Laters better than never.

Chapter 12 (witch hunt 1/?)

Niragi scoffed, eyes narrowing at the suddenly illuminated TV screen.

"The hell is this?" he muttered, licking his lips as the screen flickered.

"Difficulty: Ten of Hearts," a mechanical voice announced.

Niragi's grin widened, but there was no humor in it—just that usual twisted excitement. "Well, shit."

"All participants must assemble in the lobby immediately. The rules of the game will then be explained."

The voice echoed through the entire building.

Arisu heard it too. His breathing was ragged, nostrils flaring against the tape covering almost his entire face. He thrashed against the bindings, but they wouldn't budge.

This can't be happening.

His mind raced. He wasn't even in the lobby. What would happen if he couldn't make it in time? Would the game kill him before it even started?

He screamed into the tape. No one could hear him.

"I repeat. All participants must assemble in the lobby immediately."

The remaining players hurried to the lobby, a tense, chaotic energy surrounding them. Some were already pulling out their phones, scanning the screens desperately for any information.

The chimes of notifications rang out endlessly.

Usagi sprinted down the hallway, barely registering the worried voices around her. She arrived at the table, grabbed a phone, and immediately noticed the growing crowd gathered around something in the center of the room.

Something was wrong.

She pushed through, heart hammering, and then she saw it.

A body.

Momoka.

Blood pooled beneath her, soaking into the carpet. A knife was buried deep in her chest, right through her heart.

"Momoka!"

Usagi turned at the panicked scream.

Asahi shoved past everyone, dropping to her knees beside the body.

"Momoka! Why—" Her breath hitched as she stared at the knife, her hands shaking.

Suddenly, everyone's phones chimed at once.

"Game: Witch Hunt."

A collective hush fell over the room.

"The murderous witch who killed this girl is hiding amongst you in plain sight. The witch role is not limited to women."

"She's here?" Usagi murmured under her breath.

"To clear the game, you must find the witch and burn them in the Fire of Judgment. Time limit: two hours."

A bright orange glow flickered through the windows.

"There's a fire behind the building!" someone shouted.

Panic erupted instantly. People started backing away from one another, eyeing each other with suspicion.

Ann stepped forward, her voice cutting through the growing chaos. "We have to find whoever murdered Momoka and burn them in the Fire of Judgment."

Usagi's eyes darted around the room. Mai—where was Mai? If Ann was here then who was looking after her?

Her chest tightened until she finally spotted her. Tatta was holding her up, supporting her weight as she swayed unsteadily. She shouldn't even be up, but missing the game meant certain death.