Chapter 29:

No sooner that we had arrived at the HQ, I was informed of a letter sent there, adressed to me. When it was brought to the foyer, ( a large cozy room, complete with a fireplace and chandeliers where only I, jorge, Ivy were resting) it was easily the most peculiar letter ever. It was mettalic blue and probably aluminium. There was nothing written on it. Inside, was a single sheet of paper which said:

GREETINGS FREN,

AS PER THE TERMS OF AGREEMENT, WE WILL BE COMPETING FOR BADGES STARTING TOMORROW. MY TEAM WOULD PLAY EITHER AS GENUINE PLAYERS OR SPECIFIED OPPONENT ( THAT WOULD BE NOTIFIED)

THE GEMS ARE EXCLUDED AS BADGES. ONLY THE REAL ONES OFFICIALLY AWARDED WILL BE CONSIDERED. NEITHER PREVIOUS BAGDES WOULD BE OF ANY USE.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE SENT VIA LETTERS SIMILAR TO THIS ONE. LET THE GAMES BEGINS. GOOD LUCK

THE MASKED.

After reading it, I passed it to Ivy and Jorge who read it turn by turn. Obviously, I was sure this won't be easy. And now, for some reason, I felt like "the masked" won't allow them to go. But I didn't have the guts to suggest that. Instead, we spent the time scheming. Ivy had produced detailed maps of the city from somehwere. She taught me all about the streets. It was hard to keep up with her though. One map showed the underground tunnels. After that we went through the concept of dimension-changers, complete with their mechanism and all that.

Jorge explained things about weapons to me. If that's what you call it. We went through which gun/rifle is suitable for what condition and also, how to fight without any weapon up your sleeve. Completed with karate. From katana to grenades, there wasn't a weapon we could've missed. Then, in the end, Jorge insisted we go through the creatures found in the game, which I rejected flat. It was now nighttime. For the people of the city, it was dawn. The lights were all up. I had a good dinner. I also did a speech. I told them that I had a bet going on with an unknown man and we had to make sure he never challenges us again. To my relief, they all cheered. To end it up perfectly, I was informed that the chef is making filled pastries today. So, even though I had a big dinner, I made it to three pastries. I needed my energy!

After that, everyone dragged themselves to their allocated wings. Ivy was suggesting a mini 'race' before bed, but the very strict caretaker (whom I met for the first time) yelled at us. She said she had the doors locked. When Jorge mumbled 'old woman' in my ear, she had him by his and dragged him away.

"Family," was what Ivy whispered to me. She said a word of 'good night' and fled to her room. I walked to mine alone.

Before sleeping, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, a boy who I couldn't be sure was me, stared back. That also reminded me that I had to escape. Without sparing it an another thought, I slid into my bed and drifted off quickly.