Don't fall

Chtp 35 - Sucked into the Game

Funny how things can change in just a moment. One second I'm heading home to kill myself and then the next I'm running down the streets, covered in blood and drenched to the bone, trying to save my friends.

I mean, Angels? They don't exist. So why am I running like a mad woman when I'm probably hallucinating, dreaming.. probably just overall insane..?

Because the pain in my shoulder is real. —And I'm not taking any chances. What that thing has just done, to my step mother.. my father.. is terrible. I won't let him do it again. What if he gets Avi..? Or Brianne? ..Nathan?

I remember in Elementary school, learning about drugs and etc. That's what this is.. I'm on drugs, somehow, and I fear death..so I've created my own scenario.

I finally reach the house, coughing and banging on the door. Xander answers, a cocky grin falling from his face as soon as he sees my state. He gasps and calls for Nathan. They both carry me over to the couch, laying me down. It's a soft couch, and I feel bad for getting blood on it.. blood? I freeze. Oh god I'm bleeding.

I start to freak out again, my eyes going wide and my breathing picking up. "June.. what happened??" Nathan says worried, I hear Brianne swear at the door and yell for someone to call 911.

I find my voice again. "No! D-don't call 911..he'll..he'll get us.." I gasp, tears streaming out. The adrenaline has worn off and I feel all the pain again. Brianne says "wait, don't call" and runs to my side. Derek appears, and begins mopping up blood on my face with a wet cloth.

"What do you mean?" Xander asks me, brushing my hair back, out of my eyes. "W-we... dreadn'lord..." I whisper softly. "Dreadn'lord? The game? What about it?" He asks, exchanging glances with everyone.

"We have to play it.." I squeak, hardly able to breathe anymore. Henry walks in, shock clear on his face. He doesn't ask what happened, just pushes Xander out of the way and tears off part of his perfectly pressed black shirt and presses it hard over the wound. He presses into my side, apparently I wasn't even stabbed in the shoulder..? It all hurts, I don't know anymore.

"The game. Get the fucking game before he kills us!" I yell, shocking everyone. Xander gets up, somehow sensing my urgency. It takes him a few minutes but he comes back with a large box. Everyone keeps glancing at me like I'm crazy.. Xander sets the game down, opening it up and begins setting it up. There are cards that say curses, cards that say challenges and a whole bunch of spaces but no pieces for players. It looks like there are four castles.. "this is insane..we need to call 911!" Brianne says worriedly. She must think I'm insane.

He finishes, and I let out a heavy sigh. I sit up, much to everyone's disapproval and I glance around, my vision is blurred. Everyone is in the room, Xander, Nathan, Henry, Quinn, Derek, Loran and Brianne. I wonder briefly where Avi is, but I assume she's just home sleeping.

Everyone looks at me, with mixed looks of worry, confusion, and unsureness. I lick my lips, words coming to me. "The game of Dreadn'lord has begun, may only the best win.." it comes from my mouth but it's not my voice. It's the Angels. My eyes lock on Loran's for just a split moment and I freeze. He's smirking at me.

There's a big boom as lightning strikes the house, exploding through the room and right into the game. Electric shocks shoot everywhere, burning all that lies in their path. We all jump back but are quickly pulled forward by an incredible force. A blackhole of some sort forms, pulling us in.

Henry and Xander jump on the couch, holding me down but they're slipping, as the force is too strong. Xander wraps his arms around me and we go flying in.

Everything is black. Wind whips at our hair, and we're both screaming. I'm slipping from his hold, "Xander!" I cry, my fingertips holding on, I see him mouth my name, and then he's gone.

I'm falling alone now, darkness all around me, but I see a bright light below. A terrified scream leaves my mouth. But, right before I hit the ground I begin to float. I'm lowered softly, and soon my feet touch the ground. Hands hold me up as I lose strength, and I glance back. The Angel.

"My name is Ealdun, I'm the god in this realm. Though you might know me as.." he starts, leaning close. I catch a glimpse of his gold eyes and gasp. "Loran?" I ask, and he nods. "I was known as Loran Fret. I've chosen all of you to be the next players in my game. I like you lot, you'll be a great team. You're all different in your own ways." He trails off, smiling to himself. His hands are locked around my waist, his breath on my ear.

"Hello Juniper. I am Yori, your helper. I am here to give you guidance and advice." A computer generated voice says. I glance up at the computer as it gives me information. It's all futuristic. It's a floating screen, held by nothing that I can see.

"You are the Leader. The rest of your team consists of Healer: Brianne, Swordsman: Henry and Xander, Assassin: Derek, Spy: Quinn, and Bowsman: Nathan. Your team consists of 7 people including you. It is your job as leader to decide what's best, and lead your group to victory. Everyone has a curse. Yours comes as follows; "Anyone and everyone will hurt you somehow, sometime. Physically or mentally." You will be dropped into Hunntin, a city where murder is legal, and anyone is game. To get out of this town you must collect 7 stones and then make your way through the maze. Once through the maze, murder will go back to being illegal, and only games can kill you. Games and creatures. If one of your members die, you will feel the pain as if you too were dying. You are all onnnnneee." The monotone voice says, suddenly fading away. Ealdun moves from behind me, I fall backwards into a seat, and my arms are shackled down the moment they make contact.

I can feel my heart trying to break out of my chest, I'm so scared. No, I'm paralyzed with fear. All of the others..I can't lead them. I can't protect anyone, not even myself. I was about to kill myself before this all happened.. I wish that I would wake up already...

"Here is your first game. Dare or dare." Ealdun says, with a smirk. I shake my head. I don't want to play this game. "I said..dare..or dare.." he says as an electric shock shoots through me, burning my skin and making my hair stand on end. My muscles stiffen and my insides squirm.

"Dare.." I choke. He smiles stroking my face ever so softly. "I dare you..to let me inject this into your eye. Without screaming." He says, laughing. My heart races, I don't hate needles but I don't love them either..and in my eye..?

"10..9..8.." a clock ticks, a voice saying loudly. What would happen if I refuse? Another shock..? Death? This is a game..I can't lose. I'm the leader and I have to help everyone. Maybe I can save everyone..somehow..plus, clearly this is a dream. I can play along. "3..2.."
"I accept!" I yell. He clips something onto my eye to keep it open. "Then, it's a Goddamn dare" he says softly, a smirk glued to his face.

I hold my breath, thinking briefly about Jarod.. I'm sorry Jurr, I got into trouble..and I haven't talked to you in what seems like forever..

I'm sorry to all my new friends, I dragged you all into this with me. My life is fucked up, I should've known I wouldn't be able to do something as simple as kill myself.. I'm the leader, that means that his eye was on me.. I probed him on. I was playing with fire and didn't even realize it.

I'm sorry dad, I was going to kill myself, and somehow I brought this upon us. I miss you, and I want to see you. You.. you're..

I pass out as soon as the needle pierces into my eye. Maybe I'll be able to wake up from this terrible nightmare now.. don't scream, who am I kidding. I'm no hero. I lose.

Although.. he didn't say anything about passing out..