Chapter 21: Welcome Back
240 Words
Black.
Nothing but black.
Jessica tried to move.
Couldn't.
Her body felt heavy. Like cement.
A voice echoed.
Child's voice.
Giggling.
"You're awake."
Lights flickered on.
White room again.
But different this time.
No bed.
No TV.
Just chairs.
20 of them.
All facing a stage.
And on each chair... a girl.
All asleep.
All with name tags.
Sarah. Aina. Maya.
And at the end...
Jessica.
Jessica: Where am I?
The man walked onto the stage.
Same hoodie. Same smile.
But now he had a microphone.
Man: Welcome to Season 2.
My audience has grown.
He gestured to the 20 girls.
Man: They all heard my voice.
Like you did.
And now they're here.
Jessica: Let us go!
Man laughed.
Man: Go? But the story isn't over.
Chapter 21 is just the beginning.
He clapped once.
All 20 girls woke up at the same time.
And screamed.
Man: See? They miss you.
You're the main character, Jessica.
They need you to lead them.
A door appeared on the wall.
It opened.
Darkness inside.
Man: Your first task.
Enter the door.
Save one of them.
Or I kill them all.
The girls started crying.
Jessica stood up.
Her legs shook.
Jessica: Fine.
I'll go.
She walked to the door.
Turned back one last time.
Man: Good girl.
Sweet dreams.
Jessica stepped into the darkness.
The door slammed shut.
On the stage, the man's phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: Season 2 starts now.
- Writer
