SHARPER || Chishiya Alice in Boarderland

-20- The King of Hearts

The narrow corridors of the labyrinth close in around us, each step echoing with our growing desperation. After the fifth checkpoint, only seven of us remain: Key, Haruka, Kento, Sango, Nori, Kiyomi, and myself. The oppressive atmosphere is heightened by the cacophony of our hurried footsteps, the flickering lights casting eerie shadows on the concrete walls.

We tread cautiously, our breaths ragged and strained. The disorienting mirrors reflect our haunted expressions, and the hidden speakers emit occasional growls, convincing us that the tiger-like creature is stalking us. Each sound sends a shiver down my spine, heightening our paranoia and fear.

"We need to find the next checkpoint," Haruka whispers, her voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

The labyrinth's design is cruel, leading us into dead ends time and time again. The mirrored walls make it difficult to distinguish between reality and reflection, and the flickering lights disorient us further. Kento stumbles into a dead end, cursing under his breath, and we have to backtrack, wasting precious time.

"Where is it?" Nori's voice trembles with frustration, her eyes darting nervously as the echoes of the tiger's growls seem to grow louder.

"Just keep moving," Key urges, his grip on my arm tightening. "We can't afford to stop."

"And stop turning around for fucks sake!" I snap at them, "If the tiger or the king finds us it's game over!"

Finally, after what feels like an eternity of searching, we stumble upon the sixth checkpoint. The relief is short-lived as we gather in a tense circle, our eyes shifting nervously. The atmosphere is thick with fear and suspicion, each of us aware of the impending vote.

Sango, whose aggressive demeanor has been a constant source of tension, glares at Key and me. "You two haven't really said anything this whole time expect for snapping at us," he accuses, his voice dripping with malice. "One of you should be voted out."

My heart pounds in my chest as I realize the danger we're in. In a flash, I grab a knife, holding it out in front of me. "Vote him out, and you die," I warn, my voice steady but my hands trembling.

Key mirrors my actions, drawing his gun and pointing it at Sango. "Better chose someone else," he says coldly, and I'm glad he packed his gun.

"No violence allowed Dipshits." Sango sneers at us.

"Towards the king, yes." I agree in a cold tone, "It never said anything about other players."

Haruka, sensing the rising tension, steps forward. "Sango has been too aggressive this whole time," she suggests, her eyes fixed on Sango. "I propose we vote him out."

I nod, supporting her suggestion. "I'll vote him." I declare, my grip on the knife tightening.

The others hesitate but eventually agree, casting their votes one by one. Sango's face twists in anger and fear as he realizes his fate. "No! You can't do this! Please!" he begs, his voice rising in desperation.

"You did the same with the rest." Key says disgustingly at Sango.

The decision is final. Sango's screams echo through the labyrinth as he is impaled but another laser and another life lost to the cruel game.

Our phones chime, a chilling reminder of the ever-present danger. The message reads: THE KING OF HEARTS IS ONLY ONE CHECKPOINT AWAY

Panic surges through the group as we realize the urgency of our situation. "We need to move, now!" Key shouts, grabbing my hand and pulling me forward.

We break into a run, the sounds of our hurried footsteps and ragged breaths filling the air. The corridors blur as we dash through them, the disorienting lights and mirrors adding to our confusion. The tigers growls grow louder, driving us forward in a frenzy.