No one slept that night.
Saphira's name hung in the air like smoke. Jason sat on the floor, back against the wall, staring at nothing. Summer hadn't spoken once. Her eyes were red, swollen, empty. Kyra kept whispering "I'm sorry" to nobody in particular.
Kaida held her phone like it was a bomb.
No one wanted to look at it.
But no one could stop staring.
Then it vibrated.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Kaida inhaled sharply. Everyone turned.
Her fingers trembled as she lifted the screen.
ROUND TEN
PLAYER SELECTED
Ryan.
Ryan blinked. "What?"
Prince sat up. "What do you mean, Ryan?"
The phone buzzed again.
TRUTH ROUND
You will answer.
Or someone else will.
Ryan laughed nervously. "This thing is sick. It can't just—"
Another vibration.
Truth will be extracted.
The room went silent.
Kyra's voice came out shaky. "What kind of truth?"
The screen changed.
Ryan's chest tightened.
QUESTION:
Who in this group would you sacrifice if it meant saving yourself?
"No." Ryan shook his head. "That's messed up."
Answer in 30 seconds.
Prince moved closer to him. "Ryan, don't joke around. Just… just say something harmless."
Ryan swallowed. His hands were sweaty. "There is no harmless answer to that."
Jason finally looked up. His eyes were empty. "Then don't answer."
The timer appeared.
30… 29… 28…
Kaida whispered, "Ryan, please."
Ryan stood up. "I'm not playing this."
24… 23…
He started pacing. "You all think I'm loud and unserious but I'm not stupid. This game wants us to turn on each other."
18… 17…
Summer's voice cracked. "Ryan, just say a name. We know you don't mean it."
He stopped.
Looked around.
Prince.
Jason.
Thorian.
Zyren.
Lyrelle.
Kaida.
Kyra.
Summer.
His eyes lingered on Kyra.
Everyone noticed.
Kyra's breath hitched.
Ryan's jaw tightened.
10… 9…
"No," he whispered. "I won't."
8… 7…
Kaida's phone vibrated violently in her hand.
REFUSAL DETECTED.
6… 5…
Prince stepped forward. "Ryan, say something. Anything."
Ryan closed his eyes.
2… 1…
TIME UP.
The lights in the room flickered.
Summer gasped.
Kaida's phone went black.
Then every phone in the room lit up.
Same message.
Ryan has chosen silence.
Silence is still a choice.
Jason stood slowly. "What does that mean?"
No one answered.
Then Ryan's phone rang.
Unknown Caller.
He stared at it like it was alive.
"Don't pick it," Kyra whispered.
It stopped ringing.
Then buzzed with a message.
Go outside.
Ryan laughed nervously. "Nah. Nope. I'm not doing that."
Kaida's phone vibrated.
If Ryan does not go, someone else will.
Everyone froze.
Summer whispered, "Ryan…"
Prince grabbed his arm. "Don't move."
Ryan swallowed hard.
Then the front door handle slowly turned by itself.
Click.
Everyone screamed.
Ryan's heart slammed against his ribs. "Okay. Okay! I'll go."
Prince tightened his grip. "No, you won't."
Ryan gently pulled away. "If I don't, it'll hurt one of you."
He opened the door.
The hallway outside was dark.
Too dark.
"Ryan!" Jason called.
Ryan turned back, forcing a grin. "I'll be fine."
The door shut behind him.
The lock clicked.
Everyone rushed forward.
Prince tried the handle.
Locked.
Kaida's phone buzzed.
Ryan's round has begun.