The rest of the rules just detailed the killing process further.

Rule #7: If the correct blackened is chosen in the class trial, only they will be punished.

Rule #8: If the campers choose the incorrect blackened, everyone besides the blackened will immediately be punished.

Rule #9: If the blackened survives the class trial, they alone will be released from Camp Morning Star.

Rule #10: Additional Camp Rules may be added at the head counselor's discretion.

These rules were too cruel. They couldn't be real. There had to be some rational explanation. Any rational explanation. This was a prank... A dream… It had to be anything but reality. I tried pinching myself like they did in all those cliche movies. I didn't wake up. There was just a sharp pain in my arm. I tried looking around for some indication of amusement, hoping the whole thing was a prank, but the only joy I could find was in Monokuma's twisted smile.

Screams came out of some of my fellows. The ones who remained silent just froze in shock. One girl in a black shirt and jeans even cowered behind one of the logs, arm wrapped around her knees, repeatedly whispering the words "This isn't happening."

No one spoke. We all just stared at our screens in utter shock. Finally, Monokuma spoke again. "Puhuhu… The despair on all of your faces… Oh the beauty of watching the hope leaving all of your eyes! Is there a more beautiful sight in this world?"

"This is a joke right?" The Irish girl from earlier said.

Monokuma's voice grew hostile. "Ugh! I am sooooo sick of that reaction! Seriously, every time I do this someone has to ask 'is this a joke?' Can't you at least try to not sound so cliche?"

"But if it's not a joke…" I mumbled to myself, drawing a few people's eyes towards me. "Then we're really expected to... " I gulped, almost unable to mumble these last few words. "Kill each other?"

Monokuma tilted his head slightly. "You're just now figuring that out?" Everyone's eyes darted around, as though already trying to guess who amongst us was capable of murder. "Well, 'expected' is a strong word. You see, if someone is a chef, that person is expected to cook. If a person is a gambler, they are expected to gamble. It isn't expected of you to kill anyone, it's just that the option is open to all of you! You only have to kill if the despairing reality of living in this beautiful camp is too much for your fragile little minds to bear!"

"So the only way out of this camp…" A boy in a somewhat disgruntled suit started nonchalantly, in what seemed to be an Australian accent. "Is by murdering someone else?

Monokuma seemed annoyed again. "Well duh! Anyone who's read the rules would be able to know that."

The boy nodded. "Mhm. And if anyone attempts to escape? The rules state that leaving the premises is of limits, but it does not detail a punishment..."

Monokuma's happy air returned. "Puhuhu… Oh, I wouldn't even think about it if I was any of you guys." Again, his evil grin seemed to widen. "If my many machine guns don't stop you, there's no way you'll get past the fence."

"W-what fence?" A girl in a black-and-white-striped long-sleeve shirt and skinny jeans stuttered out.

"Oh, the large electric fence that encloses the entire camp area! This camp was built for the protection and safety of all it's inhabitants, so in order to keep them safely inside and all danger safely outside, this camp was created with almost airtight security." Suddenly, the bear reached down to his podium and yanked out what looked like a map. He pointed to the diagrams printed on it as he spoke. "You see, the very outside of this camp is surrounded by a thick concrete fence. On either side of that fence, there is a metal electric fence, and on top of the concrete there's barbed wire! Then, for about four hundred meters in front and about two hundred meters on each side, there's a field. But don't get your hopes up kiddos, it's not exactly a fun place to toss the ol' pigskin around. No, this field is littered with mines! And on the other side of that field, there's another electric fence!"

"So basically you're saying there's no way for us to escape?" A British girl with reddish brown hair and a green jumper yelled.

The bear threw his arms out wide. "Precisely! For your safety, you're all stuck inside this camp, with absolutely no means of escape!" If at all possible at this point, his smile seemed to widen. "So you'd better get used to your exciting camp life here!"

"Then how did we get in if the camp is so protected?" The girl in the green jumper demanded.

