Among us: the real game

Chapter 10: Shadows of the Past

Thirty years had passed since that fateful day in the warehouse, but for Lyla, the memories remained fresh and vivid. The vibrant laughter of her friends echoed in her mind like a haunting melody, a constant reminder of the price she had paid for survival. Now, as a mother, she tried to build a life filled with love and safety, but the shadows of her past loomed large over her.

Lyla sat at the kitchen table, staring blankly at the newspaper spread before her. The headlines screamed of another season of the game that had haunted her life for decades. “New Round of Survival: High School Students Selected for Real-Life Challenge,” one article proclaimed, accompanied by a photo of eager, smiling teens. Lyla felt a sick twist in her stomach as she read the words.

“Mom, can you help me with my math homework?” Jeena, her daughter, called from the other room, interrupting her dark thoughts.

Lyla’s heart swelled with love and pride as she watched Jeena enter the room, a bright and spirited teenager who reminded her so much of herself. But that joy was overshadowed by the anxiety gnawing at her. Jeena had grown up in a world where the game had become a twisted rite of passage, and Lyla had done everything in her power to shield her daughter from its horrors.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Lyla replied, forcing a smile as she pushed the newspaper aside. She wanted to keep Jeena innocent, unaware of the dark legacy that had shaped her mother’s life. But as the days passed, the media frenzy surrounding the game intensified, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the facade.

Later that week, Lyla received the dreaded news. The school had announced that this year’s game would include a mandatory selection of students from local high schools, and every eligible teen would be forced to participate. Her heart dropped as she imagined the fear and confusion that must have spread through the halls of Jeena’s school.

“Jeena, can we talk?” Lyla said, her voice trembling slightly as she found her daughter in the living room.

“Sure, Mom. What’s up?” Jeena replied, looking up from her phone, her expression shifting to one of concern.

Lyla took a deep breath, fighting to keep her voice steady. “I need you to listen to me very carefully. There’s something happening at your school, and I want you to promise me that you’ll stay away from it.”

“What do you mean?” Jeena asked, confusion creasing her brow.

“They’re selecting students for the game again, and it’s mandatory this time,” Lyla said, her voice firm yet shaky. “You can’t go, Jeena. I won’t let you.”

Jeena’s eyes widened in disbelief. “But Mom, everyone’s talking about it! They’re excited! It’s just a game, right? You did it, and you survived!”

Lyla felt a surge of anger mixed with desperation. “It’s not just a game, Jeena! It’s dangerous, and it took everything from me. I lost my friends, and I don’t want to lose you too. You have to trust me.”

Jeena crossed her arms, her expression turning defiant. “But what if I’m selected? What can I do? It’s not like I can just refuse.”

Lyla’s heart raced as she grappled with the reality of the situation. “I will do everything in my power to stop this, Jeena. I won’t let you be a part of it.”

Days turned into a blur of anxiety as the selection process approached. Lyla’s mind raced with plans, desperate to find a way to protect her daughter. She knew the game was bigger than ever, its reach extending into every corner of society. The investors had built an empire on fear, and they wouldn’t easily relinquish control.

The day of the selection finally arrived, and the school gym buzzed with nervous energy. Students gathered in groups, some excited, others anxious, discussing their fate with a mixture of anticipation and dread.

Lyla paced outside the gym, her heart pounding in her chest. She had to find a way to intervene, to make sure Jeena didn’t get caught up in this nightmare. She pulled out her phone and began to scroll through the contacts, searching for someone—anyone—who could help her.

Just then, the gym doors swung open, and the principal stepped out, clipboard in hand. “Attention, students!” he called out. “We will now begin the selection process. Please line up in front of the stage!”

Lyla’s stomach churned as she watched the students file inside. Time was running out. She had to act.

With a surge of determination, she pushed through the crowd, her heart racing as she made her way toward the gym entrance. “Jeena!” she shouted, spotting her daughter among the sea of students.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” Jeena exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.

“I can’t let you go through with this,” Lyla said, her voice urgent. “We have to get out of here now!”

Before Jeena could respond, the principal’s voice echoed through the gym, “And the first student selected for this year’s game is… Jeena Morris!”

Lyla’s heart sank as the words hung in the air, the reality crashing down around her. Jeena looked at her in shock, the excitement in the room suddenly replaced by a chilling silence.

“No! Jeena, please!” Lyla shouted, her voice breaking as panic surged through her. “We need to leave!”

But it was too late. Jeena was already stepping forward, caught in the moment, uncertainty clouding her judgment.

As the realization set in, Lyla felt a fierce protectiveness wash over her. “I’ll do whatever it takes to stop this,” she vowed silently, knowing she would confront her past and fight to save her daughter from the twisted legacy of the game.

With renewed determination, Lyla prepared to take action, knowing that this time, she would not be a passive survivor. She would become the protector, no matter the cost.