Leo was the first to stir awake in the quiet of their room. As he turned his head, he found himself gazing at Samantha, still deep in sleep. Her normally sharp, guarded expression was softened in sleep, and her face seemed almost ethereal in the morning light. He couldn't help but feel a strange warmth as he watched her. He shook his head, a small smile on his face, feeling like he'd glimpsed a rare side of her that he wasn't supposed to see.
He quickly slipped out of bed, went to the washroom to freshen up, and got dressed. When he stepped back into the room, he saw Samantha stretching, her hair adorably tousled, still lost somewhere between sleep and wakefulness.
"Good morning," he greeted her with a grin.
"Morning," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. Her usual confident demeanor seemed softened by the remnants of sleep, and he thought she looked surprisingly cute.
After a moment, she padded over to the washroom, leaving Leo to his thoughts. When she returned, her hair still slightly damp from washing, they decided to order breakfast with some of their points. While they ate, their conversation naturally drifted to the events of the previous day.
"You have good aim, Leo," Samantha remarked as she picked at her food.
"Thanks," he replied, feeling a little proud. "But honestly, if it weren't for your quick thinking, I don't think we'd have done as well as we did."
Samantha gave him a half-smile. "I guess we make a decent team. But don't let it get to your head." She said this with a playful glint in her eye, but there was a hint of sincerity in her tone.
As they continued to talk, the barriers between them seemed to fade, piece by piece. They found themselves laughing at little moments from the game—like Leo's desperate dive into a hiding spot that almost knocked Samantha over or the way she'd nearly tripped trying to escape one of the more aggressive pairs. Leo noticed how easily they could talk now, how the initial tension was being replaced by a growing sense of trust.
Their relaxed morning, however, was soon interrupted by the loud, unmistakable buzz of the speakers crackling to life. "Attention all players, please assemble in the main hall immediately." The voice was cool and professional, but there was an underlying edge that reminded them both that this was still a game designed for the amusement of the audience.
Leo and Samantha exchanged a look, knowing full well they were about to be paraded in front of the viewers once more. They tidied up quickly, bracing themselves for whatever awaited.
When they entered the main hall, they joined the other pairs who had passed the previous day's game. All eyes were fixed on the large screens where each pair's name and current point total were displayed. The atmosphere was charged with tension, yet tinged with a strange camaraderie as pairs exchanged nods or glares, acknowledging both allies and rivals.
Officer Vale stepped forward, her smirk widening as she saw the anxious faces in front of her. "Congratulations to the pairs who passed yesterday's game! You've kept our audience thoroughly entertained, and your success has brought in substantial viewership numbers."
Leo felt his stomach twist a bit as Vale gestured toward the screens. Their every move, every interaction, every moment of tension—all broadcasted live for an audience that probably cheered their close calls and unexpected wins.
"And now," Vale continued, "as a reward, each passing pair will receive an additional 100 points to spend as they see fit. Furthermore, each player will have access to a screen on their wrist device, where they can track their current points and see a basic map of the campus." She paused, allowing murmurs to ripple through the crowd.
Leo glanced at his wrist device, and a small screen flickered to life. Their point total appeared, along with a simple map of the building's layout. He felt a rush of relief at having some basic tools to help them navigate this twisted game.
"Other features of the wrist device will be unlocked as the game progresses," Vale added, her eyes glinting with anticipation. "But that's all you'll get for now."
She turned her gaze toward the remaining players who had failed the test, her voice hardening. "As for those of you who failed, you'll face another game today. This time, only the top 15 pairs will pass, while the remaining five pairs… well, you'll find out what happens if you're in the bottom."
The failed pairs exchanged nervous glances, dread etched across their faces. The stakes were higher now, and Leo couldn't help but feel sympathy for those about to be thrust back into danger.
Vale's voice softened slightly as she turned back to the successful pairs. "For those who passed, you're free to leave and enjoy your day off. Relax, strategize, and prepare for what lies ahead. The audience is eager to see what you do next, so make it worthwhile."
Samantha and Leo turned to head back to their room, relief mixed with a strange sense of victory. They had earned their break, however brief it might be, and both were determined to make the most of it.
As they walked down the hallway, Leo noticed Samantha glancing sideways at him, an amused look in her eyes. "You're getting used to this game, aren't you?" she teased.
He grinned back, shrugging. "Guess I'm tougher than I look. Besides, I've got you to watch my back."
She laughed, rolling her eyes. "Don't get too comfortable. The easy days won't last long."
They both shared a chuckle, though they knew the truth in her words. The games were only just beginning, and they could already sense that each round would test them in new ways.