The Three Day Survival Game

Reaching the door frame, no one spoke. The silence felt deafening, pressing heavily on my ears. It was evident that everyone was worried from the expressions on their faces. Karun held my hand the entire time since we started the journey.

Uncle Gibbard broke the silence, his voice steady but soft. "Alright, team, this is it. Remember, we've trained for this. Stick to the plan and watch each other's backs. Kathy, Karun, as discussed, we'll be with you for the first level, but from the next, you both will have to proceed alone."

I nodded in acceptance. I was aware of this, but still, a part of my brain felt frozen with fear.

Damian nodded, his usual confidence unwavering. Aiden spoke, "We've got this."

The door frame shone with energy, swallowing us like a giant black hole. Uncle Gibbard entered first, disappearing as he stepped into the portal, followed one after another by Damian, Karun, and Aiden. It was my turn. I hesitated for a moment, paralyzed with anticipation. Astrid patted my shoulder, saying, "Ease up—we're all here," but I was stiff as a log.

I stepped into the portal, a sharp tinge of electric waves passing through my body as I crossed the threshold. Astrid followed me in, her presence a comforting anchor. I could hear the people from the camp cheering us on, their voices a distant roar. The portal started disappearing as the energy was imbued, a process Ryan and his team managed to perfection. They regulated the energy, ensuring it was just enough to start the game without overloading and frying us.

As the portal closed, I caught a glimpse of Daisy waving from the other side. It vanished before my eyes as if it had never existed, and the game began. An automated voice echoed around us, suggesting we pick up our weapons.

"Welcome to the game. Each player has 50 points to choose their weapons. Select wisely from the wardrobes."

"Welcome to the game. Each player has 50 points to choose their weapons. Select wisely from the wardrobes."

Several wardrobe-like cupboards materialized before us, each filled with an array of weapons with point values displayed above them. I grabbed a sleek, lightweight crossbow (20 points) and a handgun (30 points), feeling the balanced weight in my hands. Karun chose a pair of daggers (15 points each) and a small rifle (20 points).

Just then, Gibbard commanded, "Now move to the panel quickly." Damian and Aiden were already on the move. They had connected the interface, and I was panicky. Karun took charge and started decoding the cheat code. Although it took me a second, I helped him by suggesting along the way, and we successfully decoded it. Aiden said, "Great job, both of you. If you can keep this up for the next level too, you could win this easily."

Gibbard spoke, "Yes, but Kathy, you need to move quickly and not panic."

That's when the automated voice spoke again, "The game begins in... 2... 1..."

We took our positions, the familiar yet eerie surroundings of the forest from the first level coming into view. The air was thick with anticipation. Each step forward felt like a step closer to an uncertain fate.

As we moved deeper, the terrain became more challenging. The red dots on our maps signaled the presence of assassins within range. We communicated in hushed whispers, our eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement.

"Stay sharp," Aiden whispered, his eyes narrowing as he signaled us to fan out and surround the area.

We moved cautiously, every muscle in our bodies tense with anticipation.

Panic shot through our group as we formed a defensive perimeter. The tension was palpable, and the forest seemed to close in around us.

"Stay together," Aiden ordered. "We fight them off and then move. No one gets left behind."

The next few minutes were a blur of action and adrenaline. The assassins emerged from the shadows, their movements swift and deadly. We fought with everything we had, our training kicking in as we coordinated our attacks.

Karun stayed close to me, his focus unwavering. "I've got your back," he said, blocking an attack aimed at me.

"Thanks," I replied, my heart pounding as I parried another blow.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last assassin fell. We stood there, panting and covered in sweat, but victorious.

"We did it," Damian said, a smile breaking through his stern expression.

"Yes!" I cheered.

Gibbard turned to us, his expression serious but with a hint of encouragement in his eyes. "Kathy, Karun, listen carefully. When the white void appears again, the rest of us will exit. From that point on, you will need to decode the cheat code on your own, just like you did for the first level. Trust each other and rely on your skills. We'll be supporting you through the comms."

I felt a lump in my throat as his words sank in. The responsibility felt immense, and the fear of failing weighed heavily on my mind. Karun squeezed my hand, offering silent reassurance. Gibbard placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm yet comforting. "You've got this. We've trained you well, and we believe in you."

A wave of determination washed over me. I nodded, locking eyes with Karun. "We'll do our best," I said, my voice steady but my heart pounding. The gravity of the moment wasn't lost on either of us. We knew what was at stake, and we were ready to face it together.

Others approached, offering advice that felt like a lifeline in the storm of anxiety swirling around us. Liam, with a concerned frown, suggested I ration my food carefully so I wouldn't run out. His tone was serious, a stark contrast to his usual light-hearted demeanor. It made me realize the gravity of our situation even more.

Damian handed me his dagger bracelet, which I'd admired since day one. The craftsmanship was so intricate that no one would suspect it was actually a chain dagger. "You'll need this more than I will," he said, his voice filled with a mix of pride and concern. His gesture was a silent vow of trust and friendship.

Aiden, always the joker, wished me luck and initially gave me his arm gun, which was almost bigger than my arm. After a playful smack from Astrid and her stern look, he replaced it with a smaller, more manageable gun. "Stay safe," he said, his usual bravado giving way to genuine worry.

Daisy, through the comms, advised me to drink the energy potions she had personally added to my bag. Her voice was calm and steady, a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "They'll keep you going when things get tough," she assured me, her faith in my ability to persevere shining through.

Ryan's voice crackled through the comms, informing me that he had placed a tracker in my bag. I found the small blinking receiver and he stressed the importance of not losing it. "I want to make sure we can find you if things go sideways," he said, his usual gruffness softened by genuine concern. I was taken aback by his care. He had always treated me like an unnecessary burden, so his sudden display of concern felt like a revelation. I considered smashing the receiver out of spite once inside the game, but for now, I placed it obediently in my pocket, touched by his unexpected gesture.

Finally, Astrid approached with a heartfelt hug, her arms wrapping around me tightly. "Come back alive," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Her embrace was warm and comforting, bringing tears to my eyes. It reminded me of home—my family, friends, colleagues, even the dog on my street. The thought of missing all of them, even the barking dog, made me feel an overwhelming wave of homesickness and love. I hugged her back just as tightly, drawing strength from her affection.

As the white void began to surround us, signaling the transition to the next level, I felt a mixture of fear and determination. While the others moved to the exit, Karun and I stepped into the deathly hallows of the second level, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us, bolstered by the support and love of our friends.