"Welcome to the annual 31st Les Jeux Blancs," a loud voice announced, echoing ominously throughout the large space.
Kia's eyes shot open, jolted into awareness by the suddenness of her surroundings. Panic set in as she realized she was trapped inside a dome. The bright lights overhead flickered harshly, forcing her to squint and blink rapidly as she tried to adjust to the glaring brightness.
As she slowly stood up, she noticed she was enclosed in a glass structure, a clear barrier that felt cold and confining. The reality of her situation struck her hard, and she felt her heart race. Looking out through the glass, she saw a crowd of faces staring back at her—an audience. Their expressions were a mix of excitement and anticipation, each person watching her as if she were a prize on display.
Les Jeux Blancs... Kia's thoughts lingered on the words, the weight of their meaning sinking deeper with each passing second.
A wave of humiliation and fear washed over her, the feeling of being judged and objectified weighing heavily on her. The glass surrounded her, a relentless barrier meant to keep her still and powerless, a mere participant in a twisted game. She could glimpse other domes containing a different player, all just as trapped and vulnerable as she was, yet she felt utterly alone in her confinement.
"What is this place?" she whispered, her voice barely breaking through the crowd's murmurs. The atmosphere felt heavy, a reminder that she was not just a player but part of a spectacle—a grim performance for the entertainment of those outside.
"Each contestant will have 10 minutes to showcase their talents in pleasing the audience and earning their privilege. And YOU will be responsible for who will be crowned the Queen or King of Blanc this year!"
The announcement reverberated throughout the dome, and the host's voice amplified to an unsettling degree. The crowd roared excitedly, their cheers echoing like thunder in Kia's ears. The tension in the air was palpable, a heavy blanket that settled over the 30 participants, who stood frozen in a mixture of fear and anticipation.
Kia's heart raced as she absorbed the weight of those words. Ten minutes—only ten minutes to prove themselves and entertain the faceless masses surrounding them. She could feel her palms growing clammy, anxiety twisting her stomach into knots. What did "pleasing the audience" truly entail in this grim setting?
Her gaze flickered across the other contestants, each wearing a mask of determination and dread. Some were already strategizing, whispering hurriedly to one another, while others stood silently, lost in their thoughts. Kia knew they were all wondering the same thing: How far would they go to secure their place in this twisted game?
The crowd's energy surged, feeding off the palpable excitement. Kia could hear snippets of their conversations—hints of what they desired and hoped to witness. "I hope someone dances!" one voice cried out. "I want to see a real act of bravery!" shouted another. The expectations were overwhelming, a cacophony of demands threatening to drown her resolve.
Kia took a deep breath, grounding herself amid the chaos. She couldn't afford to be paralyzed by fear; she had to think clearly.
"This isn't just a performance," she reminded herself. "It's a chance to take control, to manipulate the game in my favor."
It's like it's Hunger Games in real life... Kia thought to herself.
Suddenly, the countdown timer appeared on the overhead screens, casting a stark glow over the contestants. The moment of truth was approaching, and with it, the realization that each choice they made would echo in the minds of the audience—and perhaps seal their fate.
YOU ARE READING
Cloak and Dagger
Mystery / ThrillerThe risk of betrayal made her feel unusually alive. When people turned against her, she wasn't surprised; it was like enveloping herself in an old, worn blanket-cold, and familiar in a terrible world. She knew all about this and accepted it like it...
