Edward and the Jampires

Chapter 6

Flashback

Jimin opens his eyes to a large living room furnished with modern and expensive-looking appliances. Everything seemed darker than usual, which he soon pieces together is due to the dimmed goggles he wears. And somehow he is in a puffy blue spacesuit. Six other figures in similar attire, the other band members, he assumes, appear to be regaining consciousness right then. He hopes it isn't what he thinks it is but knows that there is only one thing that it could be. He walks to Red and shakes him to get his attention.

"Hello?" He calls but gets no response. "HEY!" He cries again, trying to get his attention. "He can't hear you, dumbass," a voice sounds in his helmet.

"DAMMIT TAYLOR!" He screams, his own voice echoing through his helmet.

"Welcome to round two! I'm delighted to see you here! This will be fun!" Taylor exclaims gleefully. Jimin begins pacing back and forth as the others begin moving around and likely having similar dilemmas. "In your pocket, there is a list. Do the items on the list, and try not to get killed. How exciting! Good luck!" Taylor shouts and Jimin feels truly alone. Although they have only been there for a few minutes, his inability to communicate starts to consume his thoughts. Jimin pulls out the list to see what he has to do.

Study: Read the manual

Bedroom: Change sheets

Dining room: Dust furniture

Bathroom: Clean the mirrors

Even for being God, this guy has one hell of a god complex. Jimin thinks to himself as he goes to find the study. He tries to look at some of the other band members' faces before exiting, but the shaded goggles don't give away anyone's identity. He then heads to what appears to be a study. The walls are covered in dark bookcases with intricate engravings. A regal-looking desk is the center and books are stacked everywhere. How am I supposed to find a manual in here? He wonders as he makes his way to the desk. As he sits on the chair, the floor below him starts to sink. "What the..." he calls, even though no one can hear him. He ends up in a room looking like a secret hideout from a spy movie. The room is filled with a green light, and monitors display pictures from each room. He watches for a minute as his bandmates appear to do the items off their lists. In front of him, he sees a relatively small book with a nondescript brown cover. Jimin picks it up and begins to skim it. It was obviously written by Taylor; the egotistical tendencies and morbid sense of humor all but spell his name. One passage, however, stood out to him.

There is an Imposter among you. To win, you must lose. To leave, one must stay. Don't ask me why; just play by the rules. Your friend is your enemy.

The game is afoot.

Jimin's stomach sinks. He knew that this game would be trying, but he thought, or at least hoped that the damage wouldn't be permanent. One of his bandmates would not be going home with the rest of them. "No. No! NO!" His voice starts as a mumble but crescendos into an ear-splitting scream that fills his helmet. He swears he hears a slight chuckle, but his pain gets no recognition. He falls to his knees. Right as I saw the light, it could be extinguished. He thinks to himself. One of his friends, or his newfound love could be- he can't even think about that. He slams the book closed hard and attempts to push every button to get back upstairs with reckless abandon. Eventually, although he would never know which one, the chair began to ascend into the study.

In order to distract himself, he goes to finish the rest of his tasks, which turned out to be mundane- probably just Taylor's manipulative impulses coming into play. The luxurious house held the band members in perpetual silence as they all went through their lists in hopes that the nightmare would end.