GAMBLE: Rule of Cards

CHAPTER 22

DENTON’S MOUTH gaped open as he heard what Jannah stated. “I mean, that can be a chance,” he muttered, agreeing to what Jannah has stated. Jannah’s eyes twinkled as she saw Denton agreeing with what she said. “But what is the reason why he’s doing that to me? That is the only mystery that is hanging inside my mind right now.” Paul nodded on Denton’s remark. “I mean it is really possible that the lost guard was the one helping me, and I am grateful to him for doing so... but what is the reason? I mean, did he come inside this game to help me? I doubt that must be his reason for entering this game.”

“There is a tendency that he did, really. I mean, there might be another reason of him entering the game, but he might also entered as a guard to protect you from being killed or eliminated inside this game,” Paul added. “I think, he really entered this game to protect you. If ever it was really what I am thinking right now, then it might be one of people who are close to you for him to do this, who do you think it might be, Denton?”

Denton shook his head. “Not to assume that he entered this game just to protect me, but if I were to think about someone who will protect me inside this game, I honestly think I have no one. I only have my family outside and no one else. I only have my brother and he is also taking care of my two daughters, he can’t be that,” Denton muttered. “For this reasons, I do not think he entered the game for me. It might be because of his personal reasons too, who knows? He just happened to help me since I am in dire need. I do not know what to think, actually. My mind is not that working right now.”

“But, the assistant of the game head said that the lost guard is still in-find and the guards are still unable to see him, right?” Sandra asked the two guys who just nodded in response. “If the lost guard is still in-find and the guards are yet to find him, where the hell is he hiding his own body? Do you have any idea how is he hiding from the rest of the guards in this game?”

“I actually do not know how is he hiding since the security in this game is really tight. There are hundreds, or even thousands, of guards and he is still yet to be found. But because there are numerous guards, it might also be the reason why the progress in finding him is still low. Since there are a lot of guards, he is hiding very well behind from that,” Denton muttered. He heaved a deep sigh before he started on talking again. “I don’t know if this is the right timing to say this but this is not the thing we should be wary of today. It is getting dark and the time of the sixth main match is already getting nearer and nearer. We should worry about how we must have Jannah to enter the escaping match. I am quite sure that having her volunteer herself to play in the escaping game, the speaker might agree with it, but the thing is how can we make her and the rest of us win the main match. If we can’t win the main match, we can’t really have the chance to enter the escaping match, as you know.”

“I know,” Jannah muttered. “It just feels like my heart is going to explode, as I am really nervous, since I do not know what will happen,” she added. “Anyway, I know that the pressure is really heavy to me, however, I will give my hundred percent tomorrow. I do not want to take all your help to trash just because I failed it. I will be sure to do my best tomorrow, and I will not fail you. I have had the greatest team here and thank you for supporting and protecting me. I hope that I can leave this hell tomorrow, really.”

Sandra tapped Jannah’s back. “You can surely do it, Jannah. I know you are a smart girl, and I know you can do it,” Sandra added. “What I can suggest to you is that, do not mind the other players. Just work on your own and put in mind that you need to survive. You will survive. You must survive. We are rooting for your survival, Jannah. Kudos to you!” Sandra replied. “Also, you are still young. You need to live. You need to find the man of your dreams, and bear children of your own.”

Jannah blushed on Sandra’s remarks. She probably is not thinking about that yet. The speaker, then, showed up on the screen like he was a mushroom who just bloomed right in the moment. “Just as the players know, the rule is uplifted in this day. The light will still dim but the rule is not mandated today,” the speaker muttered and the players all cheered for what they heard. “Still, killing other players inside the arena is illegal and will cause you punishment and cause for elimination. Since the rule is not mandated today, players are free to choose where to sleep and if they want to stay up all night. The guards are, however, guarding the door. The lights will dim in five minutes.”

“Paul,” Denton muttered and Paul responded to his call. “Help me, get the mattress and the foam of your bed and I will get Sandra’s. Put that beside my bed, on the floor and I will put Sandra’s in between of my bed and Jannah’s. There are still no assurance that all of us may be safe but since there is a five-meter radius of safety inside my circle, you three will sleep near me.” Sandra and Paul had no choice but to nod on what their leader had told them. “I am not sure as to how Hector will behave today. As long as you are inside my circle, I will keep you safe. Somebody, not just Hector, can attack us and yeah... we have no choice but to do it.”

Denton and Paul moved along with the players who are preparing their bed for the night time. They immediately put the foam and the mattress on the floor. “Denton and I will sleep on the floor,” Paul muttered as he positioned himself on the floor. “The two of you must sleep on the bed, for comfort. I talked to Denton and he said it is okay.”

The five minutes has already passed and the light has suddenly dimmed, but what wowed the players is that there is a big circle of laser light surrounding Denton and his team. “What is that?” The big circle of laser light is centered on Denton who has no idea what is going on that exact moment. “Oh, it is Denton’s safety circle. I guess, anyone to enter this circle should not hurt anyone inside the circle.”

Denton rose up as he heard Jannah mutter his name. “Oh, I thought it was something,” Denton muttered. “Even though there was a light, that is visible. I already noticed that when Sandra was being chased by Hector. I thought you three have noticed that already, so I never told you all. Anyway, that’s a cute privilege to me.” Denton went back to his lying position and placed his palm on the back of his head. “You all, even though it is okay to stay up all night, I advice you to sleep, still. I think it is better than playing the game with no energy tomorrow.”

Opposite to what he said, an hour later, Denton was still awake. He know for himself that he cannot sleep, knowing how harmful the environment is, not just for him, but for his team as well. “I know you are not yet sleeping, Jannah,” he muttered in a low voice. “Like what I said, you should sleep and gather enough energy. It is really adviceable for you to sleep since you will enter the escaping game tomorrow.”

“What must I do, I just cannot sleep,” she replied before heaving a deep sigh. “I don’t know, I am still not sleepy. I think my mind wants to overthink first about things. It’s like I can’t sleep without doing it.”

Denton nodded. “I also do that, since I am also missing my own family. I tend to overthink also, about what is happening to them now after my sudden absence to their life. I am thinking whether they already hate me for leaving without propet goodbye to them,” he added. “That must be the reason why I am still awake at this moment? You, what are you overthinking about? What is the reason behind you staying awake when you should be sleeping at this time.”

“Since I have no family to overthink about, I am overthinking about my own safety. I am ovethinking about how I will do tomorrow in the game. I overthink about things that are most likely to happen,” she muttered. The darkness is real but Denton can feel the utmost worry upon her voice. “There are so many what-ifs inside my head right now. What if I make it out? I will still deal the hardships and the evilness of life. But what if I also not make it out? I actually think whatever happens tomorrow, I will gladly accept it. Like I said, living inside this and living outside this is a similar feeling. This game and the real life are both games, and I do not think I am destined to survive both. However, I would not want to put all your efforts in trash. I want to, at least make it out, to make you proud of everything you did for me.”

Denton heaved a deep sigh. “Jannah, in this times like this, you must be thinking about yourself,” he muttered. “I agree that the outside world could be evil but at least, out there, there will be more opportunities and more reasons to live. In this game, you are surrounded by rules; outside, you can create rules for yourself. Do not let the evilness of the outside world ruin your confidence, Jannah. I am sure you would do great tomorrow, so stop overthinking now.” Jannah felt the sincerity of Denton’s words. “Also, whatever you do tomorrow, Sandra, Paul and I are proud of you. I knew you as a girl who has no confidence on herself but you strived and managed to live until this exact time. However, I want you to surpass that limit of you. I want you to escape this hell and live the life with confidence and as you wanted it to be.”