Stay Around You Now And Forever

There was basically no suspense for the contest next morning. Rufus brought his usual skills into play without making a mistake. Since no team would be eliminated in this contest, no one had paid much attention to it, as long as they could perform well like they used to. It all depended on both Joe and Sally's performance in the afternoon now. For them, completing the complicated picture with sixty grids was not an easy task. Yet, if they were able to complete it smoothly, there was definitely no problem for them to be shortlisted into the top five. It was just that when Rufus returned after finishing the competition and everybody rested in the classroom, the atmosphere of the whole team was absolutely dreadful.

"Why did he quit all of a sudden? What's going on? Is he being kidnapped?” Lois was baffled by Aryan's decision to leave their team at the point when they were about to make into the top five. His leaving had cast a tremendous disaster on top of them. Even if Sally and Joe could complete their part later in the afternoon and make into the top five, they were destined to lose without a lead drawer for tomorrow's final. "How come? Emi, are you sure it's really him who says that? Have you called him?”

"I have, but he didn't pick up. But someone's seen him in the morning and he looks fine.” Emily's words consoled them but also pushed them to the edge of despair at the same time. "So, it really is Aryan who wants to quit. But why during this crucial moment?” Sally was upset and Lois was looking despondent. Yet Terry closed the window and glanced at them, and he said, "Those people are gone.”

"Who?” The people were startled and did not get what he meant. "Someone's been watching us since last night. Rufus was also being watched when he went to the competition this morning.”

he immediately glimpsed through the window. They were at the first floor and the window was facing the laboratory building behind. One avenue and two small pathways persisted between the two buildings. It was noon and everybody had gone to rest. Only a few students passed through occasionally and nothing seemed aberrant. "I saw someone spying on us when I sent you back to your room last night.” Terry pursed his lips. "Now I get it. You ask me and Sally to stay together no matter how because you're scared someone would harm us?” Joe pondered and instantly felt intimidated. "But why didn't you stay

after that. They've been solely watching

it's pointless to watch us now. Without Aryan, even if we do make into the top five, we don't have the capability to make into the top three.” Lois lied on the desk and she was so dispirited that she could not raise her head. Not to

was gone? Their score would certainly be low at this point. And how could they find another lead drawer during this crucial moment? Although Joe could become the lead drawer, there was a huge gap between him and Aryan in terms of professionalism. Drawing was only a hobby for Joe as his main career concerned computer technicality. He was no match against Aryan as they did not belong to the same level. Sally also lied

keeping a long face. How could she be positive? Everybody had lost their hope when Aryan quitted. Since those who wanted to harm them could have a rest now, their safety was

for a while, Lois then led Joe and Sally to the registration counter again. This time, the whole team set off together and Emily led the others to the hall. Everybody cared strongly about the last game before being shortlisted into the top five. No matter how tomorrow's situation would be, they had to make into the top five first at least. "It's Aryan!”

eyes. Joe was in a daze too. They had imagined every single possibility of his reason of leaving, yet none of it was