LET THE GAMES BEGIN

‎Melissa's POV

‎

‎My eyes were fixed onto the dangerously handsome stranger before me.

‎My brain— a panic mess, an exact opposite of the dangerous attraction I felt earlier.

‎Swiftly, I summoned the last of my strength, focusing all my energy on my limbs trying to forcefully release his grip, but he wouldn't budge.

‎He didn't flinch.

‎His eyes turned blood red as he mustered the words, “Shut up," with an eye roll.

‎A cold sweat broke on my forehead.

‎It was the arrogance for me, who the hell did he think he was to boss me around?

‎Of course, what was one to expect from a handsome fellow? He was an exact replica of my rude, over entitled ex.

‎Men really were the worst.

‎I clenched my fist.

‎Letting out a deep breath, I opened my mouth ready to spur out the poison in my heart– but before the words even came to fruition, I spotted a truly horrifying scene that made goosebumps surface all over my skin.

‎It was a creature one could only imagine in a truly demonic nightmare.

‎In all my years of writing horror novels, I had never imagined something so disturbing .

‎

‎At the corner of my eye, I spotted a half wolf– half owl creature, with human like nose, ears and limbs.

‎Its head was that of an owl.

‎Its body– that of an extra large brown wolf, dripping with blood stains.

‎It had large red eyes, the exact same eyes I had spotted in the dark a couple of minutes ago.

‎Its mouth was enormous— extending from one ear to another.

‎Its fangs were large, white, and sharp like a slaughter knife– gleaming in the dim lighting.

‎Its stomach was ripped open leaving a trail of intestine and blood as it walked past.

‎Its human arms and legs were tiny— covered with large pus filled sores.

‎

‎My stomach turned as I watched this demonic creature stride towards us.

‎I tried suppressing the urge to puke, but without warning it all came crashing down.

‎My mouth, full of  puke, found it's way into the stranger's hand.

‎His face turned green, clearly irritated but still he didn't release me.

‎Instead he shot a threatening gaze my way, forcing me to gulp down my every bit of it.

‎As the bitter liquid ran down my throat, so did a nauseating chill.

‎

‎I was just about to put things together when the beast arrived at our location.

‎It was truly enormous— doubling our size.

‎Its eyes never blinking, as it fell on us.

‎Its nose twitched uncontrollably as though trying to pinpoint something, or someone.

‎One look at it, and I could tell... it was blind, relying only on its sense of smell and hearing to locate it's prey.

‎My breath hung in my throat, as I locked eyes with the man before me.

‎His eyes sending me a silent advice of immobility.

Something I couldn't obviously do– not with the cook noodles I had for legs.

‎The creature sniffed us for a while longer before quietly drifting away.

‎Once it was out of sight, I released a breath of relief I didn't know I was holding.

‎The strange man finally released his hold on me, but still he didn't move.

‎His gaze even more fixed than himself.

‎That's when it all came running back — the puke that jerk made me swallow.

‎Immediately I pushed him backwards, rushing to the corner to vomit out my intestines.

‎

‎Burying two fingers in my throat, I rubbed my esophagus aiming at inducing a vomit, and it worked– a little too well.

‎I vomited for what seemed like forever.

‎I had always had a weak stomach, that was one of the reasons why I decided to become a chef, only for this jerk to shove puke down my stomach.

‎I balled my fist, forcing myself to stay calm as I vomited.

‎Once done, I turned, and funny enough the dude was still standing there, arms crossed over his chest.

‎His back rested against the wall as he silently monitored me.

‎

‎I walked towards him, my stomach aching with something beyond disgust— with anger.

‎“What was that..." I asked through gritting teeth, but before I could continue, he interrupted.

‎“No need to thank me. You're welcome," he declared, his tone filled with nonchalance.

‎My brows furrowed.

‎"Thank you? For what?" I asked utterly nonplussed. “Kidnapping me, harassing me, or laying your hands on me?"

‎“I was saving your life," He informed, his brow arched.

‎“And the only way to do that was by violence. Couldn't you have spoken to me, or are you too feral for basic conversation" I said, my tone venomous.

‎He glanced down at me, his eyes slightly wider as he mumbled a “Wow," underneath his breath.

‎“No worries, next time I will let you die," He said, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he walked past me. “Let's head to camp."

Unbelievable! He was even more of a jerk than I anticipated. What happened to I'm sorry for being rough? Or Sorry, I will use my words next time?

‎And who the fuck is he ordering around?

‎“You're coming?" He asked, as he pried open a

‎manhole cover.

‎A shiver ran up my skin.

‎“No way I am going down that shit hole," I declined, my stomach crawling with revolt.

