𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍, ᵈᵃⁿⁿʸ ᵃᵃʳᵒⁿˢ

14

as we stepped into the challenge area, a vast map unfurled before our eyes, its intricate details beckoning us. the TV screen blinked with the words ' drop the pin', an electrifying challenge that sent a shiver of excitement down my spine.

on the side, flags from various countries fluttered, their vibrant colors a testament to the world's diversity. a rush of confidence surged through me.

this was a geography challenge, and i was a master in that realm. i couldn't help but grin, ready to conquer this challenge. i was in my element, and i knew this was going to be a walk in the park.

' housemates , as you have been misbehaving today , footasylum has been forced to call in an expert to bring in some discipline to the locked in house. please welcome your headmaster '

the moment sugarlips' words faded into silence, the room was filled with a palpable anticipation. then, as if on cue, harry pinero sauntered in, a sheet of paper clasped in his hands, a promise of what was to come.

his entrance was like a spark in a powder keg, igniting a burst of cheers that echoed throughout the room. we all rose to our feet, clapping wildly, our applause a thunderous symphony of excitement and anticipation.

' now , this is homeschooled . locked in editionnn come on. okay now the first little round we've got here is called drop the pin. as you can see there's some flags here and i'm going to pick out some names , you have to come here and place the flag on the correct place. now joyce , please come up please i need you to put on the map where ethiopia is ' harry beckoned joyce to take center stage.

joyce rose from her seat, a thoughtful expression etched across her face. she stood before what she believed to be the ethiopian flag, its vibrant colors a symbol of a faraway land.

she paused for a moment, her mind churning as she considered her next move. she had a hunch that it was a small country, and trusting her instincts, she decided to go for it. with a determined gleam in her eyes, she gently placed the flag down.

as she pinned it, there was a sense of finality, a silent acknowledgement that there was no turning back.

' so , we're gonna see on the screen whether or not you got that correct. '

a wave of disappointment washed over her team. their faces were etched with the desire to interject, to correct the mistake that had been made.

but before any words could be spoken, the room was bathed in a harsh red glow, a visual echo of their collective dismay. the word 'incorrect' sliced through the tense silence, a grim verdict delivered by sugarlips. the tv flickered to life, a beacon of truth in the sea of uncertainty.

it pinpointed the true location of ethiopia, a silent rebuke to their misguided assumption.

' up next is the blue team with kaci , alright kaci. i need you to show me where canada is ' harry now had our team leader to step up to the front, leading the charge with confidence.

' guys im not good at geography this isn't fair '
kaci stepped forward, her fingers delicately gripping the flag.

as she pinned it down, an immediate sense of correctness filled the room. danny, however, was skeptical. a smug grin danced on his lips, certain in his belief that kaci was wrong.

but a single glance from me wiped that grin away, replacing it with a realization of his own misjudgment. i remembered kaci's struggles with geography from our school days, a memory that seemed more distant now that i had graduated a year ahead of her.

just as i anticipated, she was right on the mark. as her correctness was confirmed, the room was bathed in a triumphant green glow.

the color symbolized more than just a correct answer; it was a hard-earned point for our team, a testament to our collective knowledge and teamwork.

the room buzzed with our shared victory, a moment of celebration that brought us closer to a victory.

' okay now up next of course is the red team , the one and only dannyyyy '

now, the spotlight shifted to danny. it was his turn to step forward, to take the flag in his hands and make his mark on the world map.

his moment to shine had arrived, a chance to prove his mettle and contribute to his team's score.

' if you told me to put england on this map i would not know where ' danny shot me a knowing glance, aware of my love for geography, and i couldn't help but roll my eyes in response.

' well danny , lucky for you we have another country. which is sweden , show me where sweden is on the map '

with a confident stride, danny made his move. he picked up the flag for sweden, his fingers closing around the pin. his gaze scanned the map, finally landing on the smallest country depicted.

with a swift motion, he pinned the flag, certain in his choice. but i knew better. as expected, the room was immediately washed in a glaring red light, a clear signal of his mistake.

the TV flickered to life, revealing the true location of sweden, far from where danny had placed his flag. his error was clear to all, a stark contrast to the green glow of our previous success.

' next up for the blue team , is the lovely maeve ' harry greeted me warmly as it was my turn. i felt a rush of excitement as i picked up the flag for mexico, its vibrant colors familiar to me.

i approached the map, my eyes already locked onto the correct location. with a confident stride, i crossed the room, the flag held high. i pinned mexico precisely, the room echoing with the sound of success.

just as i anticipated, the room was bathed in a triumphant green light, signifying my correct answer. i had no doubts about it.

as soon as the room turned green, danny, in his playful manner, sprinted towards me and playfully knocked me to the floor, both of us laughing in the midst of my victory.

' i knew where every country was , i knew because i'm good at geography. i obviously knew mexico give me any country and i'll be able to point it out for you '

' birdie has gotten too big for her boots '

' did sugarlips just roadman insult me? '

❀❀❀

as the first challenge concluded, my team found ourselves on the losing end. the air was filled with a mix of disappointment and determination. but the game was far from over.

more challenges lay ahead, and we were ready to face them, knowing that every new challenge brought a new opportunity for victory.