Hopelessly Hopeful

Do you think he got the code?

He's a smart kid, I'm hoping he did…he's the only hope we got for now.

.....

They went back to their ride and dived onto the seats as they entered the rundown bus.

"They didn't bother destroying our bus, huh.." Andi said.

"They're very confident that they can beat us, that's it…" Andra reacted."Good thing they didn't bother, at least we still have a ride for escape.. "

"Well, that was a tough fight, though. I can't get enough.." Sandra exclaimed and took a deep sigh.

"Don't mention it, I kinda felt nervous about it, too.." Tori said, shaking the thought of her being held inside that dark place.

"Me, too. That was pretty hard.." Jayson added.

"Not to mention, a death-defying one.." Alex muttered.

"Anyway, we got the key so…" Yuri exclaimed and took a deep breath. "All our efforts were paid off…"

"I agree.." Mike walked past them and sat at the farthest side of the bus.

They all fell under their seat, exhausted. They haven't eaten anything since they left the camp. Muscles sore, wounds throbbing, hard breathing, they all feel under the weather.

"Can't we get moving I mean now?!" Alex muttered, urging. Thye felt the minutes passing without anything happening.

"Well, who's gonna drive? I guess the controls were damaged because of the debris falling from the mountain." Andra exclaimed.

Jayson, who didn't experience the tough fight didn't hesitate to volunteer. He went to the driver's seat without anyone knowing and started the engine.

"You know how to drive?" Sandra glared at Jayson's confidence. "Since when did you learn how to do it, idiot?"

"I'm my dad's son, remember..?" He stared back. "We specialize in transportation machines and I've known how to operate them since I was a kid..like it's a child's thing."

Everyone's jaws fell in shock. They actually forgot that he's the son of the Smart Industries' president.

"So, why didn't you volunteer when we first got this bus? You've let Ethan take over the controls." Sandra said.

"Well, he said he knew, so I didn't have to volunteer." He lifted his shoulders. "And also, I've been driving race cars in the arcade since I was in grade school. Those times I went with Alex in his delinquent days…" Alex eyed him as if pleading with him to shut up. "This actually works the same way as those games, right? Besides, we're in the AR. Anything can happen here." Jayson boasted.

"Well, it's like you're saying you haven't driven a real car.." Sandra whispered.

"You don't have a license, do you?" Yuri asked.

"Do we need it here? Because if we do, I don't have one yet.." Jayson said confidently. "I'm planning to get it after graduation."

"If only that time will come.." Mike muttered,

"Don't say that, Mike.." Jayson said. "We still have a chance to win this game. We got through the first test and got the key, right? We can win the other games, too."

"You're dressed in cyclone, Jay.." Mike replied. "I never knew you're that type of guy.."

"Thanks for the compliment. I didn't notice it too until recently.." Jayson grinned.

"So, are we just going to talk nonsense or we scram from this place?" Alex muttered and everyone's eyes stared at Jayson, urging him to move now.

"Sorry.. " Jayson replied.

He started the engine and they moved out of the dark forest they'd just conquered. It was a hard battle. One that brought them to near death. but the thought of burden was lightened with the thought that they got one of the keys that might bring them out from that disaster. They took a turn and reached the highway, back to where they passed with a heartbreaking scenery.

"I wonder if the others got into the camp safely," Sandra whispered. She sat near the window, breathing the smoky, dry air of the city: seeing its ruins.

"Yeah, I hope they're safe." Andra, who was seated next to her, replied. "Anyway, I wonder what kind of games we will encounter on the other palaces." She added.

"If we hang on the needle's tip with just a chess game, what else can the GM have to give torture us?" Sandra exclaimed.

"We'll see what we can do if we gather in the camp. For now, we have to get info from the other participants." Jayson replied.

"You're right. We should not act hastily." Yuri said. "Nothing will come from a fuggy decision.."

They all fell silent as the hum of the engine sang in the silence of the city. The TV screen flicker inside the bus, reminding them of their situation. They stared at the ruined buildings engulfed with fire wishing for a slight hope to come.

It was a dark evening, a cold one, not to mention that the smog engulfed the city slapping their faces every time the wind blows from any direction. They all feel exhausted and hungry and everyone is having a hard time moving an inch from their seat. They exchanged sighs and deep breaths of complaint.

They arrived at the port where the other participants are waiting in refuge. Their bus stopped a few meters away from the entrance because the engine gave up. Everyone stepped outside, dizzy walking. Two teenage boys came to welcome them.

"Welcome back… a good thing you're all safe.." the teen said.

"So how was the fight?" the other asked.

