"Question-based, huh?" I repeated while trying to fall asleep.
But injuries to my arm and leg would not let me. Pain was not unbearable, but enough to disturb my rest.
Text on the paper changed slowly.
"It would be a good idea to take some painkillers. There is one on your table with a glass of water."
After reading the message, I looked around to see if it was correct. And it was. There was a medicine on the table next to a glass of water.
Even though I needed one, this action felt suspicious. This person didn't heal my injuries, but now he is offering me painkillers?
"Sounds fishy," I muttered.
Taking painkillers was a good idea, but I was not going to take one that was presented to me by a mysterious person or thing.
Bearing the pain, I went to the living room. Found some painkillers and took them without water.
Then came back to my bedroom and lay on my bed.
I was planning to sleep when my pain eased. It would take a while, like 30 minutes or so. Since I was too tired to do anything, as if I had something else to do, I decided to just watch the ceiling until I fell asleep.
"Can I see my family now?" I asked without moving my gaze away from the ceiling.
The writing sound was heard again.
"No," was the text on the paper.
But when I thought that was it, writing continued.
"Not right now, but soon. You will see them all, and you may have a chance to save them, as I promised you."
"Of course I will," I said with a tired voice after reading the text.
Text changed again as I said this.
"You are too comfortable, from what I see. Are you not scared? Not for your life or your family?"
This was a surprising message. Normally, the paper wouldn't ask me this kind of thing.
"I was. But not anymore. I beat your game after calmed down and planned carefully. If things continue like this, I can finish these games and save my family. And then, I will play a different game with you, and trust me, you won't like it," I replied as I closed my eyes to fall asleep.
I was bluffing, of course. I am just a 16-year-old kid who is good for nothing. I don't even know what I am against. I said it because I felt confident after the first game.
There was no reply. No writing sound or anything. At least for the next minute. Because I don't remember anything after that. I fell asleep since the painkiller started to kick in.
I didn't know how many hours I slept. The time given to me was 5 hours. But I couldn't set an alarm anyway, so I didn't even care about it. I was sure that this mysterious person would wake me up when needed.
…
"No, no, no. This can't be. Noo," I screamed as I suddenly woke up from a nightmare.
The moment I woke up, I checked my surroundings with panic. My heart was racing, and my breathing was out of control. I was sweating like a river, and my throat was hurting, probably because I was screaming during my sleep.
Seeing myself in my room, I calmed down slightly. The nightmare I saw was the worst one I have ever seen. All my family members, parents and siblings, also my girlfriend, friends, and all loved ones were dead, and I was standing on a pile of their corpses. All of their hands and feet were chopped off, and their faces were full of deep scars. Some of them didn't even have eyes, just darkness in their skulls.
It was evening, from what I could see. I didn't know the time, but darkness had fallen already.
As I was trying to come to my senses, the paper made that noise again, and new text appeared on it.
"I hope you rested well. Game #2 will start in a few minutes."
"Best sleep of my life," I said sarcastically before standing up and leaving the room.
I went to the kitchen and got myself a glass of water. After drinking, I went to the bathroom to empty my bladder.
As I washed my hands, I looked at the mirror and saw my red, blood-filled eyes. I didn't know why they were red. It wasn't even hurting, just red. Just to come to my senses, I splashed some water on my face.
After drying my hands and face with a towel, I went back to my room.
Came to my bed and picked up the paper.
"So, what is the next game?" I asked.
Text changed again, but to instructions this time.
"Go to your brother's room. It will lead you to the place where we will play the rest of our games."
"I hope it's not a gladiator arena," I said as I left my room and came in front of my brother's room.
I held the handle and opened the door. As I opened, the brightness of the room started to lighten our home.
When I opened the door, I could not believe what I was seeing.
In an all white room, my parents were standing behind iron bars!