Dumb Beauty & Genius

72.

Round 16

" Please !" said Anna.
Ethan nods, " I know."

Anna tidies her hair, " Really ? Thank you very much.."
Anna presses the button, " Then.. Apple, two."

Ethan opens the bag.
" The guard mustered his courage to risk two apples and guessed right. The apples go to the guard."

" Thank you." said Anna.

***

Anna sits on the seat.
" Anna, what will you bring later ?" asked Quinn.

" I guess.. two golden apples." said Anna.
" Oh.." answered Quinn.

" Then.. bye !" said Anna walking away.

***

Round 17

Anna carries the bag.
Anna is shocked to meet Belle.

Belle smiles, " hello."
" Hi.." answered Anna.

Anna sits down.
" Say, do you know Shane ?" asked Belle.

" Shane ? Shane is on my team. Of course I know him." said Anna.
" No, I mean, do you know his past ?" asked Belle.

Anna lowers her head, " I know nothing. Uh.. I know he has a sister."
Belle smiles, " do you know why did he participate in this game ?"

" At first, it was to help me." said Anna.
" Now ?" pouted Belle.

Anna frowns, " I don't know."
Belle smirks.

" Do you know ?" asked Anna.
Belle presses the button, " Pass."

Anna chases her, " wait !"
The door is closed.

Anna sits back, " ah.."
" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

***

" I brought two golden apples." said Ethan.
" I should declare Apple, two, right ?" asked Anna.

Ethan nods.
Anna smiles, " Apple. Two."

" The thief deceived the guard to call out two apples. The thief gets two apples from the guard as a compensation."
" Finally !" shouted Ethan happily.

***

Round 18

Ethan presses the button.
" Apple. Two."

Anna smiles, " Thank you very much."
" The thief deceived the guard to call out two apples. The thief gets two apples from the guard as a compensation."

***

Anna sits down.
" Why is it taking so long.." mumbled Anna to herself.

The door is opened.
" Ah ! Belle !"

Belle smirks.
" What did you bring, Belle ?" asked Anna.

Belle puts the bag down.
Belle sits down slowly.

Anna finally meets her gaze.
" I brought.. two golden apples."

" Then.. if I compensate you two red apples.. We will all move on to the next stage, right ?"

" Right."

" Eh.. wait. Shane still lacks an apple."

Anna didn't notice Belle's sudden smirk.
" The time is almost up. Please hurry declare the decision."

Anna looks at the screen, " eh ? So fast ?"
Anna presses the button.

" Apple. Two."
" The thief deceived the guard to call out two apples. The thief gets two apples from the guard as a compensation."

Anna smiles.

But.. I didn't know we were heading for straight hell.