Chapter 5: It’s just economics my good sir

The team left the chemistry room, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and relief. The poison had taken its toll on them, but they had managed to find the antidote just in time.

As they made their way back to the entrance of the science building, the team began planning their next  move.

The team was walking alongside the trail, focused on their next challenge, when they suddenly spotted a young boy on the side of the road, struggling with a bike that had a bent and almost broken front wheel. Concerned, the group stopped and asked the boy if he was okay.

The boy looked up at them with tears in his eyes and explained that he had been riding his bike when he hit a pothole and crashed. He begged the team to help him fix his bike so he could get home.

Feeling sympathetic, the team decided to help the boy repair his bike. They worked together, using tools and spare parts the boy had with him,, until the bike was finally fixed. The boy thanked the team and smiled, revealing a sinister grin.

Just as the team was about to continue on their way, they heard rustling in the bushes nearby. Suddenly, another boy jumped out and exclaimed, “We got it!”

Confused, the team watched as the two boys took off and briefly glitching, leaving them standing there trying to make sense of what had just happened. They couldn’t shake the feeling that something sinister was afoot. Ignoring it for now they made their way towards the parking lot.

As they enter the parking lot, the gates close behind them and the lights go out. Burning spotlights turn on and security cameras armed with lasers begin scanning the area, searching for any signs of movement. Guards patrol the perimeter, ready to capture anyone who is not supposed to be there. Their phones start buzzing and a timer appears on the screen, counting down from 45 minutes.

A message from Dada appears, “use all of your skills and intelligence to find the locked car and free the person locked inside before the time runs out.”

They began their search through the cars in the lot for clues and items that would help them on their quest. As the team walked through the parking lot, they could feel the tension mounting as the clouds grew darker and the security measures intensified. They knew they had to be careful and stay out of sight of the cameras and guards if they wanted to have any chance of succeeding in the challenge.

The first puzzle they encountered was a series of clues hidden within a series of cars. They had to search through the trunks and glove compartments of each car, looking for any hint of where the locked vehicle might be. After much searching and trial and error, they finally found a map that led them to a specific section of the lot.

As they made their way to the designated area, they had to be even more careful to avoid being caught by the guards and cameras. They ducked behind cars and snuck through shadows, trying to stay out of sight. One member of the team was nearly caught when they were spotted by a guard, only narrowly dodging the guard’s flashlight beam in the darkness. Another member of the team felt their skin lightly burn from the intense heat of the spotlights as they hid behind a car. They also had to be mindful of the laser beams that were emitted by the security cameras, narrowly dodging them as they moved through the lot.

Finally, they reached the section of the lot where they thought the locked vehicle might be. They searched through row after row of cars, looking for any sign of the one they were seeking. They were just about to give up hope when they spotted a car that seemed out of place. It was a newer model, in pristine condition, while all the other cars around it were old and rusted.

The team knew they had found the right car. They searched around it and finally found the key hidden behind the tire. They quickly unlocked the door and jumped inside, relieved to have found the car before time ran out.

But their relief was short-lived, as they realized there was someone else in the car with them – a NPC who was running out of oxygen. They had to act quickly to find the correct key to unlock the NPC’s restraints and free them from the car before it was too late.

As they rummaged through the glove compartment and under the seats, they finally came across the second key. It was small and intricately designed, almost like a puzzle piece itself. They quickly inserted it into the lock and turned it, freeing the NPC from their restraints.

As they pulled the mask off, they were shocked to discover that it was Dana! They breathed a sigh of relief as she gasped for air, grateful to have been saved just in time. How did she even get there? They had no idea how she ended up in the locked car, but they knew that they had to get her out of there as soon as possible.

The group worked together to remove the chains and locks, freeing Dana completely from her restraints. She was grateful and relieved to be rescued, and couldn’t wait to get out of the car and out of the parking lot.

With Dana freed and the challenge completed, the team stepped out of the car and watched as the darkness and clouds faded away around them, signaling the end of the simulation. They knew they had just narrowly escaped a thrilling and dangerous challenge, and were anxious to figure out what had happened to Dana.

Their phones buzzed and again 1 Bitcoin was received by all four of the group and a message from Dada appeared. “Congratulations on another victory. Find your way back to where you’ve been, but take a different path this time. It will lead you to speeding success.”

What could that mean?

Their phones flashed and a timer for 18 hours remaining appeared on the screen. Already time seemed to slowly be slipping away. Also, the probability of  Dana remembering anything of what happened after the fall was proving fruitless. A case of amnesia only time would be able to tell.