The First Morning
716 Words
Ava barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, the giant screen appeared in her mind.
120 DAYS REMAINING.
SURVIVE.
She slowly sat up.
The room was surprisingly comfortable.
A soft bed.
A desk.
A wardrobe.
Even a bathroom.
It looked like an ordinary apartment.
As though she had always lived there.
A shiver ran down her spine.
How could people capable of kidnapping one hundred and twenty strangers prepare all this?
Who were they?
Why had they chosen them?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock.
Knock! Knock!
Ava frowned.
Who could it be?
She carefully walked to the door and opened it.
A young girl stood outside.
She looked about seventeen.
Curly brown hair.
Large nervous eyes.
She looked like she was about to cry.
"Um… hi."
Ava blinked.
"Hi?"
The girl awkwardly smiled.
"I-I didn't want to be alone."
Ava softened a little.
Neither did she.
"I'm Lily."
"Ava."
Lily immediately brightened.
"Can we explore together?"
Ava hesitated.
Trusting people already?
Wasn't that dangerous?
But seeing the fear in Lily's eyes…
she couldn't refuse.
"...Okay."
The girl smiled so widely that Ava almost laughed.
Minutes later, they stepped outside.
The city looked different during the day.
Beautiful.
Almost peaceful.
Birds chirped.
The sun shone brightly.
Flowers bloomed along the roads.
If not for the giant screens hanging everywhere…
it could almost pass for a normal city.
Almost.
People slowly emerged from different buildings.
Some looked exhausted.
Some frightened.
Some suspicious.
A few had already begun talking in groups.
"Good morning!"
A cheerful voice suddenly shouted.
Ava turned.
A tall boy waved enthusiastically at everyone.
He looked completely out of place.
How could someone smile in a situation like this?
"I'm Noah!"
Nobody answered.
He awkwardly lowered his hand.
"...Tough crowd."
A few people laughed.
For the first time since arriving—
the atmosphere became slightly lighter.
Lily giggled.
"He seems funny."
Ava nodded.
Then—
"Move."
A cold voice interrupted them.
A young man brushed past.
Black hair.
Sharp eyes.
Expressionless face.
Without another word, he continued walking.
Lily frowned.
"Well… he isn't very friendly."
Someone nearby whispered.
"That's the guy from yesterday."
"The one who didn't panic."
"He looks scary."
Ava looked at him.
For some reason…
he really did look difficult to approach.
As if he wanted nothing to do with anyone.
The young man suddenly stopped.
Then slowly turned.
Everyone immediately looked away.
He stared at them for a moment before walking off.
Silence.
"Yeah… definitely scary."
Noah muttered.
A few people laughed nervously.
The tension eased once more.
Hours passed.
People explored.
Some searched for exits.
Others visited stores.
The supermarket was fully stocked.
The restaurants had food.
Everything they needed was there.
It was as though someone intended for them to live here for a very long time.
That thought alone was terrifying.
By afternoon, small groups had already formed.
Friendships.
Alliances.
And perhaps…
future betrayals.
As the sun slowly began to set—
A loud sound echoed throughout the city.
BEEP!
Everyone froze.
Every giant screen suddenly lit up.
The distorted voice returned.
"Contestants."
Silence.
"Your first game will begin in one hour."
People immediately became tense.
A countdown appeared.
00:59:59
00:59:58
Gasps filled the air.
One hour.
Only one hour left.
"Please proceed to the Central Plaza."
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Fear slowly spread.
This was it.
The game was finally beginning.
Then—
another sentence appeared.
And the entire city fell silent.
YOUR FIRST GAME WILL BE PLAYED IN TEAMS OF FOUR.
Murmurs erupted.
Teams?
People immediately began looking around.
Panic slowly followed.
Who should they trust?
Who should they avoid?
Would teammates help one another…
or sacrifice one another?
Then one final sentence appeared.
YOU HAVE THIRTY MINUTES TO FORM YOUR TEAMS.
Ava felt her heart drop.
Thirty minutes.
Only thirty minutes.
People immediately began running toward one another.
"Team up with me!"
"We need one more person!"
"Please!"
The once peaceful plaza instantly descended into chaos.
Ava looked around.
Lily looked terrified.
Noah looked confused.
And somewhere nearby—
the cold young man stood completely alone.
As though he wasn't worried at all.
A strange feeling settled inside Ava.
Because somehow…
she felt that this decision—
this simple choice of teammates—
might change everything.
And perhaps…
determine who would survive.
- Writer
