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After a short while of sitting and laughing in an attempt to relieve the pressure, everyone decided to move in search of Ziad, whom Amin suspected was missing in the Playroom. Everyone moved at once after distributing the walkie-talkies and flashlights, although the walkie-talkies were with the group leaders.
Group D, which was discussing the situation, heard Manal say: "These people are crazy—they left us alone, unaware of the danger that could befall us or the types of monsters that might attack."
As soon as Manal said this, everyone heard the sound of high-heeled shoes. They all turned and saw a tall, large-headed teacher with one eye, who looked as if she had never slept. She struck the blackboard and ordered everyone to take their seats. Everyone obeyed in fear. The teacher then took a long ruler and began asking cultural questions to all of them.
Teacher: "What is the largest ocean in the world?"
Rayan: "Ahhh, I don't know, I'm not sure."
The teacher struck him with the ruler, tearing off Rayan's head. He screamed, and Walid suffered the same fate. Fodoul met the same end. But Manal remembered the instructions and respected the classroom pact. When asked a question, she remained silent until the bell rang and the teacher left, even though Manal fainted afterward.
Meanwhile, Group B, which had passed the monsters smoothly, felt safe. Maryam began running and humming in front of Malak and Amin. Suddenly, a hand pierced her stomach. Blood spilled from her mouth, her eyes widened, and she tried to scream but could not make a sound. The others froze, averted their gaze from Maryam and the monster, until the entity—a headless man in a formal suit—left.
Amin: "It's the principal! Maryam broke one of the rules—running or singing in school is forbidden."
Malak: "Damn this bad turn of events..." (in tears)
Malak collapsed to the ground. Amin lifted her and said, igniting a spark inside her to empower her: "Think of those waiting for you—your mother and father. They will cry for you. Fight for them. Don't let the reunion of the survivors be filled with your family's tears and our silence."
Group A was also in a miserable state. Adam, stopping for a moment, said to the others:
"Friends, sometimes humans fear goodness, and sometimes we fear evil. In both cases, either our fear affects us, or we are consumed by it. Seeking ways to escape fear only lets fear create its own paths for you. I prefer to face things steadily. Steadiness is the foundation of everything—it's the basis of construction. I want you to be like the ocean: messy on the surface, but beautifully deep beneath. Even the fiercest conflicts hold beauty. Amin didn't tell you that fear is a two-faced coin and a double-edged sword—you either meet your eternal grave or eternal bliss. After reflection, we hold the power to decide the coin's fate."
Malah: "Why are you telling us this now? Are you afraid?"
Omnia: "Adam, are you alright? You seem to have complicated things in your mind."
Salma: "I don't like things this complicated. Please simplify without the philosophies."
Adam, turning to continue his path, said: "Don't think, just do what you think. Understood?"
Group C finally discovered stairs leading downward. Hassam spoke on the walkie-talkie: "Friends, I found a lower floor, it seems!!!" (happiness)
The other leaders replied simultaneously: "Yessss!!!"
Hassam closed the walkie-talkie and advanced. The others followed. Nadi noticed her hair accessory had fallen, but she couldn't pass. Yahya pushed it aside to proceed.
Hassam: "Nadi, you idiot! Did you do this on purpose?"
Nadi: "Don't blame me! As a leader, you should check the stairs before going down or even returning to guide Group A. These are your mistakes and reckless decisions."
Hassam raised the walkie-talkie. They were still at the top of the stairs, unable to proceed as if an invisible barrier blocked them.
Hassam (on radio): "Friends, we tried descending the stairs, but returning is impossible as if an invisible barrier is blocking us. I repeat, this is a dangerous spot."
The group leaders replied: "Understood. Find an exit and keep moving; there's no other choice."
Hassam: "Alright."
Nadi looked at the last stair, which resembled a dark basement. She was afraid of the dark and what might lurk, so she refused to descend with the team. They tried to convince her to face her fear because moving forward was the only way.
Nadi: "I wish I hadn't come to school today. Damn this school and everything in it!"
Group A entered the school playground. Adam saw a baseball bat, took it, and remembered how his mother encouraged him in his childhood baseball games. But as he grew older, he noticed her absence in the stands—a fear he had overcome. Now, his fear was losing her in the stands of life. Suddenly, a baseball was thrown forcefully toward Omnia. Adam hit it just in time to prevent her head from flying off. Fear flashed in everyone's eyes as Adam and the others noticed a gelatinous, amorphous being with a single floating eye.
The creature melted and absorbed all the baseballs around it. A recorded voice played over the school microphone:
Voice: "Try to block the balls and score points, while also protecting your friends. Naturally, there's a reward—identity cards of some random entities you haven't met yet. Ha ha ha! Let's begin the game!"
All groups heard this. Malak and Amin rushed to find Group A. As they approached Group A's radio, they heard scratching noises and continued until they entered the playground. They found Adam blocking the balls. After a few seconds, Adam couldn't block any more balls. Amin grabbed another baseball bat and helped Adam, who had blocked three balls before his bat fell. Malak and Mullah carried Adam and hid in the stands. The monster increased the challenge, throwing more balls. Amin's wrist was hit, and his bat fell. Only one ball remained. Everyone waited to see who it would hit. Suddenly, the ball expanded, forming a floating hole.
Mullah: "Watch out!!!!!!!"
The ball flew at incredible speed. Malak intercepted it, taking Amin's bat and saving Omnia at the last moment, blocking the ball, though her bat broke. She kicked Omnia away just in time, and the ball pierced the ground. Amin, Mullah, Omnia, and Malak hugged each other, thanking Adam, without whom they would have all died.
After this critical event, the two groups returned to the classroom, unaware that someone was spying on them—it seemed to be a girl.
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