A second later, it stopped and It looked straight at her.
She didn't scream. She didn't even make a sound. Her stomach just turned over, and she bent, body shaking as she threw up right there on the floor.
But she didn't stop moving.
Didn't stop running.
Fear dragged her forward anyway.
"Four."
The number fell heavier this time.
Because now almost everyone understood—
There was no safe choice.
Only faster death or slower death.
The remaining few hesitated only a fraction longer before bolting toward the portal, desperation stripping away whatever resistance they had left.
Bodies disappeared one after another.
The projection above flickered with new motion.
New shapes.
New sounds that didn't quite reach the arena— but didn't need to.
"Five."
The final number landed.
And for a second—
There was still one left.
He hadn't moved.
