The lost of the game

~5~ PREPARE FOR THE NEXT GAME

In the early morning, James awakened ahead of schedule to find the area deserted, with only his friends present. Having

observed numerous individuals inhabiting the vicinity overnight, he, too, had done the same. However, upon waking, the

others had vanished. Without much contemplation, James roused his companions to seek better shelter, as well as food and

beverages. While they were gathering their belongings, James espied a figure in the distance, unsure whether it was a

deceased individual or someone resting. Jessica promptly inquired about their next destination, to which James, preoccupied

with the distant figure, initially paid no heed. Concerned, Jessica caught his attention by snapping her fingers in front of his

face. Startled, James refocused and apologized, admitting his inattention with a chuckle. Jessica, anxious, inquired about

their next move, noting James' fixation on something in the distance. James disclosed having spotted a person lying on the

ground. Jessica questioned his desire to investigate, suggesting the individual might simply be asleep or unwell. James,

hesitant, was open to the idea of checking on the person, considering the possibility that something might be wrong. After a

few minutes of deliberation, they began discussing where to head for their next destination or a safer shelter. Mark voiced his

concerns, asking the others if they were sure about their choice, emphasizing the potential danger from gangsters or other

threats. Jessica responded with a sigh, acknowledging the risks but emphasizing the importance of their immediate needs.

She expressed frustration at Mark's continuous focus on the potential dangers, urging him to concentrate on finding the

necessary resources rather than dwelling on the risks. Her outburst surprised both James and Mark, as they had never seen

her so upset or apprehensive before. After a brief discussion, they set off on their journey, hoping for something better. As

they proceeded on foot, they encountered an individual sprawled on the ground. It was the identical young woman whom they

had previously come across. James had seen from miles away. As they drew near, James abruptly gasped, pivoted, and

succumbed to a state of shock and apprehension. It became apparent to me that the individual in question was the same

young woman, we had encountered on the previous day. I observed a knife concealed in her waistband, Mark leaned in and

whispered urgently, "Did someone stab her or something?" I shot him a solemn look as we continued to observe, the tension

in the air palpable. James said, 'We don't have time to think about it. Just find something to cover her wound and remove the

knife.' Jessica quickly checked if she was still alive while Mark searched for something to staunch the bleeding. For a few

seconds, blood continued to flow as he ripped a piece of his shirt and wrapped it around her waist before removing the knife.

Mark returned with a first-aid kit and antiseptic. 'Do we need bandages?' he asked. 'Of course we do,' James responded

irritably. Jessica confirmed that she was still alive but stressed the urgency of treating her quickly since the game was set to

start at 7:30 pm. James suggested finding shelter, and after half an hour of traveling, they located one near a store. They took

a break and ate their food, despite not feeling hungry, as the game was about to begin in thirty minutes. Suddenly, Mark felt

unwell and vomited due to the stress. James and Jessica checked on him, noting his recent decline in health. Jessica regretted

yelling at him for being scared. As he vomited, they noticed a bright rainbow-like light emanating from a nearby building. The

the light was so intense that James was momentarily blinded. Then, their phones alarmed, signaling the start of the game.

They had to move quickly to avoid dire consequences."

The team wasn't prepared, as everyone was exhausted from traveling. Nevertheless, they had no choice but to proceed with

the game. After a brief walk, they finally arrived at the venue. James observed a group of gangsters and a few others at the

entrance. The game's announcer began: "Today, we will be playing hide and seek. There will be two seekers tasked with

finding 18 hiders within this 12-story building. The seekers must locate at least 15 hiders within 30 minutes, or the hiders win.

Failure to comply will result in dire consequences. Good luck, ladies and gentlemen."

James was anxious that his friends might be chosen as seekers, fearing for their safety. When his phone rang, it indicated,

"YOU ARE A HIDER," and he felt a wave of relief. He quickly asked Jessica and Mark about their roles. After discovering they

were also hiders, they began to strategize. Jessica suggested hiding on the middle floors, while James decided they should stay

together due to the presence of two seekers. Mark pointed out that they didn't know who the seekers were or where they

would start, making planning difficult. Jessica promised to scout for the seekers, despite the risk involved.

As they finalized their plan, the game's announcement echoed: "Ladies and gentlemen, please be ready. The time is ticking.

Good luck." With only 30 seconds left, they hastily searched for hiding spots. Jessica took the initiative to identify the seekers,

but gunshots and screams from above startled them. Jessica urged them to run, warning that a seeker was approaching.

Amid the chaos, James collided with someone... James was struck forcefully on the head by the person next to him, the blow

feeling as hard as a rock. As he collapsed to the ground, he slowly opened his eyes and saw a figure he had never encountered

before. The figure wore a mask and a metallic suit, and it was armed with a large sniper rifle aimed directly at James.

Paralyzed with fear, James didn't know what to do until he noticed a rock within arm's reach. Acting swiftly, he grabbed the

rock and threw it at the assailant. At that moment, Jessica pushed James aside just as the masked figure, temporarily hurt by

the rock aimed the gun at James. Seizing the opportunity, they quickly scrambled to find cover.

Thank you guys for the view I really appreciate it I hope you enjoy my story and I'm trying to make it meaningful for you guys and if it doesn't I will try to improve it see you in the next part. Word: 1068