The golden key dripped blood. Argon stared at it in his palm, his vision still swimming, his shoulder burning from the cut. He should have felt relief—but all he felt was dread.
Vanessa tilted her head, eyes glinting, lips curving into that maddening smile. "Mmm… you're bleeding beautifully. The game likes that."
"Yeah?" Argon muttered, voice dry. "Well, the game can kiss my—"
"Enough," Selene interrupted, her tone sharp enough to silence him. She stepped forward, shadows clinging to her like a second skin. Her eyes flicked to the key in his hand. "You survived… but the next dare will not let you off so lightly."
Kyle clapped his hands again. Too cheerful. Too rehearsed. "That's right! Time to step things up. Argon, you've proven you can bleed. Now let's see if you can choose between pain… and betrayal."
Argon's stomach twisted. "That's not ominous at all."
The New Dare
The group circled tighter. In the middle of the floor lay a rusted hacksaw. Its jagged edge gleamed under the dim light. Next to it—two wooden boxes, locked with thick chains.
Kyle's grin widened. "Inside one box, Argon, lies freedom. The key to the next round. Inside the other… lies a hungry little surprise."
Jax whistled low. "Man, I hope it's a snake. Or a raccoon with rabies."
Vanessa laughed softly, sliding behind Argon. Her hands brushed his shoulders—dangerous, intimate. "Don't look so worried, darling. Maybe the game is kind. Maybe you'll be lucky."
"Lucky?" Argon shot her a glare. "Pretty sure I left my luck back in kindergarten."
Selene's voice cut through the room. Cold. Steady. "The dare is simple. You must open both boxes. But only with one hand."
Argon's pulse stuttered. He looked at the hacksaw. Looked at his hands. His voice dropped. "…You're joking."
No one was joking.
The Choice
His mind spun. He could feel everyone's eyes on him. Vanessa's hot, teasing breath on his ear. Selene's icy stare locking him down. Jax's hungry grin. Kyle's false cheer.
"One hand," Kyle repeated. "Your choice which one you keep… and which one you sacrifice."
Argon's throat went dry. He swallowed hard. "This game is insane."
"Truth or Dare, Argon?" Vanessa whispered. "Dare always tastes sweeter… even when it hurts." Her nails grazed his skin, sharp enough to sting.
Selene leaned forward, her voice softer now. "Survive. That's all that matters. Don't think. Don't hesitate. Act."
Argon stared at the hacksaw. His hand trembled.
Blood on Steel
He grabbed the saw. Its jagged teeth caught the light—and his breath. For a long moment, he hovered, his mind screaming against the impossible choice.
Then… he moved.
The blade kissed his skin. Pain erupted like fire. Blood welled instantly, spilling onto the floor. His jaw clenched, teeth grinding as he forced the saw down harder.
"Sh*t—!" he hissed, breath ragged, sweat dripping into his eyes.
Vanessa moaned softly, almost hungrily. "Oh… watching you bleed is delicious."
Selene's fists clenched at her sides. For the first time, emotion cracked her icy mask. "Enough," she muttered under her breath. But she didn't move. She didn't stop him.
The hacksaw cut deeper. Blood streamed. Argon's vision blurred.
And then—
The Boxes Open
He stumbled forward, hand slick with blood. He slammed the hacksaw down and reached for the first box. With his good hand, he forced it open.
Click.
Inside lay… a single brass key. Gleaming. Mocking.
Relief warred with agony. He grabbed it, almost laughing. "I did it—"
The second box rattled.
His head whipped toward it. The chains snapped, one by one, as if something inside tore them apart.
And then the lid burst open.
From the darkness inside, something slithered out—slick, wet, and dripping red. Its eyes glowed faintly, and its jagged teeth clicked together like bone on stone.
Argon froze. His bloodied hand shook.
Jax's grin widened. "Oh man. Now this… this is going to be good."
Cliffhanger Ending
The creature lunged, jaws snapping, blood spraying as it slammed into the floor where Argon had stood a heartbeat earlier.
Vanessa's laughter rang out, sultry and cruel. "Run, darling. Run, or be devoured."
Selene's voice, low and sharp, carried across the room. "This is no longer the game's test… it's yours."
Argon's chest heaved. His blood dripped hot onto the floor. The creature's eyes locked on him, hungry and unblinking.
He tightened his grip on the brass key, every nerve on fire. One thought filled his mind, loud and clear:
If I don't kill this thing… it's going to kill me.
Next Chapter Preview
"Next chapter: Argon faces the bloodthirsty beast unleashed by the Fatal Game. One mistake means being ripped apart, and every second bleeds more of his strength away. Vanessa's dangerous seduction grows sharper, Selene's secrets crack wide open, and survival comes with a price that may shatter Argon forever. Will he fight… or be consumed?"