No Way Out

Chapter 3: Fingernails

Chapter 3: Fingernails

Honey’s P.O.V.

The timer started its insidious countdown the moment the Master finished explaining the "game." Was he really serious? A cold sweat prickled my forehead. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat of pure, unadulterated fear. I didn’t know what to do. My entire body felt like it had been plunged into ice water, rendering me immobile.

“Kung sino ka man, tell me it’s just a prank, ‘di ba?”

I whirled around. Celestria had spoken directly to the Master, a defiant spark in her eyes. A collective gasp rippled through the group. Her audacity shocked them.

“No, player number 4. This is real. If player number 2 can’t do what Simon Says in the given time, then she will be punished. Remember, I can see you players.” His voice, smooth as velvet but laced with steel, sent shivers down my spine.

My gaze flickered to the timer. 3:45. I heard Celestria curse under her breath. I took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to force oxygen into my frozen lungs. I pushed myself to my feet, my legs protesting with a tremor, and approached the table in the center of the room.

The objects laid out on the surface were crude, terrifying instruments of choice. Scissors. A rusty knife. And then, I saw it: a pair of pliers, gleaming dully under the harsh light. I would use that one. I snatched them up, the cold metal a stark contrast to my clammy hand, and turned to face the others. I saw French swallow hard, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.

“Honey, seryoso ka ba sa gagawin mo?” Reixel asked, her voice thick with anxiety. Her eyes were wide, pleading.

“Hindi, Reix. I’m not sure.” My voice was barely a whisper, choked with emotion.

Which one of them was I supposed to hurt? Whose fingernails were I supposed to tear off?

I couldn’t bring myself to hurt any of them, not really. I didn't know the three new players well enough to be able to inflict such pain on them, and it was impossible to do that to French and Reixel. We’ve made so many memories together since seventh grade.

Tears welled in my eyes, hot and stinging. I felt them spill down my cheeks, and I swiped at them angrily. I didn't want to hurt anybody! But I also… I wanted to live.

I glanced at the timer. I was running out of time. The impossible choice loomed, a cruel, agonizing dilemma.

What was I going to do?

“Honey, malapit ka nang maubusan ng oras. Mapapahamak ka,” Ally said, her voice trembling. Her eyes were filled with a terror that mirrored my own.

We were all afraid of what was happening to us. She was right. If I couldn’t complete this task, I would be punished. But I wanted to live! I needed to save myself, didn’t I?

The timer beeped shrilly, the sound slicing through the tense silence. We all jumped, our eyes glued to the digital display as it blinked at 0:00.

“Your time is up, player number 2,” the Master’s voice dripped with twisted amusement.

“M-may punishment si Honey?” I heard French ask Reixel, her voice barely above a whisper. Reixel simply shook her head, her face pale.

“Don’t be scared, player number 2. The real game hasn’t started yet. The real fun is about to begin,” he said, punctuated by a soft, chilling chuckle.

Those words were like a bucket of ice water thrown over me. I felt a twisted sense of relief, but it was immediately overshadowed by an even greater, more profound terror.