"Just when I'm thinking about you, there you go surprising me, right here before my eyes"
It appears that he's holding something. He closed the unfolded object and stood up as if surprised.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him out of confusion.
"What about you?" he flustered.
"I can't sleep. Just going to check my artworks."
"This?" he took out what he had opened earlier and showed it to me.
I ran and immediately grabbed my sketch pad. "Why is this on you?" surprised and annoyed I asked him.
I don't want to share my belongings without permission, especially personal belongings. My sketch pad is personal use of mine because, by drawing, I can bring out who I really am and how I feel. At its sheer cost, this serves as my visual diary. I sat opposite where he was sitting and then he sat down half smiling. I stared at him.
"I'm sorry. I'm wide awake too. I was about to play piano, but everyone was sleeping and I'm not that in the mood. I thought about visiting the art room instead. I was checking the cabinets when I accidentally saw a sketch pad and 'SECOND'S PROPERTY' was written on the cover. " He chuckled while pointing at the 'SECOND'S PROPERTY' label written on the cover of my sketch pad.
"Okay?" I said sarcastically while he was making fun of me. I scratched my head and opened my sketchpad. There was nothing that can be done about it. He already saw its contents.
"But I didn't really expect for you to come here. I was surprised when I saw you."
"You thought it was a ghost, huh?" I asked jokingly while flipping the pages.
"No"
"Because I saw you interfering with someone's belongings?"
"Probably, 10 %? But still no."
"Only 10 %? Not because I'm kind, you can tamper with my belongings." He shrugged and grinned.
"Because you're going to laugh at my drawings?" I asked him again.
"No. I can't even draw so why should I laugh at yours"
"Eh, why were you surprised when you saw me?"
I looked at my drawings. It might not be the best sketch, but I feel relieved to be able to do so. In my peripheral vision, he brought his face closer to mine.
"Because when the very moment I went to this room, automatically, I started thinking of you. I only stayed here for a couple of minutes. While scanning your works, I saw you, standing there glaring at me. Just when I'm thinking about you ... there you go surprising me, right here before my eyes."
I was stunned. I lifted my head to see the person I was talking to. I stared at him because his eyes are captivating associated with the words he uttered earlier. I blinked and moved away a bit as we were filled by the momentary silence.
"Stop it will you?" I chuckled. "You are really weird." I just laughed even at the depth of what he was saying but he didn't say a word. "Are you okay?"
He blinked. "U-Um" He nodded and immediately avoided my gaze.
"I wouldn't scold you if you just told me." I looked back at my sketchpad.
He sighed. "My bad."
"Okay, I'm not angry anymore, you've seen it anyway."
"Well, I think... Me, eavesdropping at your artworks will be your payment." I looked at him because of what he said.
I frowned "My payment for what?" and I even pointed at myself in astonishment. Did I owe him something? A favor? Money?
"You slept on my lap"
"H-huh?" Of course, I almost forgot that embarrassment. Geez. "Was it Fourth or Aeith?" I need to identify who let me lie on his lap.
"I was the one who caught you when you fell."
"Eh?"
"I couldn't help it. I put your head on my lap, when I was about to stand and transfer you to Fourth's you started sleep talking."
"Me?" I have no recollection of myself sleep talking.
"It really happened," And he nodded to make me believe it really happened.
I'm even more ashamed of myself now. "What did I say?"
"You said, 'don't' in a pleading tone. I saw your grimaced face like you're in pain."
"P-Pleading, grimace…" I could not believe what he said. Why would I say that? I must be dreaming or having a nightmare when that happened.
"Hahaha!" And now he's laughing at me. I don't sometimes understand First. Often, he's serious but also loves to tease me.
"What's so funny?" I rolled my eyes.
"Your reaction, just now... It's priceless. Haha!"
"All right, just tease me. If that's what makes you happy."
He tried to keep quiet and get serious because I am sulking. "Okay, sorry for that."
"I'm sorry," I said suddenly.
"For what?"
