Chapter 13: What do we know?
The group sat in silence on the cold hard floor of the waiting area, their bodies slumped against the walls and some were even lying down on the floor.
The remnants of the buffet were scattered on the table, untouched by most. They did not even bother to clean up their mess. No one could fully enjoy the so-called "reward" after everything they'd endured.
Arya leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees, as her fingers were interlocked below his chin. She chewed the inside of her cheek, deep in thought.
"This isn't random," Arya said finally, breaking the silence. Her voice was quiet but resolute, drawing everyone's attention. "None of this is."
"What do you mean?" Zack asked, straightening up.
Arya recalled the status update from her "screen'. "This...this system. It's not chaos. It's… designed. Deliberate. Like an RPG project I worked on years ago."
Ellie raised a brow. "An RPG? What is that?"
"RPG means Role-Playing Game," Arya replied.
"Are you saying we're… what? In some kind of twisted video game?"
"Not exactly," Arya replied. "But it operates on similar principles. The way the trials are structured. The way we earn attributes. Even the status screens; they're designed to track our progress, our strengths, our weaknesses. It's like... a live simulation."
"So someone or something, is controlling all this," Mark muttered, his hand gripping the edge of the table. "And we're just pawns in their game."
"Probably," Arya nodded. "Think about it. Trial One was all about survival, fight or flight. Trial Two tested our choices. Each trial builds on the last, like levels in a game. There's logic here, even if it feels cruel."
Jake leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, "All I know is, I was at a Vietnam War, asteroids were falling down from the sky but instead of a gray sky and dark clouds, there was a blinding light. Then, suddenly, I'm back here in Northwood, but not the same Northwood I've known."
"That doesn't explain why we're here, though. Or who's behind it," he added.
"I don't have those answers," Arya admitted. "But I think understanding the system might give us an edge. If we know how it works, we can predict what's coming next. Maybe even find a way to beat it."
"We already know that we have to participate in a trial every 24 hours. If we refuse, the system will terminate us. And before anyone thinks of an easy way out…Like Sadie…" She let out a slow breath. "It won't work. The system won't let us take our own lives. The moment we try, it executes us instead. Instantly. No warning. No mercy." Arya added.
She hesitated, then added, "And there's something else. Something Ambrose told us before at the diner."
At the mention of his name, Ambrose, who had been standing near the corner, looked up but said nothing.
"According to him, something was chasing them before he got here. It attacked his friends." Arya said, the tension in the room is palpable. "He said it was afraid of light, so it probably comes out at night."
Ellie stiffened. "What are you saying? That whatever hunted him is part of this sick game too?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. But if it's real, and if it's here, we need to be careful after dark." Jake said.
Mark exhaled sharply. "So not only do we have to deal with these trials, but now there's some kind of monster lurking around?"
"It would make sense," Zack muttered. "If these trials are meant to test us, adding an external threat would up the stakes."
A heavy silence settled over the group.
Mark's hands clenched into fists. "So we're just…trapped. Forced to play along until we either win or die."
Ambrose, who had been standing near the corner, finally spoke, his voice calm and detached. "Understanding doesn't guarantee survival."
Arya met his gaze. "No, but ignorance guarantees failure."
The room fell silent again, each of them digesting Arya's words. The mechanical voice suddenly echoed, breaking the tension.
[Attention, Survivors.]
[As promised, cooperation increases survival probability by 3%.]
[The 3% will reflect on your survival rate.]
[Based on your performance for the previous trial and the following trials, the system will give you points.]
[You can collect points and use it to your advantage. Instructions will be given to you when your own screens appear.]
[You are encouraged to strategize and prioritize cooperation to maximize point gain.]
[If you reach the maximum points, you can exclude yourself in a ONE Trial.]
[Status Update Initiating.]
This time there were no more sharp, sudden pain pulsed through their skulls. It felt like the screen naturally appeared in front of them. On the left side of the screen, Zack can see the same status he had before, only this time, his survival rate increased and his new attribute was deducted.
LEFT:
[Participant: Zack Martin]
[Role: Medic]
[Survival Rate: 90% + 3% = 93%]
[Attribute: Adaptive Focus: 95% - 5% = 90%]
[Mini Challenge: The Maze]
He was confused about what was appearing on his screen. 'Maybe it was because I got fooled by the fake Arya before and Jake saved me?' he muttered. 'Yeah, maybe that was it.'
RIGHT:
[Points: 38 points] MAX: 25000 points
Leadership – 10 points
Strategy – 5 points
Focus – 5 points
Teamwork – 10 points
Courage – 8 points
[Instructional Video]
On the right part was the point system, the voice was talking about. But there was an arrow at the bottom of the screen, pointing at the instructional video.
Zack touched it and so did the others on their own screen. He saw with the points they gained, they can buy equipment such as weapons, like swords, daggers, bow and arrow, guns and more.
