Death's game

Chapter 20~ midnight havoc

I found myself checking the time constantly, when I reached my dorm it was already 11:15. Time was ticking away, bringing closer and closer to what could very possibly be my end.

Larissa was half asleep when I walked in, but she sat bolt upright as soon as she heard me, "where were you? What happened?"

Gritting my teeth, I remembered the rules, no one can know we're playing death's game.

"I went for a walk." I told her quickly, heading for my room.

"Really?" Larissa sounded unconvinced, "for hours?"

"Had to clear my head." I lied, closing my door behind me. I felt bad lying to Larissa, I probably sounded crazy, but it was better she didn't know that I was playing a deadly game and so was her boyfriend.

I checked the time, 11:20, every passing minute made my heart skip a beat and I felt fear creeping in at the edges of my mind.

The feeling of desperate hopelessness hit me at 11:30 when I realized how real the possibility of death was and the fact that in half an hour my life would constantly be in jeopardy.

With a shaking breath, I shook my head, sitting here counting the minutes wouldn't help me at all. I had to find these so called Keepers and get tools, which I assumed were weapons, to help me survive this twisted game.

"Rissa?" I called out as I opened my door and strode back into the open part of our dorm.

"Yeah?" She sat up, looking tired.

"I'm gonna go, um, say hi to a friend and ask them for some help, don't wait up for me, k?" I informed her, keeping my tone light and giving her what I hoped was a convincing smile.

She nodded, but asked one question, "help with what? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine." I shot back a bit too quickly, "yeah, it's uh, help on a quiz. Don't worry about it, it's all good."

Larissa nodded slowly but was obviously to tired to fight or argue, instead she waved and laid back down.

Sighing, I headed out with no particular destination, only hopeful that I would know when I'd found a keeper.

Cold night air whipped through my thin sweater, sending a wave of chills down my spine. I folded my arms in an attempt to warm myself as I set off across the grounds. I didn't have even a clue what I was really looking for; I didn't know who the keepers were or what the tools might be. I was banking solely on the hope that I would be persuasive and the tools would some how keep me alive.

As I walked I pulled out my phone checking the time again; 11:45. My stomach clenched and churned in fear, fifteen minutes till dooms day for me began.

I saw a flicker of movement ahead, but for whatever reason I wasn't afraid, the movement clicked in my head as someone hiding for other reasons than to ambush me.

Quickening my pace to a jog, I headed to the edge of the tree line. Someone was crouched behind a bush, obviously trying to hide but not succeeding by any stretch.

I cleared my throat, "who are you?"

The person slowly stood up, their hiding spot having failed; I'd never seen them before.