"No, we wouldn't!" I reply, pushing him and shoving him in the chest. "We wouldn't hurt someone just to save ourselves!"
The anger between us is clear. This game is forcing us to betray each other, and it's tearing us apart.
"I don't know you, but I know her. She'd probably do the same thing, so don't drag her into this. Speak for yourself," George says sharply, his voice cutting through the tension.
I look at the girl's face. Her expression confirms it—she really does seem like she might have acted just as ruthlessly if it meant saving herself.
In the center of the spotlight, the girl's face is streaked with tears. She sinks to her knees, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. It's clear she's given up, overwhelmed by the cruelty of the game and the betrayal she's just experienced. The sight of her despair makes the harsh reality of our situation hit even harder.
"Hey, try to escape! Just for 10 seconds, please!" I shout desperately to the girl.
Suddenly, my eyes are covered again by the blindfold. I can't see anything, but I keep praying to God that somehow we all make it out alive.
Then I feel a spray on my face and arms, and the smell hits me—it's unmistakable. The spray is blood. The girl just died .Even though I can't see, the sharp, metallic scent makes it clear what has happened.
If I looked in a mirror right now, I'd probably see a scene straight out of a horror movie—covered in blood, like a serial killer after a grim day's work. The sight is chilling, and the reality of what's happening sinks in deeply.
The buzzer blares again, and our blindfolds are removed. The girl's body is swiftly taken away, leaving the once-green grass now soaked in a pool of red.
"Players are now required to hide and avoid Marco's sight to stay in the game. Marco can see with 80 percent of his vision but has lost his hearing completely," announces the host.
"Oh no! What is this madness?" I exclaim, feeling a surge of panic. "If Marco can see almost everything , we're in serious trouble!".
Feeling the tension rise, we huddle together and exchange last-minute wishes of good luck.
In a burst of adrenaline, we scatter in different directions. George darts toward a tree and begins to climb, trying to find safety among the branches. The girl sprints towards a nearby pool and lies flat on the water, blending in as if she were lounging on a bed.
I scan the area quickly. The rocks and trees seem too obvious, so I make a run for a tall pillar. I cling to it and carefully climb up, hugging it tightly and hiding myself high above like a koala. Every movement feels crucial as I try to stay out of sight.
Each of us is doing our best to stay hidden, knowing that Marco's enhanced vision could make this a game of life or death.
"10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1," Marco counts down loudly.
"I'm coming!" he shouts, his voice echoing through the area.
His eyes, which were once just white, now display a message: "Where are you?"
"Guys, can everyone hear me?" the girl calls out, her voice tinged with urgency.
None of us respond. The risk of making any sound feels too great.
"Come on, the rules were clear—Marco can't hear us!" she urges. "We need to help each other. We're spread out in different spots, so we have different views. Let's make sure we alert each other if Marco starts heading our way."
We both respond with a quick "Yes." It makes sense for her to ask this since she's submerged in the water and would need to come up for air if Marco gets too close. She can't stay underwater the whole time, so she needs us to warn her if Marco is approaching.
Our positions are such that I can see George, and he has a clear view of both of us.
"He's heading towards the pond!" George shouts urgently.
"Go lower, Herissa! Your back is showing!" he warns.
I hear splashing sounds coming from the pond. It's unclear whether Herissa is struggling to stay submerged or if Marco is making his way into the water. The noise adds to the tension, making it hard to stay calm.
"Are you okay?" I shout, but there's no response.
"George, is she alright?" I ask
"No, he just got her," George replies.
"Is she dead? Herissa?" I call out, desperation in my voice.
"She's dead," George confirms.
"Hey, pillar girl, he's coming your way—be careful!" George shouts.
YOU ARE READING
Enchanted University of Magemenos
RomanceAlysa is about to turn 19, and with that comes her chance to step into the Enchanted University of Magemenos. But there's a catch: humans don't usually get called to this university. What makes Alysa so special? You'll have to read on to find out. T...
