Chapter 2

7:00 AM

TUESDAY

The sun hit my face and I didn't want to wake up. 

"Can't I sleep for a little longer," I said to myself, about to cry.

I then received a text message.

Unknown: Dear Amanda. Please meet on Wednesday evening at the location that will be sent to you tomorrow.

From an unknown number.

"What's up with this?" I said. "I hope Zane didn't sign me up on anything weird.

As I was about to freshen up, I heard a loud knock on my door.

"I am coming!" I shouted, feeling annoyed over the turn of events this morning.

"Oh, Zane."

It was Zane, who entered my apartment and switched the TV on. I closed the door and walked to him whose eyes were glued on the news.

"What's going on Zane?" I asked.

"Watch," Zane said, gesturing me to look at the news on TV.

I looked at the TV which was full of game-related things.

"It's just about a game---" Zane cut off my words.

"Sit, this is the game I wanted to tell you about Amanda!" Zane exclaimed.

We both listened as the news reporter shared some details.

News Reporter On TV:

Good morning citizens! Thank you for tuning into the Daily Morning News! We have received interesting insights on a game that has begun to emerge. Name? Unknown. Rules? Unknown! All we know is that people----

The TV signal suddenly went bad.

"That's weird, we didn't even hear what the game is all about," I said, trying to wrap my head around it.

"That's the game," Zane said.

"You keep on saying that. What is the game about?" I asked. I couldn't take being left in the dark any longer.

I looked at the time on my wall clock.

7:10 AM

"I have 40 minutes to get to work, and it takes me 12 minutes. I can walk you to school if you want," I said.

Another agenda was to know more about the game too. After that weird text message, I felt inquisitive to find out.

"Sure, thanks," Zane said. His thoughts were out in space.

"Um, Zane?" I asked, signaling him to leave.

"Oh right! Sorry," Zane said.

"Thanks," I said.

I quickly freshened up, got dressed, and met up with Zane at the main door exiting the apartment building.

"Thanks for waiting," I said.

"You are welcome. To go to my school, we will go in the same direction, I will show you," Zane said.

"Thanks," I said. I have been curious to see where he goes to school.

A few minutes passed by, and Zane's thoughts were at 100 miles per hour. I decided to break the ice. I had to know what that game was about. Whether the weird text message I received was because of it. Today, was the day I had to know everything.

"Zane," I called to him.

"Earth to Zane!" I exclaimed, finally getting his attention.

"Sorry, my thoughts are a bit... mixed up," Zane said.

"That's okay, but Zane, I would like to know a few things," I said.

"About the game?" Zane asked as if he read my mind.

"Yes. What is it about?" I said.

"From what I have heard, the game is almost like a survival game Do you know an example of one?" Zane asked.

"I think so. You are teamed up and then you have to come up with different ways to survive and hopefully get rescued right?" I asked.

"Something like that. This game is also similar but..." Zane left his sentence hanging mid-air.

"But what?" I asked.

"To my realization, I may be wrong. Amanda, check your phone," Zane said.

I took out my phone and realized that there was no signal at all. Zane and I looked at each other and we both ran to the billboard screen to see it blank and people were on a standstill.

"Zane, do you have a signal?" I asked.

Zane shook his head.

This can't be good.

I approached two adult women who were talking to themselves and decided to ask them about the current situation.

"Morning," I said, trying to be polite and ready for ignorance.

"Hey kiddo," said the lady. She was dressed in a suit.

I think she has an office job.

"Do you know what has happened to the signal?" I asked, the other women shaking their heads.

"No clue, but all we know is that we were watching the news on the big screen as seen with the crowd, then the next minute the signal suddenly vanished," she said.

"The same thing happened as well, thanks for your help," I said. Connecting the dots.

"No prob," she said.

Rare to find someone willing to help you.

I walked back to Zane.

"Sorry for leaving you, I had to ask someone about the situation," I said.

"That's okay, I did the same and I think it boils down to one thing," Zane said.

Someone is purposely cutting the signal.

"Zane, don't be late for school. Let's go," I said, not wanting to make Zane late because of all the commotion.

"Yeah, there are 30 minutes left before 8 o'clock," Zane said.

We were walking away and heading for his school. In the back of my mind, however, I kept thinking about the person who could shut the signal down and the reason behind it. I remembered the weird text message I received this morning and decided to ask Zane about it.

"Zane, can I ask you something?" I asked.

"Sure," Zane said.

I wanted to ask him badly but I then decided to push it away.

"I don't think he knows..." I thought.

"What time are you knocking off?" I asked instead.

"At 12 midday," Zane said.

"Lucky you!" I exclaimed, trying to cheer him up.

"But my parents are always at work so I usually go to my hideout place until evening," Zane said with a sad voice.

I never knew what it was like to be in such a situation, but I understood his feelings. Walking into an empty house for me is great but for him - I guess he missed his parents during the day. But what can one do? Work, work, work...

"Sorry. But you know what?" I asked, wanting to see his reaction.

"What?" Zane asked.

"You can pop by the cafe! There is an area for people who just want to relax. You can come over after school today if you want," I said.

"Perfect! A different environment, thanks!" Zane exclaimed.

He was a little boy in a 17-year-old's body.

Before I knew it. I was standing outside the gate of his school. It was massive! They didn't wear school uniforms like me back then, there were huge sports courts for tennis, netball, and basketball, and a swimming pool area on the left. 

"This is my school," Zane said.

"Wow! It looks great! Nothing like my high school," I said, admiring the building.

"Was the building old?" Zane asked.

"No, it had some of these things... just not to this level," I said. "Well, let me not delay you," I said.

"Bye Mandy, see you at 12!" Zane said.

"See you, Zane," I said walking away.

With 20 minutes left, I pulled out my airpods and listened to music. As I was about to cross the street, I got a call from an unknown number.

This was starting to get creepy...

I looked at the screen on one of the buildings - they were still off. No signal. But, if there was still no signal...

How is this person able to reach me?