"I made it hard for you yesterday not to leave. You were still heavy when you lifted me. You're already bored because I've been awake for so long. Your thigh is still numb from the weight of my head, then-"
I never ended up apologizing to him for the embarrassment I had caused. "For you, I'll do anything, if it's you," he stopped me from saying more and gave me another serious but assuring face.
"Even though. Thanks anyway," I then smiled at him.
He also smiled and leaned back in his chair—arms crossed. "So, now, what's our agenda?"
"We don't have a meeting." I closed the sketch pad and laid it on the table.
"What about a topic to talk about?"
"Hmm..." I am thinking about a good topic until I thought of something sensible to talk about. We're really getting closer to each other as the days pass by. This is normal since he's the one I know the most aside from being my classmate on the earth.
"Ah! About the game." This is a good opportunity to review and analyze the game we've had.
"Okay, what about it?"
"How did you guys win when the gold team has a higher chance of winning?"
"Simple"
"How?"
"The extraordinary sports also have extraordinary scoring. The number of points scored is not based on how many times the ball has been shot, but on which part of the human body will be affected more delicately. If Author is clever, I am mischievous. I purposely let our team lose from rounds 1 to 4, where human organs that are supposed to be affected are not that lethal. In round 5, I aimed to shoot the ball for the last 15 seconds, where the heart is the targeted organ and it is one of the most delicate parts of the human body. The gold team's two members were affected in their brains and heart. The scoring aimed for what team could handle the physical pain and what team could decode the secret technique behind the game."
I was left hanging by what First said. I silenced myself for a couple of seconds to absorb what he said. Excellent! He immediately found out the secret behind the game. I was not able to figure it out and he really outdid himself.
"Does that mean?"
"In volleyball, you experienced mental and emotional pain. It is to challenge you if you can keep the game while remaining unfocused. There are traps that surround and prevent you to cross the line. A challenge, if you can save your members from falling into those traps or you'll just keep playing the game for the sake of others. The scoring is, if what team could handle the mental and emotional pain that your past is tormenting you. That explains why you lose."
It all matches what he said. I already understand why we lost. Maybe the game can be concluded as a tie if Tenth didn't give up, that's why we lose. We all have nightmares from our past and the game measures our resiliency.
"I'm sorry... you guys still fought to win but, we girls lost the game."
"You don't have to feel sorry for that. Honestly, I'm grateful as long you're safe."
"I didn't play much in that match. I just relied on the team." Yes, I just got carried.
"No, that's not it," he smiled sparingly as if to say that was okay. "When you lose consciousness, you must be... dead."
My eyes widened. "W-Why?"
I saw for a moment that First's eyes can't look at me directly. "You are the last victim, and your mental and emotional pain is the deadliest. Your memories are the most painful you have ever experienced. Author said you could've died but you resisted. When you called me to stay by your side… I sit your head on my lap."
Is that so? So, that's what happened—the whole story of it.
I'm just like Tenth. If I haven't fought back against my painful past, I wouldn't be here. That was really a close one. I smiled because I am still lucky. Just a little mistake I made in the game and my life would be at stake. One of my feet seemed to be buried in a pit. But I am saddened by the loss of Tenth and the rest of our friends.
I suddenly remembered what First had told me before girls started playing volleyball.
"Thank you and I'm alive maybe it's because of the charm you said and gave me. But it doesn't seem to be effective because I still got nervous." I joked with him because the mood of the conversation was too serious.
He smiled a mischievous one. "Oh, that one? ..." he scratched his head. "Actually, I lied."
"Huh?"
"The true purpose of the charm was not to keep you from being nervous. I said that but that's not really it."
"Then what?"
"I just said those words and wrote it in the palm of your hand but that's not the real meaning of it."
"What is it then?"
"When I reached out and held your hands, I held it close to my mouth and closed my eyes. I mouthed 'Please come back safe'."
I woke up late because of the meeting if it can be called a meeting wherein First and I don't want to be adjourned yet. He said he still wants to talk as if it's our last night here on nth planet. We seem to be taking advantage of that opportunity to have a late-night talk about the game and our life. I went downstairs while squinting my blurry eyesight.
