Traitor

Day before day one (prolouge)

Kiara's POV

I closed my locker with a slightly shaking hand as the last bell of the day rang.

"Me and six other players? That means six other people got the same text as me, right?" My worried thoughts buzzed around my head. "Should I ask around? But no one is supposed to know. This is so stupid. And scary. But I have to go, I guess. Besides, maybe I can get out of it somehow."

I pulled out my phone and stared at the same text message I had gotten as soon as I got into school. It threatened my friends and family if I didn't go to this stupid party at some random address that I didn't recognize.

"Hey, you okay?" I jumped and straightened at the sound of her voice.

Syanne stood in front of me with worried eyes and I smiled. Syanne is a bit shorter than me with short blonde hair and she is literally so sweet.

I nodded. "Of course. I can't hang out later tonight, that's all."

Syanne pouted. "Why not?"

I sighed, stuffing my hands in my pockets to hide the shaking. "My parents wanted help with something."

"I see." Syanne nodded. "Welp. I guess we'll sleepover on Sunday!"

I nodded again, worried my voice would be shaky. "Yeah. I'm sorry."

Syanne waved my apology off with a snort. "Relax, it's cool. Anyways, gotta go! See ya!"

As soon as Syanne walked off, I let out a breath.

It's not that I don't like lying. In fact lying is second nature to me. I lie about things I don't need to lie about just because I feel like it. I just don't like lying to Syanne.

I took a deep breath and shrugged my bag better onto my shoulders and walked out.

• • •

I tugged on the bottom of my sweatshirt as I stared at the house.

My nerves turned to straight my fear and anxiety as I stared at the house.

It was entirely made of wood and it was three stories tall and pretty wide. It was in a scary neighborhood and the nearest other houses were at least a mile away.

But music was playing from inside, shaking the house and I saw bodies moving around to the beat as people all around me walked into the house.

I had changed into a simple sweatshirt and jeans with a band tee over the sweatshirt for this party so that I could at least be comfortable.

I took another deep breath as I stepped forward, walking through the door to a smallish living room stuffed to the max with people.

I wiggled my way to the back of the room and stood against the fireplace where empty bottles were being dumped because there was no fire.

I crossed my arms and lowered my head, avoiding socializing with anyone without it being necessary as much as I could.

"Would you like a drink?"

I didn't respond. They are most likely talking to someone else.

"Excuse me? Are you okay?"

I looked up and saw a girl standing in front of me with a glass bottle that looked to be full of alcohol of some sort in hand.

"Me?" I pointed to myself.

The girl rolled her eyes. "Yes, you! Do you want a drink? I brought them and decided to give them to people who looked lonely."

My eyebrows raised in surprise. "Seriously?"

The girl facepalmed. "No, stupid! I'm just handing out drinks! Do you want one or not?"

I winced and opened my mouth to refuse the drink but then...

"Take the drink. Just take it." My head whispered to me and I closed my mouth quickly.

"S-sure. I'll take it." I whispered and the girl leaned forward, cupping her ear.

"WHA?" She hollered and I grimaced at her volume.

"I'll take it!" I yelled, and a drink was thrust into my hand.

I stared at the drink, unsure of what to do as the girl walked away, shouting at other people to take drinks.

I covered my palm with my sleeve and twisted open the bottle, pressing the cool, smooth glass to my lips.

I tilted the bottle and a sweet but sour drink poured into my mouth.

"Lemonade! Probably spiked, but that's a relief."

I relaxed more as I drank the rest of the beverage, glad that I avoided socializing for the next two hours that the party continued.

Suddenly, all the lights went out and I dropped the glass as screams echoed around me, along with footsteps and people shouting, trying to find a friend.

"Hello?" I called as I felt around in the pitch black room. "Is anyone there?"

People shoved past me left and right, but when I tried to grab onto them, it was as if they disappeared.

"What is going on?! What is happening?! Why won't the lights go on?!"

Suddenly, I felt the back of a couch and I clung to it.

"Hello?" I called, but it was dead silent besides the blood pulsing in my ears.

Suddenly, the floor underneath me propelled upward and I was sent flying over the couch, flipping upside down.

My back slammed into the corner of a coffee table and I opened my mouth in a silent scream as the world faded to black.

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Thank you very much for reading! I'm sorry this chapter was so short! This is just a starter and I hope for future chapters to be longer! Who else feels like they would just straight up die if their back slammed into the corner of a coffee table? Yeah... 🙋‍♀️

Question of the chapter: would you show up to the party even while your loved ones are being threatened?

I hope you enjoy the next chapter!!! 🔪