Ultimate Countdown

Kyle Walker stands outside a big building. Neon lights glow bright in the dark. The place looks strange, like a tech tower from the future. Blue light pulses on its walls. It feels like a gaming company, one of those new ones that pop up everywhere.

He breathes out. His breath shows in the cold air. "This is my only chance," he says softly. He checks his watch. 7:43 PM. Seventeen minutes to go. Kyle leans on a railing. His hands hide in his old hoodie's pockets. He came early to be sure.

Minutes pass. People start to show up. They come alone or in small groups. Nobody talks. They look calm but nervous, just like Kyle. He watches them. Men and women, young and old, stand apart. Some wear nice clothes. Others don't. A few carry backpacks. Most stare at phones or the building.

They're all here for the same thing. Nobody says it. 7:59 PM. Kyle breathes deep. His heart beats fast. At 8:00 PM, everyone moves. The quiet crowd walks to the entrance, like they planned it. Kyle goes with them. His chest feels tight.

Big glass doors close behind them. They make a soft hiss. The sound makes people jump. Kyle looks up. Small cameras sit on the ceiling. They watch everything. Some people shift and fidget. Others grab friends' arms and hold on. Kyle stays still. He checked this company before. It's just a gaming place. Nothing bad. He hopes.

They walk down a wide hall. Lights glow in the walls. The place is clean-too clean. Their shoes click and echo. Nobody speaks. The air feels heavy, like a storm's coming.

The hall opens to a huge room. Kyle's eyes go wide. TV screens cover the walls, floor to ceiling. Hundreds of them flash with weird text and symbols. It's all nonsense. Some screens blink fast. Others scroll slow, pulling at his eyes.

"What's this?" a guy mutters nearby. Kyle's stomach twists. This isn't what he thought. He expected a normal room, maybe chairs or a talk. Not this. It feels wrong. But he remembers why he's here. The game. The money. He pushes the bad feeling down. No quitting now.

He turns to a man next to him. He's short, with glasses. "Hey, you know the game?" Kyle asks. The man looks confused. "뭐라고요? 이해 못 해요," he says. Kyle blinks. Is that Korean? He scratches his head and looks away, acting like he didn't ask.

New footsteps echo. Not from the crowd. These are loud and steady. Everyone turns. At the far end, the wall moves. No-the screens slide apart, like a secret door. A man steps out.

He's tall. His black suit looks too perfect. A shiny gold mask hides his face. It reflects the creepy blue light. His hands stay behind his back. The crowd freezes. Nobody moves. Kyle's heart pounds. This feels bad, really bad.

The masked man stands still. He lets everyone stare. Then he speaks. His voice sounds robotic, deep, and cold. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Hunter Games."

The screens stop flashing. The weird text vanishes. They show one big picture now. An island. It's huge, with dark forests, rivers, and sharp cliffs. Big words flash across it: HUNTER GAMES.

The masked man spreads his arms wide. "You're confused about this game," he says. His voice sounds like he's smiling. "It's the future. And you-" He tilts his head. "You're the lucky ones who play first."

Kyle's throat feels dry. Nobody talks. The screens hum softly. He looks around. Some people look scared. Others stare at the island, eyes big. Kyle tries to stay calm. His hands shake a bit. He thought this was a simple game, like on a computer. This feels bigger. Scarier.

"Hey," Kyle whispers to a woman nearby. She has short hair and a backpack. "You know what's going on?" She shakes her head. "No clue," she says. "I need the cash. You?" Kyle nods. "Yeah. Me too."

The masked man keeps talking. "You're special," he says. "You want something. Money. A new life. The Hunter Games give you that shot." His voice echoes. "But only if you win."

Kyle's stomach drops. Win? What does that mean? He stares at the island on the screens. It looks dangerous, not fun. He leans toward the woman. "This ain't a normal game," he says. She nods, biting her lip. "Yeah. Feels wrong."

The masked man paces slow. "The rules are easy," he says. "Survive the island. Find the prize. Only one gets it." People whisper. A guy near Kyle mutters, "Survive? What's that?" Someone shushes him.

Kyle's mind spins. Survive? Is this a real island? Not a video game? He thinks of the money. He needs it bad. His family needs it. He can't leave now. But the words stick. Only one gets it.

The screens change. They show the island again. Dark trees sway. Rivers rush fast. Rocks look sharp. Shadows move-animals, maybe. Kyle's heart beats harder. "This is nuts," he says under his breath. The woman nods. "I didn't sign up for this," she says. "But I'm stuck now."

The masked man raises a hand. Everyone goes quiet. "You get one hour to prepare," he says. "Then the game starts." The screens flash a countdown: 60:00. 59:59. 59:58.

People start talking low. Some sound mad. Others sound scared. Kyle stands still, staring at the screens. He thinks of home. The bills pile up. The debts choke him. This game could fix it all. He clenches his fists. "I can do this," he says to himself.

The woman looks at him. "You ready?" she asks. Kyle swallows hard. "Gotta be," he says. "You?" She gives a small smile. "We'll see."

The masked man turns. He walks back through the screens. They slide shut. The countdown keeps ticking. Kyle looks around. People are tense. Some hug friends. Others stand alone, watching the numbers drop.

Kyle breathes deep. The Hunter Games are real. He's in. No way out.