It Started As a Game

Prologue

Dream, George, Sapnap, and Bad had finally been able to meet up. The first few days were spent in their house, getting used to being around each other. Eventually, they got bored and decided to go out.

Dream's aunt who owns a laster tag arcade offered to give them a free hour of laser tag, and who was Dream to decline.

They all wore casual clothing, making sure it wouldn't bother them while running.

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Dream's small black car, smelling like cigarettes and cheap fake leather drove over a busy highway. It was going slightly slower than the other cars.

The car ride to the arcade was filled with excited but nervous chatting, none of them knowing how good Dream would be at real-life manhunt.

Bad was driving with Dream sitting in the passenger seat. George and Sapnap sat in the back; bickering about who was going to team with who.

Dream grew tired of their fighting and decided to chime in.

"Me and Bad are in a team together, and you two are in a team together."

George and Sapnap responded with loud protests, before being shut down by Bad, who was happy he had a high chance at winning. They gave up and decided to spare their energy by staring out of their respective windows.

Once they arrive at the arcade, all hell breaks loose. They're all nervous, causing them to be more irritational.

They put on their gear. George and Sapnap are team blue, while Dream and Bad are team red.

Their gear consists of a vest and 4 bands.

Dream's aunt walks in and asks if they're ready. Once she's sure they all are, she starts explaining the rules and how the gun works.

"Shooting the enemy will give you 25 points. However."

She looked at them carefully, making sure they were listening.

"There is a button. My colleague will explain more once you're in the ring. The gun is easy. Just pull the trigger.
Understood?"

Both teams nodded, and not much later, they are led to a door.
The door leads to the game area, full of obstacles and things to hide behind.

The teams get a minute to take mental notes of good hiding and ambush locations. Afterwards, they are led to the clearing, a clear circle with a button in the middle.

Through a microphone a man's voice is heard.

"The flashing button before you will give your team 150 points. But watch out, there's nowhere to hide or run to-."

They failed to hear the rest as a loud bell rang, signaling the start of the game. The button starts flashing rainbow colors as well.

The game goes surprisingly well in the beginning. Both teams manage to score a fair share of points.

Then, the man's voice is heard again.

"Alright ladies, time for the real stuff. If you get shot, you're out and won't be going back in. Good luck."

A tense silence is followed by the statement before a loud squeal pierces the air.

From where George is sitting between two boxes, he can see Sapnap waving at him triumphantly, pointing to Bad who is walking towards the exit.

They give each other a thumbs up, not realizing Dream is right behind Sapnap. Only when Sapnap is about to get up, does he see movement from the corner of his eye.