Page 22 of Vendetta

“Gamemakers? Geez, that makes it sound like an episode of Squid Games or something. Kinda creepy.” I mused, grabbing a handful of popcorn. “So, who are these ‘Gamemakers’ anyways?”

“Again, nothing is confirmed, but it’s assumed that either one student or a small group of students run them, and that when that person or people graduate, they pass the position down to one of the winners from a previous year. It would make sense since they’ve been going on for over a decade.”

“Makes sense.” I agreed. It definitely sounded plausible. “What do the winners get anyway?” I asked, realizing that she hadn’t answered that question last time we had discussed Taken.

“Nobody knows.” Olivia shrugged. Bexley and I exchanged a glance, and she was the one to take the turn asking “What do you mean, nobody knows what the prize is?”

“It’s like some big secret. You don’t know what the prize is until you win. Some rumors say that it’s access to some secret room on campus, some say that it’s a cash prize. Some people even think that it’s an invitation to some secret society. All we know is that past winners have confirmed that there’s a prize, but also that they’re sworn to secrecy and face repercussions if they tell. So nobody knows.”

My intrigue was definitely piqued by this new knowledge. It wasn’t even the prize that I necessarily cared for, but just the prospect of figuring out what the prize was.

Olivia had proceeded to tell us all about her time playing last year. With the way she explained it, being abducted didn’t seem bad at all. Getting to do absolutely nothing for a week besides watch TV and read? Count me in. They had almost made it to finals but the other girl on her team had been abducted later on in the week. Apparently, each team was made up of both males and females to keep things fair considering that females tended to be easier targets. Being both female and freshman, Bexley and I would have to be extra careful since we lacked the experience that the upper-classmen had. We would certainly be prime targets.

“When does the last midterm end today?” Bexley asked Olivia.

“I’m not too sure, it can vary every year depending on the professors’ schedules, but I’m pretty sure that Friday classes don’t go later than five o’clock. Most professors prefer to schedule any evening classes earlier in the week.”

I reached across my nightstand, grabbing my phone and checking the time, the girls doing the same. It read four forty-six. My heart started beating faster, the anticipation thrumming through me.

We fell back into watching the show, the three of us less chatty as we awaited the text, counting down the minutes in our heads. It was half past five when it finally came through, all of us already with phones in hand. My heart raced as I read through the entirety of it.

UNKNOWN:

Landry Andrews,

Please consider this your official invitation into Taken.

The purpose of the game is to abduct and avoid. Should you accept, you will be sent a team name along with the names of your fellow comrades. Disclosing the names of fellow comrades is discouraged but not forbidden. It will be your own responsibility to seek out these comrades and decide on a strategy and home base where you will keep your hostage. You will have 24 hours to do this.

In exactly 24 hours, your team will receive a text containing the name of the team that you will be targeting, along with the names of the players in said team. Your mission as a team is to successfully abduct one person from your targetteam and keep that player hostage until the game ends and finals begin on Friday, exactly one week from today.

It is important to note that meanwhile, your team and the names of the players on your team have been sent to a different group, listing your team as their target.

The goal of this mission is not only to abduct a target, but to keep your team intact. If a player on your team is successfully abducted by a different team, your team will no longer qualify for the final round.

Finals will be held at 6:00 PM on Friday, October 11th at a disclosed location. Only teams that have successfully remained whole and have a hostage in their possession will be invited to participate.

GAME RULES

Hostages must be provided reasonable care, including shelter, food and water.

No weapons.

No excessive force or intentional bodily harm.

Refusal to follow the rules will result in immediate removal from the game. Players will be asked to sign a waiver upon entering stating that the game cannot be held liable for any trauma or bodily injuries.

Once the game has started, withdrawals will only be accepted in cases of injuries requiring immediate medical attention or loss of life.

By accepting this invitation, you are consenting to be a possible target of abduction.

Landry Andrews, would you like to participate in Taken?

Reply Y for Yes and N for No

-The Gamemakers

CHAPTER 11

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