga sa akin.
"This is not just insane," sunod kong sinabi. I start squeezing and massaging my thighs. "This is inhumane."
Wala nang nagsalita sa amin pagkatapos ko sabihin 'yon. I hate the fact that I'm kneeling—the worst without knowing who the person is. I have never experienced this in my whole existence. Sa ginagawa namin ngayon, parang sinasamba namin ang lalaking may pangalang Hector. 'Di ko alam kung ayos lang sa ibang mga bisita na gawin ang bagay na 'to o napipilitan lang dahil sa naghihintay na premyo. It makes sense.
"Welcome to Inferno," a distinct and gruff voice suddenly speaks on the mic, which sends shivers down my spine. "It has been five years since I created the game. We were only five people during our first launch. Now, here we are—" he pauses. I can sharply hear his deep breathing, "with new players. Isn't that amazing? I am excited to witness everyone fighting for the title. Anyway, I won't make this speech long. Enjoy and give your best. And remember. There are no ground rules. Good luck!"
"Asshole," komento ni Isaiah.
Nakiramdam ako sa paligid. No one moves or talks until the end of his speech. Mas lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko. I've been sensing something dangerous, starting from the two people who approached me and led the way to this. Hindi normal 'to. Pati sila, hindi mga normal. I could've saved myself if only I didn't accept the invitation and joined the game. Stupid, Eleanor!
"Everyone, you may take your seat."
"Patulong," bulong ko kay Isaiah na agad ako inalalayan makaupo.
Bahadya kong itinaas ang suot kong dress para tingnan ang tuhod ko. Both are swelling up. Mariin kong kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko habang iniinda ang sakit. Ibinalik ko na lang ang atensyon sa stage at hindi na inisip ang namumula kong tuhod. There's more important than this.
"Huwag na natin sayangin ang oras. Let the game officially begins!"
Napatingin ako sa buong paligid nang mag-iba ang kulay ng mga ilaw. Naging kulay pula 'to hudyat para sumakit ang mga mata ko. I look at Isaiah who keeps panicking and checking our surroundings. I am about to tap him when the big screen on stage turns into a plain white background before slowly showing the bold letters in black. Wala na rin ang nagsasalita kanina roon.
COLOR DETERMINES YOUR FATE
"Color determines your fate," malakas na basa ni Isaiah bago tumingin sa gawi ko. "What the hell does that mean?"
BINABASA MO ANG
The Hector's Game
RomansaEleanor Fernandez, a college dropout, was a barista in a small coffee shop near a wealthy subdivision. The place was quite old and far from the city center, but the wage was way higher than in her previous jobs, enough reason for her to stay. She wa...
