I ascended back to the 9th floor and I just realized that I lost track of time. The discussion I had with Aaron took over an hour, and now, a new problem arises.
~What kind of lie should I tell them?
I excused myself to the girls to use the comfort room. But with that lengthy time I spent, they're likely to be skeptical since no one takes that long to use the comfort room.
Telling them I masturbated could do the trick, but that would degrade my dignity. And even if my dignity is out of the picture, I don't think it's believable that it took me over an hour to climax.
I head straight to the comfort room and flush the toilet without using it first.
I just flush it so that it gets wet.
After that, I made my way towards the movie theater, but before I could enter, I overheard mumbling noises from inside the room.
"There's nothing to lose, Jillian. Trust me, he will Princess Carry you and it'll feel electrifying. Just pretend to be asleep." Celia said.
"I don't think I can. I might be too heavy for him and I'm ticklish."
"Don't worry, he could carry you. This is a rare opportunity, Jillian. If you don't seize it, you might regret it later."
I think I know what they're plotting.
I silently shuffled away from the door to keep a distance, and then, I prodded forward with loud stomps that were audible from inside the movie theater.
I knocked a couple times before entering.
The first thing I saw upon entering the room was Jillian inclined on the couch with her eyes closed and head resting on Celia's shoulder who's gently caressing the top of her head as if Celia was passionately patting her.
The next thing I noticed was the empty white board in front and the projector was already off.
I casually walked over to them and asked, "I thought you're going to watch a movie?"
Celia hushed, "Shushh… She's sleeping." She said in a low pitch tone. "We did watch. It's just really late, so she dozed off."
I knew that it's just an act, but I suppose I shall ride on it and pretend to be unaware.
"Jillian might get a stiff neck when she sleeps in that position. Do you want me to carry her to your room so you two could rest?"
"I'd be thankful if you do." Celia gratefully beamed at me.
I wrapped my one arm around her upper back and the other arm under her knees.
I put her close to my chest and lifted her up. Her hips felt incredibly soft and she's lighter than I expected considering I'm hypothetically carrying two people.
Her torso was squirming as I carried her and she's obviously awake.
I can't tell whether she likes it or she feels uncomfortable.
So just to be safe, I strode faster and sent her into Celia's bedroom to end her nervousness. I carefully laid her on the bed, placed a pillow under her head, and rolled the blanket up to her shoulder.
"Good night, Jillian." I softly murmured.
I only said that because I'm aware that she could hear me. But if she were really asleep, I wouldn't waste my words.
I left her alone and I was instantly confronted by Celia when I exited the bedroom.
"I just finished using the bathroom and you know… this is my first time using that bathroom." Celia said and struck me with a giggle.
"What are you implying?" I returned the question without seeming provoked.
"Yes, the toilet bowl was wet before I used it, but the toilet paper was still sealed in a roll."
I see where she's coming from. I thought flushing the toilet would seem that I used it, but Celia is more observant than I expected.
~I have to put up another lie to make up for my short-comings.
"My biological father came from a country where using hands instead of toilet paper is the norm."
"You may have actually used the bathroom, but I'm just not convinced that all you did was take a dump…" Her gaze focused on me, and then, with a serious but reserved tone, she struck me with a question that would knock me out. "...So tell me the truth, Leo, what did you do, really?"
That question she just threw is unavoidable.
But there is one hole where I could slip through.
I faked a yawn and said, "Why don't we make it a game? If you figure it out yourself, I'll give you a ticket to request anything you want me to do."
"You mean… Anything?" she asked, intrigued.
Celia is a mischievous girl; she's always searching for thrills and a little pump to her adrenaline would work like a charm.
"Anything." I confirmed.
"That sounds fun! I'm down."
"The weather hasn't gotten any better. I'll take my leave immediately when it stops pouring."
"Sure. But you can stay for as long as you like. You may use the sofa in the living room if you decide to get some sleep." She yawned. "Anyways, it's getting pretty late; I'll be joining Jillian on the bed. Good night, Leo."
"Likewise."
After that, we all had our rest. I flumped down on the sofa knowing that tomorrow will be a draining day that will alter every student's lavish lifestyle into bloody animal butchers for survival.
~~~~~~~~~~
The following day, Celia awoke next to Jillian who was still sleeping like a rock.
Celia is naturally an early riser and she's always the first to wake up. She didn't bother waking Jillian since the sun hadn't fully emerged from the horizon yet.
She crawled out of bed and trudged languidly over to the living room where she was expecting to see Leo sprawled on the sofa.