It almost looked like there was sweat on Monokuma's brow, but I had to be imagining it. I could hardly accept any of this was happening, so I did not need to think about the mechanics of sweat in a robotic bear. "Oh, well, of course there's the main road between the two fences that's completely mine free…" He said nervously before making a complete emotional one-eighty. "But there's no way you'll get to that road! My motion activated turrets are poised and ready to strike any object that comes within ten feet of the gate! I've already had several birds and squirrels lose their lives to that gate, so good luck trying to sneak your way past!"

"So then…" The tall guy with a leather vest and no shoes began, in an accent I believed to be Russian. "There really is no means of escape?"

Monokuma giggled again. "Nope! You're all stuck here! Better start learning to get along. Or, if that seems too difficult, there's always the other option..." His red eye began glowing menacingly. "I don't care how you do it. Stabbing, bludgeoning, strangling, poisoning, shooting, crushing, beating, cursing, burying alive… There's no method of murder that won't get you out of this camp, as long as you don't get caught. So feel free to kill in any way you like! I'm not a picky bear! Anything will do!"

We all looked at each other again, once more attempting to size up our fellows. But then one more voice spoke up, this one calm, cool and British, and seemingly without emotion. "Excuse me, Monokuma sir, I do believe you have failed to provide us with one final piece of information." I turned around to see the speaker was a girl dressed in a full, perfectly-tailored suit.

"Oh? And what would that be?" The monochrome menace asked, feigning innocence.

The girl cleared her throat. "Well, other than the fact that we all do appear to be the same age, I do not see any other resemblance between myself and any of the others I find myself surrounded with. May I ask why we were chosen to participate in this 'camp life,' as you refer to it?"

He tilted his head to the side once more. "Oh, was that not obvious?" He put his paws over his mouth, trying to suppress his grin. "Puhuhu… Well, I guess I'll tell you…" His attempt failed, as his grin only grew and his red eye flashed, giving away his glee. "You were all the very special and exceptionally talented students that were chosen to attend Hope's Peak International, the first branch of Hope's Peak Academy to actively collect as many international students as possible from all over the globe! You guys were supposed to be the first class to attend in the English speaking division of the academy!"

I looked around. Suddenly it all clicked. The strange appearances of my fellows. The way some of them looked vaguely familiar… It was because many of them were world-famous. The future of so many industries. The hope for my generation… Just as I was expected to be.

I could tell that the others wanted to ask more questions, but before they could, Monokuma continued, his angry face returning once more. "No more questions for now! This is starting to get boring! Maybe I should just pre-record these prologues so I don't have to do them anymore! Run along now and explore, I know that's what you'll all want. I'm definitely familiar with the formula at this point. Toodles!~" And with that, Monokuma sunk out of sight, leaving us utterly confused.

We all split off after that. Some people had already started forming groups and went off to explore together, but that was never my personal strong suit. I've always been a loner, plain and simple. I'll never know how others manage to make friends so quickly.

First off, I decided that the front gate was the best place to check first. If there was any way out, it would be through there, if Monokuma was to be believed. If we could just find a weakness in the gate, we could all head out on the road without ever having to resort to murder.

However, before I could head out, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey." A small, sweet voice said from behind me. I turned, only to see a small blonde girl with blue eyes standing behind me. She looked normal enough. Her outfit was simple- just jean shorts, a white t-shirt, and a blue sleeveless jacket. Her blue eyes sparkled with joy and innocence, and her smile could lighten up even the darkest of rooms. She looked almost too happy, as though she was solely fueled by joy.

I raised an eyebrow curiously. "Hello?"

She smiled a small bit wider. "It seems like everyone else has already left, and I want to explore too, but I'm a little too scared to go off alone." She iched her ear nervously. "So I was wondering if we could go off together?"

I raised my eyebrow a bit higher. "You want to explore this place with me?"

She nodded. "Yeah, if that's alright. I know this is a bit awkward, but I really would appreciate it." She reached out her hand. "My name's Reia. Reia Martel."

I looked down at her hand, and after a few seconds hesitation, I took it. "Soledad Castro."

"Well it's nice to meet you Soledad." She had a fairly firm grip, but it didn't seem hostile, especially with her sweet smile. It just seemed a bit… forceful. After a few short seconds she let go, and immediately began walking towards the trail. "Well then, let's get going."

