Red Paint and a Doll

"This might come as a shock to all of you, but the game will be canceled." Mr. Dwayne announced. And indeed, the people weren't happy. Some were furious and confused while some were worried. The whole arena turned into total chaos as everybody started to speak all at once, demanding an explanation.

"Okay. Okay. Calm down. For all the players, stay where you are right now. The organizers will come to your position and get you out of the maze. And to all of you at the bench, please, I ask you to go back to your houses through the back gate."

But it only made the people even more furious. Though I can't see his face, Mr. Dwayne appeared troubled. As if at a loss on how to explain the situation in a way that's easy to understand.

I tried to go back to the organizer who made me eat the boiled frog pizza earlier, that way, they wouldn't have to search for me. But the surroundings suddenly pulsated. Much worse than what I had earlier. The back of my head was throbbing and there was a sudden tug coming from the thin thread of connection in my chest.

I don't know why I am feeling this again, but I tried feeling the connection which seemed to be a little disturbed, and the purplish particles exploded before my eyes. There were no changes in their appearance, but their movements were erratic at an alarming level. I don't know, but I feel like they're trying to warn me about something.

I turned around to see the particles at my back, they were more clustered in one area. I don't know if my assumption is correct, I just have a vague feeling, but there's an enormous concentration of particles at the front gate.

I pulled out and my vision went back to normal.

"There you are! Please, come with me. I'll bring you back to the tent." It was the organizer in a body-hugging snake suit.

I followed her without saying anything. I have so many questions. Besides, I don't think she knows anything either. I am more concerned about Ombre's warning this morning. Could it be related to the other devourers somehow?

We arrived at the tent with no problem except for the people on the bench who were starting to get violent. The organizers are trying to calm them down but to no avail. The police arrived minutes later and they escorted the people to their houses despite throwing a fit. It was a mess. But I wonder why don't they just explain to everyone why the game was canceled. I mean, wouldn't that make the situation easier?

Shortly after I arrived at the tent, Mr. Dwayne entered.

"Uhh… That was very unfortunate," he said very awkwardly but with a hint of tension.

I don't really mind about the game being canceled, but I don't think it's the same for other participants. Especially Alviar who's clenching his fist beside me.

"But don't worry, all of you. We will continue the game once everything has settled down."

"Mr. Dwayne, right?" It was Juan. "Why does it have to be canceled. You're not just gonna shoo us home with no explanation, would you?"

As soon as he said that, other participants started voicing out their thoughts as well.

"What about our progress earlier? Will that still count once the game continues?"

"Will we get compensation for wasting our time?"

"Is there no chance of continuing it now?"

Others chose to remain silent though it was evident in their faces that they weren't elated by any means.

Mr. Dwayne looked conflicted. As if he was debating whether or not to tell us. And then he sighed in resignation. "Okay. I will tell you but you have to promise me not to spread it around. It will surely cause massive panic and we don't want that. We aren't sure yet if it's indeed true or just a prank."

No one answered, everyone was waiting for his explanation. And he took a deep breath and then said, "Remember many years ago? That one time when many people died? That happened after some massive words were written in red paint along with a tattered handmade doll on every road of Sratol that says 'We may forgive, but we cannot forget.' Many died after that. And right now, in the front gate. The same words were written in red paint along with a doll."

There was a strained silence after Mr. Dwayne said that. A long one, until Alviar spoke. "You mean to say in the front gate alone and not anywhere else in Sratol? That doesn't make sense! The police should be patrolling that area so they should be able to see who did it, no?"

Mr. Dwayne shook his head. "Unfortunately, Mr. Alviar. No one saw who did it. The police assigned there only went to buy a cup of coffee and a doughnut at the cafe just across the gate, and when he returned not more than five minutes later, the gate was already painted."

"Really? What about the other people passing by? If it was the same like the one years ago, somebody must have seen it at least."

"Unfortunately, if there was indeed a witness, no one came forward so we don't know."

In the end, we were told to go home and not roam outside for whatever reason.

The streets that used to be bustling with people seemed to have turned into a ghost town that day.