Shades of Wolves

Chapter 5: Shared house

November 10th, 2100.

WIC gave me this diary. I heard the players complaining that what era this is when they still use paper. Those players are really dumb and childish. Paper has had a power from the moment it was created, for decades. Without it what would tell them what history is?

I love paper, I can make impressive paper craft. If I win, I will open a huge Origami shop. That’s where paper will make people feel joy and escape from this bitter life.

Bruno

Hoa closed the door behind her. She took one last look at the house towards the minibus wagons. The street in the early morning was very few people, less noisy. It made her mood less agitated. Hoa rested her head against the bus glass, breathing in the comfortable air. She might find it difficult to breath later, maybe just in the next few hours. It might not be as easy as it was now. Each minute passing by then might be really hard for her.

………………

9:30 am, at the large hall of WIC.

Everyone was instructed where to sit by the Malvis. Each chair had been numbered. The numbers on them would stick with the players for the next few days, most likely a glorious number, but the remaining 99 numbers were definitely to mark for their graves.

“Ladies and gentlemen,

I'm honored to be able to stand here and see 100 deserving players who passed the interview round. In the following days, you will join our challenges.

You have a day to rest and get used to the environment. Tomorrow we will officially enter the first challenge. The Malvis will direct you to your room which is corresponding to your number.

I hope to see you shine on the WIC Hall of Fame.

Do you have any questions?"

There was a hand raising. One of them asked.

“If we lose, where do we go?”

Malvis calmly replied as if this was the most common question asked by players of previous seasons.

"You will have to get used to not being you. We will support your new identity, until the contest is over."

“Then what if we die in the game?”

“The terms when we sent you were clearly stated, in the game, we will not pause because of someone dying. You have read and signed the agreement, it is on page 3, section 8.”

Hoa sat below. It’s true. She’d read the contract. WIC actually worked very carefully to avoid any future consequences. The guy who asked just now was quite an i***t. She guessed he didn't even read it and signed it as soon as he received it.

“Will there be two winners?” Another voice spoke up.

“Maybe, we hope that too. But twenty seasons have passed, I have never seen the case you mentioned." Malvis smiled and shared.

"But the contract clearly states, if two people win, the money will be split in half."

“And each person gets only $100,000,” added Malvis.

The answer was short but made everyone in the hall laugh nonstop. They bet their lives just to get 0.1% of the prize. Whether it is a friend or a brother, before the temptation, no one could be able to stop themselves.

After that laugh, no one was intending to ask any more questions. The Malvis went to each of them and led them into their rooms which were marked matching with their identification number. Mahoney waved, signaling that they would meet again after checking in. Hoa also nodded in agreement.

Hoa sat there, watching Malvis come over to her bed and hand over something. It was a diary, some personal belongings, a keychain with a badge on a backpack. Hoa held it up to check. It was a six-pointed star (?). A symbol of wisdom.

“This is the WIC dormitory. We will be staying here for a few days to take part in the first challenge. Here's your number." Malvis gave Hoa a number card. 029.

"The diary?" Hoa chuckled inwardly. Paper diaries must be antiques from decades ago.

"Write it down, it's WIC's gift if you don't win." Malvis explained.

If they lost all their memories, their names and themselves would not be remembered. Rereading something and figuring yourself for a few seconds in your subconscious was not a bad gift after all.

“Also, digital devices will not be allowed to be used. We will take care of it for you and make sure no private information gets out.” Malvis raised her hand respectfully as if signaling Hoa to give her the smart watch.

"Here you go!" Hoa handed the watch over. Malvis took it from her. She then scanned Hoa one more time to make sure no technological tools could be brought in and messed the game up.

After Malvis left, Hoa collapsed on the bed. The room was not very large, but full of tools for living and entertaining. She stroked her face to stay awake. Even if she hadn’t entered the game yet, the challenge was still beginning now.

Hoa left the room. She went to find Mahoney. She knew nobody here but her friend. Just passing a turn, she met the man from before. He had been the person in the interview room next to her, whose pet was an eagle. He had let it go without hesitation.

He was now dressing in black from head to toe. He seemed to be a crossbred with Asian origin. A pair of black glasses, a black shirt, black pants, and black shoes were what he had. He was holding a stick in his hand. What was it for? Could it be that he was blind? Hoa laughed inside. How could a blind person dare to participate in this game?

"Hello, I'm Hoa. I've seen you before."

"You're thinking I'm blind, but you're thinking you might be crazy to think so, aren't you?" He asked but showed no expression. His voice sharp.

"Excuse me?" Hoa was slightly gaping. He knew what she was thinking?

“Why are you so surprised for? Who forbids the blind from participating?" He passed Hoa without any struggles as if he’s just some casually normal person.

"A high school girl can participate, after all. There’s nothing to be afraid of."

