JINX

EPISODE 16 (pt.2)

All of them were questioned and all of them answered the same thing Ash confidently respond: "you'd think we'll fall for it? Maybe you've underestimated us too much, Mister Clock."

Even Miguel agreed to it, making Mister Clock feel more disappointed with them. But instead of him getting nervous about what might have been into their minds, this made him feel more powerful than before.

"I've got to admit, of all the batches that have managed to come and play with us, this is by far, the fiercest group combined. I mean, I should be intimidated by now because has won your stares at me, you are like stabbing be with those death glares and I must admit that if your stares were weapons aiming at me, you probably hit the bullseye. You might have killed me escaped and I might have been lying cold on the ground as I drown in the pool of blood getting out into my lifeless body. If those glares were knives, maybe you don't have to kill me with your hands anymore. You're like ripping my skin apart from my muscles... Oh, I can see you're eyes were burning with desire to lay a hand on me, to kill me, and I know a lot is going on in your minds... But trust me, this is more like it! This... This is the group of players I've been looking for! The sinful players who cannot accept their destiny as only man and woman, and now... They are ready to play with the fire that it's impossible to take down! The fire had already met its gasoline and I am excited to see what might come next! Whoo! I am excited... And now, you will be my test subjects in this new game developed ever. Can you succeed in this game? Although this is a game designed to kill, I don't know how many of you will still stand before the day ends. Are you all ready?" Mister Clock was able to say what he was able to say just to release the feelings out. After that, he stares at each of them until his eyes landed on Kyle's. Miguel noticed that while the others were focused on the remote Mister Clock is holding.

"So, the game works like this," he pauses as he takes his time to savor the different kinds of expressions plastered on their faces.

"This remote controls the based and the belts in your necks. As you can see, the leash was connected to these chains, leading into the blade, and after the blades which means, if you were to lose and got chopped with the blades, that means that your newly pulverized flesh would be dragged until the end If the wall and that is behind the blades. Now, you see that there is a metal bar in here, and the purpose of these metal bars is for you to hold on until you reach this pool of plastics. There are exactly eight ziplock plastics with the same keys in it. All you have to do is free yourself to avoid death... Easy right?" He asks as he takes a ziplock plastic in his hand with keys, then tosses it back into the collection of plastics zip locks.

"But, you have a time limit of three minutes to finish the task. And when the time is up and you haven't broken free yet, the chains will automatically pull itself backward, leading you to the dead end." He pauses once again as he takes a deep breath, eyes still filled with power.

"Today, we are going to witness one's determination to prove their worth to their borrowed lives. Now, you must always put in mind that you always need to understand one another to be better thinkers but, how far can you do this 'understanding' stuff? Now, we will see how you deal with each other..." He undoubtedly presses the button, making the blades turn from a slow velocity, getting faster. They start to panic, in hopes that they could remove the belt draped in their necks. Mister Clock turns his back at them, still holding the remote at his shoulder level. He then halts after taking a few steps, turning to his shoulder.

"Oh, and by the way, the game is not that easy because the chains connected to those belts on your neck are connected to another player. It's randomly connected to, think twice before running for the pipes... That is if you want to save the others... Good luck players." The game starts, as the machines start to pull the chains slowly backward, making the chains stretch out slowly. Someone was about to make a move when Melissa shouts.

"Don't you f*cking move, Blake. Or someone will die without you knowing!"

'So that's Blake?' Miguel asks himself.

"It's either that person dies because I don't give a f*ck! I'm not saving anyone's asses just to sacrifice mine—"

"You son of a b*tch! You just don't listen, don't you?... That mother's*cker just told us that this chain is connected to another one, that means were are sharing one string with another and who knows who could it be?" Kyle shouts back. The machine is loud, but them shouting at each other is enough to be heard by everyone. Miguel turns his gaze to Mister Clock silently, seeing how the man in a half mask is amazed at the moment. That made him believe they could all stay alive.

"Guys!" Miguel shouts, making them all turn. Someone has to slowly move to see who they're connected to! We don't have all the time!" He explains as he pointed out at the clock.

2: 30

All of them start cussing, mumbling under their breaths. They all show signs of frustration.

"Okay! I'll take the first move slowly and you tell me if you feel a light pull!" Ash suggests as the others agree. Ash takes a few steps forward, trying to pull the other person with force. Until someone felt a light pull.

"Okay, I'll try to—" Melissa was about to talk when the person beside Miguel starts to panic.

"I am not gonna die, I am not gonna die, I am not—"

"Hey, are you okay?" He asks as he was about to approach the guy but suddenly, he starts to panic, and before he could stop him, the man sprints into action, running through the pole without hesitation.

"No!" He shouts as but it was too late. The chain starts to stretch out, alarmed to who could it might be. The man was able to take hold of the pole but suddenly, Ash felt a harsh pull, causing her to fall, being dragged by the chains, leading into the blades.

"Ash no!" Miguel shouts as he quickly sprints, catching her midway. Ash was panting and that moment, it was his first time to see the fear in her. And he cannot blame her. Even he would be frightened to face death backstabbing him.

That movement made a peaceful plan into a chaotic. They start stepping backward just to get the keys, while the others struggle to be pulled backward. Miguel helps Ash to his feet, as they waited patiently for the man to find a ziplock with a key inside.

"Faster you sons of b*tches!" They start shouting intensely at each other. Then, a statement came crossing into his mind. He then turns to Ash.

"Exact keys." He says as he checks on the lock from her neck, then at his.

