Author note: Hey beautiful people, I know it's been a VERY, like VERY, long time but I can explain myself: ophelbab and I have been quite busy with our studies and life in general, and I gotta admit that it took me a serious amount of time to translate this chapter, so as a present here's a long chapter that I hope is going to make you forgive me. Anyways I won't go in further details and I'll just keep it short but yeah hope you got me. Alright, I'll leave you to it guys!
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Draven Omega
*vibrating sound*
"Damn SMS!" I groan as I unplug my iPhone from its station, seated on my night stand, and move it closer to my face. The room was pitch black until I unlocked my phone, the light of the screen shining through the room, forcing my tired eyes to open. The sudden light makes my eyelids blink like crazy and forces me to see in a blurry way. Once I'm used to the luminosity, I open the unread SMS that I just received. I already know who is the sender and it doesn't scare me anymore. It's been a long time since I've stopped asking myself questions about it, my destiny is sealed, the only thing I'm trying to do: survive. My eyes slowly go over the text that I recognize, oh so well.
From Unknown
At 07:12:
Player 16: Draven Omega
Hello Draven, here are today's news, your new task and the amount of time you have in order to accomplish this task.
Number of eliminated player(s): 2
Identity of said players:
Player 1: Niki Cald (Hunter)
Player 2: Marisa Blank (Hunted)
Number of active player(s) today: 15
Number of inactive player(s) today: 8
Number of new players: 6
Category of the player: GUARDIAN N°1
News of the game:
Last night, the individual from the category HUNTED dependent of GUARDIAN N°1, committed suicide and broke the rule n°4 of the game's rule. Following the rules, this act has been responded by the adding of 5 people from its entourage.
Among these 6 new players:
1 is in the HUNTER category
2 are in the HUNTED category
1 is in the GUARDIAN category
And 2 are in the new category LIAR
Player 16 task:
Since you lost your protected, your new task is to find your new HUNTED individual and protect it. To find this player you will get a single clue for now. Your task will be over once you have found the individual.
Clue n°1: "BURGUNDY"
Once I'm done reading the text, I can feel the anger pulsing through my veins and jump out of bed.
"Damn it, why did she have to be so fucking stupid! God, she's such a moron!" I whisper-yell in the dark. I mean, come on, it's been now 4 months that I kept an eye on her day and night, to assure myself that she would not try to kill herself. In which case, she will put us in deeper shit than we already are and add more players to the game. And on the only day that leave her on her own, in order to get back to a somewhat normal life, she commits suicide. I swear, I am so fucking done with these weak and defenseless Hunted. It's been 2 years that I'm in this game, trying to not go over the darkest memories from my past. And fuck it; what has been done, has been done! I pick up my jeans and t-shirt lingering at the foot of my bed. On my way to the bathroom, I take a boxer from my dresser and keep on walking in the dark, the anger still fresh inside of me. Under the stream of the shower, I think about the clue. "Burgundy... Burgundy... So much for a clue, it's just a fucking adjective! I mean it could pretty much be everything and anything!" Once I'm done showering and getting dress, I hastily go down the stairs and am greeted by my father seated at the kitchen island, reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee in his hand. He quickly looks at me and says "Hey Dra, slept well?" I answer him with a slight pout, as if to say to him that this subject is risky. "Ah, let me guess, another text?" he asks me interested. "Tell me everything, I didn't get mine yet!" he tells me with precipitation. "Don't bother, I know your lying. As a matter of fact, I even know that your actual position is to be a liar and that your goal is to lead me on a wrong track." I tell him nonchalantly. He's so surprised that it leaves him speechless. That is until a frown appears on his face, after he saw the "failed again, old man" look I threw at him and that he hates so much. "Come on! I can't believe it! Did you read my texts? I mean, how do you do that? I don't get it, no one ever fools you! That's so frustrating and creepy!" he exclaims while simulating a shiver going through his entire body and making me laugh by the same way.
Yes, my father is a part of the game. He was added at the same time as me and that was 2 years ago. My mother was willingly part of the game while my father and I didn't know anything. But she started to get paranoid, she kept on repeating that "they" were to find her and that "they" would kill her when "they" did. Then, on an afternoon I went fishing with my father and when we got home, he found my mother's body. She committed suicide and I'll let you guess the rest. I don't blame her, on the contrary I understand her. As for me, I intend to live no matter what happens, so I play to that sick and twisted game.
