Chapter 94

Hearing the notification sound of a text message, everyone except Chen Yang had a stiffened expression, then quickly took out their phones and lit up the screens.

"The first task has been issued: All selected individuals must go to the Mathers Mental Hospital in the Colorado Mountains within two hours and obtain the security room key card from the administrative building."

The short text message was quickly read by everyone, but because of its brevity, everyone fell into a moment of confusion.

"What... what does this text message mean?" the man in the tank top asked.

"It seems like it's asking us to go to a mental hospital?"

The disheveled man pondered.

"Why are we going to a mental hospital?"

"You're asking me, how would I know?"

The disheveled man smiled bitterly. "Do you think we should do what it says?"

"Why do we have to follow what it says?"

The man in the tank top pointed to the bus lane. "Look at this. It's a bus! As long as we have a bus, we can leave directly."

"Not likely."

The man in the suit shook his head and frowned. "We all just witnessed those unpredictable methods, whether they are scientific or other means. But at least for now, they are not something we can easily deal with. Do you really think having a bus will allow us to easily escape?"

"But..."

"He's right!"

Chen Yang, sitting in the front of the bus, suddenly spoke up. "In this place, only completing the task can ensure our survival. Any attempt to escape will only bring disaster and death."

"If you don't believe me, you can have that kid take a flashlight and check the road behind the bus."

"Me?"

The high school student, seeing Chen Yang point at him, quickly shook his head, indicating he wouldn't go.

What a joke. The surroundings were full of dark, deep forests. Who knows what dangers might be there? How could he dare to risk going out easily?

"Give me the flashlight!"

The man in the tank top, however, was bold. He took the flashlight from the high school student, got off the bus, and walked to the back of the bus.

The bus interior fell silent for a moment, and everyone lowered their heads, silent.

After about five minutes, the man in the tank top returned with a grim face. "The road behind is cut off."

"Cut off, what do you mean?"

"Damn it, the road behind is a bridge, but the bridge is broken in the middle. Not to mention the bus, even people can't cross it."

"What?"

Everyone was startled.

"I already told you... we have no way out."

Chen Yang leaned forward, hands gripping tightly, head lowered. "Only by moving forward is there a chance to escape this place."

After a moment of silence, the man in the suit spoke up. "Who can drive?"

"I'll do it. I've always wanted to try driving a big bus."

Taking the car keys from the man in the suit, the man in the tank top sat in the driver's seat and inserted the key.

The next moment, the bus shook, the engine made a weak sound, and the bus slowly moved forward. At the same time, the man in the tank top turned on the lights inside the bus, allowing everyone to finally see each other clearly.

"After all this talk, let's introduce ourselves. My surname is Fang, and my given name is Ye."

The man in the suit saw that everyone had sat down and introduced himself first.

"My surname is Feng, Feng Li."

The disheveled man extended his hand and shook hands with Fang Ye.

"Um, I'm Zhang Meng."

The man in the tank top, sitting in the driver's seat, didn't miss the conversation behind him.

"I'm Luo Rui."

The high school student thought for a moment and added, "A second-year student at Donghai No. 3 High School."

"I, I'm He Ting, a cashier at Jiajia Supermarket."

He Ting, seeing everyone's attention on her, said nervously.

"Ye, Ye Qingqing."

The girl in the pajamas, hiding beside He Ting, spoke in a low voice that would have been easily overlooked if everyone wasn't paying attention.

After everyone introduced themselves, only Chen Yang, who was sitting there, had not introduced himself.

"The friend over there, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

At this point, Fang Ye cast a friendly gaze at him. No matter what, from the current situation, this person was someone they needed to win over, as he definitely knew some key information that he hadn't revealed.

"Lu Yanfeng."

Chen Yang said these three words in a very calm tone, with no hint of doubt in his eyes. As someone skilled in bluffing, he had a unique understanding and deeper insight into how to bluff with a calm demeanor.

"Brother Yanfeng, is it okay to call you that?"

Fang Ye smiled, his tone softening. This way of speaking and his kind expression had always been effective in his business dealings, making the other party unconsciously lower their guard and feel closer to him.

"Don't try to get close. I know what you're thinking."

Chen Yang ruthlessly exposed Fang Ye's pretense. "Regarding the origin and purpose of this place, I truly don't know. I can only tell you that this place is full of danger. One mistake and you'll be injured or die. Don't doubt this; otherwise, you're playing with your life."

Naturally, no one dared to ignore Chen Yang's words, especially given the strange situation they were in.

"Mr. Lu..."

Fang Ye immediately changed his tone, not at all angry that Chen Yang didn't give him face, and instead spoke with sincerity. "As someone who has been through this, you must have clues about this place that we don't know. If possible, we should help each other to increase our chances of escaping together, right?"

"I've said what I need to say. I have nothing more to add."

Chen Yang closed his eyes and ignored the others' dissatisfaction.

Fang Ye sighed, stood up, and began to carefully search the bus for any useful clues. However, after a few minutes, the harsh reality shattered his hopes.

The bus shook and slowly moved forward, as the dirt road was only wide enough for a single vehicle, making it very narrow. This required Zhang Meng to be fully focused and increasingly cautious with the steering wheel.

Time passed, and the pale moon seemed to be obscured by clouds, making the surroundings even darker and more eerie. The girl, Ye Qingqing, couldn't help but shrink back into her seat.

During this time, Fang Ye also verified everyone's phone numbers, trying to see if they could call or text each other, but both attempts failed.

Just as everyone was feeling dejected, the high school student Luo Rui suddenly pointed ahead and shouted, "Look, look ahead, there's light!"

Light?

Everyone was startled and quickly gathered at the front of the bus. Indeed, a faint light could be seen in the distance.

"There's light, there's light, Brother Zhang, drive faster!"

Luo Rui, excited, urged Zhang Meng.

"Damn it, you're in a hurry for nothing. Do you think I can drive fast on this crappy road?"

Although he was cursing, Zhang Meng slightly increased the speed.

After a few turns, the light in the distance finally became clear.

"It's a house... it's a house, there must be people! Ha ha!"

Luo Rui, with his sharp eyes, immediately became excited upon seeing the outline of the house.

Fang Ye, however, showed no sign of happiness. He glanced at the distant house, then looked down at the text message. The words "Mathers Mental Hospital" made him uneasy. Moreover, the man who called himself Lu Yanfeng seemed off to him. He wasn't lying, but he was definitely hiding something.

The bus sped up, and as they approached the house, the road conditions improved, allowing them to reach their destination earlier.

Yes, the destination. The road led straight to an open iron gate, and beyond it was a large building with lights on.

Zhang Meng controlled the steering wheel and drove the bus into the compound, stopping in front of the red and white barrier at the entrance.

They had arrived. The high school student Luo Rui, who had been excited a moment ago, now frowned, looking around in confusion and remaining silent.

"Is this the mental hospital mentioned in the text message?"

The disheveled man Feng Li, holding his phone, stood up and gestured for Zhang Meng to open the door.

"Hey, is it okay to just get off like this?"

Zhang Meng, still in the driver's seat, touched the button but didn't immediately open the door as instructed.

"Something's not right here!"

Luo Rui's excitement had completely vanished, and his thin face now showed a hint of fear.