I couldn’t stand to look at it. I bolted to the bed, still dripping and planned to stay there for the rest of the night. Half an hour passed, then an hour, and I didn’t move.

If I could have gone home right then and there, I would have.

I covered as much of myself as I could while still being able to breathe and tried to dry my hair a little. I couldn’t help myself, I started crying softly. I didn’t even know what I was crying about. Was it the idea that someone had been in my room, or the warning itself? The pounding of my heart sounded very loud and I was shivering from fear and the cold.

I thought I might not feel warm again that night, but somehow, I got comfortable enough to softly cry myself to sleep. I didn’t wake up until sometime in the morning, when there was a loud pounding at my door. At first, I didn't recognise where I was, or who could be knocking, but then I heard the voice of Katie B calling me as she knocked:

“Good morning third place!” (Is that my name now? Third place?)

KNOCK KNOCK

“Are you coming to breakfast?”

KNOCK KNOCK

“Hello?! Do I need to get security?” (No no no no no no!)

I couldn’t handle the idea of someone coming into the room, so I screamed back:

“I’m just getting dressed, I’ll be right there!”

The clothes I had ordered had come into the chute at night, and even though they were completely unfamiliar to me, I’ve never gotten dressed so quickly in my life. I wanted to be with people, safe people, even though someone here had sent me the scary warning. I barely ran a brush through my hair before bolting out of the room.

I was walking as fast as I could, deep in thought. Despite the fact someone had been in my room, I was consumed with guilt. What did I do wrong, to attract the warning? Who was watching me? How did they get in? I had to push my panic and fear deep down into my chest and pretend to be normal. (I can do normal… I’ve pretended to be normal before, I just have to do it again.)

I reached an open room near the lobby space and Speedy Sue was already there with Katie (Of course… where else would she be?) I was reaching for the doorknob when another hand closed over my and I leapt back. It was Marcus.

“Sorry, you go,” he said.

I blew out a long, hard breath. “Sorry, no, you go.” I stepped back and gestured to the door.

“I’ll flip you for it,” he smiled, holding up a coin.

The smile, more than what he said, brought me to my senses. He was making an effort to be nice, I was ok with that, so I nodded. “Call it,” he added, getting ready to flip the coin.

“Um, heads.”

Smiling, he flipped it in the air and deftly caught it. It was heads, so he took a step back, bowing a little. “You win.”

“Thank you.” I didn’t know what to say, so I just smiled and entered.

There was a place card with my name on it and a small parcel was sitting next to it. There weren’t any parcels next to Marcus’s place card, who was sitting next to me, but clearly Speedy Sue was very popular, she had a huge bunch of flowers and three parcels, all opened. Someone had sent her a necklace, a candle and a bottle of perfume.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“FINALLY!” squealed Speedy Sue. (Since when does she talk to me?) “Hurry up and open it, Third Place. We need to get your reaction for the broadcast.” (If we’re going to use nicknames, I wonder how she’ll feel about Super Cow.)

I ignored her. I was too tired and worn down for her demands, and in a super chill, super cool way, I looked around and read the menu that sat between my spot and Marcus’s. I selected jasmine tea and some porridge with berries and continued to ignore her. (I’m not a bad-ass, but I can’t deal with her right now. I will look busy and important!) When Marcus finished scrolling through the menu and ordering, I finally picked up the parcel and studied the outside.

There was something familiar about the wrapping but I couldn’t place it, so I gently opened it and laughed right away. It was a photo from my wall at home. It showed my mother, me and my best friend Hannah at Rollerena, the indoor roller rink in our town. We had our hair done for the party, it was 1960’s themed. We’re all smiling and making peace signs at the camera and Hannah is holding a daisy between our faces. The note attached just said: “We love you!”

We looked so goofy, so happy, that something inside me snapped. I cried a few little tears of happiness while I hugged the photo to my chest. It must have looked great for the camera because I heard Speedy Sue murmur, “Oh, please… it's not even… urghh…”

I was having a serious moment, as if they weren’t even there until I heard a soft cough beside me and the food was being delivered. Speedy Sue had already left the table to do some publicity photos, she must have eaten already. I remembered how real she’d looked last night, but she was back in Super Cow mode, stunning from head to toe. (Meh, I think I’m actually too tired to care about that. Man, I need that tea…)

I set up the photo so I could look at my family and bestie, Hannah, while I ate my porridge and drank my tea. I was stirring, remembering the night of roller skating, when Marcus spoke.

“So, sleep well?” (I almost forgot you were there! Better speak…)

“Actually no, it was pretty bad. You’ll probably beat me again.”

He smirked. He spread butter over his bread and replied, “Hey I never said I slept well… we might have to share the third-place podium.”

“Better you than Sue,” I shot back, before I could stop myself. (Shouldn’t have said that…. Sound like an idiot. Duck head strikes again!)

But he actually gave a small laugh and then chewed his toast. “She’s intense. Did you watch the whole first series of KSK?”

I decided to be honest. I was too tired to NOT be.

“Not all of it. I know it was a big deal but I work and study so… I didn’t have time. I think I caught the last four episodes.”

“So, you’ve seen a little more than me?” (What? What does THAT mean?)

He must have read my confused expression because he added, “I haven’t seen any of it.”

Then he saw my surprise and asked, “But this was like… your dream?”

“Honestly, yes. I love the idea of having my own coffee shop, but … (STOP telling him stuff, STOP talking, duck head!)

“Things aren’t what you expected?” he finished.

“Exactly.”

We fell into a strange, comfortable silence as I ate my porridge and sipped my tea. Katie B pulled Marcus away to get some photos, but she looked right past me. (Um, I’m here too? You call me Third Place?)

Without talking to Katie B, I was totally unprepared for the next announcement which came blasting over the speakers:

PLAYERS, RETURN TO THE LOBBY

PLAYERS, RETURN TO THE LOBBY

I finished my last mouthful and walked over behind the others. I didn’t want to dwell on what happened last night, I wanted to keep busy and stay in the moment, not letting it get to me. I went straight to my normal spot and waited for the neural link.

I was worn down, tired and not in the mood for nonsense. Something possessed me for just a second and I walked over to Marcus and high-fived him. “Good luck Marcus, you’re a cool guy.” I felt Speedy Sue’s eyes burning into me, and possibly even Katie B’s but I didn’t care.

As the countdown started, I connected my headset nonchalantly. Something was up with me, more than the tiredness and stress from the night before. I would act strong, stronger than I felt. My mum and Hannah believe in me, I can do this.

I am not weak.

I’m not a coward.

I won’t be intimidated.

MISSION THREE: GO!