"That was a tough ride…" Alex complained.

"It felt like forever," Mike exclaimed.

"Solid ground! Solid ground at last!" Andi happily kissed the ground. He was the most affected person on the bus. "Jayson drove like an old man. It's so bumpy that made my head spin." He added.

"That's rude huh.. I did my best to drive properly.." Jayson replied.

"Well, your best wasn't good enough though.." Andra complained. "I never knew he's so new in driving even if they're specializing in the transport business." She ran to a corner and puked. "Bweeeh!!!"

"Even the bus gave up.." Yuri exclaimed, leaving a grin.

"I'm sorry…hehe" Jayson said and turned around. "I'll never drive for you again." He didn't meet anyone's eyes.

"He's ashamed…" Sandra muttered. "He didn't expect it to turn out this way…haha."

The two guards stared at each other, confused about what the others are talking about. They felt a heavy atmosphere before the party set off for the mountain and now that they're back, they all acted so friendly towards each other.

They entered the camp and saw the increased number of participants gathered at the center. Some tended to the wounded and the others prepared their food.

"Good timing. You arrived exactly for dinner." One of the guards exclaimed.

"Ahh, I'm so hungry!!!" Andi screamed.

They were brought to the long table. They immediately found a place and took a seat. Corn soup mixed with egg and a loaf of bread were served to them on a platter with exquisite designs matched with expensive-looking utensils.

"Where did you get these supplies?" Sandra asked. She couldn't believe they are using such expensive materials just for a mere dinner under the foggy sky.

"We happen to be at the port, so…" the teen who served them food said.

"We hacked their supplies." The other teen added. "It's not like we're not allowed to. We didn't get a warning so we continued the search for food. At least we can do that, right?"

"Hacked? What do you mean by that?"

"Just a term.. It's called stealing outside this AR city." The guard responded.

"Yeah.. But this is an emergency so it might be considered as a lawful act." One said. "It's not that we're not allowed to eat."

"I see," Sandra replied.

They finished their meal instantly and eventually asked for seconds. They ate in silence, savoring the food they have. Only flickers of the firing wood, are they books?, were heard in the background.

"So, about the code Jay.." Sandra asked.

"I'm still trying to think about it. I just…" Jayson replied.

"Need to take your time.." Yuri continued. "But, if I were you, I'll make it fast. The sun will soon rise and we need to get out before the second sunset or else.." He muttered. He sat in front of Jayson, taking a sip of his third soup.

"I know, we'll all get stuck as a glitch in this city," Jayson replied. "But in order to crack that code, I need to find a glitch and make a way out." He added.

"Uhh okay. It's enough that you know." Yuri stood from his seat. "Ja, I'll take my leave for now. I'll see what I can do inside my turf."

"Ahh, thanks for all the help for today. You're a lifesaver." Jayson said.

"I did it for myself as well. Don't bother thinking about it.." Yuri replied.

"I will do the same." Jayson stood and grabbed his platter. "I'll make something out of that thing I've heard."

"I'll try to lend a hand.." Alex stood and follow Jayson to their tent.

"Ahh, thanks for all your hard work," Sandra replied and waved her hand.

The others fell asleep, heads on the table. But she cannot even close her eyes, she's scared. She's afraid that the moment she'll open it again, she had lost everything. She wanted to know every single second that pass in the AR. Knowing that any second, his friend might show up and she needs to stand for him no matter what the odds are.

"They're all exhausted, huh?" Sandra said with a sigh. "I wonder where he is now…" she stared at the flickering bonfire near their table, feeling the heat from it, slowly radiating to her tired skin.

"Cassy?" said a familiar voice.

"I think I'm exhausted as well. I'm now hearing Dave's voice..." She whispered.

"Cassy?! It's you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Dave dived and hug her from the back, tilting the bench, and making them fall to the ground.

"Dave?! What are you doing here?" Sandra asked. She was surprised by the fact his friend is here with her. But the happiness she felt was immediately taken over by the thought that Dave was also trapped in this stupid death game. "Why are you here? This place is dangerous, idiot."

"I know. we've got a piece of it a while ago.." Dave said with a cheerful smile. He hadn't seen his friends since the school year started. They didn't have time to see each other for time reasons.

"We? Who are you with?" Sandra exclaimed. "You're not answering my question!"

"Oh, sorry," Dave replied. He helped her back to her seat and he sat beside her. "I'm with Ken and Brent. We were sent here as participants of the convention that ended up as characters in this death game."

"But, why?" she was filled with fear; filled with worries.

