SECOND'S / HEAVIEN LUVITOS' POV
"Mr. President, here it is," I handed him an extra lunch meal. I'm getting an intimidating vibe from him; that's why I call him by his class position. I guess it won't bother him.
"What's that?" he asked, frowning and closing the book he was reading.
It's lunchtime, and I went to the library. They said that he was often there when he was not busy and that he rarely ate lunch because he is a busy person.
"Rice and a stew. My mom and I cooked it. When we received the money, my mama and brother wanted to thank you, so the only way we could give back was through this lunch box."
I hope he'll appreciate this. He's ridiculously rich, and this simple dish might not suit his liking. My mama suggested cooking a dish for him as a thank-you gift. At first, I hesitated, but Mama insisted.
We are grateful to him because at that time we were really in need of money. Days have been tight, so that was a huge help to our family.
"Y-You don't have to do that." He must be embarrassed like me right now.
"Please! Mama and I can't sleep if you don't accept it."
I actually bowed in front of him so that he would accept that. My mother assured me that if I didn't give it to him, she would be sad. I must, at least, give this to him.
"Okay, if that's what you want." I smiled broadly when he took it. I would have said goodbye to him when he had something more to say. "But in one condition ..."
"Mm?" He has his conditions set on me. What could it be?
"You'll eat with me."
Those fateful meetings with First were memorable. Of all the people who have seen my painting, he was the only one who questioned me about its eyes. He might not directly have the same interpretations as mine, but I know that he relates to the meaning behind my painting. Aside from making it a visual presentation of my emotions and thoughts, I also portray the girl in the painting.
"Ahhh!"
"Ugh!"
My attention returned to what was happening now. I stumbled upon Rochevel.
"Are you alright?" I checked her.
"Yes, b-but First is ..." She raised his head.
I moved my hands when I felt something wet on the floor. I looked at it, and it was red... Where's First? I lifted my head and saw First's right arm was bleeding! Thirzen is holding his big knife with blood on it.
"Bwahaha! Playing hero, huh?" Jecko sneered with a wicked voice.
First didn't say a word and just pressed his bleeding arm while staring into Jecko's mischievous eyes. What if Jecko's knife is the one that contains poison among the seven?!
"Run," First whispered to us.
"No-"
"I said run. I'll deal with this one."
Rochevel clung to my arm. The two of us were still sitting and wondering what was going to happen. Rochevel pulled me away to run, but I couldn't leave First all alone with Jecko.
"Please, I swear I'll be back. And please come back safe... Heavien."
Something tickled my heart when I heard my name called by his deep voice. I nodded to him and held back the tears. I ran with Rochevel, then I noticed that the others had moved away.
"Hey, you two! I'm not done with you!" Jecko shouted and was about to chase us when First blocked him.
"Kill me first."
I closed my eyes without seeing what happened next. I also dealt with hearing a lot of groans of pain. Rochevel and I ran until we found a hiding place. We sat while catching our breath. That was the first time I heard from First's mouth that he called me by my real name. Maybe I should call him by his name as well. I close my eyes when I think about his situation. As much as possible, I don't want to see such a scene again. I get scared every time I see someone hurt. I get hurt when someone is hurting because of me.
Rochevel and I are here in the kitchen. We just sat on the floor as she embraced me. Her hands trembled while holding the knife that was the third largest. She also showed me her marking on the chest, and that was 'Jupiter'. Maybe our new markings have to do with planets. I first laid my knife on the floor and rested for a while. I found out that Jecko is the one who manipulates Neinuko's shadow at 1:00 am because:
First, one extra bedroom for a boy. This indicates that another player will join. Also, our rooms are arranged by number names. And because between Brenille (Third) and Trake's (Ninezen) room is the extra room, Fifth, Seventh, Eleventh, Thirzen, Fifzen, and Sixzen; one of our fallen friends is the new player between Brenille and Trake's number names.
Second, an extra seat in the dining area. There are only six of us, but why are there seven seats?
Third, there is a shadow. The shadow is Neinuko's figure. At the appearance of that monster, two victims died, Eleventh and Jecko. We buried Eleventh's body. But Jecko's body remained missing, so there was a chance he was still alive.
Fourth, that shadow appears exactly at one o'clock in the morning. He doesn't show up at that specific time for fun, but it's because of the clock. A clock has 12 numbers. When the hour hand points to one, it has two meanings. It's either back to one or it starts at number thirteen. First is alive, so he can't be the new player. It is also possible that the clock represents us, the 24 players. 24 hours = 24 players.
"Heavien" Rochevel called me.
I turned to Rochevel. "Mm?"
"What's going on there? Maybe First is already done. Can we go out?" she asked softly.
I was silent for a while because I was worried about First and the others as well.
"Can you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Maybe the best thing is, I'll just go to the living area, and you'll stay here in the kitchen first. I'll come back to you when everything's okay."
"But it's dangerous out there alone."
"It will be more dangerous if the two of us go out. Stay here and make no noise, okay?"
She nodded and clung to her knees.
"Be strong," I told her, and she gave me a hug.
"Be careful, Heavien."
"Mm," I nodded. "Keep your knife just to make sure."
After saying goodbye, I prayed before finally leaving the kitchen and walking slowly to the living area where First and Jecko had fought earlier. Nervous, though, I have to be steady. Rochevel might not be able to do this, so I volunteered. We have to make our move soon. I don't know what will happen if I don't try, that's what I whispered to myself. I took a deep breath. I gripped my knife tightly and opened the door out of the kitchen. I successfully went out of the kitchen. A few more steps to the living area. I was stunned at my stand.
My eyes widened when I saw that there was a knife pointed at my neck.