Dagger: 15 points
Sword: 25 points
AK-47: 100 points
.44 Magnum: 75 points
He picked the dagger, and his points were deducted 15 points. Suddenly, a dagger appeared on his hands. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He looked at Arya, as if saying that 'it is like a game.'
Something appeared at the top of his screen:
[Purchase Successful: Dagger]
[Remaining Points: 23]
The others also had mixed feelings about their status update. They also viewed the video and discovered that they could use this for their survival on the next trials.
JAKE'S SCREEN:
LEFT:
[Participant: Jake Sanchez]
[Role: Combat Specialist]
[Survival Rate: 95%] + 3% = 98%]
[Attribute: Predator Instinct: 93% + 3 % = 96%]
[Mini Challenge: The Maze]
RIGHT:
[Points: 38 points] MAX: 25000 points
Leadership – 5 points
Strategy – 5 points
Focus – 10 points
Teamwork – 10 points
Courage – 8 points
After watching the video, Jake also purchased a dagger as he figured that he doesn't have enough points to buy a gun.
[Purchase Successful: Dagger]
[Remaining Points: 23]
ARYA'S SCREEN:
LEFT:
[Participant: Arya Smith]
[Role: Engineer]
[Survival Rate: 87% + 3% = 90%]
[Attribute: Structural Insight: 93% + 3% = 96%]
[Mini Challenge: The Maze]
RIGHT:
[Points: 37 points] MAX: 25000 points
Leadership – 3 points
Strategy – 8 points
Focus – 8 points
Teamwork – 10 points
Courage – 8 points
Arya studied the new set of status updates, remembering it word for word, its design and just everything about it. She feels that she is definitely right, it is like a simulation if not a game. Its features are the same as the software she was working on.
She left all that aside, and purchased a dagger because she figured that she can use this for protection in future circumstances.
[Purchase Successful: Dagger]
[Remaining Points: 22]
ELLIE'S SCREEN:
LEFT:
[Participant: Ellie Cooper]
[Role: Scout]
[Survival Rate: 85% + 3% = 88%]
[Attribute: Evasive Agility: 92% +2% = 94%]
[Mini Challenge: The Maze]
RIGHT:
[Points: 30 points] MAX: 25000 points
Leadership – 5 points
Strategy – 5 points
Focus – 5 points
Teamwork – 10 points
Courage – 5 points
Ellie did not bother to purchase anything. She thought that she should collect some more points to buy a gun because guns can be used for long range combats.
MARK'S SCREEN:
LEFT:
[Participant: Mark Evans]
[Role: Tracker]
[Survival Rate: 93% + 3% = 96%]
[Attribute: Stealth: 90% +3% = 93%
[Mini Challenge: The Maze]
RIGHT:
[Points: 37 points] MAX: 25000 points
Leadership – 8 points
Strategy – 8 points
Focus – 8 points
Teamwork – 8 points
Courage – 5 points
Mark chose to purchase the sword.
'I'm going with this,' he muttered to himself, his gaze flickering to the others. 'I've used a blade before... this will be useful.'
He was on the fencing team during his high school days and he was actually the captain of their team. He figured that maybe using a fencing foil is not so different from using a sword.
[Purchase Successful: Sword]
[Remaining Points: 12]
AMBROSE'S SCREEN:
LEFT:
[Participant: Ambrose Vail]
[Role: Analyst]
[Survival Rate: 98% - 3% = 95%]
[Attribute: Unyielding shield: 100% - 50% = 50%]
[Mini Challenge: The Maze]
RIGHT:
[Points: 25 points] MAX: 25000 points
Leadership – 0 points
Strategy – 10 points
Focus – 10 points
Teamwork – 0 points
Courage – 5 points
Ambrose looked at his screen. He cannot leave empty handed. So, he purchased a dagger instead of not having anything to protect himself. He figured that he cannot purchase the sword because he will be left with no points, so the least he could do is go with the cheaper one.
[Purchase Successful: Dagger]
[Remaining Points: 15]
The hologram flickered briefly before disappearing. A hush fell over the group as they absorbed the new information.
[Status Update Complete]
[Mini Challenge will commence in 30 minutes.]
[There will be no termination for this round unless you violated the rules.]
[If you do well in this mini challenge, you can collect a total of 2000 points.]
[Goodluck, Survivors.]
The silence was deafening.
It seems like everyone is trying to process what just happened. Is this their reality now? Zack looked at his fellow survivors, hope is not the word to describe the expression on their faces. It is hard to accept the situation that they are in right now, but what can they do rather than to participate in these sick trials?
Nothing.
"We still have 30 minutes. We should rest here for a while and regain our strength," he told everyone and each of them agreed.
Some were sharpening their newly acquired weapons, while others stared off, lost in thought.
Jake sat on the cold floor, his back against the wall, absently flipping the dagger in his hand. His mind wasn't on the weapon, though. His gaze flickered to Zack, who sat beside him, staring down at his hands, his brows furrowed deep in thought.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of everything they had gone through pressed down on them like an unseen force. Eventually, Jake exhaled, breaking the silence.