And that's when my father gets me out of my daydreaming. "So tell me, what the clue is this time?" he asks me anew serious. "'Burgundy'. The clue is 'burgundy'" I thoughtfully answer him. He looks up to the ceiling and takes a sip of coffee. "Well, as you know I can't really help you, but I intend to accomplish my duty so, let's say that 'burgundy' could be..." "Her hair color!" I cut him suddenly illuminated. My father doesn't answer directly and finally says that my new protected must be in the disreputable neighborhoods of New York, which is obviously a lie. But it doesn't matter, he accomplished his duty. Now, I have to accomplish mine.
Lonely Parkers
Falcon's snores wake me up and yet, I still feel anesthetized by sleep. My eyelids are heavy and my lips are cold. Am I sick? No, I'm not sick, the memories from the day before hit me hard and I can see myself on the sidewalk, a blank expression on, looking at death right in the eye. I can clearly see the blood, the pieces of flesh and of car combined together to create a heap of flesh and iron. Niki. The text message. The WICKED GAME. The text message. The rules. The WICKED GAME. The text message... That's right, the text message! I abruptly sit up in bed, waking up my dog who was fast asleep until then. I look to my right and there lays my phone, the screen black, waiting patiently for me to hold it. Should I take it, or should I leave it here forever and ever. Change phone perhaps? No, that would be easy. They know who I am and as a matter of fact, who are "they"? A shudder goes through my entire being and I feel like I'm going to throw up. I dash to the bathroom attached to my bedroom and returns all the bile that contains my stomach, did not having anything to eat the day before. Once I've totally emptied myself, I stand up panting and feeling still nauseous I return to my nightstand and take my phone. I have to look, I just have to. I tightly grip my phone as if my life depends on it, which is actually true. I turn it on, unlock it and wait, terrified that the phone finally picks on network. I have 4 new and unread text messages. I don't even think about it and open the first text. It's a friend inviting me to a party tonight and I don't even need to think twice to the answer, I won't go. The second text is from my brother and wishing me a good back-to-school, just a little bit too early, as usual.
The third one... I refuse to open it. The third text is from an unknown number but I have a clear idea of the sender. I open it and freeze at least 15 minutes in front of the screen of my phone. I've read it all, in all the details and apparently there was 2 deaths: a suicide and Niki's. I can't believe that Niki was a hunter! And of course, I just had to get the role of a hunted. A hunted, how awful. I won't even be able to get out of my house without feeling like I'm constantly watched or hunted, without asking myself if today is going to be my last day.
The text orders me to find my guardian because he apparently is the only person capable to protect from the other players. But who is he? Or who is she? And the only clue I have on this person is 'PIERINGS'.
"If that's supposed to help me find someone, well thank you and please note the sarcasm. Because if I should remind you, dear anonymous, that we are in New York and that here, there's probably more people with piercings rather than without. I mean, if I'm not mistaken, New York has approximately 24 million of inhabitant, which represents maybe 5, 8 or maybe 10 million of people having one or multiple piercings. So excuse my language but this is BULLSHIT!" I shout outraged. I can't believe it, it must be a joke. After re-reading the text, I realize that it is actually real and put back my big-girl panties. Because if there's one thing that you should know about me, is that I'm not a crying baby. No, I'm a fighter and I certainly don't give up, especially not when my life is on the line. Alright, yesterday I broke down and I own up to it, but I was lost and god knows that I'm still as lost. Maybe to the only difference that now I've decided to get myself out of this mess that is the WICKED GAME.
Only, I have to know who is behind this stupid game that forces people to wake up with dread each morning. I'll need a lot of time if I have to accomplish those "tasks" that some lunatic is going to give me on a daily basis. While I'm trying to get a hold of myself, I hastily get dressed because thinking about it, I might just go to Bastian's party tonight. I can't stop living and it was actually at the last party that I was "recruited", if we can say so. So that's probably where this psychopath finds "players" for this game and with a little bit of chance, I might just find the little fucker. And when I do, I'll give him a piece of my mind.
Anyway, once I'm ready, I run down the stairs when I get stopped by my mother. Hands on her hips, blank face, oh no I just saw her left eye twitch: well I'm in for an earful. Without need of an order from her, I grab Falcon by his collar and take him with me on the couch, waiting patiently for my lovely and nice mother to give me a sermon. I inspect her while she goes around the couch to stand right in front of me: her hard face is betrayed by the dark circles under her eyes. Dark circles made by the numerous sleepless nights working on night shift at Mount Sinai Hospital of New York. I guess that her status of pediatric nurse is not that easy because lord knows how many times a kid gets sick in a city as big as New York! A clearing of throat gets me out of my deep thoughts, and at the very moment she opens her mouth, a huge weight gets on my shoulders. Here we go I guess.
