In a futuristic world "Nude Day" is celebrated in a unique and interesting way. Contestants between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five are chosen to play a game. In a world of voyeurs and advanced technology it's the perfect way to celebrate Nude Day.
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The cave was dark and damp and eerily silent. The opening was covered and the only reason I had found it was because I had tripped. The moment my feet stumbled I held my breath. I knew the snapping of twigs and the squishing of the wet mud would be an instant signal to my location. Instead of falling against what I thought was a hard rock; I instead fell into the dark opening.
I crouched down and slid until my back hit the cold wet surface that I assumed was a wall. I took a deep breath to calm myself and my eyes adjusted to the darkness. I heard nothing. That was a relief. It meant no one was around and it meant I had a few minutes to myself.
I held my breath as I heard sounds from above. I curled my small body tight against the cold wall and waited. I could not make out whom the voices belonged to but it didn't matter. Everyone was the enemy.
Outside was quiet and soon all I could hear was my rhythmic breathing. I knew sleeping was a bad idea so instead I ran through my head what I knew. It was a survival mechanism that had been taught to all of us. You are only as good as what you know.
I knew that there were eleven of us in the forest. Six men and five women. I was the youngest at twenty-one. Other than Briar who was twenty-five, everyone else was in their thirties. The goal was simple. Stay away from everyone else.
"I can do this," I said aloud. The camera could pick up even a whisper but I wanted to speak. I wanted to prove to the audience that I was going to last.
I ran my fingers down my arm and felt the small mark where they had injected me. I hadn't felt it go in, thankfully. I wasn't afraid of needles but the idea of something foreign in my body freaked me out. There was a microscopic tracking chip along with three vials of medicine. I didn't dare touch the spot for fear that it would shatter. I remember exactly how I felt when I was told about the vials.
My daydream was startled by a scream, a thump, and then a loud thud. I barely had time to register what was happening when something heavy landed on my foot. I screamed out.
"I'm sorry. Oh god Cassava."
I slid as far away as possible from Briar. My fingers gently touched the vials and I wondered how close we had to get for it to work.
"Stay away. Please!" I was crying now and felt the mud and stones digging into my bare buttocks and legs. I moved barely two feet and was against the far end of the cave.
"We're the only ones left," Briar panted.
"What?"
"You rolled away from the fire and took off to the North. I did the same but went east. I kept running but then stopped when I realized no one else was getting out."
"You're lying to me," I hissed. I tucked my legs into my chest.
