Game Of Survival

Chapter 36

MR E.

"How is it going?" I asked as I picked Grace's call.

"Pretty better than I expected, Sir." She answered while I kept my gaze on my laptop.

"Tell me you have good news, Grace." I responded while I read the email I received, The Chief was visiting today. No doubt because of the recent happenings. Just the thought of meeting him alone was already terrifying enough.

"I do have." She answered and my eyes widened for a split second.

"Really?"

"I've found some suspects who might be helping James. But there is one person in particular I have my eyes on." She answered.

"Who?"

"Hugh Ackerman, he works in the IT department."

"Oh really? Does he hold any high position in the department?"

"Not at all."

I frowned.

"So why is he your major suspect?"

"It will interest you to know that Hugh Ackerman was the winner of the Omega Show contest five years ago. He was also hired that same year due to his talents."

"Oh is that so?" I mumbled. "Now I understand why he's willing to help James. His motive is clear. Revenge." I muttered with my palm curled into a fist.

"Indeed, Mr. E. But at the moment I currently have not enough evidence to support that." She replied and my frown painted my face again.

"There's another thing that baffles me. Why now? Why didn't he do it in the earlier years? Why is it until this year?" I asked.

"I can't really say." She answered. "And now that I think more about it, his plan might be much more sinister than we think."

"Exactly. If he's deciding to make a move now, he definitely has something up his sleeve. Something unprecedented that can shake us all."

"That would be bad for all of us."

"Yes and we have to quench that fire while it still burns softly." I replied.

"What do you suggest we do Mr. E?"

I stared at the message displayed on my laptop screen and at that point, the decision became clear to me.

"Detain all the suspects. We can't give them freedom and I don't care if they die. Well they're going to die either way." I said.

"Understood." She stated before ending the call.

I heaved a heavy sigh and then I closed my laptop. Today had definitely started on a bad day and from the looks of it, it was going to end on a bad note too. I adjusted my tie even though it needed none. And then I arose, taking my suit jacket off the Coat Rack. I wore it, adjusting till it fit properly. I looked around my office and when I was certain everything was alright, I left.

This was the residential areas on the Island but the chief on the other hand, had a special area away from the residential areas. His place alone was like an estate and he rarely visited the Island. Maybe once or twice in a year. But this time he was forced to come, meaning I was going to meet with the other side of the Chief. I was going to meet the devil residing in him today.

And after a thirty minute journey in my car, I finally arrived at the Chief's estate. On a normal day, I would be ecstatic to meet with him mostly because of the benefits he rewarded me with. But this time, with every step I took towards his white mansion, my legs were getting heavier to move by the moment. I had finally entered his inner chambers with a heavy heart and body that trembled occasionally.

I heaved a heavy sigh as I stood before the wooden twin doors guarding his office. I took deep breaths and after a while, I made the bold move. As I sauntered inside, I was immediately welcomed with solemn air that endeared and the powerful scent of his cologne. His office was glamorous and ridiculously large like I remembered. Except this time, I wasn't really inclined to gawk in admiration.

I didn't even need to stress myself, my eyes had already found him. There he was, by the window side sipping his bourbon in a gentle manner. He hadn't even spared me a glance yet, I could already feel an imposing pressure from him.

"Good afternoon, Chief Cyrus." I quoted.

"I didn't expect I'll be seeing you so soon, Gabriel." He answered and only then did he turn to me. His hair was grey and his fore line was already showing signs of receding. He had full boxed beards which were as grey as his hair with few wrinkles that painted his face. His brown eyes glittered slightly, they were gentle but it was only a farce. Beneath that look was an angry lion holding himself back. He had a smile that would soothe even a baby but only a fool would believe that it came with good intentions. And he was dressed in his usual attire. A white shirt complemented with a brown monkey jacket, tie and trouser.

I gulped down my saliva, whatever that was going to leave my mouth had to be selected carefully.

"I hope you had a safe journey, Chief Cyrus." I muttered while he walked to his desk. Filling another cup with some ice before filling it with bourbon. He beckoned at me and only then did I move towards his desk. Even though my heart pounded like crazy, even though I didn't want to get any closer to him, I had no choice. So I took the glass, trying hard not to tremble.

"I would have had one but I couldn't help but feel anger because a certain daily show of mine got cancelled because of an unknown error." He said, clearly referring to me. He held my gaze in a way that I dared not look another way.

"I apologize for the inconveniences caused--"

"Take a seat first." He cut me off. "This old man is tired from standing." He added while he comfortably relaxed on his swivel chair. With deep breaths, I summoned courage to sit. And then he began staring at me again. Maybe it was me but the pressure seemed to have intensified.

