****The next day, around 6pm, I found us standing in the hallway once again. The results for the second day had been tallied, and as was now the usual fashion, we had to be here for the leaderboard to be released. Nothing particularly eventful had occurred that day. We refrained from any information-gathering antics, opting instead to spend the day bonding and taking it easy in our room. It seemed like we had gotten a bit soft or worn out, but frankly, we didn't care. While I still harbored a desire for first place, it didn't hold the same weight it once did. I found myself lacking the motivation to chase after the top spot.The results were released shortly, and it came as no surprise to see that Eleanor and I were still on top:- The Team of Damon and Eleanor - 250 points.- The Team of Olivia and Liam - 200 points.- The Team of Ava and Ethan - 180 points.- The Team of Sky and Noah - 175 points.- The Team of Sophia and Benjamin - 170 points.- The Team of Isabella and William -
**** The third day went on just like the second.Virtually nothing happened, we both decided to keep a low profile.Today was the day that the total points would be tallied, and the winner of the first task of the second challenge would be announced.We both made our way to the hallway, for the usual fashion to be carried out, the announcement of our results.“The final scores of the first task have been collated, here is the final leaderboard:- The Team of Damon and Eleanor - 275 points.- The Team of Olivia and Liam - 200 points.- The Team of Sky and Noah - 180 points.- The Team of Ava and Etahn - 175 points.- The Team of Jake and Mia - 175 points.- The Team of Isabella and William - 165 points.- The Team of Charlotte and James - 160 points.- The Team of Kevin and Emily - 160 points.- The Team of Amelia and Oliver - 150 points.- The Team of Sophia and Benjamin - 120 points.As the final scores were read out, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as I heard our team's
****The rest of the day flew by and the next day came around pretty quickly and so the second challenge started.Eleanor and I got out of bed ready to take on anything, even if the challenge was against us, we would win. We’d been doing that since the first challenge and we didn’t plan to change that now.Some extra rules were added the previous day before we went back to our rooms, and we were provided with a certain type of equipment.A phone, more like a device that looked like a phone.It had only one purpose, points.That was were all our points would be stored, what we would use to transfer any amount of points whenever we played a game, and so on.Obviously the decide was locked, and it could only be unlocked by team members, who were given the password to unlock the device.It was very easy to move about and carry around, so it made sense for people to carry it with them at all times, in case they bumped into any prospecting competition they wished to challenge.Either way,
****Three days had flown by since the task began, and now it was the fourth day. The intensity of the challenge was palpable as we approached the halfway mark. With each passing moment, the pressure to secure points and maintain our lead mounted. Eleanor and I remained focused and determined, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead. As we ventured into the fourth day, I couldn't shake the feeling that the most crucial moments were yet to come.Each day felt like a struggle for Eleanor and me, as we barely managed to stay afloat in the competition. We resorted to desperate tactics, like stealing points and coercing others to play games with us, just to make it through. The pressure to accumulate points weighed heavily on my mind, pushing me to the brink as I fought to keep us in the running. Despite our resourcefulness, I knew that our survival depended on our ability to outwit and outmaneuver our opponents at every opportunity. With each passing day, the challenge inten
In the lobby, candidates gathered, a mix of anticipation and tension thick in the air. They exchanged wary glances, sizing each other up, while murmured conversations filled the room. Some leaned against the walls, arms crossed, while others paced nervously back and forth. A few whispered amongst themselves, their voices hushed but animated. We waited and were gathered in the lobby. Not much happened until we noticed a man approaching. He had a confident stride and wore a serious expression. As he neared, the room fell silent, all eyes turning towards him, curious and expectant.I observed the man approaching, and I couldn't help but think about how he would address the candidates about the second challenge. I considered the importance of acknowledging our efforts and offering encouragement, while also maintaining a sense of focus and determination for the challenges that lay ahead.He was also probably here to give an account of the results, and announce those who would be elim
I calmed myself down and I looked up to see Jake approaching me. I felt a surge of tension building up inside me. I knew he was cunning and manipulative, but I couldn't let his presence unsettle me. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stay calm and composed, steeling myself for whatever conversation lay ahead.He finally walked up to me, accompanied by his partner Mia, I couldn't help but notice the confident smile on his face. Despite my suspicions about his tactics, I returned his smile with a polite nod, determined not to show any signs of weakness.He grinned slyly and he leaned in and whispered, "Checkmate, Damon. Hope you know what comes next." His words sent a shiver down my spine as I realized there was nothing I could do to stop whatever he had planned.I remained calm and I looked him in the eye and said, "Don't underestimate me, Jake, like I did to you."He laughed mockingly at my words. "You're just trying to prolong the inevitable, Damon," he said with a smirk. "
[Eleanor’s POV]The day had flown by pretty quickly, and soon the twenty four hours were over.I’d never seen Damon like this before, he had looked like he was at his wits end, was utterly tired and had given up.He’d been working hard since the first challenge, and I appreciated this, but I wasn’t going to let myself get eliminated due to his negligence.I’m sure he knew this too, we all had something to lose or gain, and we would all stop at nothing to get what we wanted, no matter what the cost.Before the challenge, I had a goal coming here, and I wasn’t going to let him be a distraction.I needed this internship program, if I couldn’t get this role, I would be forced to go back to Oxford. I didn’t want this for myself, I didn’t want to be controlled for the rest of my life, like a leash was on me. I wanted to be free! Free to explore! To live my life! To make friends, to fall in love.My goal weighed heavily in my mind, and I had everything to lose if I was eliminated.I had to
[Damon’s POV]A small smile played across my names as I went through the names of the teams who had passed the challenge.Right at the very bottom, “Team Tom and Heavens,” lay there, passing through by only one vote.‘So the plan did work. It’s good, that was a close call,’ I thought to myself.I scanned my surroundings and saw Jake and most of the other candidates scanning the screen, desperately trying to find my team name among those who were eliminated.It was a pitiful sight, somewhat laughable in a sense.But the person who experienced the greatest shock was Eleanor, standing right next to me.She was shaking, and the look of confusion was evident in her eyes.‘She probably went through the list of those eliminated to see our fate. When she found out that our team name was not there in fact, she saw a glimmer of hope, and was probably happy that we made it through. She was then shocked however, that our team name wasn’t among those who passed as well. I can understand she’s prob