King of the World

The Hunting Game: Part Two

It’s not like watching Josh and Franklin beat the crap out of each other wasn’t fun, but the closer the game got, the more the panic in Jasper’s chest grew. He could see the alarm on their faces as the hours flew by. Jasper made himself useful by grabbing everyone some food from the dining hall and some extra for the trip. It was better to be prepared for anything. Jasper knew too well what happens when a plan is not fully thought out. 

Jasper returned to find both of them on the floor. Panting like dogs. “You guys done?” Jasper said, tossing each of them a sandwich. “Just when I was enjoying myself,” He chuckled.

“If I weren’t so tired, I’d kick your butt too,” Josh said, biting into his sandwich.

“All…according…to…plan,” Franklin panted. “The faster we can take each other out, the faster the plan can go. I want out of this place.” He grabbed a water bottle and chugged it. “Better.”

“At least both of you can take a punch,” Jasper said.

Josh shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the first time. I used to get into fights all the time before my family adopted me. Had to learn fast.”

“What happened to your family, by the way?” Jasper asked.

“Nothing. They gave me up because they couldn’t take care of me. I think I was like five at the time. As my father’s staff put it, I was purchased to help his image. Honestly, even before they said that, I kind of figured that was the case. He never saw me as a son. The only good thing that came of it was Lily.”

“Lily?” Franklin asked.

“My sister,” Josh laughed. “I spent the first two hours playing with her and answering random questions. I thought she was annoying at first, but then she felt like my only family. She was the only one there after dad took my eye. She helped me. Things would’ve been a lot worse if she wasn’t around. I can’t wait to see her.”

“I didn’t know she had mad drawing skills,” Jasper said.

“Yeah, she drew me as a pirate once. It was so good I barely took offense to it. I knew she didn’t mean anything by it, but it was so fresh in my mind. Give her enough time, and she could make some really grand things.” Josh took his eye patch off. “It gets itchy sometimes. Don’t mind me.”

Franklin turned away. “If you take your eye out…”

“I promise I won’t take my eye out. Can you turn back around?” Josh asked. 

As soon as Franklin did, he was looking straight at Josh, holding his fake eye out. “Agh!” Franklin screamed. “***…I knew I shouldn’t have believed you.”

Josh burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, mate. I just couldn’t resist. I got to clean it anyway. Be right back.” Josh went into the bathroom and turned on the water.

“Is it okay if I actually kill him?” Franklin asked, clearly annoyed.

“Relax, he’s just messing with you. Plus, it was funny.” Jasper looked up at the monitor and saw the King of the World logo flash on the screen. “Oh god, what now?” Jasper said, rolling his eyes. “Josh!”

“What?” Josh asked, walking back into the room and putting his fake eye back into its socket. “Did I miss something?”

“Can you not?” Franklin asked, trying not to throw up.

“I had to put it back. Does it bother you that much?” Josh smiled.

“It’s creepy! Jaz, you agree with me, right?”

Jasper shrugged. “It’s not like blood shoots out.”

“See? All the **** we’ve seen, and a fake eye freaks you out? Mad,” Josh laughed. He nodded towards the screen. “What’s that about?”

As if the monitor heard him, it changed. King appeared on the screen. “Apologies for interrupting your free time. I’ll make this quick. A bonus game will be happening in a few minutes. It’s called “The Hunting Game.” It’s simple. One person on each floor is the hunter. The others are the prey. The hunter has to catch a specified amount of prey before the game is over. The prey has to hold out long enough for the elevator to reach their floor. Once it’s gone, it won’t come back. The prey has one chance to escape. , As you all know, the elevator can only hold so many people, so the prey may have to get creative to escape. The game will last until we have 50 players left. Once the elevators become available, then it’s fair game. Hunter’s can move onto other’s territory. As long as they make their quota, then that’s all that matters. Staff will be on hand to assist any players who need it. This game is entirely up to you on how you reach your goal. Things are about to get exciting. All players are now ordered to be in their own rooms. As soon as the game starts, you must do whatever it takes to survive and make it to the ground floor. To my hunters, I wish you luck. I’m looking forward to seeing who makes it. Good luck. You’ll need it.” When I was brought home, she was so excited to have a big brother.”