"Hey mom, everything's good? You seem a little bit tired..." I say before she can speak a word and unleashing the beast inside her. "Miss Lonely Parkers, changing subject will not save you this time and you know it very well. Now, may I know why you were not home at 5AM last night? I came home at 4 and a half from work and the apartment was empty, Falcon was locked in your room and the kitchen was in a terrifying state. You are one irresponsible young lady and may I remind you that you are going to turn 18 in a few days, so you should seriously be more respectful of the place you live in!" she tells me obviously disappointed in me and not hiding her anger.
"I'm really sorry mom, I didn't see the time go by. I was at Melly's for her birthday and the party ended pretty late, so I went home once we were done cleaning everything. And since I was late for the beginning of the party, I left in a hurry and didn't have time to clean up the apartment. And might've forgotten Falcon in my bedroom, but I'm SO sorry, I swear it won't happen again." I say trying the "I forgot" card, trying to calm the game. Which apparently doesn't work since my mother doesn't actually seem to believe me, at least that's what the frown on her face tells me.
"It doesn't matter Lonely, you're going to have to get responsible and that begins with stopping to go out at crazy hours. Especially to go to parties where everyone is drunk. This certainly is not the behavior of an adult, I truly am disappointed in you. If your father knew all the things you've been doing this last holiday, he'll be outraged and you're pretty lucky that I won't give you a sermon this time. I won't because as any other teenagers of your age, I'm sure that you won't listen to me. But know this : someday you're going to wake up and realize that going to parties, drinking and smoking won't get you the money you will need to subsist to your needs!" she tells me despairing. And she once again used the "your father" card on me, which does not work anymore since he's not really around anymore. I guess work does take a toll on you...
"Alright mom I get it, you're frustrated, as always. I know very well that I'm going to become an adult, it's just that I would like to fully enjoy my last days as a teenager and last days of holidays with my friends before I have to go back to school. As a matter fact, you don't mind of course, I'm going to sleep at Bastian's tonight. We're going out, and Falcon's coming with me!" I tell her in hope that she's digest it well.
"Very well, I see that your mind has gotten somewhat clearer. I'm not really confident about the part where you're going to sleep at a boy's house, but I still appreciate the fact that you've warned me. And if I said no, you would've find a lie to make me believe that you're sleeping at a girl friend's house even though you're not. Now leave before I change my mind!" she answers me trying to keep a straight face, but it doesn't matter because I've won once again.
"Thanks mom! And you won't have to tell me twice, I'm on my way. Come on Falcon." I say while quickly kissing my mother's cheek before living the apartment, Falcon hot on my trail and leaving my mom alone at home.
Once I'm outside on the sidewalk, New York and its busy streets stands in front of me. Hundreds of people are heading their own way, the sound of honking coming from taxis and cars surely stuck because of the clogged traffic caused by an unknown reason.
Falcon's yelps, as a sign of impatience, gets me out of my reverie. I then mix myself to this giant anthill that is New York's streets, pedestrians representing the ant with a precise goal. I join them, with my own goal written on my right hand with a pen. The ink slightly went away but you can still clearly see the letters forming my clue: 'PIERINGS'
Draven Omega
All while playing with my tongue piercing, I hastily walk on the streets of this gigantic factory that is New York. The earbuds that I have in my ears are blasting the chorus of Smell Like Teens Spirits from Nirvana, my brain is soaking every lyrics and my lips mimic the words that Kurt Cobain is saying, a rock legend that rocks me from the cradle. My steps still rhythmed by the notes of my favorite band, I get to the skate park and my friend Steven hosts me as always.
"Hey Draven! How are you? It's been a while since we saw you here!" Steven is the kind of guy who's friend with everybody, you know, the one who is always happy to see you no matter what. He's the friend that everyone dreams to have.
"Hey Steve, I'm fine and you? Yeah I know, I had some stuffs to take care of lately. I didn't miss too much stuffs, did I?" I ask him concerned
"You bet you missed stuffs! Guess what?" he tells me with a smirk
"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that you're going to tell me!" I tell him faking enthusiasm, because I definitely do not feel well about this news.
"You're coming with me tonight to Bastian's party, and there is no objection because it's been a long ass time since you went out with me!" he says to me quite adamant about the fact that I can't refuse
"Well then I guess I'm going!" and I told you that I was not feeling it this time... Shit!
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There you go guys, hope you liked it, once again I'm SOOOOO sorry for the waiting. Don't forget to vote, comment and follow ophelbab and I. See you for the next chapter! 🤗❤️❤️
YOU ARE READING
WICKED GAME
Mystery / Thriller~~ ALERT : This is just the translation of my friend's story, who wrote it in french. This is not my work, I only do the translation. ~~ In one of NYC's college, there's a girl named Lonely Parkers. She lives the life of the party, getting drunk eve...