"What is it, Mister Miguel?"

"He said that the ziplock plastics contain the same key. Does that mean our padlocks shares the same key as well?"

"That..." They both turn their gaze into the persons fighting at each other. Kyle managed to make a move for the keys. Before he could reach the metal pipe, Miguel felt a tug on his chain. He already knew who he is connected to.

"Kyle!" He shouts, trying to get his attention.

"He's connected to you?" Ash asks, also being a good observer.

"He is."

Seconds later, the first man to make a move was able to free himself, shouting for joy.

"Yeah!!!"

All of them start to panic more, the atmosphere getting intense by the second.

"I'll grab the key and after I free myself, I'll hand them to you. Just wait for me okay?"

"ONE MINUTE AND TWENTY SECONDS LEFT!"

Panic arises as they start to distinguish who they were connected to. Kyle was still in search of the eyes as Melissa also stayed put into her place. Miguel's eyes wander around and just by starting at the view, he could feel the sudden slow motion, as if he's in a movie. The place that once is noisy became silent in his ears. A very disturbing silence. His eyes then landed on Blake as he was able to push the person he is connected to, making the guy fall. He could see the burning desire on Blake's eyes, kicking and torturing the weak body of the guy, who had his nose bleeding because of Blake.

"Please. Please don't kill me, Blake! We share the common goal from the group chat, right?" He pleaded, wanting to not die just yet. Although, Blake's eyes say the opposite.

"Yeah... But we just met online, bro. And I don't know you. And who knows? Maybe you'd take revenge on me when I make you live so—"

"No, no, no! Please don't—"

And with no doubt, he runs through the pipes, causing the man to slide the rest of his way into the blades. Miguel was frozen at his place but that didn't stop him to try and save the guy, but it was already too late.

"No!"

And just like that, the body was smashed right in front of him, eyes wide open, jaw dropped. Flesh and blood start to fly across the room, making him close his eyes as his body made contact with the red liquid and a body part. All of them squeal in fright, but not Blake. All he did is lick his upper lip as he had just eaten the most delicious food in his life. He then dives into the pool of plastic ziplock, determined to have a key.

"I got the key, Miguel!" Unfortunately, Blake's dark eyes turn to Ash who already had the key in her hand. Ash and Miguel noticed that, knowing what Blake could do.

"Oh just the perfect time, sweetie. Now, give me the keys." He exhales, eyes completely fixed on Ash. Ash then turns her gaze to him, giving him an 'I-do-not-give-a-sh*t" glare at him.

"You haven't won the lottery, you selfish pr*ck so how about you continue diving in with the plastics while I handle my problems, got it?" She spat in a "not so friendly" matter, making Blake's blood boil for her.

"You think you can win against an adult like me?"

"Don't underestimate me, old man!"

"What did you say!?"

"I may be just a kid in your eyes, but maybe you'll be surprised to see me kick your balls out until you'll realize how bad your decision is for underestimating a kid like me!"

"So you want to test my patience, you little piece of sh*t!?"

"Try me!"

"Ash don't!" Worried, Miguel tries to find a solution to come to Ash's aid. His eyes roam around, searching for Kyle in hopes of him being able to look for a key. His eyes then landed on the clock, saying it's already thirty-five seconds left. Luckily, Melissa was already free. The other guy, after unlocking himself, starts to attack Blake. Little did he know that the man is also trying to save him. With the key in his hand, he attempts to free his neck from the belt.

"Save yourself, kid!" The man shouts, as Ash quickly jumps out of the pool of plastic, unlocking the belt around her neck. Kyle, on the other hand, was able to find a plastic with a key, ripping it off with desperation to escape. Miguel could not move, not wanting to tug Kyle.

"Ash faster!" Miguel is in panic, continuously sweating cold, not wanting to be the next to die.

'Let me live... Let me live,' he prays to himself, almost feeling his eyes getting warmer. Tears were about to fall.

"FIFTEEN SECONDS!" His eyes trail to Kyle who already freed himself, running to hug Melissa.

"F*ck!" Miguel mumbles as he rushes to Ash who has had trouble unlocking the belt around his neck. When Kyle notices what is happening between them, he then realized who the person is connected to his chains.

"Miguel!" He shouts, but it wasn't the time for him to look at Kyle. It was already seven seconds when Ash successfully unlocks the belt with the help of Miguel.

"Run... Go, now!" He shouts as he had his hands trembling. With no much time left, his eyes then landed on the chain that is leading at the back of the blade, and imagining himself getting chopped is the last thing he wanted.

'Not today.'

It was already five seconds left when an idea pops into his mind. He wasn't sure if it will work, but he can either die like meat without trying or risking everything with no regret.

For the remaining five seconds, it felt like everything went back once again in slow motion. He rushes to the metal pipes as he held a grip on it, while his other hand holds the chain firmly. His mind went blank as he wished his prediction will work.

'Not today.'

Three...

He controls his breathing as he focuses, not wanting to be pulled to the deadly blades.

Two...

'Not today.' These were the words that he kept on repeat inside his head as if it is a command for him to not die.

Everyone is in perfect observation of what he will do, especially to Ash who she grows fond of.

One...

"Aaahhh!!" Miguel shouts as he could feel the pull of the chain but before he could be pulled completely, he runs to the other side of the area, in hope that he could break the chains.

"No!"

"Miguel!"

Miguel made contact with the floor, feeling tired. But then, he manages to still keep his eyes open.

"Miguel!"