It's a Trivia Murder Party

Sasha

(Extra TW for this chapter: implied drug usage)

***

I can't help it; I scream.

Tyler lies motionless on the ground, blood oozing from the bullet hole in his head.  [REDACTED] hadn't even used the voodoo dolls this time; he flat-out shot Tyler like it was nothing.  It's scary, how a football player can be so massive, strong, powerful... but at the end of the day, they have the same weakness as the rest of us.

A bullet to the head is still fatal.

I cautiously step around his large, limp body, still astounded by how just last week, I was in the stands at a football game watching as he demolished opponent after opponent.  (Obviously I was there for my boyfriend, not Tyler, just making that clear.)  And now here he is, dead on the floor, having just been shot by a serial killer forcing us to answer trivia questions.  This whole thing is absolutely absurd and surreal.  I feel nauseous.  Really nauseous, actually.  I use the wall to steady myself, but it doesn't prevent the vomit from spilling out of my mouth onto the ground, landing dangerously close to my white sneakers, which have already been stained by blood from being in this h*llhole.

"Alright, it's time to keep moving." [REDACTED] has finished fixing his voice filter and hood, and he drops a one-eyed red doll into the puddle of blood beside Tyler.  

I finish throwing up, then compose myself.  I cannot be the one to overreact right now, it would be way too embarrassing.  I exchange looks with Gabriella, and we exit the room together.  Honestly, I'm so glad my best friend is here with me.  It makes being here a tiny bit less terrifying, even though I'm very much traumatized having witnessed four murders plus the severing of a finger.  Still, if you're ever in a situation like this, make sure to have a friend with you.

"Anywho... which of the following Taylor Swift songs uses the word 'love' the most number of times in its lyrics?  One, 'Mine', two, 'Today was a Fairytale', three, 'Teardrops on My Guitar', or four, 'Our Song'."

I immediately start speeding through the lyrics of each song, and quickly remember that the answer is number two.  I look towards Gabriella, who glances up from her whiteboard to meet my eyes.  It's clear that she knows the answer, too.  I exhale quietly before writing down my answer.

"Looks like we've got some real Swifties in here," [REDACTED] comments when he sees me and Gabriella's boards. "And this is where the saying 'girls rule, boys drool' comes from." He gestures towards the incorrect answers on Eryn and Nathan's boards.  

I stay right next to Gabriella as we enter a new room.  There's a small table with a flickering oil lamp, and there's a stack of chairs in the corner.  [REDACTED] sets a chair on either side of the table and tells Nathan and Eryn to sit.

"This game is less skill or strategy and more about communication.  At least, that's what it is on a good day for you two." [REDACTED] looks at each player before continuing "This is a game I call 'Decisions, decisions'.  Let's say there is a heaping pile of cash sitting on the ground next to you two.  You have two options- take the cash or don't.  If you both take the cash, you both die.  If you both don't take the cash, neither of you die.  And if one of you takes it, the one who didn't dies.  Maybe you two want to talk it out first."

I then notice two small boxes attacked to the wall.  They are split open to reveal nails embedded in their walls.  [REDACTED] carefully sets a blue shark doll in one and a yellow octopus doll in the other.

"Alright, go ahead, talk to each other if you want."

Neither Nathan nor Eryn makes eye contact at first.  Finally, Eryn builds up the courage to speak.