My phone dinged loudly, indicating a message, and I stood up immediately.
It was almost 7 a.m. in the morning. The message
"All the people participating in this hunt should come downstairs in thirty minutes. We would be having a game."
Winston Team.
So what am I going to wear today? I didn't pack much clothing. I think this jogger and small top would do.
I combed my hair and packed it in a ponytail. I was not that good in sports; even in PE, I failed woefully at it. I sincerely hoped that I wouldn't fail at this.
I was downstairs in the next twenty minutes before I remembered that we hadn't texted where exactly we were to assemble.
On cue, another message popped up.
"Come to the dining hall for breakfast. Please leave your phones in your rooms."
I groaned. I would have to climb up the stairs to drop my phone. This was enough exercise for me. I was panting heavily when I got into the room.
I managed to go back downstairs, and I found a place to sit to catch my breath. I was almost out of breath, and the games hadn't begun.
"Thanks for coming early." A man smiled at us.
"Please have your seat and enjoy the most impressive meal of the day." He said.
He clapped, and a large truck was wheeled in.
It contained a lot of club sandwiches and fresh juice.
Wow, this is really nourishing. Was my first thought when I took a sip of my glass of juice. It was freshly pressed. They probably had a farm somewhere. Store-bought apple juice had never tasted this great.
"I hope you enjoyed your meal." Another steward asked when we had finished the food.
A chorus of "yes" and thank you filled the room.
"Please follow me." He said it, and we all followed him.
"Welcome to the sports arena." He told us as he opened another large door.
"This is to check for the fitness of the potential carrier." He informed us, and I dreaded this part.
"But before we do anything, why don't we start with some simple exercises?" He suggested.
"Is that okay?" He asked,and everyone chorused "yes."
"Good, take a walk around and use any equipment you're familiar with."
" And handle with care." He warned.
" That would be all for now. The next step will be communicated to you." He said that and walked away.
Good for me, because I stretched gently on the gym mat. Some people were running on treadmills, and others went as far as lifting weights. I continued stretching quietly.
" Hey." A voice whispered, and I opened my eyes.
It was a brunette. "Hey," I replied.
"My name is Carla." She stretched out her hand for a handshake.
I took her hand in mine. "Anna, nice to meet you." I replied.
"So how are you enjoying your stay here?" She asked, and I stared at her.
"Well, I can say it's been good so far." I replied.
"I have also been enjoying my stay here too. I just hoped that I got picked." She said.
" Okay." I replied and closed my eyes. Everyone was praying to be picked, but only one person will be the mother of the Winston heir, and I hoped to God that it would be me.
"Are you normally this quiet?" Carla's voice interrupted my thoughts.
Are you always this chatty? I wanted to ask. Instead, I smiled.
"I love peace and quietness." I told her, hoping she'd take the hint.
"That's good. I read that a serene environment gives you space to think and draw inspiration from nature. It makes you want to become one with... I tuned her out. I don't need this now.
"Are you phlegmatic?" She asked.
"I think so," I replied.
"I know this because I am also one; I love a serene environment." She concluded, and I nodded.
"Yeah, right." I muttered under my breath. That's why you've been chatting my ear off since this morning.
"What did you say?" she asked.
"I said, it's nice to meet someone of the same temperament."
"I know, right?" She continued.
Oh, lawd. How did I end up next to her?
She spent almost ten minutes talking about herself. From today's conversation, I knew that she was the only child. She was also studying in Oklahoma, and she loved meeting new people. This was evident in her need to talk people to death.
"What about you?" She asked.
"What about me?" I asked.
"Where are you from? What do you do? What number are you in your family?" She answered in a duh tone.
"Oh, that?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said.
" I.."
"Please welcome the sports instructor, Mrs. Anita!" A voice cut in, and I was thankful for it.
Saved by the bell, or rather, saved by the steward.
Mrs. Anita, a well-built woman, walked in. I was intimidated by her physique. Her body was hard and contoured, evidence of being a sportswoman.
"Welcome ladies." She said it in a baritone voice.
"It's been a long time since I saw so much beauty in a room. We need to train your mind and body to become very alert."
"We'll catch up later." Carla mouthed something, and I nodded stiffly. The hell was I waiting behind after this session?
"We are going to start easy." She said so, and I was a bit relieved.
"Please get into position. Let's start with fifty push-ups."
"Please just say you want to kill me." I muttered under my breath.
"That isn't hard, is it?" She asked.
"That's easy."
"We can do more than that." Some busybodies replied.
I can only do five correctly before I slump. Today is going to be a great day.
"So, let's go. Five, six, seven, and eight." She said, and "Survivor by Beyonce blared from the speakers.
"Quite an irony because I am about to die," "I muttered.