No Way Out

Chapter 11: Keys

Chapter 11: Keys

Ally's P.O.V.

Tatlo na sa amin ang namatay. Three down. Ang hirap paniwalaan. Unti na lang ang oras namin, parang relo na unti-unting nauubos ang battery. Kapag hindi namin matatapos ang larong ito, I'm sure makakatikim kami ng punishment galing sa Master. His punishments were... creative, in the worst possible way.

Honey said na ang pattern ng ilaw ay red, red and green. Ibig sabihin, when it's green, that's my cue to press the button sa likod ng statue. Pero kanina kay Marsha, halos mapindot na niya, but then boom! Natamaan siya ng bow when the statue suddenly rotated. I took a deep breath. I guess alam ko na kung ano ang dapat kong gawin. The only thing I can do at this time is to focus on the statue.

"Stay here," sabi ko sa kanila, trying to sound braver than I felt. Saka ako naglakad papalapit sa statue. It stood menacingly in the center, bathed in the eerie red glow.

"Ally, be careful," Reixel warned, her voice laced with worry.

"Maghanap ka ng timing, I'm sure na ma-ipapanalo natin 'to," Honey added, her eyes sharp and focused. "Isipin mo parang dance step, Ally. Red, red, green... push!"

Suddenly, the light turned red again, and we all froze. I could hear my heart pounding like a drum solo inside my chest. Sana matapos na ang larong 'to. I want to get out of this hellhole. The only thing I want to see is the sunshine.

Red light. After this, red light ulit. I had to brace myself. Kailangan kong maghanda when the green light appears. The statue's face turned towards us with the red light. The statue had this creepy sneer. Parang nag jojoke pero hindi nakakatawa. I gulped, dry as the sahara.

The green light flashed, a beacon in the darkness.

"Now!" Honey shouted.

Nagmadali akong tumakbo towards the statue to press the blue button. The adrenaline coursed through me as I bolted forward. I reached out, fingers outstretched, and wham! I pressed the button. But the light turned red again! The statue's face turned to mine like it was mocking me. Sht. This is it*. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the arrow to pierce my skull. I can see nothing but darkness.

Click!

My eyes snapped open when I heard the satisfying click. I was still alive!

"A-Ally, you did it!" French exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief and relief. "Nagawa mo, girl!"

I exhaled slowly, a shaky breath escaping my lips. My legs felt like jelly. I walked back towards my friends, a small smile forming on my face. They greeted me with relieved smiles. I saw that with their faces.

"Thank you, Ally. You made it," Reixel said, grabbing my arm.

I glanced at the timer. 1:23 minutes left. Whew! Buti na lang at we stopped the game.

"Good thing that there won't be anyone punished today," Honey added.

"Oo nga, tama ka," I agreed, still feeling the adrenaline fading away.

"Ayos ka lang, Celes?" I asked, noticing Celestria's quietness. She just gave me a thumbs up and smiled weakly. She was still shaken up, like all of us.

Suddenly, the walkie-talkie on the stage crackled to life. We all turned towards it.

"Player number 01, 09 and 13, your game is over." The Master's voice droned. "The rest of the players, congratulations for winning stage 03 of the game." He added cheerfully. We all glared at the device. Cheerful, my ass.

"Are you all ready for our next game?" He kasked, his voice dripping with false enthusiasm. No one answered. Silence hangs around the room.

"Silent means yes, hahaha." He cackled, his laughter echoing in the arena. It was a creepy, mechanical laughter, sending shivers down my spine. Parang robot na nagsasalita sa radyo.