He dragged me through this massive, ancient place. The walls were covered in weird symbols—like some kind of ancient writing mixed with creepy drawings that stretched across every inch of stone. It wasn't just decoration. This stuff felt alive somehow, radiating this unsettling energy that made the air feel heavy. Even the faint glow coming off the walls made my skin crawl.
No. 8 didn't slow down as he led me through the twisting hallways. We stopped at a door, and before I could even react, he shoved me inside. A small food pouch hit the floor next to me. Without saying a word, he locked the door and walked away. I could hear his heavy footsteps echoing down the hall until they disappeared completely.
Several seconds passed...
I woke up slowly, feeling that familiar emptiness inside. My eyes swept across the room, taking in everything with the same cold indifference I always felt. Most adults would probably be freaking out right now, but I just... observed. That's all I ever do.
So he knew, I thought, glancing at the food pouch. No. 2 figured out I was faking it, but he didn't tell No. 8. Weird. But hey, it worked out. He even left me food what a generous guy.
I grabbed the pouch and started eating without thinking twice about it. Didn't care what it tasted like. Food is food, and I needed the energy. When you're trying to survive, you don't have the luxury of being picky.
After I finished eating, I wandered around the room. Took my time checking out every corner, every crack in the walls. There was something almost relaxing about it—like solving a puzzle piece by piece. Eventually, I sat down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.
That's when I remembered the device strapped around my neck. I'd almost forgotten about the damn thing. It looked simple enough, but something about it felt wrong. I tried prying it off, running my fingers along the edges, but it wouldn't budge. The wires felt like they were embedded in my skin, part of some mechanism I couldn't escape.
This thing is connected to something bigger, I realized. Something I don't understand yet.
My mind drifted back to that conversation I'd overheard between No. 2 and No. 8. They needed 1,000 people, and apparently, I was number 1,000. But No. 2 didn't come with No. 8 tonight. If he manages to find one more person before morning, I'm screwed. I'll become expendable.
I stood up and found myself staring at those symbols on the walls again. Why do I keep looking at these things? I couldn't read them, couldn't understand what they meant, but they pulled at something deep inside me. Like they were trying to tell me something just out of reach.
I've been staring at these all night, and I still don't get it. But there's something... comforting about them. Like I'm missing something important.
A sudden buzzing sound cut through my thoughts, and this robotic voice—kind of playful, actually—echoed through the room.
"Attention, everyone," it announced with a slight crackle. "This is an important message. In ten minutes, the room you're in will be detonated. If you're still inside when the countdown ends, well... let's just say you'll be joining the others in a much worse place." There was this long, dramatic pause. "Heh. End of message. Oh, and one more thing. When the doors open, walk straight to the left. You'll find a large statue of a sword. Only 1,000 people will be allowed inside. If you're not in that group, the device around your neck will activate. Heh. Good luck."
The announcement ended with a click, and just like that, every door in the place swung open at once. I touched the device on my neck and saw it pulsing with a low red glow, matching my heartbeat. Others were already panicking.
---
The whole building started shaking. Walls trembling like they were about to come down. I could hear hundreds of footsteps pounding against the floor, people screaming and crying as they ran for their lives. Everyone was losing their minds, racing against time to get out.
But not me. I just stood there, completely still, staring at those markings on the wall. The chaos around me felt distant, like it was happening to someone else. I wasn't scared. Wasn't worried. Those symbols had gotten into my head somehow, and now they were all I could think about.
I can't explain it, but I'm not afraid. I'm not even worried. This is all part of something bigger. I just need to keep moving.
Because I knew something the others didn't there were exactly 1,000 participants in this place.
So I turned toward the door, moving deliberately slow. The frantic race had already started, but I didn't rush. Didn't need to. While everyone else ran around like headless chickens, I walked at my own pace, completely calm and certain of what I was doing.