Orientation

Sam pressed his thumb against the scanner, watching as a green light blinked, signaling success.

A soft click from the camera followed, capturing his face. He stepped aside, observing the line as the others went through the same process.

The stretch from numbers 19 to 25 was a mess. Despite being in a line, they jostled and pushed one another like children eager for candy. Sam shook his head in mild disbelief.

'What's the rush? It's not like this is a job interview,' he thought, though he understood. Excitement—or desperation—could make anyone act foolishly.

Amidst the chaos stood a lady, number 21. Unlike the rest, she remained still, her eyes darting between her unruly neighbors.

Her pink hair, unusual yet striking, cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that could have been captivating if it weren't for her stoic expression.

She didn't smile, didn't flinch, and didn't seem to care about the commotion around her.

'Judging them,' Sam mused, noticing her sharp gaze dissecting the others. He wondered what kind of person she was. That pink hair didn't scream "subtle."

Once everyone had finished, the announcer's voice sounded over the speakers, instructing them to move to the training facility.

"Finally!" shouted number 18, a tall, athletic man who practically leaped into the air. "This game is getting interesting!"

Sam turned to look at him. The man's muscles stretched against his uniform, and his excitement was impossible to miss.

'Athlete, obviously,' Sam thought. 'Probably thinks this is a playground.'

The announcement piqued Sam's curiosity. Why a training facility? If this game were just about answering questions, what was the point? He smiled grimly, the pieces beginning to fit together in his mind.

'This isn't going to be as simple as they made it sound. No one gives away 200 million dollars for fun.'

The training facility was a massive, empty hall, with rows of weights, treadmills, and a few strange machines that Sam couldn't immediately identify.

The announcer introduced it as their primary space for physical training, although no specifics about its purpose were shared.

While most of the participants wore skeptical expressions, number 18's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

"This is awesome!" he yelled, pumping his fist in the air.

Everyone else exchanged wary glances. Sam caught the same thought in their eyes: What kind of game is this?

The announcer continued the tour, showing them the toilets, showers, and dining room. Three meals a day were promised, but the announcer didn't specify what kind of meals.

It didn't escape Sam's notice that every detail was tightly controlled.

After the orientation, they were dismissed back to their sleeping quarters.

The large room was just as they'd left it. Sam made his way to his bed, sat down, and leaned against the cold metal headboard. His mind began piecing things together.

'This isn't just about brains. There's a physical element. They're preparing us for something.'

The puzzle intrigued him, but he also knew one thing for sure: the organizers weren't just handing out cash.

Across the hall, a commotion drew his attention. A wiry young man, number 77, had approached the far corner of the room.

077, whose actual name was Finn, stopped in front of a bed occupied by a hulking man with the number 100 stitched onto his uniform.

"Excuse me," Finn said calmly, though his voice trembled slightly. "I think this is my bed."

Number 100 turned his head slowly, his massive frame exuding intimidation. His thick muscles rippled beneath his uniform, and his face, though undeniably ugly, twisted into an amused smirk.

"Say that again," 100 demanded, his voice deep and menacing.

Finn repeated himself, standing his ground despite the obvious size difference.

100 laughed, a loud, grating sound that silenced the room. "Your bed? Kid, I've already claimed this spot. Find another one."

Finn hesitated, his eyes darting around the room. "But… where should I sleep?"

100 shrugged arrogantly. "Not my problem. Pick an empty bed and call it a night."

Finn frowned. "Where's your original bed? Maybe I can—"

"Don't know. Don't care." 100 stood up, towering over Finn. "You see this number?" He jabbed a thick finger at the "100" stitched on his chest. "It means I'm the only complete one here. Nobody messes with me."

The hall fell silent, all eyes on the confrontation. Finn's resolve wavered, his lips pressing into a thin line. After a tense pause, he nodded and stepped back.

"Fine," Finn muttered, turning to find another bed.

Sam watched the scene unfold, shaking his head. 'That guy's going to be trouble.'

Finn began his search for a bed. All the best he could see was either occupied or people were busy arguing about who owns the bed. Seems like everyone forgot where their original beds were or just wanted to find another good space for themselves.

Sam lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He thought about the chaos of the day, the strange training facility, and the dynamics forming among the players.

'Life here isn't just about winning games. Surviving this place will take more than just brains and strength.'

As the dim lights flickered overhead, Sam's mind drifted to his sister. He clenched his fists, the thought of her fragile body lying in that hospital bed fueling his determination.

'I don't care what it takes. I'll get through this. I'll win.'

A gentle tap on his foot broke Sam's train of thought. It was Finn.

"Good afternoo... uh, evening, sir!" Finn greeted, sounding a bit unsure.

There were no windows in the hall, making it impossible to tell the time. However, since they had been instructed to sleep and prepare for the next day, it was safe to assume it was already late.

"Evening. How may I help you?" Sam replied calmly.

"Uh, I was just wondering... is anyone using the bed beside you? It seems empty. Or maybe the person went to chat with a friend or use the toilet?" Finn asked politely.

Sam turned to his right and noticed the empty bed. Honestly, since he'd entered, no one had approached it. From his observations, nearly everyone was either sitting or standing by their beds, so it was likely unclaimed.

"No, I don't think anyone's using it. Nobody's been there since I arrived," Sam answered.

Finn's face lit up, and he gladly settled into the vacant space.

After settling in, Finn introduced himself with a cheerful tone, and Sam returned the courtesy. However, it was clear Sam wasn't in the mood for a conversation, so Finn decided to save his stories for another time. With that, they both drifted off to sleep.

A loud, jarring buzz—identical to the one from the day before—shattered the stillness, jolting everyone awake. It was immediately followed by an announcement:

"All players should prepare for their first game today!"