The House

Chapter 12

Noel's eyes lit up as he found the 'scoop' he was desperately looking for.

"Pray tell. What for?"

I tightened my jaw, and licked my lips.

"Uh I stole a candy bar from a convenience store," I let out an awkward laugh before the silence was broken by laughter from the host and audience.

"That's cute, but it's definitely going to knock you down some points. Hope that bar of.."

"Dark Chocolate" I spoke

"Hope that bar of chocolate was worth it."

We looked at the meter as it quickly flipped through the half circle from left to right from Hell and Heaven until eventually it landed in the red Hell box.

"Ooh tough luck! Looks like it's time for you to get into the House and for us to call the next contestant, but before you leave." A lady came up to the stage with a red bracelet made of small metal, bone shaped charms. "We will be giving you this to signify that you are in Hell." The band was wrapped around my wrist and I was guided to a mechanical door that slid open from my presence and closed behind me. Suddenly everything was quiet. No loudspeaker, audience, or fake recorded laughter just the silent red blinking light of a camera watching me walk through the dimly lit tunnel and this was somehow worse.

Soon enough I stood in front of a different door that opened to a beautiful home. Its design was intricate and vastly different on both sides, one side was large and had highlights of white, a grand swimming pool, swings, exercise area, and entrance into a large home. While the other side was caged away. It was a drab little place with only necessities like a bathroom, and a couple beds. On top of the entrance in fiery font it said "HELL" I walked towards it noticing the dozens of cameras moving to my steps, honestly it creeped me out but I kept a light smile on my face and made my way into the compartment sized area.

That was when I first saw other contestants in the house. A girl and a boy in the Heaven section and a boy in the Hell section.

I was met with a series of staccato greeting as I walked in and smiled

"Hello, my name's Chaeyoung!"

"Oh the director right? My name is Max, I'm a rapper." Max had short curly hair and he wore a baggy tunic with a suit jacket that had watercolors splashed on. He was in the Hell side with me.

I nodded and faced the other two contestants who stood smiling on the other side of the dividing wall in the garden. Of course the hell section would have to sleep in the cold with the bugs while Heaven got to sleep inside.

The girl with wavy blond hair spoke first, "My name is Ashlyn, I'm also a singer. I wrote the pop hit "Blend in." It reached 100 million on Spotify," she let out a laugh and smiled. I didn't want to put labels on anyone but she reminded me of some of the artists I'd met on shoots, insecure, egotistical, overconfident, yet harmless

Then the boy with muddy brown hair, highlighted with a red beret spoke, "My name is Zeke, I'm a painter and digital artist." His voice was mellow and he spoke slowly as though every word was thought out.

I nodded at each of them and smiled before trying to break the ice.
"Wow, there sure are a lot of cameras here, huh?"

Max smiled, "Yeah, honestly I'm a little peeved just looking at them. I'm not used to being monitored like this."

Zeke laughed in agreement "I'm sure, it's interesting being in front of the cameras now right Chaeyoung?"

"I don't mind it, I think it's cuz I'm used to cameras on me." Ashlyn interjected, looking around.

I looked at Zeke and gave him a polite smile as we all nodded and the silence set back in again. Until the clacking of the door was heard.
"Ooh another contestant," Ashlyn gasped. She walked closer to the door as though it would give her a first look.

And in walked a familiar face. I smiled widely, black hair slicked back with a singular strand pulling out and near the eyes. Walking calmly and composed as always, Ashlyn began her mini interview, name, profession, age, but I felt eyes on me. A couple minutes later, a soft yet mature voice call "Chaeyoung!"

Author's corner:
Oooh she's here!

I feel like Taylor Swift "Are you ready for it- dun dun dun"

-C.V.K

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