The next morning, I woke up because of the cold liquid that seemed to run down my face. I just got up and frowned, and with my dull eyes, I've seen the person who did that and smeared at her. It's when I realized it was Freyja holding a mug.
Suddenly my wrinkles disappeared when the words Paris said to me came to my mind.
"Also tomorrow, at seven-thirty, you have to wake up or else Freyja will wake you up.
I took a deep breath before closing my eyes for a moment. If I had known earlier that this was going to happen, I wouldn’t dare to sleep so long.
I was so tired yesterday.
I just think I should have slept that way because I need it.
"Great," I mumbled. I looked at her with an eyebrow up. "Now, what?"
"You won't wake up." She scolded me. "Don't blame me for splashing cold water on your face." She even lifted the one that had been used to pour water on me, a mug.
Fortunately, there's a little freshness there, and somehow I found out, it's probably because the moist didn't cover my whole face. Only there from the forehead to the nose.
She approached me, grabbed me tightly by the arm, and violently made me stand. I didn’t follow what she wanted me to do.
With greater force, I grabbed my arm and pushed her benignly.
She sidestepped. "Uh! I know I have a bitchy attitude. Don't look at me like that. Go downstairs to your room for fifteen minutes. I hope I've given you enough time. That's all, and good luck in advance. "
She smirked teasingly before leaving the room.
I just ignored her and understood. I just changed clothes from my bag. I wonder who gets it for me and puts it here. Riley brought it yesterday.
Maybe he settles it here.
I wore a simple blue floral dress. I knotted my hair in a bun style. Since I don't have any other shoes with me other than the ones I've been wearing since I ran away from Dad, those converse shoes are still the ones I'm going to wear now even though they're dirty and dusty.
I didn't even wait for Freyja and came out when the gear went down yesterday. The impatient woman was leaning against a tree. When she saw me, she gawked at me horribly.
"Let's go." She didn't wait for me to speak instead of coming ahead of me.
The black rubber shoes she was wearing hit the ground explosively as the wind carried her blonde hair and the white V-Neck shirt she was wearing that covered her short black denim short shorts.
We passed the house whose walls are made of bamboo and whose roof is made of thatch. A garden is located in the back. Besides, there are five houses standing side by side.
They have gaps that are wide apart not far from each other. They are not that big and they are not that small either. They're just right, but being right here makes the place grand.
Before getting there, we pass between a row of green plants on both sides. It was also long because there are wide squares of wood submerged in the ground horizontally.
They are like patterns.
They may serve as a signpost to the five houses next to each other.
There are many butterflies there. On the left side is the farm, and on the other side, various types of animal cages such as poultry of chickens and goats, but Psyche told me that part is off-limits. In front of the houses, there are different kinds of plants. Pots, hanging vases, and orchards can also be found there.
It is enchanting.
"Hey!" Freyja called to me, her voice getting a little louder. Perhaps because her blood is boiling hot on me.
I didn't know because of admiration and amusement that I stopped walking. I went on again.
When we were in front of them and turned left, I saw a bulletin board that looked like a shed. There is a map of the entire Forest Survival. I also saw what the five houses are for.
The first one on the left is for Sunday Study. Next to the left is detention. Next is the library followed by the infirmary. And the last, the House Without Names.
"Why are you so slow? Hurry up!" Freyja brushed up her hair while looking at me badly. "It's not television for you to stare at like that!"
She stared at me again before scurrying away continuing to walk. She has an angelic voice even though she is angry. So maybe her teammates will not be shaken when she shows that attitude.
It doesn't suit her. She looked innocent to be a bitch. Nonetheless, I still need to be careful. I don't know what will happen to me when she explodes completely.
Silently I just followed her. We got to the last house. The House Without Names. I no longer wonder why it’s called this way. It is because it has multiple purposes. Just like today, based on what Paris said, this is the House Discussion because it is the fullness of it today.
I could not hear a voice or noise from the inside. Silence from there accompanied by the outside of it is the only thing that happens apart from the action and the beating of my heart, louder and louder.
Freyja opened the door to enter. I peeked inside, and there is no other equipment on it but a long table and a few empty chairs, others still occupied. As expected, the five are already there while Freyja and I are just entering.
I stopped stepping inside when I spotted the person at the end. He was sitting in front, calmly reading a book in his seat.
Messy black hair, a pair of black ocean-like deep eyes, perfectly sculpted nose, red as rose lips, defined jaw, broad shoulders, well-built body, smooth and mixed of fair and tan skin— I don't know why I do to observe his physical characteristics even though I am here for something else. Everything about him just shouts royalty and strangeness that even though he was wearing a simple black shirt dyed with black khaki shorts and white slippers it still elevated his ordinariness. He still went beyond simplicity.
