Atticus’s eyes brightened as he quickly pulled out his phone.


    “Then let’s call the police toe help us.


    ”


    Hannah looked at him with pity.


    “You’ve been on the ind for days before us.


    Haven’t you tried to contact the outside world?”


    As Atticus dialed, he replied, “I was terrified yesterday.


    I didn’t think to call the police.


    Why can’t I get through?”


    After several failed attempts, Atticus’s expression darkened.


    “There are signal blockers here.


    We’ve tested it.


    We canmunicate among ourselves on the ind, but getting a message out or calling for help is impossible.


    ”


    Bang!


    The phone slipped from Atticus’s hand and fell on the floor as he looked up in shock.


    “So… we’re just going to wait for our death here?”


    Hannah replied, “It’s not exactly waiting for death.


    The fact that we signed the agreement means he isn’t nning to kill us outright.


    He sees this as a twisted game, which shows he’s cold-blooded and indifferent, treating human life as a mere ything.


    I think we’re dealing with someone who has serious mental issues, a real psychopath!”


    Atticus shook his head vehemently.


    “No! No! If he were truly mentally ill, I’d be able to tell.


    He seemed like a normal person.


    ”


    “He’s not intellectually impaired.


    It’s more like he has a mental disorder akin to an antisocial personality.


    He may seem perfectly normal on the surface, maybe even highly intelligent.


    ”


    When Atticus heard Hannah’s exnation, his legs trembled.


    “So, we’re just going to be yed to death by him here.


    ”


    Seeing his fear, Hannah offered ‘kind’fort, “I suggest you don’t panic.


    Since you haven’t signed the agreement, if he decides to kill you, it’ll likely be after us.


    But if you show any signs of suspicion, you’re guaranteed to die before us.


    Let me be clear, if you die before us, don’t me me for not escaping the ind with you.


    ”


    Atticus gulped loudly.


    He looked at Hannah with eyes full of fear, trembling slightly.


    How could she say such chilling words so matter-of-factly? Was she starting to seem more like the one with a sociopathic personality?


    Bryson, who had been silent, spoke up, “Of course, if you die, we could technically fulfill your condition by taking your corpse with us when we escape.


    ”


    Who the hell were these people? Atticus thought.


    Atticus gritted his teeth in frustration, seething with anger internally, yet he masked it with a forced calmness.


    “Let’s set aside this discussion for now.


    Can we focus on devising an escape n?”


    “Themunication signals are blocked, and the boat is out ofmission,” Hannah exined with an even tone.


    “Our only choice is to participate in tomorrow’spetition.


    We must figure out a way to win that game if we’re going to secure our escape.


    ”


    A glint of mischief appeared in Atticus’s eyes.


    “Or perhaps we don’t have to.


    Mr.


    Mitchell is exceptionally adept.


    What if we slipped back tonight, overpowered the individual behind this, and forced him to disable the blocking? We could escape without needing to win any game!”


    “That’s not a bad idea,” Hannah responded, her face expressionless.


    “However, the ind is riddled with surveince cameras.


    And although we’ve only encountered one staff member so far, there’s no telling how many more might be lurking unseen.


    I prefer not to take rash actions without a full grasp of the situation.


    Unless, of course, you’re offering to be the decoy?”


    Atticus’s expression shifted to difort.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “Uh… on second thought, let’s forget that n.


    ”


    Realizing Atticus had reconsidered, Hannah pressed on, “Just ensure you don’t reveal anything.


    If you slip up, we might not be able to rescue you.


    ”