High School Royale

8〛Sundown

Grace Harper - 7:44PM
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811 people were left. The number bore into Grace's mind. She sighed, putting her phone down. The sun would be setting soon, and they would need to seriously consider how they would make it to the industries hall.

Shanti had said a lot.

"The new currency has been circulating for a bit," he explained. "Its exact value rate hasn't been established yet, but from what we've seen, things are expensive when they start costing several hundred coins."

"I suppose it's in line with what the boy gave us," Grace said.

"What else?" Alyssa asked. "All that medicine is worth much more than that."

"Yes, of course. I'm sure you have heard or seen the shooters. We're still unsure of their identities, but there's two of them. There's also a group of archers on the rooftop and raiders that roam the halls, but no one else dares to be aggressive."

Grace's expression shifted, as she uncrossed her arms, the whole room turning to her. Archers?

"The team?" Miguel mouthed.

"I don't know," Grace shook her head. "I wasn't close with any of them."

"What about other groups?" Alyssa asked.

"There's some people in the science hall, and some people in the art hall. A lot of small groups are hiding in the athletics hall, former friend groups in each sports team. I remember one of the groups in the gym hall was looking for three people. They're all chill, though."

"Rescue," Nick whispered. "Ask him about that."

"Are there any signs of rescue? Anything new about that?"

"No, not at all. Nothing. Anything else?"

The pit in Grace's stomach grew. They were still trapped. No help was coming; it was absolute. And now, with the sun setting, the most dangerous part of the day would begin.

Adam was leaning against the front barricade, eyes closed. Grace snapped, and he lurched to attention.

"No dozing off, if someone tried to blast through that door you'd be dead."

"Yes, sorry, my bad."

"Anyways, it's getting late," she announced. "It's time we begin planning how we're going to get to the industries hall."

"Or if that's still the best idea," Maya chimed. "I hate to say it, but I've come to like our clinic. It's ours, and we have walls. We have supplies. Is not being in the center of the battlefield worth the risk of carrying all of our supplies? To lose access to water and shelter?"

"Maya's right," Alyssa sighed. "As time has gone on, as we've made this clinic our true base, I've been having second thoughts."

"I told you guys. But also..." Miguel trailed, before sighing. "It's hard. I don't like having that group right outside."

"They've been nice so far," Olivia said.

"So far," Nick emphasized. "Who knows. If they get desperate for food or medicine, they might get nasty."

"I won't need any more medicine when I'm out hiding," Grace said. "If you guys don't mind sparing a blanket and pillow and some food."

"Grace..." Alyssa said, her voice soft. "Please."

"It's my choice, at the end of the day. I understand you guys not wanting to go. I do. However, I refuse to bring myself to hide center-stage of all the fighting. There's no worse move, in my opinion."