He can manage his outfit well, that's for sure.
Therefore, besides that, the inside is breathtaking too. I almost simply gasped upon the living formality and choking air from the room. I can't say anything and can't hear anything.
Every corner is filled with eerie silence and breakaway serenity. I am stuck at the edge of the doorway, looking uncomfortably at the peculiars inside the room. Would I face the man they called Gideon or would I leave the place and be at States with my Dad?
I heaved a sigh. I guess I don't have a choice but to pick what is good for me. Whatever happens, whatever the Leader's decision is, I will accept it no matter what.
It is like putting a lump of flaring coal in the water.
It might burn your skin, but it will lead you to safety.
Aside from that, in being able to achieve what lies beyond the scorch, seek for its heart and pull it off then break free.
Fly away limitless but choose to be in reality between false and fiction. For in the first place, life, death, and realization did not cage us but we caged ourselves in a place we thought is our safe haven, but it is actually not.
It is just there.
I smiled unfamiliarly as I sit on a chair between Riley and Psyche. They both looked at me with sheepish smiles and concerned stares.
It is in a dark corner when you wonder if it is lethal or not, highly contagious or not, unscathed with mysteries or not, and such things that are alike the given examples. However, when you lift it and see how light swallows it, you will remain to ponder the same thing.
Of course, it's just actually there as a gift without a curse.
It is meant to change you.
And it's only for you.
You alone.
Nothing could be heard inside but Titus tapping on the long table, Psyche humming an unfamiliar song, Riley stomping one foot on the tiled floor with a beat, Gideon turning the page in the book he's reading, and my every sigh that I heave.I already saw every side inside. It is quite simple. A long table in the middle, black wooden chairs, vases for the plant on each side, and a mini crystal chandelier dangling in the ceiling. The walls are painted white. Therefore, the room is also air-conditioned.Nothing else besides that."Okay, that's it." Freyja stood as she glared at the stranger who seemed to enjoy the story as he flipped further from chapter one.I just noticed that it is easy to break the ties of her patience, Freyja's patience.Despite that, I still have no right to judge him. Possibly, she wants this thing to end. Possibly, she couldn't just keep on letting him ignore us. And, possibly, she mig
Every inside chaos begins noiselessly. It is a human's own nature, it is an individual's greatest fright, and it is a creation's unending battle. No one had the ability to foresee it coming.It is one of the existing proof that nothing from the future and to what would happen next is inevitable.You just need to not abide by its flow.It is the rule of inevitability.Once you have been swallowed by its wings and blinded all of what you have in darkness, who you are— who you once were— yonder will rather be far more terrifying than to choose where you go.My fight started with my mother. She was the first that I wanted to battle with. That's why I still held on— never letting go of everything I had included even her. It was, for me, the longest war I ever had until unworthily bare vanished.This was her story."Mom, when I grow up, will you still give me a present?" I ask
After a year of suffering, I was finally moving on. It was the second month of schooling when I met Lincoln Haze Costa Edevez. I was a ninth-grader, and it was the third blow for me. Although, it's also the next battle I had waged.One by one the direction of the footsteps in the hallway as the noise coming from their mouth emitted a variety of news. I was swimming the ocean of strangers as I made my way to my section. Just a few minutes and I reached it as well.Just as I was about to enter, the noise from the inside could be heard immediately. At least, it wasn't the worst one for it was the star section. I also didn't take the test in seventh grade to get into the highest section here at Tyler University. I might just get more stressed.I went straight to my seat and hung the bag there. I was in the midst of seating when I noticed a letter from the desk of the armchair. I frowned as I picked up the lett
The other day, the classes were postponed because of the typhoon.It was raining so hard outside, I could see it clearly from there in the armchair I was sitting next to the window.The sky was covered with dark clouds having acid rain. The south wind was also very strong. It waves the most of all the creatures on the earth — explicitly, the trees. Some of their leaves fall off and were released from their grip.I was shivering because of the coldness that was caressing me and that I could smell. I'd rather just go home and sleep. Those were the times when I wished I could snooze in the bedroom.It was loud inside the classroom. It was unnerving because it was accompanied by the fierce breeze and the gusts of the wind in the atmosphere that hit everything they whacked. Earlier the lights were still turned off due to the recurrence of electricity.I heaved a sigh, nose getting itchy. I was chilled by the co
If anyone asked me the question which part of my memory would I change, I'd say to the moment my mother had this cancer that drove me in suffering for years. It's not Lincoln, and it's not the piece where I'd suddenly knew I was just an adopted child and never had been a real daughter of them.But it still hurts for me to be left behind again.The fire had melted and I was still trapped. . . back then.Little did I know that the emptiness I was treading on was engulfed by the ocean that would swallow me the moment I was completely destroyed. There are many waiting for me in the depths of it and I don’t want to be there.I was afraid that it's starting. But the third explosion was not over. Just try it on me.I was locked in my room then. Thinking of my mother's smile at me every time we ate dinner, her telling me of experiences that happened to her when she was a child, and our hug every time she was weak and couldn't stand
We're what we didn't seek.While to be lost's not an option.This was what always came to my mind when I was looking for someone who would be my ally no matter what happened.But how? And so I answered myself that I just need to be me. However, it became the opposite.I became desperate.I became someone that wasn't me.I was about to go inside our two-story house when I saw the piece of paper in front of me inches away from me. I forgot that out of curiosity. It was shocking to recognize Lincoln's handwriting.It's not just a paper. It's a white card. There was enough weight for it to not be carried away by the wind when he left. Maybe I could read what's in there.His name and number were written there. Below that was the message he wanted me to read.“I hope we can be friends.” That's what's written with a black marker.I didn't smile to myself when I read that.  
