The Billionaires Ultimate Challenge

A moment ago, I was running on the track field; the next second, I find myself standing in a completely unfamiliar place. Alongside me are other students from the track field, now assembled on a vast plain with no buildings in sight, just endless fields under a deep starry sky.

“Players, welcome to ‘Fatal Escape: The Ultimate Survival Challenge’ ,” a mechanical voice announces from the sky, “This is a test of wit and courage. Now, please choose your partners. Attention, you cannot select from the 100 people present or a partner already chosen by another player. Each of you has one minute to make your decision. Player number 1, please demonstrate.”

I look around, noticing that everyone has numbers displayed on them; mine is 32.

“Timing begins now.”

I lift my head and see a one-minute countdown appear in the sky, while a virtual screen with a soft keyboard materializes in front of player number 1, presumably for typing in a partner’s name.

As the countdown ends, player number 1 has not made a choice. He looks up to the sky and asks, “May I abstain?”

However, the only response is the emotionless mechanical voice: “Any attempt to interfere with the game process or violate the rules will be punished. Player number 1, you have failed to select a partner within the allotted time. According to the game rules, you will be eliminated.”

No sooner has the voice spoken than flames erupt from beneath player number 1, engulfing him completely as he screams in agony, clutching his head and rolling on the ground, yet the flames only grow more intense..

I want to help him, but I fear that intervening would be seen as tampering with the game, making me the next to burn.

In the end, I am a selfish person; I would not risk my life for another. All I can do is silently pray for him, hoping someone else will step forward.

Yet, no one does, and he is reduced to ashes.

Silence falls over the field until the mechanical voice announces, “Player number 1 is eliminated. player number 2, please demonstrate.” Then, bursts of screams erupt from the crowd.

Player number 2, clearly terrified, faces the virtual screen, trembling. The relentlessly ticking countdown does not allow much time for composure, and with only three seconds left, he types in the president’s name.

In such circumstances, it seems nobody wants their loved ones or friends in jeopardy. I sigh, realizing tonight, many will inexplicably suffer.

Whom do I choose as my partner? Parents, teachers, classmates are off-limits, and as for others… how could I know their names?

What do I do?

I take a deep breath, telling myself, “Alia, do not panic. You are number 32. You have half an hour to think.”

I assume we will choose partners in numerical order. But the next second, the mechanical voice shatters my illusion.

“Player number 3 to 100, please select your partners following the demonstration within one minute. Timing begins now.”

As soon as the announcement ends, a virtual screen appears before me. Panic sets in, with the countdown rapidly decreasing. The more I hurry, the less I can think, and the less I can think, the more I hurry.

30, 29, 28…

I glance at the countdown, and my back is soaked with cold sweat. What do I do? If all else fails, I will choose my parents, but my mom or my dad?

20, 19, 18…

My mind goes blank; I cannot even remember their names. What do I do?

10, 9, 8…

Clarity begins to return to my mind. The evening news from yesterday plays back in my head—

“We begin the day with what could be the ultimate M Company challenge that M Company will probably lose today. M Company’s CEO Bai-Wan Chee went to Washington to tell lawmakers that they have nothing to fear …”

Bai-Wan Chee, it is you.

I type Bai-Wan Chee on the screen, mentally apologizing, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I had no choice.”