THE GAME

EPISODE 9: HORROR MONTH

"Be afraid. Be very afraid."

-The Fly (1986)

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"Mom, what did you just do?"

"Honey, it is not what you think it is. You’re just a kid okay?"

"But, there's blood everywhere!"

"It's not blood, honey. Have you forgotten what month it is tomorrow?"

She shook her head. Her mother smiles as she kneels in Infront of her, squeezing lightly both of her shoulders.

"Tomorrow's November first, honey. Do you know what that means?"

She smiles as she remembers what that means.

"IT'S HORROR STORY MONTH!!!" She answers with so much glee, jumping in front of her. It was weird, but it sure is her favorite occasion to celebrate.

"And this was supposed to be a surprise because you wished before that we do this right?"

"Yes, momma. I am so excited to tell dad about this! “she giggles.

"But honey, daddy will be back by tomorrow so you need to get some sleep now okay? You don’t want the creepy zombies to come to life, no?"

"Iiieeee! No mommy."

"Then go back to sleep now."

"Can you read me a bedtime story first?"

"Sure."

But that was the worst Halloween she had ever experienced in her life.

"No!" Franz shouted as she drowned into her sweat, making her look like a pretty mess.

"Franz, a sweetie, are you alright? Did your nightmares came back?"

"No... but auntie, I had a dream about a girl, probably seven years old? But she's with her mother and it was Halloween."

"Well, did something happen?"

"Nothing bad. But I was just curious why would I dream about a mother and a daughter."

"Maybe you just miss your mom, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, maybe I just miss her." She said, trying to convince herself that it's just all about her mom well in fact, she doesn’t feel it has something to do with her at all.

"Hey Franz, sweetie, everything okay?"

Franz with a puzzled look, turn her attention to her aunt Lei who’s worried by now. "Yeah. Everything's..." she paused as she doesn't know what to use as an excuse.

"I can see from your face that something is bothering you. Come on, tell me. What is it?"

"Nothing aunt Lei. I promise."

"I know you're having a hard time at school but sweetie, I just want you to know that if you need someone to talk to, I'll always be here for you, okay?"

She nodded as her aunt pull her in for a tight hug. And from that moment, she felt as if she needed someone's hug.

As she breaks the hug, she squeezes Franz's shoulders, squeezing it and giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Now go back to sleep okay?"

She stands up as she walks right into the door about to get out when she suddenly felt like scared of being alone.

"Hey, aunt Lei?" She paused as aunt Lei turns to face her.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Can you... um, can you stay until I doze off to sleep? I kind of felt scared and... lonely."

Her auntie smiled sweetly as she nodded her head, without any second thoughts. She did lie beside her as she pulls the cover into their bodies. She pushes herself near her auntie, as she tries to drift off. She could feel her aunt Lei's hand, caressing her back.

"Everything will be just fine, sweetie. You'll find peace... Soon."

Puzzled, she just let herself be apart from the stress for the night, feeling secured that her auntie is beside her, secured by her arms.

I just wish this could be over with.

Morning came with the same routine. Her auntie was downstairs by the kitchen, preparing breakfast. On the other hand, she is in a very good mood because she had rested nicely last night. But, the thought of going to school makes her headache once more.

That stupid Black cat, game, everything! Everything's a mess since that day they participated in the game.

Scanning through her phone while just lazy to go down for breakfast, her phone stops as the game pops up on her screen.

The game! She talked to herself as she tries to delete it, and surprisingly, she did discard the game!

I need to tell someone!

She was about to dial a number when her phone rings. She read the caller ID, not expecting who'd call.

[Franz! Thankfully your answer-]

"What is it, Karl?"

[Can you come to school this early? As in, right now?]

"Haven't had my breakfast yet."

[Then come as early as possible, okay? I'll tell you when you're here already.]

"Yeah... Yeah sure."

She hangs up the call as her heart starts to beat faster by second, making her worried.

What does he want to say?

"Franz? Sweetie, breakfast is ready!!"

"Yeah. Coming auntie." She said as she was about to leave the room when the dark paper bag was caught by her eyes. Something made her approach the bag, as she held it in her hands. She stares at it for a second before deciding to put it inside her backpack.

Today's the third day of the Halloween School gathering, and they were scheduled activities.

Bringing extra shirts, enough supplies to make their tents for each class, first aid, and stuff that can be used for sports activities. And with an instinct, she thought that bringing the paper bag might help them with something. She also decided to pack up the remaining chocolates she received from Caesar, for sweet treats and to sustain cravings or hunger.

Arriving at school, Karl immediately approaches her, pulling her without a word.

"Wait, where are we going?" She asks that made him stop to look at her.

"I need to ask you about the game."

Without any further questions, she followed him willingly, as she could feel her heart beating so fast by the moment.

They went into the abandoned bathroom from the back building. Luckily, they were the only person there, so they can talk freely, but still, quietly possible.

"What's with the game?" She asks that made him pull out his phone, sliding it to the left, showing his screen.

"The game can't be removed, Franz."

"What!? But I've managed to uninstall mine!" She said as she shows her phone. And yes, the game is out of her phone.

"How the heck did you do that?"

"I don't know! I just thought about just this morning to delete it like the movie Nd surprisingly, it did!"

"What!? How is that possible!? I've been trying to get rid of this game since weird things start to happen!" Karl exclaimed, getting a bit frustrated. Franz on the other hand manages to approach him, caressing his back.

"Hey, Karl?"

"What!?" He asks, a bit pissed.

"We'll get away with this bullsh*t okay?"

"I know, Franz. Because I have faith in our class, and we will find out who is behind this sh*t!" With anger in his eyes, Franz was sure that Karl can be dangerous, making her gulp.

I hope you don't do anything stupid with that anger, Karl. Because it will bring you to chaos not only to yourself but to all of us.

After the serious chat they had, they both decided to look for the others, for them to build their tent to the best location they can see because they have the privilege, being the early students. Yes, Karl manages to call them to be early, to sort things out between their friends who died, and the celebration they had to participate with.

"Guys, Angelica called me last night," Erika said with a hint of fright on her expression, and to her voice. All of them look at her, waiting for what she's about to tell next.

"She said that there's a dark paper bag that was sent for her. The bag was filled with plastic inside, making her wonder. Luckily at that time, she's home alone, her parents haven't gone home from work yet.

She said she thought it was just like something ordinary, but then, upon opening the gift, it was a brown thing with bloodstains.

"And it was Regina's skin, with the same three cuts and a hole to her nose."

"Oh my gosh."

"Where's Angelica now!? She might get in trouble for staying home!"

"That's what I told her!" Erika explained, tears dripping down from her eyes. Mae approaches her and looks at her in her eyes, knowing that something is up.

"Where is Angelica? What is she up to."

Panicky, she was able to tell them what's her next move.

"Shi*t! We need to stop her!!!"