Uncharted

[Caira Ayryn]

Ultimate Game

“One of us is going to have to choose death.” Merik told Caira candidly, “Neither of us can afford to be stopped here, not after we’ve come this far. We both have our goals as to what is out there.”

“All our work, everything we did, our progress. Gone. That isn’t the game though, it’s to figure out which one is which... Right?” Caira attempted but was matched with Merik’s absolute silence.

“It might be easier if we act on random.”

“How am I supposed to drink it if my arms are in these restraints?” she challenged the omnipotent voice of their enemy, speakers blasted overhead in response.

“FINE, I’ll release you girl. But, no funny business or I will kill you both.”

With the chains released from her wrists, she went over to the bottles and examined them, then brought them closer for Merik to see. All three were identical in content, however could be distinguished by three different shapes of glass bottles: A square, a prism, and a circle.

Caira held them up to the light and neither cast an opaque shadow. Each were as clear as any water she had known. “Any ideas Merik?”

“I haven’t the faintest,” he admitted with a defeated sigh.

Time lingered and loitered, passing lethargically in the darkness. Their countdown began to glow in red analog numbers on a timer now at the thirty minute mark. Caira continued to analyze and smell the liquid, doing all the creative things she could, even shaking to see if bubbles were created. The Prime lit a match underneath and yet there was no visible effect to the heat.

“Hm, even the vibrations are the same. Say, voice-man, are you gonna give me a hint? Or would you rather I chuck this hunk of glass at the wall and you can give me your best shot?" she challenged.

Suddenly a roar of applause and laughter surrounded her and the lights came on to show that they were in an underground stadium. An audience. She saw the stadium, surrounding the two Primes, they were in full view of her spectators. Video cameras scoped toward them and and prodded in her personal space all at once.

“Welcome to the Ultimate Game! Where you play to win the ultimate prize, your life.” he announced in his television voice.

“What is this Merik?” she looked to him for answers.

“TV shows are for bored people looking for a thrill, you wouldn't understand. But I guess life isn’t perilous enough for them, so they have to put other people into a seat of death and make them do tricks, while baiting them with a single bone.”

“Huh, that so?” Caira pondered.

“You asked for a hint! So we revealed the cameras. At ten minutes we also give you a FUN fact!” he announced to his audience and his voice rooted on and analyzed her actions for her to hear, “Stay tuned to see our two Prime prisoners choose their fates! What will the girl do next to save her lover? Or, will she attempt to escape on her own and save herself? Find out after this short break.”

...

“Oi, old man. We aren’t together.” Merik pointed out, as though his dignity was on the line.

A menacing threat protruded from the now-visible announcer’s lips, “Shut up you. This show is live. L-I-V-E. You hear that? You’ll put on a good act if you want to live.” The man wore a suit, had slicked back black hair, and a not-so-flattering malice in his brown eyes as he threatened the chained Merik.

The ten minute mark flashed in red analog text against the black wall. “It looks like it's time for the FUN fact!” his enthusiasm was only surface-deep, “In order for either of you to escape and be set on your way, you must drink all three of the bottles.”

“What? All three? Why? Doesn’t that just mean someone chooses to take double the poison and the other lives? Assuming it's even been distinguished.” Merik was exasperated, something about the restraints seemed to be effecting his energy as he panted in heaving singular breaths.

“Huh. That makes it easier.” Caira reasoned to herself as the announcer watched alongside the crowd and she began to open one of the bottles.

“How does that make it any easier?” Merik demanded through curt exhales.

Her eyebrows raised, “It’s simple, I’m going to drink all three.”