The announcement made my stomach churn. I had just barely escaped being hunted, and the thought of going through another nightmare was unbearable. This was madness. Absolute madness. I had been through my fair share of trials in my mercenary career but nothing like that.

  I dropped to my knees, clasping my trembling hands together and shutting my eyes tightly.

  God, if you are listening, please save me from this insanity.

  I know I haven’t been the most faithful believer, but right now… I’m desperate. Truly desperate. I’ll pray, I’ll believe – just please, get me out of this hell.

  I stayed like that for several minutes. This was the first time in my life I’d prayed so fervently.

  When I opened my eyes again, I was still here in that god forsaken jungle.

  Deep down I knew it wouldn’t work but I had to try.

  From now on, this was going to be hell on earth, a real massacre.

  There was no time to think anymore, it was time to act.

  I got up and looked around.

  I needed to find a water point quickly. They would soon become strategic places to drink and ambush others. I couldn’t afford to be late and risk being stabbed in the back.

  Since following animals track to find a water source was impossible here, my only viable option was to use the vegetation.

  I walked slowly stepping on ferns, looking for any changes in the plants around me. The vegetation closest to water should be denser and more vibrant.

  But since this jungle wasn’t normal I wasn’t sure if this would work. At least I knew there was water underground because plants needed water to live.

  A few minutes later, black spots flickered in my vision, darkening with each step. A sudden wave of dizziness crashed over me. I felt a sickening drop, as if the ground had disappeared beneath my feet. My stomach churned, twisting with the weightless fall.

  My knees buckled without warning. Instinct kicked in, my calloused hands shot out, desperate for something solid, but only found empty air.

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  The ground closed in on me, and in a desperate effort, I managed to catch myself with both hands, narrowly avoiding a headfirst collision.

  My palms pressed firmly into the dark earth, holding me just above the ground. The rough soil cut into my skin, but I barely felt it over the spinning in my head.

  Surrendering to gravity, I allowed myself to collapse fully onto the ground, rolling to one side. I laid there for a moment, letting my dizziness subside a bit. Slowly, I pushed myself into a seated position, fighting to steady my spinning head.

  I couldn’t collapse. If I lost consciousness here, I would die. I needed to get it together and find water fast. If not I wouldn’t even pass the day.

  After a few minutes, my head stopped turning. I stood up to continue my search. But before I could take a single step forward the annoyingly cheerful voice boomed again.

  “Congratulations to ‘anonymous’ for killing Katy Maguire and taking first place in the ranking. The first-kill bonus will be added to your rewards. Only fifty-nine people left! Keep up the good work!"

  It had started. This meant that at least one person had a weapon now. Probably a gun or a riffle since we could choose. This was bad news; my Kevlar vest would protect me but I didn’t have any weapon and I wasn’t in the best state to fight against a bunch of elite warriors. If I crossed a strong one I might not make it out in one piece.

  I continued moving, faster this time, jogging silently to find water, branches and leaves brushing against my face, rustling in the wind.

  I jogged for several minutes, carefully avoiding each tree in my path, then my heart skipped a bit. For the first time since I woke up on this island, I found something that could quench my thirst. Not in the form I was looking for but this would do for now.

  I walked forward, heading toward the mango tree ahead of me.

  The mangoes looked deliciously juicy and mouth watering.

  The vibrant yellow-orange flesh of the fruit glistened, practically taunting me. I looked up at the ripe ones, clustered out of reach, and considered my options.

  Climbing was risky, since I would be exposing my back to anyone watching. But I couldn't hear anyone nearby and leaving without them wasn’t an option. I needed water and energy if I wanted to live.

  Gripping the rough bark of the trunk, I hoisted myself up, finding footholds and gripping low branches with sweaty palms. My muscles strained, my body protesting each movement. I climbed higher and higher, until finally, I was within reach of a cluster of mangoes. I plucked one carefully, tucking it into my breast pockets. Then another. Just as I reached for the third, a crackling sound made me freeze. It wasn’t a sound the tree had made.

  Somebody was approaching nearby.

  My heartbeat exploded in my ears as I tightened my grip on the branch. Then, I saw it. The metallic glint of a gun, shifting between trees as its wielder moved closer.

  No time to climb down. No time to think. I put the third mango in my pocket, kicked off the tree trunk to steady myself.

  An oddly familiar voice sounded.

  “Come out. You’ve got five seconds before I shoot.” said a tall and muscular blond man in his early thirties.

  My heart skipped a bit. I nearly couldn't believe my eyes.

  It was Fabian, one of my deceased teammates.