"Here's the grand winner!" Seventh and his troops greeted me when I came down the stairs from the second floor. My hair is still messy, and I yawned. I feel like I overslept yet I'm still drowsy, so I don't have time to play with them. I just went down to drink water to freshen myself up.
"Eat, Second! Your brunch will be moldy," Aeith scolded me. She was with me sitting on the sofa in the living area.
She mentioned brunch. It must have been afternoon by now. That's a long sleep. No wonder I'm getting a headache. I saw First just went down the stairs. He just woke up which was obvious in his slightly squinting eyes and morning face. He greeted me as well. He hung out in the living area first to see the boys playing some board games. I went to the kitchen and saw a bowl of rice, beef stew, and mixed vegetables on the table placed in a container with a lid. I just put the food in the refrigerator first and I will eat it later after taking a bath.
"Sleeping like a log, huh." – Fifzen
"Hey, Second, let's play!" Ninezen
"Are you okay? What happened and you woke up late?" – Fourth
I gave them a hand gesture of 'okay' and goes out of the kitchen without saying a word then went up.
Seventh followed me at speak. "Hmm... I smell something fishy. First and you woke up at the same time. What happened to you last night?"
If I'm drinking water right now, I would have choked.
"Nothing in particular"
"Oh, really?" he gave me a teasing look. What does this guy want? "I heard two people at the art room."
"So, you were eavesdropping?" He should've said sooner.
"I-It's not like that," And now he's denying it. Geez.
"You should have joined us." To make our conversation last night longer, Seventh must've joined us. He just scratched his nape and got nothing to reply.
I ignored him and went back to my bedroom. I plunged myself into my soft bed. If my estimation is correct, it's our 14th day and the 13th night at the castle.
"Well, our class president is quite busy with the upcoming events."
"All right, let's get good at drawing"
"Miss ***, have you decided on participating in the art contest?"
"***, let's go out"
"Get ready yourself for a vacation in the province!"
My quiet life was disturbed by an incident...
We had a ceremony then, I enjoyed talking to different people.
Laugh, cry, giggle.
Someone pulled me and we ran to the school garden. I knew him because he is known at school. He was holding a necklace. The surroundings light up. When I woke up...
I opened my eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. Although I woke up calmly, my mind was confused. I dreamed again. Sadly, I could not understand it. I sat up from lying down and felt something wet on the side of my right eye. Tears. Did I cry? Unbeknownst to me, I was crying while dreaming. Though my mind is troubled, I am grateful for my dream and my memories have been gradually coming together. Whenever I dream, feel déjà vu, and my memories come back, I immediately write them in my journal.
I lifted the sleeve of my school uniform and saw my tattoo embossed on my skin. The black color fades the edge and turns gold. There is more gold than ever before. I don't know why it changes color so fast. Maybe I'm doing better than expected. This tattoo also seems to tell what rank we are in the game. Whether we are fighting or completely relying on others. In terms of my tattoo, I can say I'm neutral. I am neither weak nor strong enough. I closed my journal and put it on the table next to my bed. How much longer are we going to stay here? Hopefully after all this ...
*tok**tok**tok*
"Second, get out of there. Author is here!"
That's Aeith's voice. It looks like she's really rushing me. I immediately opened the door and she pulled me. As we descended, everyone gathered in the living area, where the Author would often show up if we were on the ground floor.
"Greetings to all of you! You have stayed in this castle for a long period of time. I hope you enjoyed your cozy living here."
"What are you talking about? Tell us what your purpose is," Thirtwen is irritated. He doesn't have the time for a long talk with Author that may result to an insult.
"Okay, going further to my point. Wealth level, stage 3 will begin any moment."
"What? We're going to play again?" Sixzen asked with furrowed brows. We will play because level 3 is still a long way away. We are currently in level 1, nowhere half to level 3.
"Your happy days and nights living here are about to end. Be ready for the next stage."
And Author is gone. That was a short visit. It was simple instruction and announcement to alert us of the next incoming game.
