Next Stop: Arena
My body rocked as the bus came to a stop at the red light.
Trying to ease my nerves, I fiddled with my hands. I had pushed myself to return to the arena today despite my many excuses—my hair wasn't washed, the tea didn't hit, stress got me acne. I was at war with myself.
The entire time, my thoughts were running in endless loops.
What if I meet that alien again and she decides to play with me again?
What if others join in to humiliate me?
What if–
"Next stop—Arena Administrative Zone."
I stood in front of the giant arena's gate—one of the many access points. The golden crying statue—I now understood why it cried… until it melted.
The arena was cruel and corrupt, like everything else.
My pulse thudded in my ears. The same few thoughts ate at me from the inside. That alien. Stella. And those eyes—watching me.
I swallowed.
I forced myself forward, ending the war before it could start again.
I walked through the vast grounds and entered the main building. The interior looked the same as that day.
Columns upon columns of ivory. They rose tall, reaching the ceiling. Emerald vines decorated the walls in vertical drapes.
Nothing changed except the atmosphere. Today, it felt cold. The warmth of that day was no longer here.
Chills ran down my spine.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
With each step on the marbled floor, I felt my heart racing faster and faster.
My heart clenched when I saw a glimpse of a familiar figure—those pistachio-green eyes, that silver crown—
My hands curled into tight fists. The next second, it was gone.
I was relieved.
My mind was everywhere at once.
I took a deep breath, collecting myself. I had to find Stella's office. Last night I messaged Stella. I got no response until late. She ordered me to come to her office.
Now, all I need to do is find it. Her office.
The doors looked the same. The same white-beige color and bronze vein patterns, reflecting the mosaic pattern of the ceiling: the burnt sienna and celestial blue constellations. Which one of these could be her office?
Bump!
Unaware of my surroundings, I collided with someone. My eyes took a few seconds before adjusting. It was a slightly tanned woman with blinding bright pink hair in loops.
"Ah–Sorry," I said.
"No, no, I am sorry. I was in a rush."
"No–"
"Gotta go!"
She rushed away before I could ask her for directions. I watched as a figure disappeared down the hallway. She did seem like she was in a hurry.
I clicked my tongue before turning around to walk straight ahead. There was no one in sight who looked kind enough to give me directions.
I stood there, contemplating whether to message Stella for directions or not. No, I don't want to message her. She already had issues with me when she treated me alongside her assistant.
Where is that robot who showed me around on the first two days?
I came to a stop, thinking about what to do. My feet tapped against the floor as I looked around for a kind gentle person. Just in time, a man swung his arms as he walked my way. Nonchalantly, as if the world didn't affect him. Black leather jacket, white t-shirt, and black jeans.
A human.
I took the opportunity to ask him. I took a deep breath in and out before stepping forward, raising a hand.
"Excuse me."
He came to a stop before me. He pulled earbuds out of his left ear as if I disturbed whatever he was listening to.
"Yes?"
"Do you know which way is Stella's office?"
"Stella's office…? You new here?"
"Yes."
He blew bubblegum and popped it, his eyes scanned me up and down as if thinking he should help me or not.
"You don't look like you would be here to join the security team, and you don't look like you are here to join the tech facility. Are you here for the medical bay?"
I smiled, shaking my head.
"No, I am a hero in the arena."
His eyes widened when I revealed it. He cleared his throat.
"Oops—you are not supposed to say that aloud."
My eyes widened. What did I just do? That was the number one rule, capitalized in the pamphlet. On top.
It was on top, capitalized.
"Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't–I forgot. Please don't tell anyone I shared it with you."
"Chill–chill. I won't tell anyone. It would be our little secret."
I let out a sigh of relief. At least he didn't feel like a threat.
"I am Zia."
I blurted out. Far too late to realize I shared my real name, which I was not supposed to.
What was wrong with me today?
"Sharing names? I am Ramūnas, which is hard to pronounce, so call me Roonie."
"Roonie."
I repeated.
"Does the no-sharing-names rule only apply to us, or—"
"We, the staff, can just relax."
He stretched out his arms.
"So, about Stella's office…?"
"Oh right, walk straight, there'll be an elevator on the left. Take it to the…second floor—nah, wait. Yeah. Second. Right side. Room 206."
"Floor 2, 206."
I repeated before following Roonie's directions.
I smiled as I continued my journey to the second floor. It was good to know that there were some good people in the arena.
And they happened to be only humans.
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