Game On

The Island (iv)

It took nearly half a day to have everyone on the road and heading to Camp Second Horizon's. The bus that Aki sat on was old, with faded paint and thin uncomfortable leather seats that squeaked when someone moved.

As the bus rumbled down the dirt road, Aki stared outside at the dense forest. Night had fallen quickly and the temperature had quickly cooled down. Fortunately everyone had been provided with knitted blankets which Aki tightly tucked around himself. Elijah, sitting beside him, was staring calmly at everything going on.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Aki said conversationally. The other six players were sitting at the back of the bus, huddled together tensely. Unfortunately, Aki had yet to communicate with the player group and he didn't want to force it. He supposed it would come naturally, but that meant the only person he knew and could talk to was Elijah.

Aki knew that there had to be something unusual about the camp. He recalled the brief introduction about a sinister secret. But was the secret hidden inside or outside the Camp Second Horizon's?

Sighing, Aki shut his eyes. It would be better if he got some rest before they arrived.

***

"We have a few rules here" the woman who found them said. She stood on a small stage placed in front of a large bonfire, smiling brightly with the light casting shadows on her face. "We only have a few camp counselors here that come before the Summer holidays to help set up before the kids arrive, so we'll need you to help us until rescue comes".

"Now my name is Marie and this is Adam" she pointed to a tall and muscular man standing below her. "We're in charge of this operation, so any questions or concerns, feel free to let us know. But as I said there are rules. And the three most important rules you must follow are..."

Holding three fingers up, Marie started to count them down one-by-one.

"Firstly, you must not leave your cabin or open the cabin door after nine for any reason. All the lights will be off at that time and it gets very dark over here. So accidents are prone to happen and we already have enough wounded. Moreover, there are dangerous animals in the woods that like to come up to the door and scratch on it. Secondly, you must eat everything you put on your plate. We mainly grow our produce and whatever we need we get delivered every three weeks, so no wastage is tolerated! Also no sneaking food from the kitchen. Thirdly, make sure you complete your chores. As I said, we'll all need to pull our weight here till rescue comes."

"Do you know when rescue will be here?" someone called out.

"We have sent a distress signal, but unfortunately we have been informed that they are facing some difficulties on their side. They will send help urgently after they have sorted out the issue".

There was an unsettled murmuring rippling through the small gathered crowd of passengers.

"Will the injured survive till they get here?" the person beside Aki questioned under his breath. Strangely, it was as if Marie had heard and she gave a soothing smile.

"Do not worry" she reassured. "We have an experienced doctor here. They are doing their best for your flight members". Before more questions could be asked, Marie waved her hands and Adam shook a jar of keys.

"Please come forward and select a cabin number. The cabin can hold up to four people. Boy's and girls live separately."

Aki looked at Elijah who smiled at him, the light reflecting off his glasses and making it difficult to see his eyes.

As they both moved forward, Aki wondered what would happen in the next few days.