Itsuki, look, a drone just dropped two letters.
"Two letters?"
"That sounds kind of fishy, you know."
"Uhh, come on, Itsuki. It's not like we're going to die."
"But, Hayato..."
"Uhh, let's open it. Maybe it has some important information."
"To be honest, there could be important things that I may need to know. But they can just send a message to our tablets, and the sun just got up. Not even an hour has passed. Then why?"
Then Hayato handed me a letter.
"Take it, Itsuki."
I took it.
"Itsuki, let's open it together."
"O...okay..."
Then Hayato counted:
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
"Let's open."
We both opened it at the same time.
I looked at the paper carefully; it had a very strong smell. Written in a small font were the words:
"Blood lottery begins..."
"Itsuki, I'm feeling dizzy after opening this."
I was feeling the same.
Could it be I have stepped into a trap?
But soon my eyes started to close. I looked at Hayato; his eyes were also closing.
And the last thing I heard after my eyes closed was:
"Take these two students. They will play the game."
(After a few hours)
When my eyes opened, I was shocked. I could hear my heartbeat.
It was an iron room. It looked like we were underground. I started to observe the place carefully.
I was in a bed, a small one. The surroundings were metallic. On my right side, there was a table and a glass of water. Then I saw it: a metal door.
I quickly stood up from my bed and started to walk towards the door.
I held the doorknob and tried to pull it, but it wasn't moving.
Maybe it is locked.
If I am in a situation like this, then where is Hayato?
But then I found a hope.
The door opened.
A man was standing with a gun.
"Hey, kid. Come out or you will be killed. Don't ask any questions."
....
I didn't say a single word and started to walk with him.
Even I fear death. If I don't listen to him I will die for sure.
While walking, I saw some students and heard some gunshots.
Finally, after walking for a minute, I saw many students gathered in a room. The man also pushed me, and soon I also got in the crowd.
After me, many students were coming. My backpack and tablet weren't with me; all I had was my wristband.
I tried to look at the time, but there was a message written:
"No signal. Please go to a different place."
There wasn't any signal.
I tried to look for anyone I knew, but I couldn't find anyone familiar, not even Hayato.
But then a hologram was cast in front of us.
"Congratulations to all the students who have survived this far. You can ask me any questions you have."
Then immediately a guy shouted, "Why are we gathered here?"
Then the hologram spoke again:
"You will be playing a game. The game's name is Blood Lottery."
"Blood lottery??"
It was the same thing that was written in the letter. I knew it something was wrong.
I was kind of scared. This game name was scary.
Then another guy shouted, "Why are only we here? There aren't more than 600 students here."
"All the students are playing this game. They are just in different rooms."
"Does anyone have any more questions?"
...
"There aren't any. So now I will explain the rules of this game."
Rules: There will be a jar full of papers. There will be different numbers written on them. All the students will take a paper. Then an elimination number announcement will be made. The authority will choose random numbers to announce. The student who has the exact same number as the announcement will be eliminated.
"Elimination means death in this game."
Huh. So this game is pure luck. Also, the authority can eliminate anyone they like, can't they?
Then it spoke again:
"So your game will start now."
The hologram ended.
A person wearing a mask brought a jar. There were papers all in different colors.
Two armed police were protecting it.
Then whispers started among all of them. Some were whispering who would go first, and some were talking about the fatality.
Then a student said in a loud voice, "I will go first."
All eyes locked on him as he walked towards the jar.
Then he put his hand inside the jar and took a paper.
Then the police told him to go to a different side from all the students.
Seeing him, many students' fear disappeared.
One after another, many students took a paper.
I decided that now I would also go.
Then I started to walk towards the jar. Not many people were staring at me because I was going a little late. If I had been going in first or second place, I would have been the center of attention.
I also took a green-colored paper.
And walked again towards the other group.
I saw my number was 53.
I calculated: the chances of being eliminated were extremely low because there are many numbers. If it is selected randomly, the chances of being eliminated are near 0%.
But I think there will be some kind of catch.
(A few minutes later)
As all the students took their papers, another hologram was played.
"Good job, students. You all have taken the papers. Now I will be announcing the elimination numbers."
Some students started panicking, but there was no choice.
"So, the numbers are:"
"77..."
"96..."
"42..."
"31..."
"107..."
"And 57."
Seeing the 5 of 57, my breath stopped. But I got my breath again.
Then all the students cheered except one.
He was the one who showed bravery by going first.
He started crying.
I confronted him, "What happened?"
He said in a trembling voice, "My number is 57."
I realized. He will now be killed.
I quickly left him alone. Staying with him would break him even more.
But then the hologram spoke again.
And the students started trembling again.