First Game: The Countdown

They were no longer in the basement.

This was the first thing Layan realized when she opened her eyes.

The walls had vanished, the ceiling had faded away, and the place had transformed into a vast windowless stone hall, from whose heights rusted chains dangled, swaying despite the absence of wind.

The floor was cold, mottled with dark stains... she did not need to get closer to know they were old blood.

Adam was getting up, cursing in a trembling voice.

Younis was on his knees, pressing his temples, as if the headache were trying to split his head in two.

Then The Voice returned.

Closer this time.

Clearer.

And crueler.

"First game... The Countdown."

The walls suddenly lit up, as if a hidden fire had ignited inside the stone.

And in the middle of the hall a stone pillar appeared, topped by a huge Countdown with moving numbers...

counting down.

60... 59... 58...

"What is this?!" Adam shouted.

"Why is it counting?" Layan whispered, her heart pounding violently.

On the opposite wall, words were deeply engraved as if scratched by fingernails:

"Three entered...

only two survive."

The blood froze in their veins.

Before they could grasp the meaning, an iron door opened in one of the walls, and something came out.

It was not human.

Nor was it entirely a monster.

A gaunt body, its limbs too long, and its face covered with taut, featureless skin...

except for a mouth gaping wide, from which black teeth dangled.

Tick... 41... 40...

"We have to hide!" Layan shouted.

But The Voice returned to cut off her hope:

"There is no hiding in The Countdown."

Suddenly, the chains snapped shut around their feet, pinning each of them inside a separate stone circle.

"What is required?!" Younis shouted. "What do you want?!"

The Countdown stopped.

Then the last digit moved alone.

30

And a new line appeared on the wall:

"He who lies... dies.

He who remains silent... lives."

They looked at one another.

Their secrets...

their little lies...

the things they had never confessed.

The creature began to crawl slowly, its head tilting toward the first circle.

Toward Adam.

29...

Adam opened his mouth...

But Layan shouted:

"Don't speak!"

28...

The creature drew closer, its breath making a wet, disgusting sound.

And in that moment, they realized the terrifying truth:

This game was not looking for courage...

but for betrayal.

27...