"You know, Zack, before all this…I had a life. Well, at least a good one before the army." His voice was low.
"I had a wife–Isabella. And my daughter, Emma. She's six. Or at least…she was." He hesitated before continuing.
"I was deployed in Vietnam for like a year. All I ever wanted was to be with them. To keep them safe. I used to dream of coming home after a long day, seeing them waiting for me at the door. Emma would run up, laughing, jumping into my arms. Isabella would shake her head and say, 'You spoil her too much.' And I'd just tell her, 'That's my job, isn't it?'
He let out a soft, humorless chuckle, shaking his head. "It wasn't much, but it was enough. That was the life I wanted. And now…I don't even know if they are alive. If they are waiting for me, or if…" his voice trailed off, and he clenched his jaw.
Zack swallowed, his grip tightening around his knees. "I get it," he said after a long pause. "I really do."
Jake glanced at him, sensing there was something heavy pressing on Zack's chest. "You're carrying something too, aren't you?"
Zack let out a slow, shaky breath. "Yeah…I am." He hesitated before running a hand through his hair, his expression conflicted.
"Back at the hospital…when everything was falling apart, my best friend–Olivia– she was with me. We were trying to escape through the fire exit stairwell, but we tumbled down several steps because of the tremor that rocked the building.
Jake remained quiet, listening.
"Right before we lost consciousness…she told me she loved me." Zack's voice cracked slightly, and he quickly looked away. "And I didn't say anything back. Not because I didn't care about her, but because I…I don't even know why. Maybe I was scared. I thought we had more time. But we didn't. She lost consciousness in front of me, and the last thing I gave her was silence."
His hands trembled slightly as he clenched them into fists. "It's eating me alive, Jake. Every time I close my eyes, I see her face. I hear her voice. And I hate myself for not saying anything– before she was gone."
Jake was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "You loved her, didn't you?"
Zack let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, I did. And I only realized it, now that she's gone and I can't do anything about it because we are trapped in this stupid mess."
Jake studied him for a moment before nodding slowly. "I get that, too." He shifted slightly, looking down at his own hands. "At first, when this whole nightmare started, I told myself not to trust anyone. That if I kept my distance, I wouldn't have to care if anyone died. I was just going to survive and find my family. That's all that mattered."
He turned his head toward Zack, his eyes steady. "But now? After everything we've been through, all the fights, all the times we had to watch each other's backs…you're the only person I know I can trust, Zack. The only one I'd bet my life on in this hell."
Zack blinked, slightly taken aback, Then, after a moment, he exhaled a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Funny. I was just about to say the same thing."
He turned to look at Jake, a small, tired smirk forming. "I don't know what's waiting for us after this, but…I'm glad I've got someone I can count on. Makes all of this a little less unbearable."
Jake smirked back. "Yeah. A little."
A comfortable silence settled between them, but as their gazes drifted across the room, they both instinctively looked towards Arya. She sat in the corner, sharpening the dagger she had just purchased, her brows knitted together in deep thought.
For all her skepticism and strategic mind, Arya had fought alongside them in every trial. She had taken risks, calculated every move and more than once, helped them survive. She wasn't just another competitor. She was part of them now.
Jake exhaled through his nose. "Arya, too."
Zack nodded in agreement. "Yeah. If there's anyone else I'd trust in this nightmare…it's her."
At that moment, as if she could sense their eyes on her, Arya glanced up from her blade. Her gaze met theirs, unreadable at first, but then she gave them a small nod–one of understanding of silent acknowledgement.
Zack and Jake exchanged glances before nodding back.
A mechanical voice suddenly echoed through the room, snapping them back to reality.
[Mini challenge will commence in 5 minutes.]
Zack let out a deep breath, standing up and stretching. "Well…guess we better be ready."
Jake stood as well, flipping the dagger once more before sheathing it. "Yeah. Let's make sure we all make it out of this."
Zack gave him a firm nod.
[Brace yourself. You will be transported to the next location in 5…4…3…2…1]
The center of the hospital's waiting room opened wide and swallowed them whole.
A rush of weightlessness consumed Zack as he felt himself being yanked into the void. The waiting room vanished in a blur, replaced by total darkness. His stomach lurched as the sensation of falling gripped him; then, just as suddenly, his feet hit solid ground.
A dim, eerie glow illuminated his surroundings. Cold stone walls stretched high above him, covered in strange, shifting patterns. The air was damp, filled with the distant echoes of movement, soft footsteps, whispers of air shifting through unseen corridors. He wasn't alone, but he couldn't see anyone else.
Zack's pulse quickened…This is A Maze…
[Welcome, Survivors.]
[This is the mini challenge: The Shifting Maze]
[Each of you are placed in different places of the maze.]
[Objective: Find your team. Escape TOGETHER.]
[You have 45 minutes to complete this challenge.]
[Warning: No individual escape allowed. Termination will be enforced upon violation of the rules.]
[The structure of the maze will change every 30 seconds.]
[Goodluck.]