"Are you sure you're up for this?" Dan asked with a raised eyebrow. "You just recovered from your fever after all."
Nodding slowly I said, "I'm fine."
They gave each other stares before sighing in defeat and going back to their businesses. Each one of them were dressing in their most comfortable clothing, which like mine, were dark colors.
"Brye, tell her the rules." Sani instructed.
Brye came over to my bed and sat down to fold the sleeves of her jeans. "Have you played hide-and-seek right?"
I nodded.
"The rules are the same. Hide and don't get caught. The trainers will be seeking, while all the participates will be hiding. There's a total of five of them. When they find you and catch you they'll mark your hand and you'll be out. Those who were caught have to return to the lounge. The group that has the last hider still in wins."
"Fighting back is not allowed." Sani interrupted my thoughts. "So don't even think about it."
So it's basically stealth all the way through. Getting caught is the equivalence of a quick death.
"Anymore questions?" She asked.
"Any restricted sections?"
"Except the married and elderly rooms. That's the only area that's off limits, oh and the Restricted Section of course." Brye confirmed.
"Is it immediate?"
Shaking her head she said, "No, we have five minutes before we start."
"The lights will be off in some areas, like the garden, room section, hallways." Dani butt in while stretching.
"Will we be sticking together again this time?" Liz asked with a smile.
I nearly stared at her incredulously. No wonder they've never won.
Sani gave her a small smile. "If that's what you'd like Liz. I don't mind."
"Will you be joining us?" Liz questioned.
If I wanted to die sure. "No."
Sani quickly swooped in. "Are we ready?"
We all agreed, leaving the room to head for the lounge.
There, several of other groups were stretching and chatting before the game started.
"Hey Dan! Ready to lose again?" A girl with mischievous eyes laughed while punching Dan's shoulder playfully.
"Well, unlike you, we've got a dark horse amongst us." Dan glanced over at me with a teasing smirk.
They also turned to look at me, whom had no emotions to share.
"She's that n-"
The girl next to her gave her friend a quick glare to zip her lips.
"Anyway, good luck!"
Dan gave her a weird grin. "You too Daisy."
Liz shifted and elbowed Dan in the stomach, mimicking her. "'You too Daisy!'"
"I'll stab you." Dan flushed red before shoving Liz's face out of hers.
My eyebrows furrowed as I looked between the two of them. The atmosphere was weird, as Dan's smile was lopsided and crooked. Almost like she was under a spell.
"They like each other." Sani whispered in my ear.
There's that word again. Like.
"It's annoying really." She muttered but the corner of her lips curved upward like a small hook.
Liz continued to shove an embarrassed Dan around when a familiar face came by. "Hey."
Parker stood by us with that smile of his and a hand tucked into his pocket. They stared at him with wide-eyes before looking at each other.
"Is- is Parker talking to us?" Liz whispered in shock.
"It appears so." Brye bit her lip. "Although, I wouldn't doubt it if someone told me Louis spiked today's meal."
Parker grinned. "I just came to wish you good luck. To all of you."
They gave him sloppy grins in return as I took the chance to look around for Arianna. Where is she? It doesn't seem like she's here.
"Ah." Parker's grin turned awkward. "Arianna won't be here, she doesn't really like to attend these type of things."
I thought about her lame leg. Oh yeah.
"Let's get started!" A strong firm voice shouted into the crowd.
"Good luck." Parker said again as he looked around at my group then at me. His eyes blazed red with excitement and emotion.
Giving him a short nod, my attention went to the woman with the loud voice.
"You should already know the rules so as to not take up too much time, we'll be starting in three minutes."
Everyone turned back to chatting within their groups as the women and a group of several adults walked into a room
"Yo Snow!"
Hearing my name being called felt strange, but nevertheless my head turned in the direction of the caller. Sneaker Boy jogged up to our group with a smirk on his lips.
"I didn't know you were playing in today's games. You know, after hearing you were sick and all." He looked at my face intently, "I'm glad to see you're doing all right."
His hazel eyes seemed to turn into moon crescents when he smiled. The opposite of the other guy's clear smile and eyes.
I didn't think people's eyes could differ so much. Shape wise I mean.
"What are you doing here Tristian?" Parker asked stepping in front of my protectively.
The boy grinned mischievously. "What? Can't I say hello to my mentor?"
Parker was struck with confusion and he glanced at me with the corner of his eyes.
I had officially started fighting with Tristian as I had promised. Although we've only had two sessions so far, he seemed to be a fast learner and eager for more. He had a lot to learn too.
I could feel the girl's stares at me, as well the attention of the surrounding groups.
"Snow?" Parker was going to begin an interrogation.
Can they just leave me alone?
"One minute!" A shout rang out. "One minute!"
Thank god. Let's get this over with. Heaving a quiet sigh, I reached over to my feet as they continued to argue.
"How about staying with me?" Tristian asked while tilting his head.
"Why would she stay with you?" Parker countered. "If anything she should stay with me."
"Oh yeah? Who's actually not a trainee anymore?"
"What does that matter? She beat you!"
"She's strong." The boy shrugged. "You however, are not."
I had long since drowned their voices as I took off my shoes.
"What are you doing?" Dan whispered while crouching by me.
"It's quieter." I answered as if it were obvious.
She stared at me before nodding slowly. "I see, I guess that does make sense. Should I do the same?"
Glancing at her, I said, "Up to you."
"Thirty seconds!"
I stood up and stretched. In real life stretching wasn't something you had time for but I decided to entertain the idea of it since it was only game.
"Snow, make sure you stay close." Tristan heeded ignorantly.
Parker scoffed, "I told you, why would she-"
A loud whistle rang, causing the crowd to disperse faster than crows at the sound of a noise. I was no different, in seconds I was already running down a dark hallway, leaving the rest of them behind.
Getting caught is death, I thought. Getting caught is death and I can only run away.
I could feel my heart beating fast. Was It anticipation? Excitement? Fear? I couldn't tell but I didn't let it stop me from running.
With that mentality I ran into the dark cafeteria. Quietly and swiftly, I passed the others who started with an advantage, using their flashlight as an advantage. Since carrying a flashlight was useless, mine sat inside my shoe back at the lounge. It didn't affect me though, dark places were my favored places to be.
Due to my speed, I managed to make it to the cafeteria first, which meant I had first pick. Choosing to crouch behind a table which allowed me easy access to all exits, I waited eagerly for the rest of hiders.
One by one, they entered already heaving and running to the farthest corner of the cafeteria. Their flashlights exposed the area they walked until they found a hiding place and turned them off.
Clicks echoed through the cafeteria as people turned their flashlights off.
Being careful, I made sure none of them saw me, the less people who knew about my position the better.
Suddenly, two pairs of feet slowed down and a click came from the hallway where we entered.
The five minutes are over.
My breathing lowered as my eyes watched the entrance as a heavy but deadly silent figure entered. A smile creeped onto my lips. He was smart enough to kill his flashlight before entering to catch some in surprise.
His footsteps were light and almost imperceivable, but not enough for my ears to not catch them.
He's listening intently, I thought.
Idiotically, someone decided it was the exact moment to yawn quite loudly.
Well he's dead, I thought.
...