Everyone gathered in a tense circle, debating their next move.
Jinni broke the silence. "Has anyone ever hit a target with precision before?"
Finn leaned forward, speaking carefully. "You have to focus with your eyes and steady yourself. Luck matters too, but… the dartboard is covered with red cloth, so we don't know exactly what will happen."
Logan smirked, mocking the others. "That's exactly what the Masked Man already told us. And here we are, still discussing the same thing."
Zoya snapped, her voice sharp. "Enough of this useless talk. Our only goal is to win. Stop making it worse."
Annie added quickly, "Yes, focus on winning. Don't make the situation worse for the opposite team or for us."
Zoya pressed on, trying to steady everyone. "We have to play together. Help each other. Save each other if we can. That's the only way we can minimize the damage."
Sara spoke next, her voice trembling. "Please, Jinni… don't make a mistake, or I'll be finished. I don't have any strength left to do anything."
Jinni met her eyes and forced a small nod. "Don't worry. I'll do my best."
Rose muttered under her breath, bitterness edging her words. "He tells us what to do but never what will happen if we fail."
Her words struck deeper than anyone wanted to admit.
Kai sighed. "Yeah… and I'm sure whatever it is, it'll be hell."
Annie tried to find sense in it. "Maybe the dartboard is filled with punishments. If we throw wrong, we'll face them."
Rose quickly followed, sharper now. "Then we have no choice. We make sure to hit the right target no mistakes."
The silence thickened.
Then the footsteps came. The Masked Man appeared, his voice calm but chilling.
"OK. Time is over. Now… I will explain the new rules for our new game."
He gestured, and the red cloth was slowly lifted from the dartboard.
Everyone froze, eyes widening in shock at what was revealed.