No Way Out

Chapter 26: 9th Stage

Chapter 26: 9th Stage

Honey’s P.O.V.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, bleeding, and clinging to life, we were finally going to rest. Most of us looked like we’d been through a meat grinder — bloodied, bruised, and barely holding it together. A little more suffering, a little more pain, and hopefully, this nightmare would be over. Sana talaga.

We were now inside what they called the "exit room." It was nothing like the previous rooms. This one resembled a small, unsettling living room. Three small sofas, strategically placed, faced a table draped with a red cloth. I had a bad feeling about that table. About what was hidden beneath that red cloth. Another game, probably. Another twisted test designed to break us further.

I sat on one of the sofas with Ally, both of us trying to ignore the throbbing ache in our abused bodies. There were speakers and a TV mounted on the ceiling, and CCTV cameras, like malevolent eyes, watched us from every corner of the room.

"Malapit na tayong makaalis dito," Ally said, her voice strained, as she examined her injured hand. The skin was torn, stained with dried blood and dirt.

"Kailangan lang nating maging matapang para manalo," I replied, trying to inject some hope into my voice. "Kung pwede lang sana na wala ng mamamatay sa atin. Let's do our best," I added before sighing. The weight of everything was crushing me.

Ally just shrugged, her face hard. "Well, hindi natin alam. Nakasalalay ang buhay natin sa larong inihanda niya."

She was right. No matter how hard we fought, how desperately we struggled, it all came down to the Master's whims. He held all the cards.

I instinctively covered my ears as the speaker crackled to life.

"Well, congratulations players. You completed stages 06 to 08 of the game!" The Master's voice, distorted and robotic, echoed through the room.

Its been a while since we last heard his voice. Still, even through the speaker, his voice sounded like a terrifying robot, devoid of any human emotion.

"Iyan na naman ang nakakairitang boses niya," Celestria muttered, rolling her eyes towards the speaker.

"Dahil mukhang na-enjoy niyo naman ang previous stages ng ating laro, gagawin pa nating mas nakaka-thrill at nakaka-excite ang stage 09… are you ready, players?" He asked, his voice dripping with a sickeningly sweet mockery.

"Tsk, ang boring ng laro mo kung alam mo lang," Ally snapped, her voice laced with defiance.

My eyes widened in alarm, and I shot Ally a warning glare.

Was she crazy? Did she want to provoke him?

He could inflict any kind of punishment on us.

A series of chilling laughs erupted from the speakers. It was the Master.

"Ang tapang mo ngayon, Player 11 ah," the Master said, an amused tone creeping into his voice. "Well, ‘di na ako magpapaligoy-ligoy pa... welcome to stage 09 of our game." He announced, his voice taking on a formal tone.

We sat up straighter, our bodies tense, as we waited for the hammer to drop. Panic clawed at my throat. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was going to be the worst one yet.