Away From Eden

Next Game: Suck And Blow Card 1

The Terminus was still a puzzle to him. Carsen was sure that all of its kind were killed during the apocalypse. He even witnessed how his uncle Briggs joined the armies and planned with them in executing those monsters.

But how there's still one of them left in this simulated game world? Carsen asked himself.

But they feel so real in this game world! I must find out! He thinks.

" Hey, Carsen dude!"

One of the players from Jair's group.

" Jiggs!" he introduces himself, extending out his hand for a bump.

It's odd how some players approach him for acquaintance lately after he defeated the cyborg monster. Carsen perhaps was the quietest or loner among the players. And being an introvert he's uncomfortable with this kind of attention. Also, he could assume why they want to friend him - for an alliance.

"You were cool in there a while ago, dude!" Jiggs chuckled swinging his arms, copying Carsen's move a while ago.

Carsen was still quiet. He's observing Jiggs. Looking at him he wonders why a guy like him is in this deadly game.

Curly hair...bulging belly...He looks more funny than tenacious... but I think he's safe. Carsen thinks.

And so he accepted his handshake.

" That was just luck," Carsen replied.

Jiggs nodded.

" So, you drop out of Stanford and transferred a Newman's school?" Jiggs asked Carsen. He's trying to establish a rapport.

Carsen nodded.

" Me... I graduated there but...feels like I haven't learned a thing," Jiggs said, chuckling.

" Except that...the school is a way to get rich!"

Jiggs added laughing out loud.

Then, in a second his face turned serious.

" Imagine...I spent my younger years studying there just to get qualified in this party games...without knowing if I'll make it alive here," Jiggs said.

Carsen felt the burden in his heart. Jiggs is right. All the players here are facing that kind of uncertainty. This world of theirs really had gone abnormal since after the apocalypse. If before young people would study so they could sustain their lives, now, in this crazy world order they have - young ones study so they could be invited to a reunion, and eventually qualify to join in a party game where they would win or die.

Carsen sighed.

" We don't have a choice. If you want straight success then this fatal game system is the way, no other..." he said.

Yet, at the back of his mind, Carsen was thinking that the only way this game would end is if the new world order if the new social order will vanish.

The entire humanity was like pulled under the strings of a puppet master. Carsen thought to himself.

And here we are pushed to kill and be killed in this fu*** party games!

" My mom is sick with a very rare sickness. And the only way I see she could get the best treatment was for me to ascend to Castellan class," Jiggs said.

Hearing that, Carsen was a bit surprised. He didn't expect that this funny guy has a soft side.

So, that was his motivation. He thinks.

He can't blame people in the lower class for coming such a risky decision. Although medical treatment is all free to Newmans and Flocks, still the best hospitals and other stuff are exclusive to Castellans. What the lower hierarchy gets are just generic, leftovers for the commoners. So, patients with diseases like Jiggs' mom are left dying without really getting cured.

Carsen patted Jiggs' shoulders.

" I wish you...to win.." he muttered.

"Bzztttnggg!!"

The sound of the buzzer interrupts their conversation.

The players know what that means. And as expected what comes after was the voiceover.

" Hello again, players!"

The voice greeted them.

" We are now on the 4th phase of our party games!"

The players hold their breath. Some of them have not even recovered yet from the trauma of the last round. Some were gnashing their teeth eager to make a score this time. While Jair, was in the corner, smirking hoping to get even with Carsen this time.

The voice speaks again.

" Like when you were in high school, you get thrilled whenever you play this game,"

The players glanced at each other. Their gazes were silently asking what's the game for the next round.

Later on, something from above falls unto their spot. The players noticed it was their school ID card when they were still in high school in Standford.

" Reunions aren't fun without us talking about your past and present..right?" said the voice.

"Sh**!"

Jair silently cussed in the corner.

While some of them shakingly grasped at their old IDs, Carsen was still figuring out where is this leading. If he would know the person behind this game, then greater chance he'll have a hint about how the games will be navigated. But until now, he's looking for ways how he can have access to the information outside. If he can talk to his friends out there, then maybe they know who's the author of this game.

" Players!"

The voice reverberates again.

" The game for this round is Suck and Blow Card. I'm sure you guys would enjoy this with a Tequilla shot first!"

But the players' faces were blank. Of course, they know the rules here is a sadist. When the voice says you will enjoy, then expect it to be brutal.

After some time, the players were lined up according to the alphabetical order of their last names. Then a glass with tequila and salt is placed in front of them. On the metal tray were two spot marks. One was neon green, and the other was black. Where they placed their glass after a shot would determine the course of their challenge.

" Sh**! What's in the drink? I am not just dizzy," Janesi whispered, and so she rushed to taste the salt to eliminate the odd taste in her tongue.

The other players did the same experience too.

When all were done drinking. The voice informed them that the shot would make their task even more challenging. And it is right. It's difficult to do the task with a disoriented mind.

" Damn!"

Jair cussed.

While Carsen hinted there was no good in the tequila shots and so he planned to cheat. He stuck the drink in his mouth. He planned not to swallow it. So, at this time..he's not yet weak not sleepy, or hallucinating. He's still fine. But to his shock when the voice explained how the game must be done.

Suck and Blow Card is a fun game played at parties. Carsen remembers his classmates in high school playing this with their crushes for they will have the chance to kiss the person next to them if they are unsuccessful in passing the card. It's just pure fun. No life-threatening consequences for mistakes done. Very contrary to the kind of Suck and Blow Card that they are about to play now. But what worries Carsen most is... he can't hold the tequila inside his mouth without swallowing it if he's to suck the ID card with his lips. And if he would swallow the Tequilla, then he'll get disoriented as the other players.

After a while, when the voice was done explaining the rules to them. A set of obstacle courses pop out in the area. And in the finish spot is a magnet board where they would place their IDs.

Looking at what they all need to surpass, Carsen's eyes widened in worry and shock. They need to bring their IDs to that board in a distance, with just their lips sucking and holding it while leaping and escaping all these obstacles!

Sh**! Carsen cussed in his thoughts.

He knows very well that he can't stuck this liquor inside his mouth. He's no choice but to swallow it.

Come what may! Carsen whispered in his mind.