Chapter 11

After verification participants are allotted cottages. There are total 25 participants few opted for double occupancy so only 20 cottages were filled and arranged. Harper and Eva opted for double occupancy.

After travelling for an hour from verification hall, bus with the 25-member group entered a circular road around the cottages to reach a group of four triple story buildings which are well connected through independent pathways from cottages.

Bus was stopped in front of the first building, they were asked to get down and form a group

"Welcome to the forest resort, I am the manager here and my name is Taylor" said a middle aged woman in office suit

After everyone acknowledgement she continued "Before you go and occupy the cottages, we will first give you a tour of this area and explain few rules, so please follow me and you leave your luggage here"

She made them assemble before the first building named Hospital and said "As you can see the name this the hospital exclusively for the resort and there is a pharmacy inside for your use."

Then to the second building named Police and forest department, there stood few officers and Taylor nodded to them, an middle aged officer who seemed to be head said "Hello everyone, I'm Gavin Brown head of this police and forest department, we are here for your safety and as you can see we are in the forest and everything here is unpredictable so you need to follow few rules strictly and some do's and don'ts for your safety" and gestured his subordinates, they started distributing booklets to everyone.

One of the officer spoke "The two page booklet in your hands contain rule, do's and don'ts , who ever found guilty will be punished according to law. Don't worry these rules are general rules and are easy to follow. Please make sure you get habituated with the things in the booklet for you own safety"

"Now move on to the next building" said the manager Taylor

The third building is a little bigger compared to the other two and named canteen

"In the canteen you will be served four meals Breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner which are absolutely free and there is also a restaurant and convenience store where you can buy food and goods" said Manager Taylor

Then to the last building named Admin

"The ground floor has our office this is where you can find us" said Manager Taylor with a smile and continued "the first floor contains a library with two desktops for your use and a phone where you can call your family in case of emergency as you have submitted your mobiles and laptops in the main office".

As soon as the Manager Taylor completed the speech, a man in his 30's joined her

"I grandly welcome you all, I'm Michael Jones head and manager of this event and I hope Taylor gave you all a good idea about this place" said the man

Everyone gave a nod

Mr. Jones "Now my colleagues will give you a copy of the rules.."

Someone said "Rules not again" cutting Mr. Jones

Mr. Jones chuckled and said "I know they are many but previous rules are for your safety in the woods and these rules are yeah for your safety but during performing tasks and there are also changes in the rewards. There are 10 adventure sports in the event and then participant completing 6 will be awarded certificate, participant who completes 8 will get cash and certificate and participant who will complete all will get grand cash and certificate."

Everyone applauded

"I take that as you understood the change of rewards. We have to meet at this place before the task and meeting time is based on the sport perform that day, So its almost lunch time have lunch and settle yourself into the cottages. We will meet here tomorrow morning at sharp 9:30 after your breakfast and don't forget to get habituated to the rules because breaking the rules of the event means not getting to perform the sport of that day. Now have a good rest" Mr. Jones ended his speech and everyone walked to bus collected luggage and then towards their cottages.

"Eva why don't we first have our lunch "asked Harper. "Yeah" said Eva. They walked to the canteen with their luggage while everyone went to cottages

Inside the canteen

Staff greeted them politely and showed them the buffet lunch with many varieties.

Eva and Harper filled their plates, choose a seat and started eating. When they were about to finish staff came and informed them about the dessert.

Their eyes sparkled when they saw two varieties of ice-creams and cakes, even staff couldn't help but chuckle.

After filling their tummies, they walked out and the other participants started coming in.

Andrew, Austin and Leon just came out the cottage when they saw Eva and Harper entering their cottage 14.

"So, they are our neighbors, very good" said Austin

"Neighbors?" asked Leon

"Yeah mine is their north-west, yours is their north and Andrew's is their north-east daaa neighbors" said Austin

Leon rolled his eyes and started walking

"I wonder how you became a doctor, shameless "said Andrew and started walking

"Hey, wait who are you calling shameless, you have stupid brain" said angry Austin and ran towards them.

Cottages are made of wood looked similar to a forest cabin and separated with few yards between them, all 20 are built is such a way that 10 are on one side of the rood and 10 on other side, opposite of cottage 1 is 20, 2 is 19 similarly 10 is 11.

Leon cottage is 7 which directly opposite of the girls, Austin's is 8 and Andrew's is 6.