Hide and Seek with Death

The Evergame Academy. The name of the school may not make sense at first. Those who gets lucky enough to qualify to attend at this public school gets to know why the school was named as such. What do you need to enter the academy? First, you must come from a household earning less than 10,000 dollars a month. Second, you should not have any relatives up to the fifth consanguinity earning more than 20,000 dollars a month and lastly, you should pass the difficult exam that will test your physical capabilities and intelligence. After you pass the interview, you will then be eligible to attend this prestigious academy. The exclusive place where the notion "Life is a Game" holds true. ************************************************** The Bulletin board. As a student attending the Evergame Academy, it is an absolute must that you should always check the school bulletin and newspaper. Everyday, a lot of students makes their way to read the events that can be offered by the school. Even small jobs that can help you earn money is even posted. There are a lot of people looking at that three by eight blackboard where various things are posted. Looking at this board means a lot to all the students in this school. Money is life. For the students who do not have enough money to get by, the bulletin board is their only chance to earn the money they so wanted to have. It means a lot to have money because it is a proof that you have another day to live. Food is not cheap. Living expenses are not cheap. Taking care of a family is not cheap. Irregardless of what your situation may be, there is no doubt that having money will help you in almost every way. In this world where cash is needed for your every need, there is no doubt that you cannot live without this money. Evangeline Starlight. Student No. 104457. Brown hair with bangs almost covering her eyes. Blue eyes and fair skin. Her usual attire consisting of a green hoddie and pants immediately tells you that this person has no sense of fashion. It is not because she have a poor taste in clothing. It is simply because she cannot afford it, even if she wanted to. Like any other students in this place, she wanted to earn money. Her beautiful blue eyes opened wide upon seeing the poster in her front. The special hide and seek game poster sponsored by the WIC Company. Time seems to stop around her. The music by The Capenters playing in the background as everything almost cames to a halt. There is nothing else in her eyes as she looks at that special poster like there is nothing else in front of her. Why do birds suddenly appear? Everytime you are near Just like me, they long to be Close to you... On the day that you are born the angels come together And decided to create a dream come true So they sprinkled moondust in your hair, Of gold and starlight In your eyes are.. blue... Eva immediately understand that this is the chance that she is waiting for. Yes, she must join this game and win that grand prize no matter what. As the other students continues to huddle around the bulletin board, Eva's blue eyes is going forward to her dream come true. The sparkles of light seemingly surrounding her as she jumps around in joy. Exactly like the song, it seems that the world bestows her a sparkling moondust though no one sees such an effect. If one is capable of peering to other people's mind, then there is no doubt that this will be the case. She happily moves away from the board, each of her step is a movement towards the heap of dollars waiting for her in October 2. Just the thought of having that much money is enough to give her this much of an excitement. On the other hand, as the world suddenly glows around a certain girl, a certain young man bearing the colors of black pushes everyone away from him with his very gloomy aura. Just the sight of him will make you want to go away from him as if a ghost happens to by. The area one meter from him is completely unoccupied by people as he stares at the front of the bulletin board. Michael Montefalco. Also known as Mint. Student No. 120055. Black hair and blue eyes. His facial features are enough to qualify him as a good looking guy. The bangs covering his face is blocking the view of others and only saw an emo guy who seems to be surrounded by a negative aura. Due to this, he can be always seen alone. At the space we can call his own, his dark blue eyes looks at the board and found the same thing that Eva saw. The special hide and seek event poster. He do not know why but he felt joining the game. No. Maybe he has no other choice because thinking otherwise may end the life of someone dear to him. What matters next is if will he be able to get it through to the end? He contemplates right there on whether to follow his guts. "What should I do?" Time continues to fly and the very space around him remains an untouchable territory. No student dares to enter it making the area around the bulletin board itself an open space. Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong! The school bell finally rings. What could be the decision Mint come upon? Let us look at the place where he is. Oh. My bad. It would seem he is not already there. Where could he be in the instant we lose our sights on him. ************************************************** At the same moment, 28 other people had the same idea when they saw the poster. A blonde girl with braids asks her friend to join with her. A group of friends decided to join to help a friend in need. And several other individuals who have their own reasons also wants to join. The day is September 30, 20XX. As soon as the poster for the event arrives at the Bulletin Board, the number of participants that enters the game was immediately filled up. A clamor occurs at the faculty office as students races to their advisors to ask for the form. At an estimated time of 3 hours and 27 minutes, the thirty forms was immediately exhausted. In relation to this, the school strictly closes the registration for the event. The students holding the forms are advised to arrive at the event area in Room Number 13 in the Old Building at October 2, 20XX. ************************************************** "Eva" "Yes?" "Mint?" "..." At that day, school proceeded as usual. However, the class advisers who have participating students have their students excused as a small moment of their time is taken for a briefing. The rest of the class is on their own to study the lessons during homeroom. It is at this moment that the gears of fate started to turn. Not a soul is aware that everything that will happen will all be in accordance of the will of the ones who have the Wheel of Fortune. A turning point that can change your life forever. "Are you sure that you are going to participate? You still have a chance to change your mind." If you are in this situation, what will be your answer? The amount of five million dollars is hard to turn down especially if all you need to do is play a game of hide and seek. It is a children's play compared to the amount at stake. It may be a little humiliating if other people see you lose but it is something that can be easily forgotten as time goes by. It is actually a small prize to pay. If you answered yes, then we can assume that the adviser will tell you this: "It seems I will not be able to convince you otherwise. I only hope that you will not regret your decision. I just hope that I won't be able to see your face again because I know you will surely be too rich to stay in this countryside school anymore." What if your choice is other than yes? The response you will get might go this way: "As I thought. You are the type who impulsively does things without thinking then suddenly changing your mind later. There are a lot of students who wants to be in your shoes just for that cash prize. Quick, hand that form over and go back to your class and study!" Life is series of choices. It is your decision that will decide the future. Just like in this special event where your life can change in an instant. As far as the briefing goes, it would seem that you will also have to fill up a waiver in order to participate. The teacher gives it to you along with a pen in which you must fill up on the spot. A waiver where you are consenting to the fact that the school will not be responsible for any injury or illness that the student will encounter during the event. There is a special clause in the document that caughts your attention that says, "If you are in agreement, you will be putting your life in the hands of the WIC Company". What do you think? If it is a form of insurance from them then it might make you think that there is nothing to worry about, right? Thinking of the cash prize that you will gain makes you think that it may be actually worth it. It seems there is still something that you can receive if you are accidentally hurt during the event. It is an offer that makes you think that it is indeed a very special event if they are this thorough in securing all the player's safety. If you sign the waiver and handed them the document, the adviser will immediately check if you had properly filled up all the necessary fields. The adviser will then smile at you and tell you that you can now return to class. On second thought, he will tap your shoulder a bit before letting you go. It will surprise you a bit but it is nothing compared to the last words that they will whisper in your ears. "Cura te" That is all and you will return to your room like nothing happened. After all your classes ended, you will realize that it is actually latin when you try to search it up on the internet. Nonetheless, you are excited that the day the chance to have your dream money will come. You will feel nervous that you cannot sleep while thinking about the huge cash prize. ************************************************** Basic Facts: Games is a common tradition in Evergames Academy. To those poor students who are huddled together inside this educational institution, getting money is a first and foremost. An opportunity that the school equally gives to all by letting them qualify in events and job that lets them earn money. The matter is this game is not like any other games. A reality that they are about to learn as they are about to venture to the unknown. Hide and Seek. Play with your lives. This is a game where everything is at stake. Money is life. That is without a doubt. But... After this game is over, will you be able to say the same thing again? This is nothing but a fact to ponder upon but do you believe it?