Arya's POV
I walked straight to the storage room and left Zack and Ambrose alone. I volunteered to be on watch with him, but Ambrose is there anyway and I could use some sleep.
I grabbed the dusty old sheet from the shelf and shook off the dust. Just when I was about to lie down, someone was behind me.
It was Nicole. She was standing still as if criticizing me.
She grabbed my arm and brought me to the empty space aware from the others. She quickly glanced at them, as if checking if anyone is awake.
"You knew," Nicole said without preamble, whispering.
Arya tensed. "Knew what?"
"How to access the system." Nicole stared directly into my eyes, without blinking. "The system doesn't just let people see things unless it wants them to. And yet, you you could access your screen when the rest of us couldn't." Her voice drops lower. "How?"
Arya clenches her fists. She could lie, but Nicole isn't the type to believe things at face value.
"I don't know why, okay? I just—figured something out," I said, without shifting my gaze onto her eyes.
Nicole steps closer, voice edged with distrust. "Figured something out? Or were you meant to figure it out?"
Before Arya can respond, Ambrose suddenly came out from nowhere.
He steps into the dim light, arms crossed. His usual smirk is absent. "Now, now. What are you two talking about?" His gaze lingers on me, thoughtful.
Nicole's expression tightens. "How long have you been standing there?"
Ambrose shrugs. "Long enough to know you're playing detective. And long enough to know Arya has a good reason not to answer you."
I was taken aback. Why is he suddenly defending me?
"It did save our life when she purchased the system token, right?" he smirked.
Nicole studies him, then me, before exhaling sharply. "Fine. Keep your secrets." She steps back, but her suspicion doesn't fade. "Just know that if you're hiding something that puts us at risk—I'll find out." Then she walks away.
Arya lets out a slow breath. "You're not going to ask me how I did it?"
Ambrose leans against the wall, watching her carefully. "I already know."
Arya's eyes widen slightly.
"Back in the surveillance room, when I saw you accessing the system, I was not surprised. But, I didn't say anything because, well... it wasn't my secret to tell."
He tilts his head, his voice gentler. "But you don't trust Nicole enough to tell her, do you?"
I hesitated before muttering, "It's not that simple."
Ambrose nods. "It never is." A pause. "I won't tell the others. If you want to, that's your decision. Just know I've got your back."
Something shifts between us—an unspoken understanding.
First, he saved my life and then, this. Maybe I could trust him.
He pat me in the back, then said, "Go, get some sleep. You'll need it. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow."
Then, he walked towards the surveillance room, out the door.
—
I woke up on the sound of a can being opened.
"Ooops. I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Ellie asked with an awkward grin on her face.
"Yeah, but it's fine," I said while rubbing my eyes, not used to the light.
"Here, have some peas," Ellie offered while grabbing a spoon on one of the boxes.
"Thanks," I said then got the can of peas from her hand.
"I haven't heard the system's voice for a while. When is the fourth trial?," she asked.
Ellie caught Nicole's attention. She turned her attention to us.
"So, you still don't know, huh?" she said teasingly while looking at me.
I swallowed hard, not even chewing the peas enough. What the hell is she thinking? I said I'm not ready to reveal it yet.
"The system will no longer give us any announcements as to when the next trial will commence," Nicole said.
I exhaled sharply, this woman is really testing my patience. But, how else would we know when and where is the next trial?
"But, how would we know anything?" Jake said, while munching on the bag of chips.
"We won't know when the next trial starts until the last hour. No warnings. No explanations. Just a countdown on our screens," Clark said.
A tense silence followed.
I don't know what to say.
Should I access it right here, right now? in front of the others? This would be a major advantage for us since we could prepare before it happens.
But, how would I explain it to them? They'd probably think I am with the system. Like I'm a mole or something. But, if I didn't tell them, that would also mean I am putting them at risk.
What the hell should I do?
I didn't notice that my grip was so tight around the can of peas until it bent. The weight of the decision settled like a stone in my chest.
If I accessed the system now, I could give them the edge they needed—knowledge, time, preparation. But at what cost? Would they trust me, or would they see me as a threat?
Nicole was already suspicious. Ellie, Clark, and Jake would question why I had this ability when no one else did. And Zack... Zack would want answers.
I glanced at Ambrose. He wasn't looking at me, but I knew he was aware of my dilemma.
Seconds stretched into eternity as I debated.
My fingers twitched.
If I hid it, people could die. If I revealed it, they might turn against me.
I inhaled sharply, pressing my lips together.
And then —
"I don't buy it," Zack spoke, breaking the silence. His voice was even, but there was a sharpness underneath. "The system always had a pattern. First, it counted down before trials. Now, suddenly, it won't?"
Nicole lifted a brow. "That's what you're questioning?"
Zack crossed his arms. "It doesn't add up. The system wants us to struggle, but it also wants a fair game. If it's taking away the countdown, then what's the trade-off?"
I hesitated. He was right.
There had to be something else.
I closed my eyes. Just for a second. Then, blinked it open.
System access.
The familiar sensation washed over me , the interface flickering into existence behind my eyelids. The others remained unaware. I tried to play it cool. I was eating my can of peas while stealing quick glances on my screen.
A screen materialized. There was a timer on the lower part of the screen that was not there before, if I remember correctly.
[10:59:58…10:59:57…10:59:56]
My heart pounded. Less than a day.
I exhaled, keeping my expression neutral as I eat.
Tell them? Or stay silent?
I clenched my fists.
Then —
"We should be careful," I said slowly. "If the system's hiding the countdown from us, it means we're already in danger."
It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the whole truth either.
Ambrose's gaze flickered to mine, knowing. Nicole narrowed her eyes.
Ellie shifted. "Then... we prepare for the worst."
I forced a nod, ignoring the guilt gnawing at me.
For now, I would keep this secret. Until I am sure.