The Doom (BxB)

Chapter 2: 'The Doom' Challenge

The train emptied little by little, and little by little, Jason could feel the stuffy air begin to clear up. More breathing room, he thought. He looked forward to resting in his apartment, which was located at the far northeastern end of the city and the final stop on the train. He remained standing even as the seats around him began to open up, and found that the Korean man in the suit man remained standing also. 

The man with the face of an angel made no move to exit the train any time soon. Would they get off at the same stop? Jason noticed that the man still stood close to him, a little too close - thought neither of them appeared willing to move away. He felt the man's breath against him, not too close - not inappropriate or uncomfortable per se - but, well, there were open seats on the train. Many.

Neither of them said much of anything during the entire ride. Outside the window, the city at night had flashed by before them, and then gradually transitioned to older buildings, some dark forest, residential areas. 

The man in the suit shifted, brushing slightly against the manila folder Jason held in one arm. Jason became conscious of the folder suddenly, and tightened his grip. 

The man noticed. "Protecting that with your life, aren't you." It wasn't a question. His voice sounded smooth and low, velvety. Jason felt a chill and responded lamely in the affirmative. "What's inside it?" asked the man.

"Case file," said Jason vaguely.

"Are you a lawyer?"

"Detective."

This seemed to pique the man's interest. "Working a big case?"

"Maybe."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Let me take a wild guess: you're working on those disappearances that have been happening at Cleave College and across the city." Jason said nothing. "A file folder that thick - it's possible." The man smiled and patted Jason on the shoulder.

Jason felt another chill. The train slowed and then stopped. The final stop on the train, Jason's stop! "My stop," he said.

"Mine, too."

"You live nearby?" 

The man gave his winning smile. "Obviously." He walked alongside Jason as they exited the train together. "I haven't introduced myself. My name's Ken. I have a brother who's a college student at Cleave College. He knew some of those guys who disappeared." 

"Jason. I've got a younger brother, too. He's a senior in high school, eying Cleave College."

"Maybe my brother could give your brother tips for college applications," said Ken, laughing. He spoke lightly, and then stopped walking suddenly. "My place is in the opposite direction."

"All right. Have a safe walk home. Good night."

"Good night."

***

Back home, Jason's younger brother Peter was still awake. Like Jason, he was athletic, muscular, and always wore tight jeans, which tonight he paired with a workout sleeveless shirt. At 18 years old he was full of late night energy. Jason found him on the couch playing a first-person shooter video game. "You're back late," said Peter.

"Busy at work."

"Investigating that killer? No leads yet?"

Jason's silence confirmed Peter's guess. He had a rough idea of what type of person the serial killer might be like, but not who it was. He watched Peter tiredly, and Peter appeared to be forming words in his head. "What's up?" said Jason.

A pause. "Have you, uh, checked your phone lately?"

Jason realized he hadn't. "No. Why?" He reached into his jeans pocket suspiciously and pulled his phone out. He saw that he had a text message from Peter. Or rather, multiple text messages.

"Now, don't be alarmed..."

Jason opened the text message. It was a series of picture messages - of Peter zip-tied to a chair, and gagged with a ball-gag. In the photos, Peter looked horrified; Jason could see him squirming in his mind's eye, tight jeans straining against the zip-ties fixing his ankles to the chair. "What the hell, bro..." Jason said. He looked at Peter, who looked abashed.

"I lost a wrestling match, see. There's this new social media challenge the guys at school are doing. It's called 'The Doom Challenge.' You've got to subdue the other man, do all it takes to tie him down and shut him up. Then take some photos of the loser with his own phone and send them to one contact. It's inspired by that serial killer that's been nabbing the guys at Cleave College."

"Peter. This is a very stupid social media challenge."

"I know."

"And you lost? Jesus." He scrolled through the photographs. He'd never seen his little brother in such a state before, and hoped never to see him in such a state again. "I assume you'll be playing this dumb game again."

"Yes."

"Who beat you this time?"

Peter brightened up. "His name's Charles Chang. He graduated last year and attends Cleave College now. I'm going to get him next time."

"Jesus."

"Want to play?"

"No. No, Peter, I do not. I'm going to bed. Besides, I would win, and I don't think I'd want to send any embarrassing photos of you to anybody."