24 Hours

Heyy (: Okay, so this is my writing prompt entry for the Lisa McMann NYC contest :D If you have any suggestions, pllleeeaaaassseee tell me (: Comment/Vote/Review :D And thanks for reading (:

Dedicated to blackroses11 for making me a super cool book cover, and creds to MarchingBandGeek7 for making me an awesome one too that I didn't use (it's on the side to be admired (: THANKS!)

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 I twisted my hair into a ponytail, tucking it under my cap and lowering the brim. Then I took a final look around the room full of strangers, wondering which of them would help me escape, and which would try to kill me.

The small, windowless room blazed with yellow artificial lights. Whispers and nervous giggles were scattered around the room. My heart thudding in my chest, I looked up at the man in the expensive suit, etching his image into my mind in order to give his description to the police when they came to free us. I had no doubt in my mind that we would soon be rescued from this hell. His dark hair was slicked back, his shoes shined to perfection, and he spoke in his deep voice like a game show announcer. He was explaining the rules of "The Game" for a second time, which was completely ridiculous. There were no real rules in this sadistic game, no matter how many times he restated them. This wasn't even a game-- it could not be considered one. Games are things that children play without a care. Games are usually not dangerous, and, in my book, games definitely do not end in death. 

I ducked my head down under the red cap that hopefully obscured my face and tried to focus on what the tall man was saying, my heart beating in my chest like a caged animal. Nervously, I shifted from side to side on the carpeted floor. My shirt seemed to be choking me and my jacket was smothering. 

"...in your hand, you have three photos," the man said smoothly. In sync, every individual in the group held up or looked down at the pictures they held in their hands. I quickly scanned the pictures again, identifying each one as he told us again what we were supposed to do. "One photo is of the person you must kill in order to win. That one will be marked in red," This one was a smiling, handsome young man in need of a shave. In the photo, it showed him, hunched over, pulling along a young girl with laughing eyes. The image was grey with rain, and he was looking back at the child while trying to hold an umbrella over her. "Of the other two photos, one is of the person whose job is to protect you, and one is of the person whose job is to kill you." At the word kill, there was a collective shudder, the room growing even quieter. I kept my head down as an intense fear enveloped me, my hands shaking. Clenching my hands into fists, I struggled to maintain a stoic expression. 

"The only way to leave this room without killing anyone is with your protector," The man continued, "Of course," he said with a feral grin, "there is always a possibility that you will be killed." He paused for dramatic effect, his piercing grey eyes landing on each of us with a gleeful light. "If you escape with your protector or the person you are supposed to protect, we will make sure that no harm comes to either of you. If you do manage to escape, you do not win the prize. You simply get on with your life. However, if you manage to kill your target before anyone else kills theirs, you will be awarded with the grand prize of twelve million dollars." Gasps rippled around the room. I shuddered. Who would do such a thing, even for that kind of money? "If you are killed, well, then, we all know what will happen, don't we?

“The game will last for 24 hours. During this time, you will get no supplies. If you want rest, you will have to make do with what you have," at this, he eyed the floor. "If you are injured, you must seek help from the people in here. If the 24 hours pass and no one has been killed, then the money will be divided evenly between all thirty of you. If you attempt to escape without your protector or the person you are supposed to be protecting, you will be killed. That is all. You have one hour to eat and rest, and then the game begins." As he spoke, a table laden with food was wheeled out by three men in white coats, and they retreated silently after setting them to the side of the room. The crowd stayed frozen, all the while giving accusing glances to their neighbors.