Enough of the past.I should focus more on The Game.I watched Freyja from inside the fifth House now talking to Gideon. I could clearly see the seriousness on his face as they quietly talked about it in front of the exit door. The woman nodded and seemed to be keeping in mind what the other person is saying."Wanna know a secret?"I turned to Sorcha as she spoke next to me. We were both leaning against a tree as we folded our arms and watched the two talk in the room. Psyche and the others went back to his cabin because they were going to take some equipment left by Leader.I knitted my eyebrows. "We're not supposed to tell secrets. I mean, whatever secret you're talking about that is too confidential."She shrugged and giggled. "I know but it's just . . . It's just about her," she was referring to someone inside, pointing at her with her snout.I blinked as many as I can. "W-What about her?"
For those who had remained, I gave them love, but they bestowed me curses and hatred in return.The funny notion about irony and worth is that they couldn't be quested. Irony blazoned itself as irony, and worth promulgated itself as worthiness or worthlessness. Hence, to make it shorter, either one of them is ridiculously a part of the void. They have no meaning at all.So ever since I received hatred from the people I loved I have learned to put a fence between me. Even after I realized that I was adopted, I also realized why my supposed blood relatives treated me so badly.There's this burning fire, rage, in their eyes like I was a fox who brought deceit. That was the end of my questioning. What's wrong with me, what they don't like about me — but by the time the questions run out, new ones flood into my mind.Like why can’t they accept me? Or why do I have to endure each of every whip of them? I didn't do any
The next morning, I was awoken by something. It was these consistent knocks on the door.I groaned in frustration. I can't stand it yet. I'm still tired. I covered my head with a pillow as I tried to get much sleep."Cos! Cos!" Paris screamed in succession as he knocked louder and louder.I closed my eyes tightly. "Leave me alone, Paris. I'm tired," I complained to him, hesitating whether to get up and open the door for him. Especially to stop him from screaming my name."Let's go! Come on!" His deep, flat voice is enough to make my eyes wide open. How come I could get the sleep I want? "You don't want to be left behind, do you?"But I’m not in the mood especially from what happened last night. I'm fine with that idea. "Just go. I don't— I— just leave me alone." I took another deep breath. Can’t say that I'm super tired. How I wish it's that easy to tell him that I
"I wasn't expecting to see you here," Psyche said as she entered the hut which is where I am. Titus is behind her. "Well, we are in fragments of reality that made our world be this small enough to let us meet each other at the end of the day," I replied to her, taking a tablespoon of soup in a bowl with marinated meat. I put a little of it for my rice on my plate before spooning and pouring. Titus whispered to Psyche and nodded at me before leaving the hut. He moved to the one next to us. Probably, it's because of having two wooden chairs only in one hootch with candlelights to lighten the dim ground outside. Psyche rings the bell so as the serious-looking Titus lets the waitpersons know some customers want to order food. Just a moment later, two people arrived from the main house of the exceptional place that serves to be their kitchen. Withal, it appears to be nostalgic. I became wistful for a while for I remember
If I were inside a castle made of glass, I would be frozen in defeat. Perhaps, the reason is beyond what I can't foresee. It might be suffocating.Weeks later after the Game, I am here, an official Zoner.The wind sings as its melody accompanies its southward invisible note. It was also fresh this morning.Who wants to smother in a cage of deceit? How can someone enjoy life if he or she can't be an autonomous person? Chained is its ostensible to the interlock of disquietude and self-slaughter which never do good in life and its phenomenon.As my hands gripped the railings of the top floor of the Wooden Tower, which the Zoners named, I felt every flow of air in my hair. Its blowing almost drove me away from the place where I am staying."Cos."I turned to Riley when he called me. He is carrying two cups of coffee, still puffing some smoke. He is still wearing black nightclothes. His hair i
The orange sky almost engulfed the setting sun to oust it from its throne. The moon is waiting for it to end so that it can reign here for a while. It is only then that we decided to leave the place.I returned to factuality the moment Gideon woke me up as he gently dragged me out of the abyss of dreams. I thought I am not capable of escaping its unending vortex, thank you and he woke me up.At the same moment when we exited the small, bewildering hut with illuminating candlelights, we saw Freyja and her colleague walk toward the exceptional place with the other teams behind them.My eyebrows met, giving them a confused stare. It seems like they fought each other. Some parts of their bodies are dripping with sweat. It's a bit filthy— how to look at them as well. They are still chasing their breaths and some of them are still frowning.What could have occurred when they were in the Game? And why would they be tog
