Thrown Into the Game

I sat in the bus quietly, because i felt the world has abandoned me and my family has also abandoned me. “There is no need to hate your family my dear. This is not a prank.”

His voice was calm. Too calm.

I frowned, my lips pressing together as I turned slightly toward him.

How did he—

“Your emotions show outwardly, Eliana,” he added. “I suggest you learn to suppress them.”

Of course he heard that part. I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my thoughts steady.

“I am your spirit guide, Eliana,” he continued, his tone flat. “Though reluctantly.” I blinked. Reluctantly?

“That part wasn’t necessary,” I muttered. “It was accurate.”

I rolled my eyes. “Great. So I got assigned a guide who doesn’t even like me.”

“You were assigned,” he corrected. “Not chosen. “Wow. That makes me feel so much better.”

He ignored the sarcasm.

“As your guide,” he went on, “I am required to maintain a functional connection with you… until you eventually die.” I froze.

My chest tightened slightly, i turned to face him fully. “Why do you say that like you’re looking forward to it?” I asked.

For a moment, he didn’t respond.

Then, quietly— “We do not feel excitement.” His tone shifted, just slightly.

“Spirits do not possess emotions.”

The way he said it… It didn’t sound empty. It sounded like something had been taken from him.

I studied him for a second longer, but he gave nothing else away. So I looked forward again and stayed quiet.

The rest of the ride felt longer than it should have. I tried not to think, which was nearly impossible.

Every thought felt dangerous like I was standing in a crowded room with no clothes on, and everyone could see everything.

So I forced my mind to slow down.

You might be in a coma. The doctor’s words echoed faintly in my memory.

If that was true… Then this place, this bus, and this guide— All of it was part of something else. Something I didn’t understand.

I shifted slightly in my seat, if this was where I was stuck or if this was my reality for now… Then I had two options. To accept it, or fight it.

If accepting it meant sitting quietly and waiting to die— Then I’d rather take my chances.

Maybe I should just stand up.

“Don’t even try that.” I stiffened.

Slowly, I turned my head toward him— And froze.

He had a face, a full, complete face. I stared at him, my eyes widening. “You—” A scream tore out of my throat before I could stop it.

I jumped back against my seat, my heart slamming hard against my chest. “Where did your head come from?!” I shouted.

Annoyance flickered across his expression. “You are exhausting,” he said.

I barely heard him. Because for the first time— I was really seeing him, not just sensing him or hearing him.

He looked like he was a model in the real world, and if there was a Vogue in this strange world… He’d own every front page. He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen.

“Lusting after me is the quickest way to die, Eliana.” I blinked.

My thoughts snapped apart instantly. “I—what?” I stammered.

“I suggest you focus on the tests ahead,” he added calmly. My face burned.

“First of all, I was not—” I stopped myself, exhaling sharply. “You know what? Never mind.” I turned away from him, crossing my arms.

“Take it back,” I muttered under my breath. “You’re not that good-looking.”

“Your attitude,” he said after a moment, “might help you survive your first trial.” I frowned slightly.

Trial right? That again.

“I don’t understand this place,” I admitted, quieter this time. “Aren’t spirit guides supposed to help? Or at least not… wish their souls dead?”

“Not necessarily.” I turned back to him.

“That’s it?” I asked. “That’s your explanation?” He didn’t answer.

Of course he didn’t, so i let out a breath.

“Wow,” I muttered. “So you disliking me for no reason is just… acceptable?” “Your interpretation is irrelevant.”

I stared at him, then looked away. “This is unbelievable.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then— “Be steady,” he said.

I glanced at him.

“We are arriving at the realm of your first obstacle.”

Before I could ask what that meant— The bus shook.

A powerful wind tore through the space. I gasped as my body was slammed back against the seat.

“What—!” The force was overwhelming. Like something invisible was pressing me down, holding me in place. I couldn’t move, i couldn’t breathe properly. My fingers dug into the seat as I struggled against it.

“This—this is insane!” I shouted. The wind roared louder.

It pushed harder and relentless.

It felt like it went on forever. Like it was trying to break me before I even started.

And then— It stopped just like that. The bus fell silent again.

My chest rose and fell rapidly as I tried to catch my breath.

“You could’ve warned me,” I snapped, turning to him. He didn’t look at me.

“That would defeat the purpose.” Of course it would.

A soft ping echoed through the bus.

The door slid open. Before I could react— the same force returned.

This time, it shoved me forward. I cried out as I was pushed out of my seat and toward the exit.

I stumbled out of the bus— And froze. My feet landed on nothing.

I looked down, but there was no ground.  Just endless darkness. And yet— I was standing.

My feet were steady, like something unseen was holding me up.

“What is this…” I whispered.

Behind me, one by one, the others were pushed out. Different souls like me. They were two hundred and twenty five, now two hundred and twenty six. We stood together in the darkness waiting and watching.

Then— A voice different from before came in. “Welcome, Souls…” The darkness seemed to breathe.

“Welcome to the survival games.” My heart dropped.

And for the first time since this began— I felt something worse than confusion.

I felt real fear, because this time… It didn’t feel like something I could escape.

It felt like something I had to survive.