The Demon's Game

VI

Kathy's POV

John, Peter, and Iris (when did she get here?) looked surprised when Akuma had told us that "we could begin".

"What do you mean 'begin'?" Lyla demanded.

"Good question," Akuma said, "You are locked in, windows shut tight, door locks jammed. You each have one goal - to kill  me."

With that Peter lunged forward and grabbed the little doll. Akuma screamed like a banshee while Peter ripped its head off and stuffing fell out. Peter threw the doll down and Akuma's screams fell silent. But only for a moment. The doll grabbed its head and put it on its shoulders. A line of thread appeared along the doll's neck.

"Well!" Akuma schreeched, "How very rude!"

We all froze, stiff as statues. The room was so quiet that we could hear each others' pounding hearts.

"As I was saying," Akuma broke the moment long silence, "Each of you reach in your pocket, you will find a colored die, all but one of you."

I checked the pockets in my zip-up hoodie and found a small, purple die. I let out a sigh of relief and looked at the others. Everyone held up a colored die, all but Peter. He looked horrified. Akuma turned to look at Peter, his smile became slightly more demonic.

"Your turn," the words came out like a giggle.

Suddenly, Peter screamed and grabbed his neck. A horrible ripping sound filled the air and blood dripped out the cracks in Peter's hands. Akuma raised an arm and flicked his wrist. Peter disapeared , leaving nothing but a small puddle of blood.

"The rules are simple," Akuma's voice echoed around the room, "Each room contains a different situation you must survive. If you die, you lose. If you find another player, you may continue with them. The only way to continue is to get out alive. You will then roll the dice and move along. Each piece will move on the gameboard so that I may track your movements. There is no contact to the outside world. All mobile devices have been confiscated. I will be watching. If you try to kill me or my dolls, you will lose."

"What happens when you lose?" Connor asked.

"An execution." Akuma said with a giggle, "Now, roll the dice, and let the Demon's Game begin."