The invisible string

The First Rule

We follow the arrows because neither of us have a better idea. This is the start to any horror movie ever. But we follow it anyway. Because the silence is worse. Because at least the glowing lines know where they're going - even if we don't.

The arrows pulse, one by one, beneath our feet, lighting up like they're leading us into something sacred- or cursed.

We follow them in silence, side by side but miles and miles apart.
The path takes us through cracked concrete, past shattered windows and rusted cars. The sun is nearly gone now. Shadows spill across the ground like spilled ink.
Then the building appears.

A massive structure, looming at the end of the road, vines snaking up its sides like it's been asleep for years. But the lights inside flicker to life as we approach.

"Oh hell no," was my first thought.

"You have GOT to be fucking with me," I mutter. "A gymnasium? Seriously?"

Hayden raises his brow. "Why? Scared of a little cardio, love?" he says and winks at me.

"Yes, actually. Have you met me? I have terrible stamina!"

He chuckles- just a little - and tilts his head. "Yeah...I think I know that actually."

My breath catches in my throat. That sounded like him. For a second - just one second - it feels like we're back to normal.

Rudely interrupting my moment, the doors creak open by themselves. The warmth in my chest is replaced with cold dread.
When the double doors groan fully open, they reveal a vast gymnasium bathed in flickering lights. The ceiling's high enough to swallow sound. Half the floor is warped from the water damage. Rows of broken bleachers line the sides like ancient watchers.

There is no one else here.
Just us.
And the silence.

Until the lights snap off.

Total darkness engulfs us whole for exactly three seconds.

Then, a spotlight slams down from the ceiling- center court. A screen flickers to life on the far wall. Red letter stutter across the glitching monitor.

RULE ONE: ONE MUST REMEMBER, ONE MUST SURVIVE

I snort, "HAH! Good luck with that Hay," i say to him then face the monitor once more. "This kid is literally Dory right now."

He glares at me for a hot minute but i do not regret it one bit.

Another spotlight switches on revealing a table with two buzzers and a digital timer. Ten minutes and counting.

MEMORY MATCH: ROUND ONE, FOR EVERY WRONG ANSWER, ONE CONSEQUENCE.

"What are we, on a gameshow from hell?" I mutter. "This feels like Terrifier and Jeopardy met up and had a demon baby."

Hayden cracks a smile- again, faint but real. "Yeah those terrible jokes do sound familiar."

"Bitch you're a terrible joke."
Just wait till you remember YOUR jokes dude.

The timer beeps.

The same automated female voice fills the gym. The voice is cheerful. Too cheerful when it says
"Welcome to the First Game. Each contestant must answer a question about their past. If one fails to answer, the other will face a penalty. Let's begin."