However, Leo wasn't there. Leo had already left and Celia wondered whether he left at night or early in the morning.
As her daily routine, Celia checked her phone and was surprised when something out of the ordinary occurred.
The school administration sent her a text message.
Celia hastily scurried back to the bedroom and woke Jillian up in an appropriate manner.
After Jillian awoke, Celia told her to check her phone. After reading the similar message, they pack their baggage that they brought in this vacation and put on their school uniform as the text message stated.
With their cumbersome camping backpacks hooked around their shoulders, they went outside the Casa to seek for other mutual students or classmates.
Weirdly enough, the streets were empty and the facilities were all shut down. The building doors were locked and the windows were barricaded with metals.
The security guard outside the Casa's entrance was also not there. Everywhere the two girls looked, they could see Silence and they felt the ghost town vibes.
All facilities were abandoned.
The text message stated that every student shall gather at the prepared stage near the village across the bridge and the call time was 7am.
With that information in mind, the girls proceed as they're instructed and crosses the bridge.
The village is near after crossing the bridge and the stage in an open area where a handful of students abiding obliviously is also in sight.
The two went over to the platform below the stage and Celia immediately socialized with the other students.
Jillian just stayed close trying to blend in but didn't utter a word since socializing isn't her strong suit.
Before long, the platform was crowded by students.
Only then, all the 5 teachers from Class-A to Class-F arrived.
Usually, everytime there is an assembly, all classes are arrayed in a line corresponding to their sections.
However, the case seems to be different now. The students were scattered around the platform and most of them were in the circle of their friends.
The teachers stepped up on the stage and the Class-A adviser occupied the podium.
Ms. Antoniette Gonzales, the adviser of Class-A. She has a fierce countenance and an immovable attitude. She is what we call the "Strict" teacher.
She grabbed the microphone and began expounding the details of the final exam of the first semester.
"As you all have noticed, all the facilities are temporarily closed, and that is because the vacation is now officially over." Antoniette spoke to the mic in a loud voice, gathering everyone's attention. "You are all summoned here as I will announce the details of the final exam this semester."
"An exam?" dumbfounded mumbles flooded the students' mouths.
"Yes. You heard that clearly. For those who fail on the previous test, this is your last chance to get redemption for your failing grades. Similarly, for those who passed, don't act so complacent because this final exam will determine 75% of your final grades." Antoniette sighed exasperatedly. "Introductions are done, so let's proceed to the significant details of the exam."
"Firstly, this exam is a test of survival. For 3 weeks or 21 days, all of you will be on your own. This entire island is the setting of the exam; you may linger anywhere you desire and you're left with your baggage… Anything you brought with your baggage will be your starter pack."
"Take note, surviving 3 weeks doesn't mean you passed the exam. Before I discuss the objectives of this exam, I kindly asked you to put on a collar."
School personnels roamed the platform, distributing red collars and a brochure to each student.
Without distrust, the students wrapped the metallic collar device around their necks despite the fact that this scheme seemed fishy.
"The objective is very simple… A student just has to earn 10,000 points until the exam ends. For earning points, there are three ways to gain them; the first one is to do labor for the villagers. The task and total points earned will be displayed over that bulletin board next to the hospital tent."
The first way to earn points works like quests. Over the corner, there is a bulletin board with pinned papers of requests and finishing it will get the laborer a coequal points.
"The second way is the 'daily points'. Each day resets at 7am. When you open your brochure, you will find the island's map divided into 4 areas."
The first area was the 'Free area'. It's located over the left side of the map and it's where the city was. The second area just next to the Free area was the 'Area-A' this is where everyone is currently standing, and it also covers the village and a couple of kilometers deep into the forest.
Moving forward to the middle part of the island is where Area-B can be found.
Area-B was nothing but pure trees. It was in the depth of the forest and a couple hills can be sighted.
The last area, Area-C was on the furthest right side of the island. The exact opposite of where the boarding house was.
"There are borders between each area. Surviving for a day in an area will earn you corresponding points depending on which area a student stays. Staying in Area-A will acquire you 200 points, in Area-B is 300 points, and lastly, Area-C with 500 points. Stepping foot on the Free area will earn you a flat 0 points."
It's noticeable that the deeper the area is, the higher daily points you can obtain. But there's also a risk since the deeper you are, the more dangerous the animals get.
"Every 7am, the scoreboard of the points will be posted here on stage. And the top 10 students will receive incentive points."