She turned her back and gestured for me to follow. I didn't recall ever actually telling her that she could join me, but then again I never denied her. I guess she just took my lack of refusal as acceptance. I ran up to her, and asked "So where are we headed?"

"Lead the way. I don't really care where we go." She put a hand out toward the road, gesturing for me to take the lead. I accepted, and headed down the same path we had first arrived on, Reia following close behind.

When I finally reached the gate, I noticed that three people were already there before me. There was the Irish girl from before, the one who spoke up when Monokuma first appeared. Then there was the Australian guy in the wrinkled suit who had asked about the punishment.

And rounding out the three was the strangest one of them all. He was tall and very well built. He wore a strange, reptilian-looking leather vest that exposed his bare arms, which were covered in scars. His dark hair was a little long and very unruly, kind of like the mane of a wild animal. As soon as we approached, he looked over to us, and he gave a tiny smile and nod in greeting. He walked over to us, holding out his hand. "Hello. My name is Lev Mikhailovich. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Reia looked at him a little skeptically, but put out her hand and took his. "I'm Reia Martel. Pleasure."

After their handshake, Lev looked over at me. "And you are?"

I gave him a small nod. "Soledad Castro. It's good to meet you, Lev." I looked over at the gate. It was huge and iron, bended in strange patterns. The metal in the center was bent in the shape of some sort of symbol, with a pen crossed with some sort of curved shape. It looked like a crest, and though it looked vaguely familiar, I couldn't place a name to it. The name "Camp Morning Star" Hung above the gate proudly, it's gold letters glinting in the light. About ten feet from the gate, there was a wooden fence painted yellow like police tape. A sign hung off the fence that said "DANGER: DO NOT CROSS" in large red letters.

"Have you guys found any weaknesses in the gate?" I asked, walking a little closer.

The Irish girl shook her head. "No. See for yourself." She handed me a small pebble, and gestured to the little roadblock before us. I tossed the pebble, and immediately two turrets shot out of the pillars that held up the gate. They blasted the pebble into dust, which slowly floated down to the ground a few feet before the gate.

"Nothing we've thrown has even made it close to the gate." She sighed and looked toward the ground. After a second, she took a deep breath and looked up at me, the smile returning to her face. "Well enough of that for the moment. I do believe that I need to introduce myself." She stuck out her hand and shot me a wide smile. "My name's Molly McCarthy. I'm glad to meet ya Soledad."

I smiled politely. "Likewise."

"So now that that's out of the way…" Molly said, turning to the guy in the suit. "I suppose you're the only one who hasn't introduced himself. Care to tell us who exactly you are?"

The guy groaned, rolling his eyes. "I'm someone who has better things to do than to be locked up in this place." He shot a slight smirk over to Molly. "But I suppose you'd rather hear something more specific."

Molly scoffed, obviously not amused. "That would be nice, considering that you know all of our names."

"So predictable." He mumbled, shaking his head slightly. "Well, the name's Finn." He bowed his head slightly, putting as little energy as possible into the gesture.

I could practically hear Molly's teeth grinding in anger, but before she said another word, Lev spoke up. "Well Finn, if you desire to get out of here so badly, I assume you won't object to helping me test this fence for weaknesses? We might never leave if we don't find any."

I could practically see Finn weighing his options in his head, as if he trying to decide whether or not it was worth it to put in the effort. Eventually, he shrugged. "If it means I don't have to waste my time singing kumbaya around the campfire until someone ends up dead, then fine." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his wrinkled jacket, tossing his head to the side a bit to throw his unkempt hair out of his eyes.

Lev turned to the rest of us. "So, will you three also help?" He asked, hope and determination flashing in his purple eyes.

Molly nodded, and I was about to join her, but Reia grabbed my arm and pulled me away. "No, I think that me and Sol will explore the rest of this place. We should try and learn the most we can about this camp after all."

I looked over at Reia, and saw that despite her smile, her eyes seemed to burn with contempt when she looked at Lev. I wondered what was wrong with her, but she just started to walk away, pulling me with her.

