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Chapter seven

COURAGE

Wha... isn't it too early for the villain to confess? Hindi ba, sa movies kailangan kami pa ang mag-identify kung sino ang may pakana ng lahat ng ito? Or if we ever fail, it will somehow take us a long time?

It's the very first time I had the courage to look at Prisoner 9. We both looked at each other with confused faces, as if we're asking if we heard it right. Antahimik bigla ng buong lugar.

Prisoner 2 grinned and laughed by herself. "Joking only." She confessed. Nonetheless, everyone's still and quiet. Probably processing what bullshit they just heard.

Shocking but unnecessary. That's what I thought. The word 'mastermind' is too pressuring to handle, especially in an ordeal like this. I am certain that a kid like her is not what she claims to be. Maybe she just wants the attention? Or maybe she is just a pawn of the mastermind, to lessen its suspicion sa kaniya that's why someone's taking the fall. It's usually like that. I took a deep breath.

"That's not a good joke! Jokes are meant to be funny!" One exclaimed. Others nodded in agreement, including me.

Tinitignan niya mata sa mata ang mga nagsasalita, na akala mo'y may laser na kaya kang patayin within 5 seconds. She tried to be as intimidating as she can be— however it didn't work for someone like me. Just like my name, fear doesn't taunt me.

"Yeah, because I lied. It's not a joke. I'm indeed the mastermind!"

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon ay muli siyang humagikgik kaya pakiramdam ko'y pati ako nababaliw karirinig no'n. Then my eyes darted to MC. Walang imik, walang galaw. This could be true, but I chose to look for signs bago maniwala. But I suppose that some of them were easily convinced, maraming naglabas ng mga masasamang salita sa batang babae. I believe, sila pa 'yung aakalain mong masama sa nga binibitawan nilang salita. May isa pa ngang tumayo para siguro sugurin siya, ngunit agad din namang napigilan ng kaniyang katabi. Prisoner 2 grinned—as if she was expecting such reactions.

This must've been what she wants to happen. However, I'm not easily convinced or maybe because I grew up with trust issues. A freshmen behind this all, with props almost all of us isn't aware of, I don't really think so. Just like a said, she must be pretending to be one.

"How old is she, fourteen?" tanong ng katabi ko. "This is why kids should stay away from social media. Masyadong na-aantagonize ang utak nila. Thinking that being a villain makes them cool or whatevah." I also heard her click her tongue multiple times.

I... I kinda agree. Hypocritically speaking, a kid won't be able to pull these stunts off. This was just an act, maybe it is. Nonetheless, it's really hard to believe for a young kid to be a mastermind to this all. Kahit saang angulo ka tumingin, sobrang labo na siya ang may pakana ng lahat ng ito. Also, nakita ko rin siyang sobrang takot na takot noong may napisat. She even cried and held someone as if the world's going to end. If it was an act, then I'd be terrified to know so. Deserve niya ng Oscar's, kung mangyari man.

Bumalik na ang pang-huling nagpakilala at ang saya-saya pa niyang bumalik sa kaniyang upuan. Hindi naaalis ang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi kaya kinilabutan ako. If she was... the mastermind, I'd do anything just to make her pay.

"All prisoners did their introduction with character, I must give everyone an appluase."

"However," pagpapatuloy niya pagkatapos pumalakpak. "Only one prisoner has earned an INT Point~ Just like what I said. And everyone knows what those points are for, right? So why does it seem like everyone considers this as a small thing? Hmm?"

What? Does she expect us to perform a magic show out of nowhere para lang masabi niyang "unique" introduction namin? One INT Point doesn't guarantee your escape, but it does make it easier for you to leave this damn place. Kumuha si MC ng maliit na pampaputok ng confetti at nagsabi ng, "Congratulations, Prisoner 5~ You earned the Top 1 spot on the Daily Rankings!"