A Matter Of Choice

Chapter 24: The Game Begins

Since we were to be transported to our assigned districts in three hours, everybody had to act quickly. They made us take a long soothing bath and told us to cherish it for it might be our last. Afterwards, we had a makeover. Fortunately, my stylist colored my hair back to blond and put wavy extensions to make my hair look longer. That way, I felt more like Heather again. It turned out that Marva told every stylist to tone down our makeup and hairdo so that we’ll not be like the past Sheffield Clashers whose looks were so fussy. Perhaps she also did it to make us have more sponsors. I looked at Lucas and Kyle. Both of them were back to normal, with the same hair color as they had when we were still in the camp.

We were asked to put on tight blackand gray overalls and made us pick a few things to bring inside the ‘arena’. I filled my small backpack with some bandages, a small bottle of disinfectant, three daggers of different sizes, a bottle of water, a box of matches, a hoodie jacket, a sleeping bag and a small paperbag of gumdrops. I secretly slipped in my necklace, hoping that they won’t inspect our bags. Each of us were also handed a pair of night-vision glasses.

“What are they giving them?” I asked. Some peacekeepers were attaching unknown devices on the others. Before Marva could even answer, one came up to me and clipped something on my bag. He clipped another two on each of my shoulders and lastly, placed one on the center of my uniform on my chest.

“Micro-camcorders.” She said as she straightened the part of my uniform wrinkled by what the peacemaker did. “Even though there aren’t any cameras in the arena, they still found a way to make the entire country see what will be happening.”

After a while more of last minute tips, retouches and announcements, they asked every Clasher to go to the ballroom for the final briefing. Unlike before, it was no longer adorned by multi-colored silk drapes, large porcelain statues of angels, gods and goddesses and large vases of white roses. At this moment, it is now decorated with black-dyed roses and fire-breathing statues of dragons.

The dark ballroom was only lighted by a single spotlight which was focused on the part of the stage where the king stood. A microphone sprang from the ground, indicating the start of another speech.

“Good evening, my dear Clashers of the 10th Academy Clash. Thirty minutes from now, you will be entering the Prowler Forest. You will go to the district where your institution is. Take down only the rebels and not the other Clashers. This time, you are allies, not enemies.”

What? We’ll going to Principessa’s Prowler Forest? Are they crazy or what? They aren’t any rebels in that place!

“We’re gonna be living the dream.” Lucas murmured. He was right. There will be nothing to do but sit under a tree and wait for the host to announce that the 10th Academy Clash is over.

“Goodluck. May the odds be ever in your favor.” King Chester Beron I said. There was a sudden blackout and we felt that there was something or someone moving around us. When the lights were turned on again, we discovered that we were inside an air-conditioned trailer attached to a moving truck. There was a huge TV screen attached in front that showed us clips from the past Clashes that looked like a documentary narrated by Daryl Carlton.

As if on cue, when the video ended, the trailer’s door flung open. Peacemakers draggled us out and made us enter the forest grounds. Unsure, all ten of us walked slowly, cautious of every move we make. Those who didn’t know that there aren’t rebels here, of course, readied themselves and even put out guns and blades. They seemed afraid of the slightest scratch they hear.

I heard a very soft chuckle behind me. I turned around and saw Lucas trying his hardest not to laugh at them. He also got the attention of three others that I had to cover up his potential blunder.

“I guess we should break into smaller groups.” I suggested. “That way we could cover more places at the same time.”

Veyra raised a hand. Although she hasn’t asked any question yet, I gave her an answer.

“No, Veyra. We’ll see each other when we do. Just try your hardest not to screw up.” I said. I really want to get rid of them. I have a plan in mind and I won’t be able to do it in their presence.

They had agreed to disband the group. James, Stefan and Jessica became Team A and Antonio, Shariq and Veyra became Team B. Caleb would’ve been with them if only he didn’t insist on being in our team. Thus, Caleb, Lucas, Kyle and I became Team C.

When the other teams left us, Caleb suggested that we go somewhere further away from the barrier. The peacemakers were still close enough to hear us that we really need to go someplace else.

Before I could even start talking about my plan, Caleb prevented me from speaking and pointed at our micro-camcorders. He’s right. Our plan will mess up and will even be heard nationwide. He’s useful, after all.

“I think we better settle down here for a while. It’s getting dark, anyway.” Caleb said. Perhaps Darius had also informed him that there are no rebels in Principessa.

“Okay. Ed and I will go hunting. Belle, stay with him.” Luke said. Wow, I thought to myself. Luke isn’t his usual self. When we were in our camp, he usually sits somewhere outside the headquarters and wait for Darius to call his name and ask him to do something. Maybe he has changed. Maybe Principessa has changed him…

 I began picking up twigs and dried leaves to make a bonfire with. Unlike in Verona, the trees in Principessa’s Prowler Forest were too high for a person to climb up. For that, we couldn’t just go up and ax branches off.

After a while, Lucas and Kyle came back, holding only two pigeons. Principessa is perhaps so polluted that only a few animals and plants can survive. We grilled the pigeons over the bonfire Caleb and I made and ate them in peace after.

Daniel’s POV

“C’mere, son.” He summoned me. I went beside him, still bothered by the thoughts inside my mind.

I asked him what the problem was but he just replied with a laugh. He made, Alice, his secretary, leave us to talk in private. He offered me a cup of tea which I didn’t decline.

“I want you to pull out of the Academy Clash.” What he said didn’t surprise me anymore. I had expected this to happen, especially that Roxie told me about her parents telling her to pull out.

“But why?” I asked. I usually don’t question father but the sudden change of plans was indeed uncommon.

“Just do as I say, Daniel. It is for your own good.”

It has always been like that. Nothing has changed. For years and years, I have been listening to every word my father says and follow his instructions faithfully. I haven’t been a bad son. I did everything he wanted me to do. But why can’t I voice out my own feelings?

“I pulled out of the Clash. My dad told me to. Happy?” I told Isabella, trying to sound somewhat brave.

She had nothing to say. Maybe it was because of her behavior towards me yesterday. I wished her good luck but she said something rude in return.

She tried to walk away but I kept on following her. “Maybe you were thinking that I could easily be one of the final Clashers. I’m not. I have to follow orders.” I said, explaining myself.

She made a sound. Having no idea, I asked her why she grunted.

“Can’t you decide for your own, Daniel Beron?” She said. I was stunned. I didn’t think she could answer me that way. She’s a brave girl, yes, but she wasn’t like that before.

“I can.” I said, trying to redeem myself from humiliation. “Just wait.”

“Until when, PRINCE Daniel Beron?”She giggled and walked away, leaving me speechless and frozen.

She was right. I should really stand by my own decisions. I shouldn’t just depend on my father. I should do things my way, too. Maybe I’ve been too obedient that I forgot about myself. I wasted eighteen long years of my life living somebody else’s life.

I really need to step up my game and act now.