Maybe sneaking out wasn't the best idea after all.
Prince crouched behind a vending machine, listening carefully for any footsteps.
Getting out of his room had been easy—Bryce slept like a rock.
If CJ had been there, though? He wouldn't have made it past the first step.
Prince peeked around the vending machine, scanning the dimly lit dorm hallway. The cameras were positioned at the usual corners, but he knew their blind spots. He had watched enough of the show's footage to know where they couldn't reach.
All he had to do was move carefully and stay out of sight.
Piece of cake.
He pressed his back against the wall and moved swiftly, sticking close to the shadows. The air conditioning hummed softly, masking any quiet sounds he made. Step by step, he made his way toward the stairwell at the end of the hall.
The front entrance was a no-go. Too many guards. Too much risk.
The stairwell led to the emergency exit—his best shot.
He reached the door and pressed his ear against it, listening. No sounds on the other side. Good.
He grabbed the handle and turned it slowly—
Click.
The door was locked.
Prince frowned. What?
It wasn't supposed to be locked.
Then he noticed something.
A keycard scanner.
Someone must've locked the emergency exit to stop contestants from sneaking out.
He ran a hand through his hair. Great. Now what?
[Deadline for mission: 9h, 12m, 42 secs.]
Prince sighed. There was one more way out.
The balcony.
It was risky, but if he climbed down to the second-floor ledge, he could drop into the courtyard and sneak out through the side gate.
Without wasting time, he headed back down the hall, making sure to avoid the cameras again. He reached the contestants' lounge, where the large balcony doors stood slightly open, letting in a cool breeze.
Perfect.
Prince stepped outside, immediately feeling the wind against his face. He leaned over the railing, checking the ledge below. It was wide enough to stand on. He just needed to be careful.
Gripping the railing, he swung one leg over...
"What the hell are you doing?"
Prince froze.
He turned his head slowly.
Rocky and CJ stood at the balcony entrance, both staring at him like he'd lost his mind.
"You tryna jump or something?" Rocky asked, raising an eyebrow.
Prince sighed, bringing his leg back over the railing. "I'm sneaking out."
CJ crossed his arms. "And the normal way wasn't good enough?"
"The normal way was locked," Prince said, jerking his thumb toward the hallway.
Rocky whistled. "Man, you must really want to get out."
CJ smirked. "Where you headed? Secret date?"
Prince rolled his eyes. "Convenience store."
Rocky perked up. "Oh! Oh! grab me a sausage!"
"And a soda," CJ added.
Prince sighed. "Why don't you guys go instead?"
CJ shrugged. "We were going to, but the front door's too risky."
"Then use the balcony," Prince said, motioning toward the ledge.
Rocky snorted. "Yeah, no. I'm not breaking my bones for a snack."
Prince exhaled sharply, weighing his options.
Then he had an idea.
"Fine. You guys want snacks?" he asked.
"Yeah," they both answered.
"Then cause a distraction."
Rocky and CJ exchanged looks.
"What kind of distraction?" CJ asked.
Prince smirked. "Make some noise. Get a staff member's attention."
Rocky grinned. "Oh, I can definitely do that."
CJ rolled his eyes but nodded. "Alright, but you owe us."
"Deal."
Prince moved back toward the railing while Rocky and CJ disappeared into the dorm. Moments later—
CRASH.
Then—
"AHHHHHH! MY BACK!"
Prince blinked.
That was definitely Rocky.
Seconds later, footsteps pounded down the hallway as a staff member rushed toward the commotion.
Prince wasted no time.
Swinging his leg over the railing again, he climbed down onto the second-floor ledge.
Slow and steady, he edged toward the corner, where a drainpipe ran down the building. Gripping it tightly, he began his descent.
By the time he hit the ground, the noise upstairs had died down.
Prince dusted himself off, threw his hood over his head, and hurried toward the side gate.
As he slipped into the night, he chuckled to himself.
Rocky really was the best distraction.
______
Prince exhaled as he made it out of the dormitory grounds.
The hard part was over.
With his hoodie up and hands shoved into his pockets, he walked down the quiet street. The neon sign of a convenience store flickered at the corner, its bright colors standing out against the night.
He stepped inside, instantly hit with the artificial chill of the AC and the scent of instant ramen.
The store was nearly empty except for the part-timer behind the counter—a skinny teenager cat hunched over his phone, the sound of a game blasting through the speakers. He barely looked up as Prince entered.
"Welcome," the part-timer said monotonously, eyes still locked on his screen.
Prince ignored him and headed straight to the shelves.
Checklist:
✔ Sausage for Rocky.
✔ Soda for CJ.
✔ Chocolate for himself.
He strolled toward the counter, placing the items down. "Ring these up."
The part-timer sighed dramatically, pausing his game with the reluctance of someone being forced to work. He scanned the items lazily, occasionally glancing at Prince like he was trying to place his face.
Prince tapped his fingers impatiently. He didn't want to stay here longer than necessary.
Then—
The chime of the door opening.
Prince instinctively glanced at the entrance, but the moment he saw who walked in, his blood ran cold.
Kielben. And Sherman.
Prince snapped his head away, yanking his hood lower. He turned slightly, using the counter as cover.
Why are they here?
Kielben,the host of Rising Stars and Sherman, the producer of the show.
Prince had no idea why they were at a random convenience store this late at night, but he wasn't about to stick around and find out.
"Hey, kid," he whispered to the part-timer. "Hurry up."
The teenager gave him a bored look. "Relax, dude. It's not the end of the world."
Prince clenched his jaw. It might be for me if they recognize me. He risked a glance toward the entrance.
Sherman was browsing the drinks section. Kielben was talking, his voice clear even from across the store.
"...Yeah, the contestants are really stepping up. Some of them are going to be huge stars after this."
Prince tensed.
Sherman nodded. "Prince especially with his original songs. The kid's got presence. I won't be surprised if people start recognizing him everywhere soon."
Prince swallowed. Exactly the problem. He wanted to be recognized—but not by them.
The part-timer finally finished scanning the last item. "That'll be—"
"Shhh!" Prince whispered aggressively.
The teenager blinked. "Dude, chill. You act like you're on the run or something."
Prince shoved a ten-dollar bill at him. "Keep the change."
The kid blinked. "Huh? Wait, are you—?"
Prince grabbed his chocolate and bolted toward the exit.
He heard the part-timer's voice behind him.
"Hey, aren't you that guy from—"
Too late. Prince was already out the door, disappearing into the night.
Behind him, Kielben and Sherman stood near the counter, watching the scene unfold.
Kielben raised an eyebrow. "That guy seemed familiar."
Sherman chuckled. "Yeah… reminds me of someone we know."
They glanced at each other, then shrugged.
Prince, meanwhile, jogged down the street, shaking his head.