RafexKiara Tangled Up in All Your Pieces // Riara

Chapter 15

1 Day Left

You lie to yourself, tell yourself you're a hero, and it feels so right. Fight Hart for your father. Start shit with Isaiah. Clean Rafe's wounds. Be a Pogue. In a place full of people so focused on their own interests, you're the dipshit. Putting yourself on the line for strangers. And what does it get you?

Why did it feel like everyone I knew was a stranger to me? If they weren't strangers, I wouldn't be in this mess. It would be like living in a utopia if everything and everyone around me were perfect. All players were placed in the same game. I just entered it.

Everyone was playing their part, their role that they were supposed to play. My life was the setting and their characters were the pawns. The pawns that were all set up strategically, making a move whenever I made a move. Every time I found the light at the end of the tunnel with hope on my face, they moved the chess board to their liking. I was trapped in my own mind, and I couldn't get out.

It was impossible to find checkmate. There was no way out. I figured that out after everything around me became crystal clear. I was trying to find a way out through everyone. In the distance, I saw a new player entering my game. But when I tapped them on the shoulder they'd turn around and all hope is lost. I see it in their eyes. I know that some are genuine, some are loyal, some are just like me. But they all disappoint.

They all agree to let their role take over them. Leaving no chance to clasp our hands in agreement for it to be over. We were all playing a game. We were all stuck in a game. We all let the game masters control our minds, letting society around us dictate what it should be like. The game masters were our minds. We were all stuck in this endless loop of lies, slowly losing our sanity as we played along.

I was standing on a chess board. Everyone I knew was on the opposing side, on the other team. I have no one on my side. The Pogues were on the other side. Sarah and John B were both present. My parents, classmates, and friends were all there. As the atmosphere was pitch black, the only source of light around us was a bright light.

The ticking of a clock could be heard. Being the only sound in the room. The watch ticked like a time bomb with every ticking sound. It never stopped, and every step I took seemed to make the clock tick faster, increasing my anxiety.

I took a look around at the people in front of me. Everyone was wearing the same expression. There is no expression. They didn't even notice I was there. I was alone; I had no idea who the people on my side of the board were, but they were on my side, on my team.

The clock began to tick even faster.

I awoke suddenly, heavily breathing and drenched in sweat.

Sharp pains shot up all over my body, causing me to groan in agony. As cramps began to pound my stomach, I clutched it.

I stood up from the couch I'd been sleeping on, on the second floor of the large house.

I looked around for a bathroom, clutching my stomach. I locate a restroom to the right and down the hall.

Shit.

I took a tampon from the supply box next to the stall door.

At that moment, I despised my dress and wished I was dressed more comfortably for the occasion.

Maybe it was a bad idea to come here.

The warm water from the faucet felt good on my hands. I wanted to take a warm shower and enjoy the sensation of warm water on my skin.

Muffled voices filled my ears, prompting me to turn off the water. In confusion, I furrow my brows.

I come to a halt and carefully listen to the voices, trying to figure out what was going on.