"All you can ask is why?" Dave giggled. "Anyway, our school got an invitation from Scorpio. We sent a program and won their contest last month. We are not a first-class school but I, Ken and Brent worked very hard to get that win. So, that's what brought us here."

"Why are you desperate in coming here?" Sandra asked.

"To see my friends in common ground." He answered immediately. "I hoped we will meet each other here and have a chat.." Dave giggled again. "I missed my friends, you know. Especially that idiot." He added. "I heard he was set free last month. Where is he now? Are you with him?" he searched the place.

"I'm afraid he's with the other group and I haven't seen him seen we entered the camp," Sandra replied in a deep voice. "I know how you feel, but Dave.."

"I know. I'm not here to blame him. I just want to know the truth. He's our best friend, right? And we promised to stay with him until the end, to see this through." Dave replied in a shaky voice. "He's got reasons for doing that thing, right? I mean, he won't do it unless he got the odds. He doesn't play a losing game."

Sandra's tears burst out. Dave took her head and buried her under his arms.

"He'll be fine. He's far stronger than us, right?" Dave said.

"I know. but…" Sandra replied.

"But, what?"

"He's not the old friend we knew anymore. He's changed." Sandra see him in his eyes. "He was changed. And I couldn't do anything to bring him back. I'm afraid he's been judged by the others as what he is now. They didn't know how much struggle he'd been through. You've seen the footage, right?"

"Yeah… and that's what we're for. We'll shield him from their false eyes. That's why we have to know the truth and the only way to do that is to get the GM."

"You're right. That GM…"

"Yeah, the same old foe."

"That's what I thought!" Sandra exclaimed. "I knew he didn't die from that explosion. He got an accomplice, right? He said something about a patron before."

"You've got a good memory, huh.. well, if what we thought was right, he's still after Markus and all other participants here are just collateral damages…" Dave said.

"Yeah, just like what happened before. But this thing has taken too far. We need to stop it right now, before he hurt more people before he hurt our friend again before we lose him again." Sandra said confidently. "But first, we need to gather all the keys. We need that to face the final boss."

"Speaking of the keys, we got one," Dave said and took the key out from his back pocket.

"You got one? HOW?!" Sandra screamed, and stood from her seat.

"Yeah. We conquered Phobos and got this." He showed her the key with the number 5 on the handle.

"You won the game?"

"Yeah, it was an easy win. Somehow deadly though."

"We got the key from the forest area. It's got a number 3 on the handle."

"5, now 3. It's something to say."

"I know, we got to break the code. I'm sure it's a code. But, seriously, how did you manage to get it?"

"We played the game. Good thing we got a colleague who mastered the game of Contra."

"Contra?"

"Yeah, not to mention he got cheats. It was an easy win." Dave boasted. "De, how did you do it on your end?"

"We played Chess."

"That's easy…" Dave said, surprised that his friend experienced a non-dangerous game.

"We were the pieces and we fought hand in hand with the baboon soldiers of the enemy in a limited secluded area near the cliff of a mountain, afraid to die because if we do, we'll be gone from this AR like forever." Sandra glared. "Now, tell me that was EASY?!" she emphasized sarcasm.

"Oh…" Dave melted. "I never knew it was also hard. So that means…"

"All the games we will encounter are all deadly. Even just walking on the highway is deadly, even breathing the smoky air is deadly. So, you better not let your guard down, idiot." Sandra crossed her arms.

"So, what do we do now?" Dave asked. "How do we find the other keys? How can we get to Markus?"

"He was called Hachiro now. But I guess, Markus or Hachiro, it doesn't matter. They all see him as a threat, a traitor. And we need to be there for that idiot. He got this attitude of accepting what was thought of him and struggle later." Sandra exclaimed.

"Yeah, so.." Dave asked. "Where is he now? What group is he with?"

"The last thing I remembered, he was in the Bus no. 3." Sandra said. "He's with Michiyo, one of our teammates."

"3? Where did they go?" Dave asked.

"Ohh, I guess they went to the city proper. That's where the midtown building is." Sandra hit the keys on her watch and viewed a map. "Here." She pointed to the place.

"That's one of the palaces, right?"

"Yeah.." Sandra replied.

"If that's the case, then he surely got the key."

"You're right!" Sandra exclaimed. "And if that's the case, then we just have to get him here so that we can get the keys in one place. We have to tell the others about it as well."

"You mean, the GSSTI people?"

"And the Qatsu…"

"I don't like those brats…"

"You can trust them, trust me.."

"Really, huh?.."

"Yeah, let's go and tell them…" Sandra said. "They'll surely like to hear this news.."