The Final Guest

3

The Game Begins

Sky Black had always been in control. In her world, information was power, and with her sharp mind and relentless pursuit of the truth, she had learned how to navigate even the most dangerous situations. But tonight, this was no ordinary assignment. The stakes had been raised higher than she could have anticipated, and every instinct within her screamed that something was terribly wrong.

As the laughter from Ben's declaration echoed through the room, Sky remained stoic, her sharp eyes scanning the faces of the guests. The ambiance had shifted. The elegance of the grand estate now felt like a gilded cage, and she was the centerpiece. She could feel it in the air—a tension thicker than anything she had ever experienced. It wasn’t just a social gathering.

Ben’s smirk remained unwavering as he slowly circled the room, his presence dominating the space. He was the orchestrator, and everyone else in the room, including Sky, were mere pieces in his hands.

“We’re about to start, Ms. Black,” he said, his voice calm, yet edged with something deeper. "Let’s see if you can keep up."

Sky raised an eyebrow. “Start what? I thought the party had already began”

Ben’s smile curled at the corners, just enough to reveal the faintest hint of his teeth. “I have high hopes for you, Ms. Black. Don’t let me down now. From here on out, you’ll be faced with choices—each one carrying its own weight. Every decision you make will spark a reaction, and if you make the wrong one… well, let’s just say the consequences can be... dire.”

The room quieted. The others had stopped talking, waiting with bated breath for the first move. Sky’s heart thudded in her chest, but outwardly, she didn’t flinch. She had survived the dangerous streets of investigative journalism. She had survived the shadowy figures that lurked behind closed doors. And now, she would survive this.

Ben’s voice slid through the air, smooth and deliberate. “Picture this, Ms. Black. No board, no pieces to shift. Only your instincts, your every move unseen. Words will be your pawns, gestures your bishops. Every choice a shadow with a price. One misstep, and... well, let’s just say you’ll find out what comes next.”

Sky’s pulse quickened, but she forced her expression to remain neutral. Chess. She was a strategist, a master at reading people, anticipating their next move. But this wasn’t normal chess play; this was far more dangerous. This was real life, and the rules weren’t clear. The consequences were lethal.

Ben paused for a moment, letting the silence hang heavy in the air. He seemed to savor the tension, like a cat toying with its prey. “Your sharp mind is what people praise you for. Let’s see if you can stay ahead.”

Without waiting for a response, he made his first move.

A waiter approached Sky, holding a silver tray with two crystal glass filled with an amber liquid. His face was impassive, but Sky knew better than to trust anyone here. She took the glass on the left, her gaze unwavering as she held Ben's eyes, a silent challenge in her stare. As her fingers brushed against the cool surface of the glass, the atmosphere in the room seemed to shift, as if the very air had thickened. The walls, once opulent and adorned with dark, glossy artwork, began to blur, the elegant furniture warping into indistinct shadows.

In an instant, the room seemed to transform—furniture rearranged, the lighting grew dimmer, and a chilling silence fell over the guests. The space around them had shifted completely, leaving Sky with the unsettling feeling that she had just crossed an invisible line. The once luxurious, welcoming room now felt like a grand stage, its grandeur amplified by the eerie, hollow silence that clung to the corners.