Dumb Beauty & Genius

70.

" You musn't lose." said Shane coldly.
" Why ? Why can't everyone be happy ?" argued Anna.

Shane furrows his brows.
Anna stares at him.

Shane glances at her.
Anna frowns, " Sorry. I didn't mean to argue.."

" I know." said Shane.
Anna smiles, " really ?!"

Shane nods.
" Thank you !" said Anna bowing.

Anna walks away smiling.
' Really an idiot.' thought Shane.

Shane smirks.

" Pass."

" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

***

Quinn comes in, " Say, Anna, can I be the next thief ?"
Anna smiles, " Of cour- "

" No." said Shane, " you go next."
" Eeh ? Why ? Quinn's win is going to be assured. She needs two more." said Anna.

" Don't ask me." said Shane.
Anna walks away.

***

Round 11

" Pass." said Ethan.
Anna doesn't smile, not a bit happy about it.

" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

***

" Pass." said Anna.
" Yes !" exclaimed Ethan.

" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

***

Round 12

Ethan nods and presses the button.
" Pass."

Shane opens the bag.
" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

***

Shane presses the button, " Pass."
Ethan opens the bag, " Thanks ! Even though it's just an apple."

" The guard guessed the enemy's apple right but failed to stop the thief's attempt. The thief can take the apples away, earning an apple from the opponent's team."

Mr. Ethan followed our instructions to take only 8 apples.

***

Round 13

" You go." said Shane.
Anna nods while frowning, " okay.."

Shane watches the screen.

***

Anna takes the bag.
The door is opened.

Anna is shocked, " Gilbert ?"
Anna puts the bag down.

Gilbert presses the button, " Pass."
Anna smiles, " eh ? You too ?"

" Please pass me next." said Gilbert.
" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

Anna nods, " Yes, sir !"

***

It progressed smoothly.

" Pass." declared Anna after pressing the button.
" I did it !" shouted Gilbert.

" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

***

But.

Anna talks, " Let Quinn go next round- "
" No." refused Shane immediately.

Shane walks away.
Anna frowns.

Quinn touches Anna's head, " that's okay, Anna."
Anna smiles, " Quinn.."

Anna sits on her seat.
Quinn, sitting behind her, smirks.

***

Round 14

" Pass." said Gilbert pressing the button.
Shane opens the bag.

" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."
Gilbert smirks.

***

Shane presses the button.
" Apple, one." said Shane getting suspicious.

Time to let Gilbert win only an apple.
Like what Ethan did before on round 12.
But Mr. Gilbert..

" The guard guessed right his apple but the other apple was his apple too. The thief earns two apples."

Shane glances at Gilbert.
Shane stops to press the button, not letting the scary laughter to spread through the rooms.

Especially when Anna is in one of the rooms.