"Now, let's move on to the point system. All points a student accumulated will be stored in your collar as a stock. Only after the day ended will your points be delivered to your pocket."
"This exam is done individually. But to remove weights on your back, I'll introduce a new system that may help. If you look at the right side of your collar, you'll find a button there."
The students blindly feel the button on their collar and easily find it. They clicked the button and a hologram projected out of the front of their collar, displaying a clickable screen with some options.
"If you observe closely, you'll find an icon that is filled with rules of this exam, I oblige you to read it later. But don't press it just yet because that's not our agenda. If you look over to the icon next to the rule book, you'll find an icon entitled 'Family'. That installed application can be used to form parties with other examinees. Forming Family with others will make you earn points collectively as a team. All points a Family earned will be stored in the Family leader's collar, and the points will be distributed evenly among the members of the Family. The Family leader may extinguish a member on their own accord."
Although the exam is individual, a student may still merge and help each other out by building a Family.
"That's all there is I could explain. The rest is written on the application in your collar, so make sure to check it."
Someone abruptly raises a hand among the crowd.
Ms. Antoniette smirked and called out his name since it's her student.
"Yes. Aaron."
Aaron stepped forward and asked his adviser, "Ms. Gonzales, if I heard it correctly, you said there are 3 ways to earn points."
"Correct." Ms. Antoniette affirmed.
"It's by doing a villager's request and the daily points, but that's just two."
"Ah… Yes. I intentionally saved it for last. The third way to earn points is the easiest and the hardest way of earning. If you look over to your right, you'll find farm animals on the loose."
The students glanced over to their right and watched the horde of chickens, horses, pigs, cows, sheeps, and etc… wandering freely and peacefully in the field.
Every student was actually confused from the beginning as to why there were countless farm animals not on leash.
"The truth is they're not on the loose. No one owns those animals. I think all of you are getting the hint by now. Each kind of animal has a bounty on their heads." Ms. Antoniette raised her voice. "The third way to earn points is by killing an animal… so without further ado, let the final exam COMMENCE!!"
Every student stood frozen in their position as the entire place fell silent after Ms. Antoniette dropped the mic.
They're still trying to process the exam and they failed to digest everything that Ms. Antoniette stated.
The exam hasn't sunk into their thoughts yet.
They just stood upright, refraining to take action.
But suddenly, a loud plonk of baggage hitting the ground destroys the deafening silence.
Someone burst out of the clump of students and bolted towards the nearest chicken with a knife in his hand.
Not long after they saw one student running towards the animals, another followed his direction.
Then another follows.
In just milliseconds, the exam finally sank in and the crowd of students came sprinting towards the animals that were living peacefully. The field was soon engulfed with pandemonium and the animals howled as they ran for their life.
Even the most harmless looking students joined the hunt for the sake of points.
Their minds were plagued by the thought of "If I don't kill animals now, there will be nothing left later."
With their greed taking over their sanity, they began inhumanely unaliving the crying animals. Some slit their necks, some stab them in the head for a quick death, the others without weapons use sharp tree branches to prick the sheep's eyes, some tackled pigs and man-handle them till death, some twisted the chicken's legs into a knot and crushed their small skull, some gouged out the horses eyes, some kicked the goats like soccer ball and stamp on them when their unconscious until their collar beeps that signals they got the points, and many more unimaginable ways to kill an animal.
However, in the midst of the erupting chaos, some clever students saved helpful animals like horses and chickens. The very few rescued animals were domesticated instead of getting cold-bloodedly slaughtered.
Soon, the remnants of dead animals rampant and the green grass is now smeared with red.
The first bloody day of the exam passed by and the chaos has cooled down a little as all wandering farm animals are all unconscious on the ground.
When the sun said hello the next day, every student gathered at the stage and watched the huge TV screen, waiting for their points to update.
Jillian and Stephanie were together as they stared at the screen.
The clock finally tolled at 7am and the points are now given.
The points are measured in the percentage of 10,000, meaning 100 points is equivalent to 1%.
Jillian's eyes rolled down the scoreboard until she found her name ranked 132 with 3.4%. (Note: Jillian and Stephanie formed a family so both of them got the same points)
Jillian continued rolling down her eyes across the scoreboard, trying to find Leo's name.
Jillian was deeply worried since she hadn't seen Leo since the exam started.
When Jillian reached the bottom of the scoreboard she let out a shocked gasp. She spotted Leo's name ranked 153 out of the 153 examinees.
But that's not what Jillian was shocked about. Jillian was befuddled on how Leo got an appalling 0%.