CHAPTER 43: I'm Not Afraid of Death, I Think

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[George's POV]

It's time for the next fight, which means my death is finally here. When I looked around the room, from the way some others looked, I wasn't the only one in this predicament.

The Warden is probably going to call us any time now. It's almost that time. I can feel it.

"Gather round."

There she goes. We all assembled at the front of the room. As usual, we were quiet but there was a different mood to it this time, like it was the end. Even Warden's tone was subdued.

"It's quite a shame that this is the end for a lot of you. We didn't spend that much time together, but I will treasure it for the rest of my life. I wish you luck in your journey through the afterlife. If you end up in the Underworld, just wait for me. I'll be seeing you soon enough."

Is she trying to comfort us or irritate us? I can never tell with her.

"Professor A will lead you to the convention. Farewell."

We left, but as we did I felt something strange in my chest.

-------------------

I was in the bleachers in the auditorium. Last time we were here, I discovered that the way to avoid being approached was to make sure no one sees you. To achieve that, I went underneath the bleachers.

This tactic works just fine if I want to be alone. But this time, there was someone else here besides me. The sadist I first fought, Erina.

Why is she here? And why is she looking at me like that?

She had a red face and was breathing heavily when she saw me.

Immediately I saw her I knew I was in trouble so I turned around and tried to run, but she caught me by my collar.

"Wait a moment."

I struggled to get free, but she had an iron grip.

"I said, wait a moment."

She threw me against the wall and wall-slammed me.

What's this? Is this a rom-com? Is she going to confess her love for me? My heart's beginning to pound. Is this what they call love?

She brought her face close to mine and whispered in my ear.

"Do you want to be my slave?"

Just like that, the entire romantic atmosphere was ruined. I couldn't even help but feel disappointed.

I slipped out from under her arm and tried to back away.

"I don't really think we should be doing this. Kids our age should focus on our studies instead of talking about being slaves for each other."

As I was backing away, she was stalking towards me. I felt like a prey that a predator was eyeing.

"Stop with the jokes, cause I know you really like them."

"How are you supposed to know that?"

"I watched videos of you, obviously."

My body was stunned. But my mind was still able to form a response which made up the words that came out of my mouth next.

"Uhhhhhh?"

I let out a sound that could be only be described as stupid. My brain might have come up with a response, but it was still too shocked to make a full, coherent sentence.

How did she get videos of me?

I don't know if she read my mind, but she answered my question with her next words.

"I know what you're thinking, but I got them through legitimate means. No need to be worried. All I did was ask for them using a request."

"You can do things like that?"

"Of course you can. Did they ever tell us that we couldn't?"

"I guess not, but it still feels wrong."

"You've been in this place for while, and you still think about things like right and wrong?"

"You've got a point there, but I still don't like being viewed without my consent."

"Who cares about that? More importantly, as I watched your ordeals, I knew you were perfect to my slave. Won't you agree?"

I inched towards the exit of under the bleachers little by little.

"As much as I love the offer, I'll have to respectfully decline. How can someone as lowly as me be your slave? I'm simply not worthy."

"Don't give me that. Just agree."

"I once again have to decline."

I dashed away from her, but she didn't give chase and only watched me with a creepy smile.

I made sure to tread carefully for the rest of the convention.

--------------------------

I was in the waiting room, sitting on the couch, awaiting what I assumed would be my last match.

As I sat there, I couldn't help but reminiscence about my short life.

It might have been short, but at least I lived, right?

Eventually I felt something wet on my face. I touched myself only to find that tears were streaming down my cheeks.

What's this? Why am I crying? I shouldn't care about dying. I've already come to terms with it.

Even though that was what I thought, I knew deep down that that wasn't what I really felt.

As the tears rolled down my face and onto the ground, I felt my heart break.

I don't want to die! How could I die like this? I wish I never had to come here!

Why? Why? Why does it have to end like this? I never even got to grow up!

All I wanted was to live a normal life, to get a steady job, to get married when I meet the right person and grow old among my grandchildren!

I didn't want this life!

I'm so lonely. I've been lonely since I got here. There's no one I can talk to. Is this really how I'm going to die?

I fell to the ground, sobbing.

What is this? I haven't felt this before. It's like my heart wants to leap out of my throat. I don't like this.

Why am I even crying? Why is my throat choked up? This is pathetic. I know that, I know that very well, but why can't I stop?

I know I said I had come to terms with it. But I really don't want to die! I can't die here! Is my life so meaningless that I'll die as a no name that no one knows?

I stayed on the ground for the rest of my time in the room.

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