The three of them were at Luis's house, analyzing which story they could tell next time.
Luis was particularly upset, this was week 48, and they had already suffered two defeats, a number that hurt more than he would admit.
He had hoped to reach 50 consecutive victories, or better yet, 53 weeks to complete a full year of wins, but they hadn't achieved it. With the reporter's arrival, things had become more interesting for them, but also more complicated.
They couldn't simply continue as before. If they wanted to maintain the audience's expectation, they had to raise the level of the game, no longer relying on simple, calm stories with easy lies.
Frustrated after reading many of the notes they had collected, Luis slumped onto the table and, looking at his friends, said, "Now what?"
Lucas, who was eating a chocolate, looked at him. "Hmm, it's difficult, but we can't just make the lies harder. Shouldn't it be something that fits us?"
Luis frowned. "We can't. You know the lies we tell have to be coherent with the story. I refuse to cheat."
Lucas shrugged and glanced at Leo.
Leo was playing on his phone when he felt the other two staring at him. "What?"
Luis got up from the table and began pacing his room. "We started this show almost a year ago. Do you remember our first story?"
Leonardo smiled. "Of course, the Ghost of the High School, right? The janitor one. Ah, that story is simple but really good. Also the spinning trash can one; Lucas got a lie discovered there."
Lucas glared. "It's not my fault. Well, okay, it is, but we were just starting. I was nervous speaking in front of people. Of the early stories, my favorite is the Whispering Sounds one, and the old Nhil story still gives me chills."
Luis finally relaxed a little. "For me, the best ones have been the Spectral Encounter and the Red Light of the Cemetery. But those are simple stories. I think it's time to at least reveal one of the ones we've kept."
Leo put his phone aside and looked Luis in the eye. "Are you sure?"
Lucas, on the other hand, grew nervous. "I don't like those stories. That's why we've sealed them and you said they were forbidden."
Luis sat next to Lucas. "You know, as we've told more and more stories, we've improved. We've changed how we speak, and you've gained confidence. I think we can release at least one."
Lucas whispered nervously, "As long as it's not 'White Demon,' I can handle the other three."
At the mention of that name, the three friends felt the temperature in the room drop, and they fell silent for a few seconds.
Leo broke the silence. "Don't say that name. That story should never see the light of day, maybe never at all."
Luis smiled sadly. "Yes, it's not a good idea to tell that one. It's not something we should share with the public."
The three friends continued talking. These stories had been sealed for a reason: during these adventures, they had been harmed both physically and psychologically. Moreover, the stories were far too fictional.
There's a saying: "Reality sometimes surpasses fiction," and this was one of those moments.
Luis always tried to manage a sense of truth for the audience. They didn't want to be seen as total liars. Telling something like that would sound utterly false. After all, the world wasn't ready for the "Truths."
Leo took a box and placed it in front of the others.
Lucas sighed and pulled a chain with a key from his shirt collar. Leonardo grabbed his wallet and took the key inside. Luis grabbed his keyring, also taking out a key.
The three inserted their respective keys into the three holes and opened a box. This box had been made by Luis's uncle, a carpenter named Polo Mendoza. Over the past year, Luis had asked his uncle for several unusual things, but he always helped without asking why.
Inside the box were some sheets with stories in yellow envelopes. The titles read: "The Skeleton of the Ravine," "The Bimensional Door," "The Infinite Town," and the worst of all, "White Demon."
LuIs, LEonardo, and LucaS grimaced. Leo picked up the envelope for The Skeleton and murmured, remembering, "We committed a crime in this one."
Lucas took the envelope for The Town and said regretfully, "Leo… we thought you had died. That week was horrible."
Luis picked the envelope for The Door and said excitedly, "Other worlds… huh!"
The three looked at each other. Lucas kept his envelope hidden, deliberately concealing the fourth one that no one had taken. Leo wanted to take his, but after looking at Lucas, who gave him a nod, Leo also left his envelope aside with a small smile.
Luis sighed and opened his envelope. Inside was another sealed envelope. Lucas had added this second layer of protection; his family had a healer who helped a lot in the town, tracing back to the Raso family descendants of Spain during independence.
They broke the seal, which Lucas's aunt had helped them secure. This story was particularly difficult for Lucas, as he had been the one affected. Luis read the story aloud, and the three began choosing which lie to include in the tale.
They closed their eyes, a shiver running through all three of them. When they opened them, they smiled at each other.
Finally, Leonardo could tell this story; he was the most excited about sharing it.
Lucas sighed, wiping a tear. "I can finally put an end to this."
Luis turned to his friends. "Always together, and let's go for victory."
Lucas looked at him. "You owe me a pizza for this."
Luis rolled his eyes. "Thanks for ruining the moment, Lucas."
Lucas took out his phone and called the pizza place. Leonardo teased Luis and hugged him by the shoulder. "For the victory, brother."
Luis pulled his arm away. "Shut up, Tinajera."
The three of them looked at each other and began to laugh.