“I hate that prick more and more each day,” Josh said, putting his eye patch back on. 

“Showtime people. Christ, I’m nervous,” Jasper said. 

“It’ll be fine. We got this. After we get off our floor, we need to stop at Jasmine’s floor. Hopefully, she’ll be fine,” Franklin said.

“She will be,” Josh snapped.

“Right, she’s smart. She’ll figure something out,” Franklin said, standing up. “Alright, Jaz, go get Lance. We don’t have much time.”

“On it,” Jasper hurried out and headed onto the elevator. Pressing Lance’s floor, he rode it up and knocked on Lance’s door. “Yo, Lance, let’s go.”

Silence.

“Lance?” Jasper asked. 

Silence. Panic started to run through him. “He’s fine. Maybe he’s out? Or sleeping?”

Suddenly a participant peaked out of her room and glared at him. “Can you keep it down? Some of us are trying to sleep. What are you doing here anyway?”

“Why did she say it like that? Oh wait, I get it,” Jasper thought. “What? Just because I’m a blue means, I can’t be here?”

“Exactly. You aren’t supposed to be on our floor. Did they say go to your room? Can’t you follow directions?” The girl asked. Jasper saw her jacket had Seventy-seven on it. She was wearing the same grey tracksuit as Lance. “You’re from Zone 9, right?”

“Duh,” she says, rolling her eyes. “And what are you? Zone 4? 5?”

“2,” Jasper said. He could see her trying not to laugh. 

“Oh, you poor thing. Looking for a handout? Sorry, you’re not gonna get one. Especially from Seventy-seven. How’d you even get up here? Only our guards are able to get up here. Leave before…”

Lance opened the door and smiled. “Hey, there he is! Sorry I was in the shower. I was gonna head down as soon as I was done.” He looked at Seventy-nine. “Hey, Gloria. Have you met Jasper? He’s a friend of mine.”

Gloria’s face turned red. “I, um, kind of,” She said quietly.

“Huh? Sorry, I couldn’t hear you. Speak up a bit,” Lance said.

“Yeah, we just met,” Gloria said louder. 

“Oh, cool.” Lance turned towards Jasper. “She’s a riot.”

“You could say that,” Jasper said, looking away. “Hey, we should get going.”

Lance closed the door behind them, and they walked to the elevator. Gloria watched them enter. Just before the door closed, she could see Lance glaring at her. She was in trouble. She hurried back inside and quickly closed her door.

“She hit you with the whole “you’re poor, I’m rich” routine?” Lance asked, looking forward.

“Was it that obvious?”

Lance scoffed. “Knew it. She’s lucky she’s safe. She was just moved to my floor. They thought I was lonely.”

“When did that happen? He said he was alone. They suddenly moved her in?” Jasper thought.

“Were you?” Jasper asked.

Lance laughed. “No. I’ve been left alone a lot. Well, not alone alone. Mom made sure she was there, making sure I was progressing like she wanted.”

“Do you think your parents are mad that you left?”

“Not anymore,” Lance said. His face turned dark as he thought about something. “Even if they were, I don’t care.”

The elevator opened, and they made their way to Jasper’s room. On the monitor, a countdown clock had started. 5 minutes.

“Are you ready?” Jasper asked. “So many things could go wrong.”

“So many things could go right too. Don’t forget that. I’m not gonna lie to you. A lot of people are about to die so we can get out of here. You need to be ready if something comes up. The people won’t give us a second chance. Just know, we got your back: Josh, Franklin, and me. We can make it out if we watch each other’s backs. Eyes on the prize. Or in this case, eyes on the escape vehicle.”

Jape took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, but if we can save anyone on the way, then I think we should. Or at least help them. I wouldn’t feel right letting them just die if I can do something to help.”

“I can’t promise anything, but we’ll see if it’s possible. Now, get ready,” Lance said, pointing at the monitor. Jasper looked at the monitor and saw it was at zero. “The game just started.”