"Ha?" I blurted out as I read the name of the game.
"What are you? An auntie who just saw a 5-year-old kid?" I said sarcastically.
My reaction was normal because even though the game is said to be harder than the first one, where dozens of elephants chased me to death, this is just a stupid question. Literally.
The text went on like this:
"Game #2: Who do you love more?
Rule: Answer the question truthfully. When you say your answer 3 times back to back, it will be accepted.
Example: Mom, mom, mom.
Punishment: If you do not answer the question within the next 10 minutes, you will be killed on the spot, in front of your parents. Immediate death with no return. And in your stead, your family members will continue the games.
Note: You are not allowed to say "both equally". It will count as not answering, and punishment will be applied."
After I read the rules, I realized that a harsh part of the game is the punishment, which can be avoided easily by answering. But how will it know that I answered correctly?
"How will you know that I answered truthfully?" I asked.
The text changed.
"I will not. That is why it is up to you".
I lifted my head from the paper and looked at my parents with a smile on my face.
"Looks like this game is a harmless one. Well, probably he wants me to look bad in front of one of you," I said as I sat next to Iron bars.
"What is it?" My dad asked.
"Don't do anything they say, escape by yourself. We can figure a way out," my mom said.
"It's okay, he is just asking me who I love more, that's it." I tried to calm them down.
"Who do you love more?" My dad asked confusedly.
"Yeah," I replied with a smile.
"Nothing else, right?" said my mom.
"Well, the punishment is-" I suddenly stopped, forgetting that I was hiding punishments from them.
"What punishment?"
"There is punishment?"
"What are you hiding from us?"
"Daniel, what is with punishment?"
Both of my parents started to rain down questions.
"It is not that important. I will give him an answer, and it's gonna be fine." I tried to calm them down.
"Daniel! What is the punishment? What are you making my son do, you bastard?!" Said my dad with anger.
"It is death," I said.
"What do yo-"
"It is not important! I will answer now, and I won't do the punishment." They were about to rage over my reply, but I stopped them by slightly raising my voice.
"How can you trust someone that you don't even know?" my dad started to get even angrier.
"Because he never lied. Whatever he told me, he did it. He promised me that if I find who he is, he will release us."
"What if he doesn't?" Said my mom with a worried expression.
"You are just gonna do what he wants to?" She continued.
"I don't know," I replied, "I can never be sure, but there is nothing else I can do."
At that moment, the writing noise was heard again.
"You have 2 minutes left."
As I saw time was running out, I turned to my dad to ask.
"Dad, it is okay if I tell him that I love Mom more, right?"
"Who cares? You think I care? You think your mom cares? We don't care who you love more, we only care about you." He said with a mix of anger and worry.
"He is right, honey, it doesn't matter who you love more, what matters is you." My mom added.
Hearing these words, a smile appeared on my face unintentionally. I looked down and let out a little laugh as well.
"Having a family is a good thing, huh?" I mumbled as I lifted the paper to give my answer.
"Mom, mom, mom. I chose my mom," I answered.
Text on paper changed to a new message.
"Congratulations, you finished game number two. You are allowed to answer the question Who am I? .
But before, I would ask you to tell your mother to get through the door. Do not worry, she will not be harmed in any way."
As I read the text, a door appeared behind my mom.
"Mom, he says you need to go through the door. He means no harm," I said, not knowing what else to do.
"What do you mea-"
"Dad, I really understand what you feel, but there is nothing we can do," I said.
"It's okay. If my son is going to be okay, I will do anything," she said as she went closer to the door.
"See you soon," she said as she entered through the door.
As she passed through, it closed shut and disappeared.
At that moment, something unexpected happened. The iron bars that were separating us vanished.
Seeing this, my dad rushed toward me and wrapped his arms around me.
I usually don't hug my dad because… I don't know, I have never thought of it.
But it felt different. It felt warm. It felt comfortable.
It was a weird feeling that I couldn't explain. The hug felt unfamiliar to my body but too familiar to my soul, like home.
As we hugged, not even a second passed, the paper I was holding changed the text on itself, but this time, with red color.
"Sorry, but I don't need someone who is less loved by you."
I couldn't understand the text, but the scene I saw after reading the text froze me in my place.
A door appeared out of the wall and opened. Then I saw an arm coming through it, holding a gun. I couldn't see the person's face, but the gun was pointing at me.
Bang!