Prologue
I ran from death like prey from predator. I ran until the soles of my shoes were paper thin. Gathering the scraps of the air I had, I stopped. She was chasing me… hunting me. She would not let me leave. Before I even knew it, she caught up to me. I felt her behind me, like a ghost.
"You know the rules, Player 2." She uttered monotonously.
Rules… Rules… Rules…
How did I end up here? What did I do to deserve this torture? I have been nothing but a good person all my life. WHY ME?
"ANSWER ME, LILLITH!" I turned and screamed in an attempt to show even a shred of confidence. However…
"How adorable."
… I knew she was going to drag me back to that wretched dungeon of nightmares.
She grabbed me by my neck and dragged me across the field. At this point, I surrendered. The chances of me escaping are null. She is 'Death' personified.
"You still have 5 Days left, Player 2." She announced mockingly to me as though I were a baby.
How did I get here? Oh, yes… that is right.
It all began 28 days ago, in an abandoned warehouse. I was with a few school friends. We were about seven in that warehouse.
I should have left to begin with. That is the problem with trying to fit into school. Gaining any sort of popularity is a blessing.
We split up to explore the warehouse. I went to the basement. Horror movies are right, by the way. Never go into a basement when things look creepy.
Within the basement were random boxes, equipment, clothing, skeletons, and dust on every surface. What was interesting was a singular card on the ground.
The card had writing on the back but no name to claim it. In the front was nothing but a picture of a mouse. More of a logo than a picture really. Looked as though it was drawn onto the card. The card itself was black and the writing was silver.
I do not know what came over me, but I picked up the card. In an instant, I saw at least thirty other people flash before my eyes. People I do not know… or did not.
Then a message popped up like a hologram in front of me. "Congratulations, Mr. Hallam Derby Drake Montana. Age 17. Birth date: June 28th, 2006 (11:49pm). Height: 182cm/ 6ft. Weight: 87kg/ 191lbs. Blood Type: O-. Handedness: Left. Death Date: December 6th, 2101 (07:39pm). Lifespan: 95 years. Cause of Death: Lung Cancer. Nationality: American. Bloodline: English (British). Location: Mississippi, United States of America. Type: Teenager.
You have been, unfortunately, selected to be part of a challenge that occurs every decade. This challenge is called the Dungeon Escapades.
You and thirty-one other individuals will participate. Your new title is: "PLAYER 2". The challenge begins 2 days from now at 00:00am. Make sure you prepare yourself for horrific and gruesome experiences. More information will be provided at the start of the games. Good Luck. Blink twice to terminate this message."
I did exactly that and the message digitally disintegrated. After that, one of my friends showed up and we left with a few trinkets. I took the card, of course.
The next day, heavy paranoia began to settle in. "Where did they get all that information? My death date?"
I asked myself these things and come night… all of them were answered with another pop-up message.
"Hello again, Mr. Montana. You may be wondering about yesterday's events. I am here to answer all your inquiries. I am Mona, an artificial intelligence system created by The Nobody Organization. We here at The Nobody Organization give opportunities to those who are less fortunate in certain aspects of life. Some with money, some with health and some with the purpose of life… such as yourself. The Dungeon Escapades is a series of games that take place within a dungeon. This dungeon is located in an unknown, unexplored area of the earth. Which means, once you enter… you cannot leave without completing the 31 Days. Each of these games are lethal. In other words, to the death. The goal of these games is survival. Surviving the 31 Days. You and thirty-one other players will take part. Yes, you have no choice. Killing is your only way to survival and escape is futile.
The details of each game and participation rules will be given upon arrival. You have 23 hours 57 minutes and 32 seconds left until the games. Prepare yourself psychologically. Blink twice to terminate this message."
And so, began the most hellish part of my life. The most traumatizing 31 days anybody could ever experience.
Prologue Ends.