I never comprehend why the pumping organ inside my chest would be this breakneck and stentorian. It might get away from its cage and I can't be able to chase it. It has some kind of unraveled riddle that must be the rationale of what makes this happening inside of me. The Game did this and I should tell myself it's not helping at all.I thought something would be a fairy-tale after we went beyond the large and long thick barricade that has a ladder on its middle part. We climbed it and we're able to discover the place.But different is everywhere that I have seen. Ruins are the subdivision and the only scenery to be cast about each of every side and direction. Vines and grasses that are covering the remaining pieces of each house are the manifest this place is abandoned.We climbed down the ladder that is waiting for us and create steps forward.I looked at the Leader as I saw something that flickered in his eyes. A g
As I tiptoed and glanced in the left and right direction, my heart almost escaped as it throbbed undeniably faster which made it hard for me to be at ease. I turned to the complacent leader who was folding his arms and watching me with a blank expression.I frowned at him."Can't you assist me, Leader?" I sarcastically uttered as I looked behind him to see if there's an enemy. “You’ve been like that the whole time. Justice please.”He did not take his eyes off the sky, I mean, what's even with the sky that he wants looking at it? He shrugged his shoulder and up an eyebrow. "Life is always unfair, right? It is easier for me to read through you. Because of that thought, I think your world's not fair. You're playing but not as a whole. What is it that you're truly feeling?"It was a fact that he said, and I admit it turned me into a frozen statue who stares at his manipulating cold eyes. I averted it somewhere just so I could
I have chips inside the pocket of my denim jacket. With the amount I get, it won't be immediately used up by the user. I can tell Gideon have plenty of it inside his denim jacket, too.When we picked up those, we assured ourselves that we would be having this kind of weapon enough to survive the Chip Wreck. He arrived before I was blindfolded and when I knew I was in the group, he just nodded. Took the clothe and changed his current outfit in the bathroom.It looks like he's the only one who can't do that.And that was when I realized that we have to change our upper suits involving our own shirt earlier. Aside from the denim jacket, we both wore blue collarless bench bottoms based on the one I pulled out of the jar as a symbol that we were both in a group.We all switched for the Game.A while ago I didn't even notice what they were wearing even the color of them but they did the same after pulling out and before the Leade
For those who had remained, I gave them love, but they bestowed me curses and hatred in return.The funny notion about irony and worth is that they couldn't be quested. Irony blazoned itself as irony, and worth promulgated itself as worthiness or worthlessness. Hence, to make it shorter, either one of them is ridiculously a part of the void. They have no meaning at all.So ever since I received hatred from the people I loved I have learned to put a fence between me. Even after I realized that I was adopted, I also realized why my supposed blood relatives treated me so badly.There's this burning fire, rage, in their eyes like I was a fox who brought deceit. That was the end of my questioning. What's wrong with me, what they don't like about me — but by the time the questions run out, new ones flood into my mind.Like why can’t they accept me? Or why do I have to endure each of every whip of them? I didn't do any
Enough of the past.I should focus more on The Game.I watched Freyja from inside the fifth House now talking to Gideon. I could clearly see the seriousness on his face as they quietly talked about it in front of the exit door. The woman nodded and seemed to be keeping in mind what the other person is saying."Wanna know a secret?"I turned to Sorcha as she spoke next to me. We were both leaning against a tree as we folded our arms and watched the two talk in the room. Psyche and the others went back to his cabin because they were going to take some equipment left by Leader.I knitted my eyebrows. "We're not supposed to tell secrets. I mean, whatever secret you're talking about that is too confidential."She shrugged and giggled. "I know but it's just . . . It's just about her," she was referring to someone inside, pointing at her with her snout.I blinked as many as I can. "W-What about her?"