"We're not going to live here anymore? What a pity," Seventh commented with a tone of regret.
"What do you mean? We should be happy because we can be freed from here," Aeizen countered.
I don't know if I will be glad or not. It's a good thing to finally go out from this castle trap, but a new challenge is about to come across us.
***
It is now morning, and I just woke up. Yesterday, Author announced that we are about to leave this castle at any time and that stage 3 will start at any time.
As I was walking down the stairs, I saw the others, and I was the last to wake up today. A routine such as playing and chatting with each other as they always do. When I stepped on the last stair, everyone was surprised by what happened. I felt something on my head and face. I touched my face, there was an unknown gray substance. I itched because it was rough on the skin. I looked up where it came from and saw the castle slowly sinking as if it were melting. We were startled by the sudden fall of small and large chunks of materials on which the castle was made.
"What are we going to do? We can be trapped in here!"
"Let's go!"
"Guys, duck!"
Everyone is panicking but we try to calm ourselves down. They protected their heads from ash, concrete, metal, etc. falling. Curiously I remained standing in my last position.
"Second!" someone is calling me, but I can't figure out who.
I looked up at the falling of the large iron bars that if will fell on me, would surely injure me or worse I'd die.
"Get out of there!"
I ignored their concern but just looked up and the iron bars finally fell into my head.
"Ahhh!"
I close my eyes and wait for the result of my discovery.
"H-huh, what happened?"
"How the heck?"
I opened my eyes to check myself out. No scratches or wounds. The iron bars continued to fall from the collapsed roof and ceiling of the castle.
"Magic!" Seventh exclaimed in amazement at what he saw.
I don't know if it's magic, but it can be considered one. Large metals and concrete chunks are falling. They are melting like ice but turn into ashes. The ground did not shake. The surroundings are still smoky. The miracle is that we are not hit by any of these. It appears that there is some barrier that protects us to deviate from the direction of the falling debris. When the metal fall before it set foot on the ground, they turn to ashes rendering it non-fatal.
After a few minutes of collapsing, everything calmed down. No one was hurt. The former river that became a castle is now just land and ashes. We waited to get out of this castle and breathe natural air. It has been a long time since I last saw the sun and the beautiful view of this paradise.
"Where are we going to live now?" Forzen's concern while brushing off her cute bangs from the ashes.
Everyone shrugged because we also didn't know where we were going to live and what is going to happen next.
"Author! Are you there? Answer us!" Ninezen yelled at the air.
We waited for an answer, but no signs of Author hinted. It only means one thing; we will find a new place to live.
"Check this out," we all turned to the one who had just spoken, it was Ninth.
We approached him and he pointed something to his left foot. There is an engraved circle on the ground. It looks like someone drew a perfect circle on the soil using a twig.
"There's more here," Fourth reported. She pointed to some more circles carved into the ground.
"Here also. Quite a lot." – Twentieth
We counted how many circles we saw, 18 in all.
"Isn't it these circles are for all of us?" Thirtwen wondered that gave us an idea and a possibility that he is right. There are 18 drawn circles on the ground and there are also 18 of us.
"What are we going to do with the circles?" – Fifth
"Who knows? But it's probable," – Third
"Can we dig?" Seventh suggested. Since it is soil, we can dig on it. But what's in there for us to dig into?
"Maybe, we have to step on the circles, because there's 18 of it and we're also 18." Fourth's vague recommendation.
"Sure," Sixth commented. "I mean, we can try." I hope she's feeling better after the passing of Firstwen.
"Alright, let's try it." – Forzen
We agreed to try on what Fourth suggested. We're not certain if this will work but it's not bad to try. We positioned ourselves in carved circles randomly scattered on the ground. We slowly stepped on it and placed ourselves in the middle.
"Nothing's happening," - Fifzen
"This is foolish. It is not working," Ninth complained.
"How can I-"
What Fifth wanted to say didn't go through because we all screamed over what happened next. About ten seconds later when we stepped on the circles, the ground automatically opened, and we fell to the ground.