David turned to A.D., his eyes wide with concern. "How do we get to those quarters?" he asked, gesturing to the distant building across the shark-infested water.
"Only three of us have to go there," A.D. explained to David, "and then it's all set."
"What?" George interjected, clearly confused by the cryptic answer.
"Listen," A.D continued, his gaze sweeping over the group. "We have a rope. It's long and strong. We'll tie one end securely here, on the roof. Then, three of us will go across and tie the other end at a lower room window in the staff quarters. Once it's secure, it will create a rope slide, and then everyone else can easily make their way across."
The plan for crossing the shark-infested waters is clear and seems plausible, though still dangerous.
A.D. turned to George. "You and one of your boys, and I, will go there on a big, flat piece of stage table wood."
George offered a cryptic smile, then simply said, "Okay."
Shin quickly interjected, "No, you won't! I'll go instead!"
"No," A.D. responded, "you have to stay here because I can't trust George and his group; they might harm Suzanne."
Shin pondered for a moment, then suggested, "Then take Michael with you."
"Hmm, okay," A.D. agreed. "Then, George, come." George subtly spoke to his boy in secret.
Shin securely tied one end of the rope to the roof wall. A.D., Michael, George, and George's boy descended to where Sharleen, Suzanne, and all the remaining people were. A.D. instructed them to go to the rooftop and explained their plan.
"Why are you going?" Sharleen asked, worried. "Shin can go instead of you. If not, then I'll come with you!"
"No, you have to be with Suzanne," A.D. insisted. "It's a new place for her, and you have to save her at all costs. And for Shin, he has a family. If something happens to him, how could I face them? I won't lose anyone."
"Okay, but be careful, huh?" Sharleen said, her concern evident.
"Okay," A.D. replied.
They all climbed up to the rooftop. A.D., George, Michael, and George's boy quietly departed on the large, flat wooden table. They brought along some axes, big knives, and long wooden pieces to propel themselves. On their perilous journey to the staff quarters, the sharks remained some distance away. Slowly, cautiously, they moved across the water. Jane watched from outside the game, consumed with worry for A.D.
Halfway across, A.D. urged Michael, "Go fast, paddle quickly!"
"A.D., we're doing fine," George said, confused. "Why the sudden rush?"
George's boy, Henry, suddenly pointed. "George, look! The two sharks are coming right at us!" They immediately began to paddle faster. On the rooftop, everyone watched, their faces etched with worry.
They were almost there, but just as A.D. was about to disembark, Henry, George's boy, subtly pushed A.D. into the water.
"A.D.!" Jane screamed from outside, her voice filled with terror. Lisa, Suzanne's mother, was clearly terrified. Sharks began to circle closer to A.D.
On the roof, tears welled in Sharleen's eyes, and she frantically called out for A.D. A.D quickly threw a small packet of something far away from him, and the sharks immediately turned, swimming towards the distraction. Michael quickly helped A.D. out of the water and onto the staff quarters.
"Are you fine?" Jane asked from outside the game, her voice still trembling with worry.
"Hum, I'm fine," A.D. rasped. "But why are you asking? You were worried about me earlier, but then you were angry at me."
Jane realized her slip-up. "I was worried because you were there for my sister."
Inside the quarters, Michael suddenly grabbed an axe and lunged towards George and Henry. A.D. quickly stopped him. "Michael, leave it! Help tie the rope tightly, and then sit down." Michael, ashamed, complied.
One by one, the rest of the group slid across the rope to the staff quarters. Shin, David, and Sharleen immediately confronted George and Henry, slapping, punching, and kicking them until A.D. intervened to stop them. A.D. himself was shivering violently, water dripping from him, as the cold began to set in.
They all gathered around A.D. Sharleen hugged him. "Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.
"Are you fine?" Shin asked. Then, to Michael, "I told you to be with him!" Michael looked down, his face filled with shame.
A.D. gently pushed Sharleen away. "Shin," he said, "you have to warm you up. I think the water was too cold for you." Then, to Michael, "Go get some clothes from the staff things."
"Come with me, I'll help you," Shin offered to A.D. A.D. took a step, then stumbled and fell.
"Are you okay?" Shin asked, alarmed.
"Nothing," A.D. mumbled, his voice hoarse, "it's just because of the cold." Shin then led him to another room.
"What's happening?" Shin asked, truly worried now.
A.D., quietly, covering his microphone so only Shin could hear, said, "I think it's a side effect. It's the second time in the game. First, when I wished, and then now, your wish was for me to play with full physical fitness. But I don't think they're giving me much more time. We have to hurry up."
Suddenly, a message appeared on the hand of all players: "GET ON THE SHIP OUTSIDE THE COLLEGE WHICH IS ARRIVING IN 5 DAYS."