I looked back to Lev and Molly and shrugged. "Sorry. I guess we'll meet up later to discuss our findings."

Lev nodded. "We will head back to the campfire after we have finished. Tell the others to meet us there."

I barely had any time to nod before Reia pulled me away.

Once we were out of earshot of the three, I forced Reia to stop walking. "Okay, what was that about?" I demanded.

She looked at me. "That was Lev Mikhailovich. He's a famous hunter."

She acted as though this information should explain everything, but I shrugged. "So?"

Reia sighed and rolled her eyes. "So he hunts animals. As in he kills animals for fun." She groaned. "I never thought I'd ever have the displeasure of meeting someone like him." Despite the obvious disdain in her voice, her smile never wavered. I did notice her eye twitch slightly however.

"Are you a vegetarian?" I asked her.

She shook her head. "No, because I understand why people kill for food. Lev is... different. He kills for sport, not sustenance."

I shrugged, not really understanding why she was so angry. I mean, I doubt the guy committed mass genocide against animals, so what was the big deal? As long as he didn't go overboard, what was the harm? Looking at Reia, I could tell she didn't want to discuss the matter further, but I really wanted to understand, so… "Are you some kind of nature freak then?" I asked bluntly.

She looked at me like I was crazy for a second, but then hit herself on her forehead. "Oh yeah, I guess you wouldn't know." She said, still smiling. "I mean, I'm definitely not the most famous teenager here. I guess people outside of the botany community wouldn't know me." She gave a slight chuckle. "I'm a famous gardener. I seem to have this way with plants that most people don't have. It's actually what got me recruited to Hope's Peak International in the first place, now that I think about it." She looked up at the sky, as if just remembering this little detail. "Oh yeah, I forgot that everyone who gets into Hope's Peak has a special talent. I forgot to ask those guys back there for theirs, but while you're around, can I ask you what your talent is?"

For a second, I was speechless. Talent? I barely remembered the acceptance letter I had received. But now that I thought about it, the letter seemed to resurface, and I remembered some of the text.

Dear Soledad Castro,

The faculty at the new Hope's Peak Academy International is pleased to inform you that you have been recruited to join the first class of students. You will be in the first English speaking class at the academy.

Your deciphering and hacking skills have earned you the title of the Ultimate Cryptographer.

The letter had gone on, but I didn't care to remember any more of the details for now. "Well, according to my acceptance letter, I'm the Ultimate Cryptographer."

She looked a little puzzled. "I know I've heard the word before, but… What exactly is a cryptographer?"

I sighed. Most people didn't know that definition, although most of the people in the internet circles I hung out in did. I had forgotten how it felt when I was thirteen and I went around school telling everyone I wanted to be a cryptographer when I grew up, only to have them scratch their heads in confusion. "A cryptographer is someone who's really good at solving puzzles and ciphers, and decrypting codes. Nowadays computer hacking is one of the biggest areas of cryptography, if it's not the biggest."

She nodded in understanding. "Oh, so you're a hacker."

I nodded. "Yeah, pretty much."

"Well what have you hacked then?"

"NASA, the NSA, the CIA... " I smiled. "The easier question might be who I haven't hacked." I sighed and looked at the nearest surveillance camera. "Crap. I seriously hope none of this footage makes it's way to any of those places…" I gulped. What would they do to me if they actually found out all of the secrets I knew?

Reia just kept smiling. "Well if you just suddenly disappear, I guess I'll know why." she joked.

I smiled back. "Yeah. So it'll be your job to find a way out of here and tell my family what happened."

She smiled wider. "Only if you promise to do the same if I don't make it out."

I nodded. "Of course. But we can't afford to think like that. We'll find a way out of here."

I looked over at her, and noticed her looking up at the sky. "I sure hope you're right." She sighed and tilted her head back down, looking down the road. "Hey, look at that building over there." She pointed to the small shack with the skewed 'information' sign on it. "Maybe we can learn something there!"

She ran ahead towards the building excitedly. I smiled as I watch her run, following after her a few seconds later.