‎He didn't bother to glance back at me, instead he just said, “Have fun with the Devourers," before jumping into the pit.

‎

‎I stood there; frozen, shocked, confused.

‎Did he save me only to abandon me back to that creature.

‎He was even worse than Daniel, a total scumbag.

‎‘What am I supposed to do? follow him or stay here with that revolting creature?' I thought to myself, but just then a loud howl echoed through the air, casting a zephyr over me.

‎My heart drummed, and without thinking I found myself jumping in after him into the darkness.

‎To my surprise once in, I was greeted with a blinding light.

I couldn't tell how long my eyes were shut, but by the time I reopened them, I was in a large white room filled with people of all sizes, complexion and ages.

‎Each individual wore a somewhat revealing outfit, and all had numbers engraved on their skin.

‎I glanced around, my mind falling into utter chaos as I tried making sense of what just happened.

‎‘How did we all get here and why were we here to begin with?'– I wondered, each thought more puzzling than the last, but just when I was about to spiral into chaos the spark of light from earlier rekindled.

‎

‎A childish, yet horrific voice boomed across the room, “Welcome to "THE Survival Games" —or as our audience prefers to call it, “THE Demon Games”. Do try to stay alive long enough to be entertaining.”

‎My feet trembled. "Congratulations! You’re all dead."

‎I glanced around the room, thinking everyone'd be scared, but instead I was confronted by bored frowns.

‎Were they not atleast shocked they were dead, and in some kind of a game.

‎“Don’t look so shocked—death is just the opening act.” The voice said with a tone hinting at sick excitement. “Due to the unfortunate overcrowding in Hell—thank you, greenhouse effect—we’ve decided to recycle you instead.

You’ve been sent to this abandoned worlds… as entertainment.”

‎It wasn't until her last word fell that the panic began setting in.

‎"Entertainment? For who exactly?!" I murmured, but nobody, well, no dead body in the room was in a mood to answer.

“So please—scream nicely, die creatively, and give our audience something worth watching.”

‎The so-call system voiced, ignoring me completely.

‎“The rules are wonderfully simple; Survive twenty games, endure five locations, and if you’re especially unlucky, meet our charming overlord. Most of you won’t make it past the first act—but do try.”

‎

‎Was she being serious?

‎I got cheated on, poisoned, left my savings, my apartment and LIFE to the horrible betrayers, and now I had to risk my neck as entertainment for some demented onlookers.

‎No way!!!

‎"What if I refuse to be an entertainment? What then? Are you going to kill me? Guess what, we are already dead," I announced arrogantly, my hand folded over my chest in a challenge.

‎The room immediately fell silent, all eyes turning to me with contempt, shock — something more.

‎

‎Just then, I noticed a couple of  texts floating on thin air.

‎“Who is the ugly chick in the glasses?" One commenter wrote.

‎“Who does she think she is challenging the system?" Another wrote.

‎“What do you expect? she is an ingrate," Another chipped.

‎“She is terrible. It's no wonder she already ranked last before the game began."

‎I shoke my head, unable to comprehend what was just happening. Was I really an unlikeable NPC in a game?

‎Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, I spotted the dude from earlier, now without the mask, his plump lips shone even brighter.

‎He glanced  slightly at me, shaking his head.

‎For a second, I could have sworn I saw a smirk.

‎“Oh? Refuse to play?”

A soft laugh echoed through the room.

“Then you die properly this time—and spend eternity watching the people who ruined you live happily ever after. Think of it as front-row seating.”

‎

‎Feeling the danger in her voice, I dodged backward by instinct, my heart threatening to leap out from fear. I couldn't... that was worse than death.

‎No, not that. Anything but that!

‎I can't stand the sight of those two talk less of watching them happy in each other's arms.

‎I would rather be eaten by a devourer than let that happen.

‎

‎“Now, now—don’t look so miserable. We’re entertainers, not monsters.” The voice giggled.

“Well… not entirely."

‎“As a special treat for playing along—you’ll keep anything you manage to steal, earn, or survive long enough to claim. And if you somehow entertain us through all twenty games, we’ll send you back ten years with your memories intact… plus one little wish.”

‎My intrigues were immediately plagued, and apparently I wasn't the only one, cause all those gloomy faces from a while back lit up instantly.

‎Indeed, that was quite a selfless offer... Ten years back– when my parents were still alive and I was still pure and innocent, free from the baggage of life.

‎It was the perfect opportunity to make things right.

‎“All one hundred players are ready.” The voice purred with delight. “Lights up. Audience seated. Let the Demon Games begin.”

‎My jaw dropped, only one thought running rampant in my mind.

‎“Daniel, Victoria get ready for my revenge."

‎

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