Blood and Romances (re-write)

Chapter One

Clyde lounged on his worn-out sofa, idly scrolling through his Instagram feed in search of entertainment. As the minutes ticked by, he couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of boredom that had settled over him like a heavy fog. Just as he was about to give up on finding anything interesting, he stumbled upon a captivating post about a new television show that was about to hit the screens.

Intrigued, he delved further into the post and discovered that the show was on the lookout for participants. The premise was simple yet exhilarating – contestants would engage in a series of whimsical children's games, with the last person standing at the end of the competition walking away with a substantial cash prize.

Eager to inject some excitement into his mundane routine, Clyde wasted no time in signing up for the show on the designated website. As he perused the site, he noticed that the number of sign-ups had already surpassed the hundred mark, but he was oblivious to the identities of his fellow participants.

Recognizing that embarking on this adventure alone would diminish the thrill, Clyde impulsively dialed his best friend Tolkien, hoping to persuade him to join in the fun. "Hey, have you heard about the TV show they're putting together? We should totally be in it together!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

However, Tolkien's response was far from what Clyde had hoped for. "No thanks, I've got enough money as it is. Besides, I have better things to do than waste my time on some silly TV show," came the disinterested reply.

Disheartened but undeterred, Clyde retorted, "You're no fun! Fine, I'll find someone else to do it with me!" With a frustrated sigh, he ended the call and immediately reached out to Tweek, knowing that his other friend Craig wouldn't be available.

"Hey, Clyde, what's up?" Tweek's jittery voice echoed through the phone.

"Have you signed up for that TV show thing? I really don't want to do it alone," Clyde blurted out, his desperation evident in his tone.

"Yeah, Craig and I signed up together. We thought it would be a blast!" Tweek cheerfully announced.

Ecstatic at the prospect of not being alone, Clyde exclaimed, "Yay! I won't be alone! You love me more than Tolkien does!"

"Uhm... okay..." Tweek's response was hesitant, but Clyde was too elated to notice. After a brief exchange of goodbyes, he ended the call with a hopeful smile, eagerly anticipating the adventure that lay ahead.

Two weeks later, after a particularly arduous day at work, Clyde made his way home through the dimly lit streets, his mind consumed by thoughts of the upcoming TV show. Despite the day's challenges, he found solace in the knowledge that he would soon be part of something potentially groundbreaking.

As he mulled over the list of friends who had signed up for the show, the absence of Tolkien struck him. "He's so boring," Clyde mused, shaking his head in disappointment. Lost in his thoughts, he was suddenly jolted by a searing pain at the back of his neck. Before he could comprehend what was happening, he crumpled to the ground, succumbing to a deep, unyielding slumber.