"Gabriel, have I ever told you the history of the Third Arena?" He asked after he took a sip. I gulped down my saliva.

"Y-yes." I answered.

"Oh is that so? I guess my memory must be failing me then." He smiled but that was a pure lie. This man's memory was way sharper than mine if I wasn't mistaken.

"Anyways, I guess I'll give you a brief lecture about it. I strangely feel the urge to tell you about it."

"Y-yes sir." I stammered again.

"The Third Arena was established ten years ago, Gabriel. It has always entertained our viewers. Not once as it failed us. Ah, talk about the money it makes. It ranks third in our top three stages of the show. It has always given Viewers more insight to their contestants. Which is why it has the ultimate defence. It is almost impossible for it to be breached but lo and behold, The Third Arena made history today." He finished with a smile before taking another sip.

This smile was dangerous and I could only hope he wasn't going to do anything to torture me.

"But unfortunately Gabriel, it made a bad history." He dropped his glass cup gently on the desk. "For the first time, The Third Arena made a bad history. My goodness you should have seen how enraged our customers were. If not for the loyalty and trust they have towards us, we could have been receiving tons of complaints by now. Well apart from the fact that we've lost quite an enormous amount of money." He paused.

"So tell me Gabriel, as the manager in charge of the intermediary stages, you better give me a good reason why my beloved Arena collapsed today." He toned with a slight growl hinting in his voice.

I gulped down my saliva. At least he wasn't enraged to a dangerous point yet. At this point, there was no point lying to him. He would easily find out and that would only worsen my situation.

"Forgive me Chief Cyrus. I wasn't attentive enough and a mistake happened."

"Mistake?"

My eyes fell to my drink.

"Yesterday, one of the contestants escaped. Contestant three hundred, James Hendrix."

"Interesting." He commented.

"We completely underestimated this contestant, Chief Cyrus. Right from the beginning, he has been giving us problems. He and his small group of friends have been the only ones who don't want to bend to our rules. When he escaped, we tried every possible means to locate him but apparently, some defiant workers of the Third Arena decided to help him. Although we haven't found them yet, we already have major suspects. These people were the ones who dared to hack into the Third Arena and caused all this ruckus. But I can assure you, Chief Cyrus. We're getting to the bottom of this issue as we speak." I finished and he carried his glass, taking another sip. I couldn't even tell what was going on in this old fox head. Whatever it was, it was definitely something bad!

"What is the first rule of a defective customer Gabriel?" He asked.

"Any contestant that has the tendency to be a problem should be terminated instantly." I answered back.

"So why didn't you terminate this James Hendrix?"

My lips moved but nothing sensible came out from my mouth.

He smiled.

"As for the betrayers in the Third Arena, I blame you for not being competent enough. It's a pity you didn't pay much attention to one of our best places. Who knows now, something more dangerous could be happening. Something beyond our control. If that happens, wouldn't we lose control over our precious contestants?"

I could only nod in response.

"Before the day ends, I want the contestants found and I also want the black sheep too." He said in an overly assertive tone.

"Although this is your first time you're messing up, I won't tolerate a second failure from you Gabriel." He added.

"I promise not to let you down Sir."

"Oh you've already done it." He answered. "The moment the Third Arena became compromised."

At that moment, it felt like a hole was stabbed through my heart. Whether I liked it or not, This man was simply telling me I was on probation. If I failed the second time, I was doomed.

"I hate failures Gabriel and you know that. I always want my things done in perfection. But today, you've ended that beautiful record of the Third Arena."

"Forgive me, Chief Cyrus. I promise not to fail anymore. Please give me another chance to prove this to you." I said and he smiled.

"After this drama with the Arena is over. You and every other personnel in charge of the Third Arena will have to pay the price for your crimes." He said with such a sweet smile. My jaw almost dropped. My eyes twitched and I trembled. As hard as I tried to contain it, my fear overpowered me hearing those words. Chief Cyrus' punishments were no easy ones. I remember my superiors who once committed a small mistake and Chief Cyrus outrightly ordered some of their deaths. As for the others, he degraded their positions. But that wasn't the only punishment he was known for. He was a man who derived joy in torture. I started imagining myself in any of those situations and just the thoughts of them alone, caused me to sweat.

I used to be worth something in Chief Cyrus' eyes but thanks to James Hendrix, my worth was gone that instant. No matter what kind of order Chief Cyrus gave, I was going to make sure to torture that bastard and those who dared to betray us before handing them to Chief Cyrus.

"I definitely won't fail your request, Chief Cyrus. Tomorrow, I assure you that you will get nothing but good news." I said with a tiny smile. He nodded.

"In that case, I'd like to leave now, Sir."

"I hope you live up to word tomorrow." He said, giving me one final dangerous look.