Haven of the Damned

Bonus: PANIC

Author's Note

In celebration of Amazon Prime Video's newest series Panic, I am thrilled to be teaming up with Amazon Prime Video and Wattpad to write this exclusive chapter that puts my characters from this story into the world of Panic!

I hope this chapter intrigues and inspires you to learn more about Panic. Visit the #PanicWritingContest on Wattpad for the chance to put your creative writing chops to the test and learn more about the show!

To find out more about the contest, prizes, and how to enter, check out the #PanicWritingContest here: wattpad.com/AmazonPrimeVideo

Don't forget to watch the series premiere on May 28th, only on Amazon Prime Video, here: http://primevideo.com/

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Jim took an unsteady breath in. The pause was over. After the fourth of July, the game would be back on in full swing. Jim's chest contracted with each outward huff which almost possessed his body with the weight of walking for three days and nights straight. It's a risky game, Panic, intended for rebellious teenagers with adrenaline-fixations. People of Jim's experience are at an almost unfair advantage in comparison to his competitors. Experience would get him through.

And the prize.

Jim was an honorary participant of Panic; a game of strength and willpower. A game created by senior students in 2000 as a legacy for the future- issue is, challenges increase in danger with each episode, and with prize money of over $50 000, people get ruthless.

Jim was regrettably forced into the game by his ashy blonde son, Ewan, a seemingly younger reflection of himself.

Flashback -

"C'mon Dad, you'll have fun! Nobody's been hurt in years. Besides, I've already placed my bets on you with the collector, Hanrahan!" Ewan's ashy blonde hair falls over his left eye, covering some of his dewy-skinned freckles.

Jim sighed, "Son," he placed an arm on his lean, broad shoulder, "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this- but fine."

Ewan's mouth contorted a wide, ear-to-ear smile which seemed to brighten the entire room, something which Jim hadn't seen on his son since his middle school days. The true prize was his son's happiness.

"Love you, dad." Ewan burst forward and wrapped his arms around Jim's chest. "I know you'll win." Jim halted for a second before hugging his son's lean frame back.

"For you, my pride and joy."

Flashback ends  -

Another inhale. Jim had been trodding along for what seemed like hours through tall grass in this rural area. Jim was heading for Spurlock Farm. The episode three challenge, participants must break into Farmer Spurlock's home and retrieve solid evidence of their own entry.

How hard could it be? An old wheat farmer and his humble barn? Simple.

His leather boots pushed down against the rich earth, there were no roads where he stood, only vast land. And the occasional tree. Something unseen in his dark and polluted home of Cascade. Jim scanned for a focal point, his birth-given ability as a sentinel allowing Jim to tune into his entire surrounding with intense precision.

Bright orange sunset.

Tree.

Faded green grasses.

Hills.

Birds chirping.

Tree.

Harsh breathing.

Dead wind.

Sniffle.

Red barn on distant hill.

HARSH BREATHING AND SNIFFLE?

Jim's next hard step followed with a shriek and a squirming floor.

"STEP OFF ME." A young woman's voice.

Jim's gaze darted down to a small-framed brunette in the grass, pushing up against the sole of Jim's boot. She was easily the same age as Ewan. Jim released the pressure from under his foot slightly. A competitor.

"I SAID...STEP OFF!" She demanded, grimacing up at Jim as he evaluated the situation.

"What is your name?" Jim cocked his head slightly, looking down at her, boot still pressing her down. She bared her teeth further and continued to struggle before giving up, panting.

"I'm... I'm Heather. Now let me go. I just want to win." She was gulping air dramatically.

Jim pulled his foot from her chest. "Jim." He outstretched his hand as she stood and brushed herself off.

Heather's eyes darted between his eyes and offering hand like a scared animal.

She took a breath and sense became her. Heather's chin lifted and she smirked.

"Sure." She spat into her palm and shook his hand.

"We should truce. I lost Bishop and Natalie, god knows where they are now. And clearly we both have something each other needs." Heather rolled back her shoulders and put on an authoritative voice. The names meant nothing to Jim, they were competitors, he assumed.

"What in the world could you have that I need?" Jim responded. Heather faltered.

"I have youth. And insider knowledge. You could use a bit of both."

"What kind of insider knowledge?" Jim learnt not to trust teenagers. Someone had once told him that you know a teenager lies whenever they open their mouth.

"I know that his farm is planted with multitudes of potentially dangerous booby traps.. I also know only four people will make it through to the next round." She panted.

Jim gasped, "Only four?" Heather nodded. "I didn't expect the game to cull down competitors so quickly.."

"Stakes are high, we have to move. I think I saw the Spurlock barn just a few kilometers ahead. Not only that, we have to beat Bishop, a boy in my class. I can't lose to a gross guy like that.. " Jim snickered, teenage drama.

Heather turned away from Jim suddenly, flicking her brown, tied up hair past Jim's face, preparing to trudge through the prequel for what is sure to be the most intense challenge in Panic's twenty-year history.

Jim knew he had to protect Heather. Heather would get along well with his son.

He grabbed her wrist, turning Heather's body. She made bewildered eye contact with him.

"When we get there, you need to stay quiet. God knows who will be waiting to sabotage us." Jim demanded.

"I know exactly who'll be waiting, and I'm prepared for anything."

Heather and Ewan would definitely get along. 

So Jim would do whatever he needed to get her through.

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Hi guys,

Thank you all so much for reading 'Haven of the Damned.' I'm so thrilled it's been a hit for the Wattpad 'Mystery' readers! I never expected to get a Watty's award in a million years, let alone a paid writing opportunity for Amazon prime...

Thank you so much Wattpad for this bonus chapter opportunity! Can't wait to go and watch the Panic series on May 28th!!  

And thank you, readers. This has been a dream come true. <3