The game

1

Today feels off. I feel like I've woken up in a different world, where nothing is the same, but I can't exactly tell what's different. The thought lingers in my brain as I get out of bed, I rub my eyes and try to push the thoughts to the back of my mind. Shaking the feeling off I go into my closet and grab my regular work clothes before walking into my bathroom. I turn on the water and go to reach for my face wash before realizing it's not there. Standing still I try and recall where I could have put it, But as I do so a dark figure seems to move in the shadows. I feel as if something's watching me. 'Okay Steph get your thoughts together' I think to myself before I cautiously walk through the house. Now is when I notice it. the changes. The way things are carefully placed and how everything seems almost too perfect. looking at the once crooked picture frames I notice how the dust that laid on them the day before seemed to have vanished. I walk into my living room, and quickly sit down. I try to think about what had happened, why do I get this feeling of being watched?

The longer I sit the feeling gets stronger and there's a siren going off in my mind to not look up. What's happening? I don't feel safe here, nothing seems right.

Cautiously, I build up the courage and decide to look up, maybe im just overthinking. Slowly I begin to look up, the feeling of terror takes over and my heart feels like it'll beat out of my chest. As I'm sitting in the silence, before I can even fully see the ceiling, my house phone goes off startling me. getting up swiftly I almost run to the phone. My mind racing with possibilities of who could be calling. The thought of hearing another voice seems to calm me, But suddenly my mind goes blank when I reach the phone. I struggle to pick up the phone, it feels like something is holding me back. Something is controlling me. The hair on my neck stands.

"STOP! Just stop!" I shout and the pressure releases just enough to let me answer the phone. I quickly put it to me ear and close my eyes "hello" I answer.

When I answer, loud static sounds through the phone making me move the phone away from my ear. "Steph- you- okay? -Can't - hear - Where - you?" the familiar voice of my boyfriend Grayson cuts through the silence of the house but so does the static that makes it hard to hear. My heart beats faster and my mind calms at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Grayson! I can't hear you! are you okay?"

"Steph!- carefu- be safe- i-i-im - driving - your- house"

"Gray hurry please! I don't feel safe here!" I shout into the phone as the feeling of being held slowly comes back, until the sound of the call ending breaks through the phone.

Feeling numb I stare lifelessly at the phone and put it back.

For some reason the sound of his voice made me cry. why do I feel like I haven't heard a voice in years? Now I realize the feeling of being watched never stopped, it only got stronger.

As my mind wanders to all the things I can feel I hear the subtle knock on my door. I quickly turn to where the sound came from, and from the corner of my eye, I see a pale figure quickly run into a dark corner. The sight brings chills to my body and I quickly run to the door and throw it open. Suddenly I'm met with the same dark brown eyes that bring me joy. "Grayson" I whisper quietly. Almost in relief and tears run down my cheeks.

Almost instantly I'm pulled into his arms. I breathe in his scent and I feel my nerves relax. suddenly he pushes me away while holding onto my shoulders, He stares into my eyes and now is when I take in his appearance. his eyebrow was split enough to leave a scar, his lip was busted and his hair was in a jumbled mess.

"Oh my gosh Gray what happened to you," I asked, my voice laced with pure concern. "Look Steph ill explain in the car, but right now we have to leave and quickly, you're a smart girl. I know you've noticed the changes, we're not safe here anymore," he said frantically. "Hurry go upstairs and pack your bag and any first aid kits you can find were gonna need them" I stood and processed what he said before being violently ripped away from my thoughts by a quick shove and a loud "Hurry Go!".

Feeling the panic set in, I rushed upstairs and grabbed my suitcase from the top shelf of my closet. "come out you piece of sh*t! I know you're here" I heard gray yell loudly from downstairs. Hearing the sound of his voice made me panic, I knew I wasn't alone. I throw what I could in my bag along with a couple of first aid kits I found in my bathroom. rushing downstairs I saw Grayson standing over a figure, the sight made me gag and recoil. Never have I seen a creature with skin that color. The way its body was sickly thin and its skin a disturbing gray color. its features were almost indistinguishable. Small indents made up where it's eyes and mouth should be, it's nails were razor sharp but small.

"w-what is that thing?" I whispered afraid, not of the creature itself no, but of the fact that I was being hunted and didn't know it.

"Ill explain later. hurry, lets get in the car, its gonna be a long drive. These f*uckers are everywhere" he said slowly, a dangerous undertone set in as he dropped his now blue stained bat. he looked down at my feet before quickly gripping my arm and hurrying out to the car.

Opening the door for me, I got in quickly before noticing how many weapons were actually in here. Guns, knives, bats, almost everything that could be used as a weapon was stocked in here. Why, no how was he so prepared?

hearing his door open I quickly put on my seatbelt and turn to him for answers. I opened my mouth to ask the first question but it seems he already knew it. "we've been here for what seems like 5 days in the time here, no I don't know how we got here, yes I know where we're going, and I think I know how to get out" he said before he started driving.

Sighing I look around and notice the once picture-perfect neighborhood was now in ruins. The paint on all the houses except mine was gone now leaving behind old wood that has been withered away by the rain, the grass was now dead and brown weeds have taken over. Looking up at the sky I noticed how the sun was already retreating. but I just woke up.

"How is the sun setting so fast? I just woke up and the sun was barely coming up" I asked in disbelief. "I don't know, this world is a lot more complex than you'd think," he said before quickly glancing at me while reaching to hold my hand. the feeling of his calloused hand on mine brought me comfort.

Quickly the sun hid away and the night sky replaced the once light blue sky. But something was off about the sky. there was no moon, no stars. The streets had no lights and the only thing allowing us to see were the truck's lights.

leaning back in my seat I closed my eyes slowly thinking about what happened, how everything felt like it happened in 15 minutes.

slowly the car came to a stop and my eyes opened quickly, "babe, hey, its okay. im picking up a friend, hes been here longer than i could imagine." he whispered softly while looking me in the eyes. i gulped but nodded slowly and leaned back.

i wonder, who is he?