SOAP OPERA – Chapter 7: The Second Elimination
The day began with a heavy hush over Riverside University. The first elimination had already sent waves of panic through the campus, and the second round promised even more chaos. Rumors had been circulating since dawn: "Maybe this time they'll eliminate Johnson or Raphael. Their first drafts weren't perfect."
Johnson Adeyemi walked across the courtyard, notebook clutched tight, feeling the weight of every whispered speculation. Every glance from another student felt like a probe, judging him, testing him, predicting his downfall. He could hear the heartbeat of the campus: tension, fear, anticipation.
Raphael strode beside him, trying to maintain his usual calm, but his fingers twitched, betraying a hint of nervousness. Even he couldn't ignore the rumor—his first draft had been shaky in places, and the judges weren't blind.
The Literature Theatre doors opened, and students flooded in. The judges took their seats, their expressions unreadable, faces masks of neutrality that only heightened the tension. Every eye in the theatre followed them. Every whisper, every fidget, every glance felt magnified.
Professor Nwagu stepped to the microphone, clipboard in hand. Silence fell instantly.
"Good morning, writers," he began. His voice carried through the theatre, calm but commanding. "The judging panel has completed evaluations for the second elimination round. Some of you will advance, and some… will leave the competition today."
The room froze. Eyes widened. Heartbeats quickened.
Professor Nwagu continued, "We know the first round shocked many of you. Today, expect the unexpected."
A murmur rippled through the students. Whispers spread like fire: "Maybe Johnson… maybe Raphael…"
The names were called slowly, each one a heartbeat of suspense. Students jumped at their names, some cheered, others wept quietly. But with every name called, the dread for the next grew stronger.
And then it came:
"Mike…"
Gasps exploded. Mike's face paled. He had laughed and joked all morning, pretending he was untouchable. But now, the laughter died in his throat. His hands shook as he stepped forward, receiving his elimination notice. His friends looked on in disbelief.
"Daniel…"
The second shock hit the room like a bomb. Daniel, who had been quietly confident, now faced reality. Panic and tears blurred the lines between fear and disbelief as he walked toward the exit. The air was electric with tension—if Mike and Daniel could be eliminated, anyone could be next.
Suddenly, the judges paused. A flicker of uncertainty passed through the room. Whispers erupted: "They're pausing… maybe Johnson… maybe Raphael…"
Johnson felt his stomach drop. His first draft had been uneven, and now, for a terrifying moment, he imagined the possibility of elimination. His fingers gripped his notebook as if it were a lifeline.
Raphael's calm mask cracked for just a second. He swallowed hard, feeling the pressure of every eye in the theatre. This was more than competition now—it was survival.
Then, in a shocking twist, Professor Nwagu's voice rang out:
"Johnson Adeyemi… Raphael… your pieces… survive this round."
A collective sigh of relief washed through the room. Johnson exhaled, heart pounding, and Raphael's shoulders slumped slightly, the tension finally breaking. But even in relief, a new fear settled in—the war was far from over.
Tania, Jola, Ella, Gift, Praise, and Promise exchanged glances. Everyone knew the second elimination had been a warning: no one was untouchable. No one was safe.
Outside the theatre, the campus buzzed with panic, whispers, and speculation. Students debated what had just happened: why Mike and Daniel were sent home, how Johnson and Raphael had survived, and who might fall next. Suspicion and fear hung in the air like a storm ready to strike.
Johnson closed his notebook, exhaling. He had survived… but the battle was intensifying. The next round would be bloodier, more ruthless, and far more unpredictable.
And somewhere in the shadows of the campus, someone whispered:
"This competition isn't about talent alone… it's about who can survive the chaos."
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