Chapter 3 – Premature chaos
Three sets of laser shot out from the center of the Gantz ball, Rue backed away while pulling my shirt, I could feel the tuck against my arms. We watched as the chosen ones get transferred in.
According to their heads, I could make it out that one of them is rather short, in the same fashion, they were lying down, one of them had his face against the floor, I could tell from his skin colour, jet black hair and features that he is Asian, most likely an Asian American. The other was a girl with baby face and long blonde curly hair.
"So it's true" Glimmer confirmed what she sees. I nodded.
"Sit down over there, come on" I spoke gently to Rue, ushered her to thin slab of wall in between those tall windows. I went over to sit beside her, she looked at me as if I was her only chance to get home, I feel slightly flattered to have someone looking up to me, both figuratively and literally.
"What's this place, what's going on?" she asked me.
"I'll explain later, when everyone is here" I said, leaning my back against the wall and looked at the three who are transferred down to their knees already. Soon they will react.
"So you're the one to call the shots aren't you?" Glimmer asked, she had an unpleasant look on her face about my conduct up till now.
"No, the ball is" I said, finding it rather ridiculous, who would say such a thing to someone else? An experienced Gantz member
She burst out laughing, looking at the black ball then back at me. She fingered the mysterious sphere and cupped her cheek with the other hand. "You're telling me this toy here is telling us what to do?"
"Yes" I answered firmly, because I know that I am right
She then worked on her composure and stood up; she whispered something to Marvel and the both of them appears to have some form of agreement. I expected certain form of malice seeing that it comes from the both of them, but as soon as they nodded, they made their way to the exit of the condo.
I know they will have a hard time trying to open or even break down the door, no one can open the door until the end of the mission, and some of us won't even make it back to this room, it's just the harsh truth of the Gantz game.
"They're moving, aren't they dead?" Rue looked at me, then at the three of them.
"Good, I might get some information from them" I said, standing up and moving over to where they are, I folded my arms, trying to look like the one with authorities around here. I hope my sudden poise does not frighten Rue.
Lying on the ground nearest to me was the little boy with curly hair, followed by the Asian dude and then the girl. The first one to respond was the girl, she started shouting.
"Please don't kill me! Please!" her voice was sharp, I could sense the desperation. Her reaction brings me to another conclusion; these kids were really fighting each other before they came in here. What kind of sick game is this?
I am a person who likes to look at the world map despite not travelling around the world but I have never seen a country named Panem, where exactly is this country?
"Relax, you're fine" I said, looking at the girl, as I moved quickly towards her side.
Just then, the guy in the middle grabbed me by the ankles and tripped me over.
"Paisley! Run!" he shouted, moving a little closer to my shin and started smashing it with his fist.
"Hey, it's pointless!" I shouted. He looked up, face full of rage, but his fierceness soon converts to confusion. Those expressions were as expected.
The girl got up and ran towards the exit which is along the corridor outside this room; in no time she ran back screaming, the guy let go of my legs and went to embrace the girl. I watched with a semi-frown on my face, it is difficult to think in this midst of chaos, but seeing how they arrive to this place, I expect more chaos after a few more members coming in.
"They are out there! The ones who tried to kill me!" Paisley screamed, she began to hyperventilate, she sounds like she was on the verge of crying.
"It's okay, I'll explain our situation, can you calm her down?" I stood up and held both hands beside my head to show them that I'm sincere with making peace.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" the boy held her closer and turned away, looking over his shoulder; some signs of worry can be seen from his face.
And with all the crooked timing in the world, Glimmer and Marvel came back to create more commotion.
"Free us right now!" Glimmer shouted at me.
"They are coming after us!" Paisley shrieked. I wasn't even sure if that was her voice, the noises around the area is screwing up my mind big time, even I myself felt the pressure building up. No, I must exert control over the situation.
"Those who want to live! Calm down! I will explain right here and now! If you refuse to trust me then be my guest! You can all die again!" I shouted back as I looked around. I am pretty sure that they could at least trust me by my seniority in age.
The little boy with the curls was getting up, he stared at me flabbergasted, I don't know if he is scared or just spacing out, but his expression tickles me, though laughing now would totally ruin my build-up.
I did not want to look at Rue or the little boy because I might smile at them which will give my demeanour away.
"The truth is that we're all dead, our purpose in life now is no longer OUR purpose, ours lives are up to the usage of this ball over here" I pointed at the Gantz. I tried not to look too unfriendly as I exchanged glances with Paisley and the other dude; he still seems sceptical about me, "we will be spending the rest of our time hunting down aliens every month, usually during the night"
"So this is just like our hunger games" Marvel said, looking around the room as he observes for what I assume to be surveillance cameras.
"I would love to know what this Hunger Games is" I replied to his rhetoric comment
At the position where I stood, the laser shot straight before my eyes, I ducked down and backed away, four more of them are coming in. This time, two girls and two boys.