Hoa was in shock. Was he really blind or pretending to be blind? If he was truly blind, how would he know that she was a high school student?

“My name is Sammul. The scent of the perfume you’re using. It’s the type of those dumb kids. They’re in love with it”

Hoa watched Sammul's sight gradually disappear. Most people who lost one sense would develop another to compensate. He seemed to have a good ability to smell, like a police dog. People who came here, at least, had some kind of special ability.

………………….

WIC's cafeteria was really modern and clean. Malvis was in aprons and white hats like chefs, distributed food to them. Meals were also varied and delicately prepared.

Hoa and Hamoney sat down at a large table where several people were already seated.

“What kind of food is this? It tastes like pig bran. This is not for humans to eat at all!”

A fat man with anger on his face showing his displeasure loudly said. Hoa looked at her plate of rice. He said pig bran? Food was okay to her, at least. It was also not that difficult to eat.

“Barol, this is not your house. Hang on there.” A skinny guy sat across from him calmed the man down. He was eating non-stop with a bit annoying pouting at the guy’s behaviors.

“My food is even better than this crap!” He scooped up the spoon with disgust on his face before throwing the spoon in the food as a sign of giving up.

“If you’re that picky, be alert. You might end up eating insects for lunch in a few days”

“As if you’re any better than me. You’re picky too. But with paper. Even toilet paper, you’re freaking picky with ‘high standards’ about those. Aren’t you, Bruno?” Barol grumbled but didn't forget to give the skinny guy his fight back.

“If you’re that good at cooking, then why is your bakery shop a failure again?” Bruno was not giving in at all. He attacked right at Barol’s most painful memories.

“Stop mentioning about that bankrupt thing. I am sick enough. I would rather lose my memories than live in that situation where my life is just around the debts and drowning on those” A black girl named Maggie spoke up.

Hoa sighed. Everyone had a reason to come here. All of them were at the edge of life. That was why they would fight till their last breath in this game. Nobody was here for passion and challenges or whatsoever.

Hoa swallowed a piece of grilled meat in her mouth. Someone passing by surprised her slightly. A white girl with neatly tied blonde hair, dark glasses, light makeup, and a boring business dress which told people a lot about her work place which was also boring and not flexible or fun. That girl must also have seen Hoa. Because she was frozen for a few seconds and then sat down at a table quite far from them.

“You know her?” Mahoney asked.

“Looks like we used to study together. It has nothing to do with us, anyway.” Hoa smiled happily at Mahoney, then looked down to eat.

Boom…

An ear-splitting noise sounded near them. The sound of spoons and forks falling and getting broken into pieces on the floor. Hoa looked over there in curiosity. A guy over two meters tall was grabbing Sammul's collar. He pushed him, untied the milk box and poured it on Sammul's head. However, on the contrast of everyone’s normal reaction, Sammul was still pretty calm, not showing a sign of being scared or panic.

“You still want a drink?” His laughter sounded so despicable. He’s definitely the type of guy who took pride in bullying the weak.

"Of course. Give me some more milk, please.” Sammul looked up. The guy named Falcao seemed to be amused. He took off the second box of milk and poured it over the other guy’s head again. Sammul’s body was covered by full of milk. He looked really messy at the moment.

"Now I want to sit here, you blind b***h!" He insulted.

Sammul still stayed calm. He didn’t bother intending to answer at all. This guy, would he really want to be beaten to death before he entering the game or something

"I said I want to sit here, are you deaf?" The big guy slammed his fist on the table. His arms were huge, biceps were just solid as hell. With that strength, he would easily break someone's jawbone with just a swing.

“Come on, Falcao, there's a bunch of places here!” Russel gave the rude dude some advice. It was the guy with the cute cat on the interview day.

"But I like this one. If you and Ander don't like it, find another place to sit." Falcao shouted at Russel, causing him to hold his breath and keep his mouth shut. The guy named Ander didn't want to get involved in this. He kept his words for him. The guy was big also, but not as massive as Falcao.

"Okay, I'll go!" Sammul stepped out of his chair, then took his milk box.

“Leave the milk behind. You made two of mine spilled. I want your box to make up for it.”

The whole canteen was holding their breath waiting for Sammul's decision. This time, he chose to compromise. He put down the milk box before leaving his seat. Hoa felt disgruntled, but Mahoney stopped her.

"Lemme tell you all something. From now on I’m the big boss here. Know your place and I’ll let you live. Or else I will kill you before the game."

That Falcao laughed. Everyone looked down to eat. No one dared to touch this guy.

But surprisingly, he was the one who had to leave this place first. Death is foretold for those who liked to show off. This game, it's true that the big guys can kill a lot of people, but most of them usually had never been the winners. Because strength was all they had. And it’s simply too predictable.