Grimm Games

Chapter 10: Wicked Riddles

As my eyes fluttered open, the room greeted me with a dim, eerie glow of yellow lights. My head throbbed, and I instinctively tried to rub my temples, only to find my wrists firmly restrained by thin rope.

I lay at an angle, wrists and ankles outstretched and tightly bound to a table under me. On a separate table beside me, Sonya was still in slumber but tied similarly as well.

To my right, walls adorned with bright colored candy and fragrant baked goods surrounded me, but there was no sign of Millie or Tobias. A strong scent of gingerbread hung heavy in the air.

Hunger gnawed at my stomach making me wonder what lurked within those tempting apples and why I had been so drawn to them.

Millie had mentioned safe zones for rest and sustenance, but trust in this place had already proven naive.

Shame washed over me for letting the Games remain one step ahead. I had volunteered to protect my sister, yet I'd only plunged us further into danger.

"Millie?" I called out. Only the crackling of burning wood mere feet from our legs responded. I turned to Sonya. "Hey, Sonya?"

She remained still, her breathing giving me hope she would awaken soon.

Strapped down, clueless about our location and predicament, I realized I had no idea how long it's been. My body and joints ached as if I had been asleep for quite a while. Now I understood why Millie wasn't sure how long she'd been here.

I tried to predict the challenge, recalling similar games from the show. From the looks of it, the game would consist of struggling to free oneself before time ran out.

Was I prepared?

Gingerbread walls, lollipops, and gumdrops adorned the room, enhancing the illusion of the Witch's hut. If I were correct, this would be part three of the Hansel and Gretel challenge.

I scanned for signs of the Witch or my sister and Tobias, finding only a similar table containing an assortment of raw meats and veggies, thankfully non-human.

My stomach protested, rebelling against the scent of freshly baked goods. It must have been whatever was in those apples that lingered in my system and caused that reaction to the food.

I pulled at my restraints, eager for release. The wood beneath me reminded me more of a culinary cutting board than a table.

What were we waiting for? I wanted out. I needed to find Millie. I needed to know she was okay.

Sonya began to stir, and the howling wind creeping through the exit door beckoned from behind us.

"Sonya, wake up."

She blinked at me, grogginess in her tired eyes. "What's going on?"

"Another game," I muttered, tugging at my restraints when she struggled with her own.

Suddenly, the speakers crackled to life, and the host of Chuck Gillian's voice filled the room. "Esteemed contestants of Grimm Games, it's time to delve into the dark and twisted world of the Witch's Cottage. Prepare yourselves for a challenge that will test not only your wits but also your courage in the face of the unknown.

"In the third segment of the Enchanted Forest challenge, we continue to pay homage to the chilling tale of Hansel and Gretel. You all know the story – the siblings, the witch's cottage, and the fight for survival. But in Grimm Games, we take it a step further.

"We invite you to embrace the spine-chilling atmosphere as we embark on a trivia challenge like no other. We'll delve into the heart of our grim contestants, testing your knowledge of your darkest secrets.