Chapter 310 - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (1/2)
Chapter 310 Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Sand and stones dissipated heat quickly, and desert temperatures between day and night were at different extremes. In fact, the temperature difference between the noon and early morning could be in excess 30 degrees Celcius. One could either roast under the scorching sun or freeze at the drastically falling temperature at night. Also, to avoid the many venomous snakes and insects that made the desert their home, Zhang Heng chose a relatively high terrain to start a fire. Besides, fire also prevented larger and more dangerous predators from approaching them.
However, danger didn’t always originate from the surroundings. Zhang Heng, Jia Lai, and Bruno were all sitting around the bonfire. This should be the best time for them to make up for the lost stamina during the day, but none of the three dared close an eyelid. This was, without a doubt, the best opportunity for them if they wanted to get rid of each other. During the day, NASA kept a hawk’s eye on them from a few kilometers away, and it was difficult to carry out any dangerous maneuvers without being noticed. Although unknown if any NASA personnel stayed awake after nightfall, one thing was for sure. Visibility was significantly reduced in the dark. Even if the observers put in their best efforts, it was difficult to see everything from that distance.
The flames of the bonfire danced in the night, accompanied by crackling wood and flying embers. Nothing else moved apart from that, and it wasn’t after a long time before somebody spoke in a low voice.
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.”
“Dylan Thomas… it’s a poem he wrote to his critically ill father,” Zhang Heng said. “I always thought it was from the movie ‘Interstellar,’ replied Bruno as he yawned and rubbed his eyes that could barely keep open. Throughout the day, he used up most of his energy, and after dinner, he could feel the fatigue kicking in. However, he didn’t dare close his eyes even for a minute.
“I liked that movie a lot, and this poem as well. It’s relatable to our current situation, eh?” Jia Lai added. “Each time we partic.i.p.ate in a new round of the game, we face the risk of elimination and loss. Let’s not talk about what happens after we lose. Everyone knows one thing, though. We mustn’t give up until the very last moment. After all, we don’t want to be forgotten by the world.”
“Uhh, to be honest, I don’t care if anyone remembers me or not,” Bruno shrugged. “When I thought that I would never be able to host a future party in my Australian mansion or driving my Porsche 911 to pick up hot college chicks, or my younger brother taking my share of my inheritance…. h.e.l.l, of course, I don’t want to lose. After all, who knows if I would have such good luck in my next incarnation
“So what about you? What is the driving factor that gets you through these rounds?” asked Jia Lai as he s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Zhang Heng. “Since everyone isn’t resting, let’s talk to each other. There’s not much time left for us anyway.”
“I don’t know. For now, I’m just trying to figure out why these games were created in the first place,” Zhang Heng nonchalantly commented as he poked the bonfire before him with a twig.
“Yes, we all want to know who hosted this game, what its purpose is, and when it will stop and how to beat it eventually… but then again, we don’t always get answers to all our questions, right?”