The world around me warps and distorts, the training room melting away as I'm plunged into a vivid hallucination. Suddenly, I find myself on a sprawling battlefield, the air thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder and the cries of wounded soldiers.Before me stands a Destitute, his features blurred and indistinct. But there's something familiar about him, something that tugs at the back of my mind. I don't hesitate, my training kicking in as I charge forward, my fists clenched and ready to strike.The Destitute raises his hand, his eyes wild with fear. "Ande, it's me!" he shouts, his voice desperate. Ande? My name echoes in my mind, but in this haze of battle, I can't place its significance. All I know is that I've been trained to destroy the Destitutes, to eliminate them at all costs.I tackle the Destitute to the ground, my blows raining down with a primal fury. I feel his bones crack beneath my knuckles, his cries of pain fueling my onslaught. This is what I was made for, what
I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. "Who's there?" I murmur, my voice barely above a breath.The whisper grows more vigorous, more insistent. "Ande, you must listen. The coordinates... you must find them."I glance over my shoulder, but the guards remain oblivious, their attention focused elsewhere. Turning back to the mirror, I stare into my own eyes, searching for the source of the voice."The coordinates?" I whisper, my brow furrowed. "What do they mean?""They are your way out, Ande," the voice responds, its tone urgent. "You must find it! Before it's too late!."I hesitate, my mind racing. Could this be the same voice, the same man from my dream? The one who spoke of freedom, of a chance to break free from the school's control?Without hesitation, I reached out and clenched my fist against the mirror, the glass shattering into a thousand glittering shards. The students outside immediately spring into action, pounding on the door and shouting for me to open up."Ande!" one of
As the game is about to begin, I glance around the room, searching for a familiar face. But Chris isn't here.I scan the crowd again, searching for any sign of the other boy. But he's nowhere to be seen, and a pang of guilt twists in my gut. I pull a nearby student aside, and my grip was tight on their arm."Where's Chris?" I demand, my voice low and menacing.The student's eyes widen, and they stammer, "H-he's still in the hospital. He couldn't play today."I feel a surge of relief and regret. Relief that Chris is safe, for now, but regret that I was the one who put him there in the first place. Without him here, I don't know how much he has in points, and I can't risk him being eliminated. I can't just let that happen.Steeling my resolve, I approach the instructor, the chip still hidden under my tongue. "I want to use some of my points to help Chris pass this round without being eliminated."The instructor raises an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. "Are you
The boy steps forward, blocking my path. "I saw it first. Now give it back."I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I stare him down. "I'm not giving it to you. It's mine now."The boy's eyes narrow, and he plants his feet, nose flaring. "I don't care. I need those points, so back off." He growls.I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I weigh my options. This flag could be the difference between passing and failing, and I'm not about to let it slip through my fingers.But the student in front of me is easily twice my size, and I can see the desperation in his eyes. Suddenly, movement catches my eye, and I glance over his shoulder and see a group of students approaching, their faces twisted with fury."Hey, that's our flag!" one of them shouts, his voice thick with rage.The teen in front of me whirls around, his eyes widening as he takes in the sight of the approaching mob. I can see the fear in his expression, and for a moment, I almost feel sorry for him.B
I need to get out of here.Quickly, I crouch low, using the lush foliage and scattered debris as cover.Absentmindedly, I can't help but notice the area. There are clear signs of activity in the clearing- a tattered backpack, crumpled energy bar wrappers, and a discarded water bottle.This has become a temporary base of operations for a group of the students, likely hunting for flags, returning and regrouping. It's unsettlingly organised.Swallowing hard, I tighten my grip on the wooden stake concealed in my jacket pocket. I need to be extra vigilant; these students have been working together, which means they pose a severe threat.Silently, I inch towards the flag lying on the ground, my eyes darting from one student to the next, watching as they converse animatedly. I need to get that flag and escape before they notice me. Seven against one is not a fight I'm eager to engage in.With each cautious step, I keep my movements fluid and silent, my senses heightened as I navigate the u
"You can't run forever, Ande!" the leader bellows from behind me, his voice laced with fury. "We'll find you, and when we do, you're dead!"I push myself harder, my legs pumping as I race through the dense foliage, the sound of my pursuers' footsteps echoing behind me. I need to lose them, and I need to put them off my trail.Adrenaline courses through my veins, fueling my desperate sprint towards the cave. As I dart between the towering rocks, I can feel my lungs burning and my muscles aching, but I refuse to slow down. The thought of those students catching up to me spurs me onward, propelling me forward with a frantic sense of urgency.I dart left, then right, weaving through the winding paths in an attempt to lose them. The uneven terrain threatens to trip me, but I maintain my balance, my eyes scanning the landscape for any place I can hide. Finally, I spot a rocky outcrop, partially obscured by a tangle of vines and bushes. Without hesitation, I veer towards it, my heart
I grit my teeth, my mind racing as I search to escape this. "What's the matter, Andy?" the leader jeers. "Afraid to fight us?""Not a chance," I retort, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me. "I'm just getting started."The other girl sneers. "That's exactly what we're counting on." She twirls a finger through her curls. "Make this interesting for us, loser."I don't bother with a retort, instead focusing all my energy on staying alert and ready. The students begin to close in; their movements are coordinated and predatory.One of the boys strikes first, swinging his fist in a vicious arc. I block the blow, the impact jarring my arm, then lash out with a sharp jab to his ribs. He grunts in pain and stumbles back.Before capitalising on my advantage, the other brute is on me, raining down blows with his giant fists. I weave and dodge, my body a blur as I deflect the relentless assault. But his strength and speed are wearing me down.A flash of movement in my periphe
My heart races as I grip the terrified boy's collar, shaking him violently. "That's a lie! Tell me the truth!" I scream into his pale face, my voice laced with desperation.The boy's eyes go wide, tears streaming down his bruised cheeks. "I'm not lying! The game isn't over because the timer hasn't run out! I swear!" he cries.I feel the blood drain from my face as his words sink in. That means I'm still trapped in this place, unable to escape until the time limit is reached. A wave of panic crashes over me, my mind spinning as I struggle to process this news. Am I doomed to remain in this nightmarish game forever?Releasing the trembling boy, I stagger backwards, my legs turning to jelly beneath me. It takes every ounce of my willpower to remain standing, to not collapse into a shivering heap on the ground. My head is pounding, and frantic thoughts ricocheting through my mind. I can't leave. The timer is still running. I'm trapped.Trapped.The word echoes in my consciousness, a