The Game Of Death

7

We all sat in alert, listening for any kind of sound. It was all messed up. Two days earlier, when Mommy forced me to eat that human flesh, I realized there was no way we could avoid that.

That is the only food here. The next two days passed the same way, Mommy called us for kisses, then supper, and her rewards. It repeated.

But I learned it was not always the same. The last time Mommy played games was when the ingredients for food finished. And now it seems like the time for another game.

I felt myself despise her more. She not only keeps us here trapped and rapes us but also plays death games and eats the one who lost.

She was sick, inhuman. Max explained me some things about the game, but he said it was unexpected every time. Mommy never repeats the same game. It was always more cruel and more painful. And today Mommy—

"Come on, children, it's time to play a game." I heard her screech excitedly. Then, her footsteps ran down the stairs to the corridor outside.

I heard doors of other rooms creak open, indicating everyone was coming out. "Let's go." Darren whispered, his face blank and jaw tight. Max and Lizzie followed after him. I quickly made my way out.

All the children were gathered in the hallway facing the wicked woman smiling sickeningly at all of us. "We are going to play a special game today, and let's make it more special for our sister!"

She eyed excitedly, "she will be with finders." That confused me, I looked around at others, and some of them nodded at me, and I knew I had to follow them.

"The seekers will hunt our meal today," she clapped her hands in excitement. "Finders have to hide and look for the key to open the cupboard." She opened a door to her right and pointed at a wooden cupboard.

"Do you know what's inside?" She paused dramatically. I prepared myself to see something disgusting, but when she stepped inside and opened the cupboard, my eyes widened.

It was filled with food. All kinds of snacks and drinks. Human food. Edible food. I nearly shed happy tears before I paused.

There must be a catch. "If our little finders manages to find the key, this will be your supper tonight." I clenched my fists, unable to ignore the keyword *if*.

"Remember, children, I hate cheaters." I think I just imagined it, but it felt like she purposely looked at Darren while saying that.

I saw him clench his jaw while looking down. But my mind was too busy planning on finding the damn key and winning this shitty game.

We all ran upstairs as soon as she commanded. I noticed everyone running off in different directions, probably trying to hide themselves and survive until the game ends.

I didn't know which way to go, where Mommy could hide the keys. Somewhere, we would never search. Where? I stopped running when I reached the end of the living room.

This corner opened up to some corridor with dim lights. I contemplated before running off into the corridor. There was no other way, I had to stay hidden and find the key. There was a single door at the end of the corridor.

I halted just before it. Panting slightly, I grabbed the doorknob, twisting it. Locked. It was locked. I cursed under by breath as I just wasted my time running through this corridor just to find a locked door.

With a frustrated sigh, I turned around to leave but froze on my spot. Darren stood there with wide eyes, not expecting to find me either. I gulped, seeing a metal rod in his hands.

Mommy must have given the weapon to all the seekers to hunt us down. His grip tightened on the metal. He clenched his jaw before taking a few steps towards me.

I backed off in reflex. I knew he didn't want to do this. He was made to do it. He is hating it as much as I do. He helplessly swung his weapon at me, aiming for my arm before I moved quickly, dodging it by an inch.

He repositioned the rod, trying to attack again, and I caught the metal just before it hit me. I gripped it tightly in my hand, expecting him to overpower me easily, but he was applying less pressure.

My eyes widened, realizing what he was doing. He was cheating. Mommy's words rang through my ears like an echo.

I knew why she was indirectly warning Darren. Because she knew this would happen, Darren would try to save me. I looked at his face. He was hurt. His expression pained.

"Don't." I whispered softly. Don't get into trouble with Mommy by saving me. His expressions turned hard, and he suddenly pulled the rod from my grip and turned around, hitting someone without a second thought.

My face paled as I realized what had happened. One of the seekers was aiming to hit me, and Darren hit him in return to save me. This was not supposed to happen. No. Hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.

"You ungrateful brat, what did you do?" Mommy screeched, her chest heaving up and down with heavy breaths. "I hate cheaters! How dare you disobey Mommy?" She slapped Darren hard across the cheek. I winced when I saw the red hand print decorating his cheek.

My eyes stung with tears. Mommy dragged Darren by his ears with such force that It made me wince hard. He didn't protest when she kept dragging him. I followed them out in the living room.

My heart pounded in my chest. This can't be happening. No. No. No.

I need to find a way to save Darren. He is in danger because of me. Because of me. Me. My lips trembled as Mommy threw Darren across the carpet as if throwing a ragged doll. All the children gathered, some with scared face, some with a relieved face.

They must be relieved to be not the one in place of Darren. My chest tightened at the thought, I looked at Max with pleading eyes who slightly shook his head, silently ordering me to not interfere.

But how could i not? My hands dropped at my sides helplessly. Only if i could find a way of getting Darren away from Mommy's attention. Only if i could do something to distract Mommy.

Something that could cost me a lot.

"Stop!"