Pure-sue \ pər-ˈsü , -ˈsyü \

V

V.
We have just eaten our dinner and Mr. Carnis asks if we could play some game before going to sleep. According to him it might be of help in answering the question.

"Yes sir! That's fun" said Anima.

We fixed the utensils and other things on the table beside the tent. We also set up a blanket in the center of the three tents we built in the afternoon. With just the four of us, I think, we have to make some noise so that we may not be overwhelmed with the deafening sound of silence. It's not a total silence actually...we could hear the raging of the waters on the river, the chirping of the birds, the unexplainable sound from the insects, I guess.

"So what game are we playing sir?" I asked. This is the first time I got to play with others. I can't recall any moments in my childhood that I'm actually playing with others. Or it might be because I really don't have any experience at that.

"Uhm it's just a question and answer portion...but with a twist." Mr. Carnis said.

"Huh? What twist?" Anima answered.

"Okay, here's the mechanics. A bottle would be spin in the center and whoever is at the direction of the neck of the bottle when it stops spinning shall throw a trivia or an intellectual question. The rest shall answer it. And the one who could answer the question shall have the privilege to ask a personal question to anyone of us."

"Okay, that sounds fun," Psyche exclaimed.

...and so the game started...

The bottle pointed at me so I have to throw a trivia question.

"Okay here's the question...What 9-letter word remains still a word each time you take away a letter?" I asked.

Psyche, Anima and Mr. Carnis were taken aback but they immediately think for the answer.

I could see the sulking face of Psyche, while Mr. Carnis remained compose while thinking. But...Anima gets her phone and started to swipe it as if she's searching.

"I got the answer!" Anima yelled.

"How?" Psyche asks but she immediately realized the method Anima used. "You cheater!" Psyche commented to Anima with wide eyes.

Hahaha...Anima laughed while saying "why? There is no rule that we are prohibited to use gadgets. Right sir?" she said while facing Mr. Carnis.

Mr. Carnis just laughed and nodded as an agreement to what Anima has said.

Every one of us laugh afterwards.

"Okay, the answer is...STARTLING!" she said.
"Why?" I replied.

"STARTLING is a word, remove the letter 'L' we got STARTING; remove the letter 'T' we got STARING; remove the letter 'A' we got STRING; remove the letter 'R' we got STING; remove the letter 'T' again and we got SING; remove the letter 'G' and we got SIN; remove the letter 'S' and we got IN; and lastly, remove the letter 'N' and we got I. she proudly answered with chin up and brows lifted."

"Hahaha...correct" I assured her. I was amaze as to how quick-witted she is.

"Okay, time to shine." She said. "I'm going to ask Mr. Carnis" she said while pointing her finger at him.

Mr. Carnis seems to be in shock while confirming if it was him. Anima just nodded.

"Sir, what kind of person are you?, what do you hate?" she asked without hesitation.

"Honestly, I really don't like stupidity" He replied.
"Why?" she followed her up.

"Stupid people are closed-minded people. They always believe to whatever they want to believe. That is, even if you present facts, they wouldn't want to accept it and still argue using their illogical and fallacious arguments. I really hate it. But let me be clear, I don't hate the people, but the act of stupidity. More so, they wouldn't want to accept a change that is why they themselves could not change for the better since they believe that they are always right." He lengthy said.

"Wooahh...I don't like to be stupid anymore. I don't want to be hated by Mr. Carnis." Anima jokingly commented.

And we just laugh.

...but at the back of my mind, I dont know but i sense danger in his statement.

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