WHO AM I

THE GAMES BEGIN

The room buzzed with uneasy whispers as phones were whisked away, leaving everyone isolated in a digital blackout. Lila's heart pounded as the realization hit—there was no way to call for help, no lifeline to the outside world. She locked eyes with Cathy, who seemed just as freaked out.

"This isn't good," Cathy muttered, glancing around the room. "We need to figure out what's going on before it's too late."

Lila nodded, her mind racing with questions. Noah—sweet, quiet Noah—was suddenly at the center of something dark, something she never saw coming. She had to talk to him, confront him, but he was gone—vanished into the crowd like a ghost.

Jasper, meanwhile, was doing his best to lighten the mood. "Well, at least we're not playing dodgeball, right? My reflexes aren't what they used to be."

Lila let out a nervous laugh despite herself. Jasper's attempts at humor had a way of cutting through the tension, even if things were spiraling out of control.

Renzo, of course, was loving every second of it. "This is gonna be epic," he said, flashing that cocky grin. "A real test of who can handle the pressure. I'm betting half of these people fold within an hour."

Cathy rolled her eyes. "You would think this is fun."

"Fun? Babe, this is what life's about," Renzo replied, leaning back casually like they weren't in the middle of some twisted setup.

Lila shot him a glare. "You're not worried at all? Phillip's acting like a Bond villain, Noah's keeping secrets, and we're trapped here with no phones."

Renzo shrugged. "Noah's always been a mystery. But he's got his reasons. Trust me."

"Oh, because you're besties now?" Cathy quipped.

Renzo winked. "Jealous?"

Cathy threw a cushion at him, and for a brief moment, the tension in the room lifted, if only slightly.

But then the lights flickered. The room went dark for a few seconds, and when they came back on, Phillip stood in the center with a sly smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Phillip's voice cut through the murmurs. "The rules are simple. Stay inside. Participate. And if you win, well... let's just say there's a reward for those who rise to the occasion."

Lila's stomach churned. What kind of game was this? What were they supposed to do?

Phillip's eyes locked onto Lila, and for a second, she felt a shiver run down her spine. Did he know she was questioning everything? Did he sense her doubt? His gaze was too intense, too knowing.

"Let's make it interesting," Phillip continued, pacing like a predator. "There are clues hidden throughout the house. Whoever finds the most gets a special prize."

Renzo nudged Lila with a grin. "Now we're talking. A scavenger hunt. Easy."

But Lila wasn't convinced. "This feels off," she whispered to Cathy, who nodded in agreement.

"I know. Phillip's not just doing this for fun. He's got something else in mind," Cathy said under her breath.

Jasper chimed in, "Well, whatever it is, we better play along until we figure it out. No phones, no escape... we're in their world now."

Phillip clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone! Get ready to start. The first clue will be given shortly, and trust me—you won't want to miss it."

Lila's heart pounded as she exchanged worried glances with her friends. Whatever game Phillip was playing, they had no choice but to participate. But the real question was—how far were they willing to go to survive this night?

What secrets will be uncovered in this twisted scavenger hunt? As the stakes get higher, Lila will have to navigate both the game and her complicated feelings toward Noah, while Phillip's true intentions remain hidden in the shadows.