Surviving a Real Life Horror Story

Chapter Nine

Horror was the first feeling that hit me. I couldn’t speak. My mouth hung open like a fish as I held the phone to my ear and stared at Andi. At first, her face had been scrunched up in confusion as she tried to follow the conversation, but after a minute, it relaxed and a smile made its way there.

“Let me talk to them,” she said sliding the phone out of my hand. “Hello? Yes, ma’am, I’m Andi, and that was Alexis you just talked to. She’s in shock is all. Now, you said we’re selected, right?”

Andi was silent for a minute as the woman on the other end of the line began to speak.

I managed to gather enough consciousness to close my mouth as I stared at her. I couldn’t fathom how in the world she managed to plaster that big goofy grin on her face. The only thing I could think of was how short life seemed in that moment. I knew that my life was like sand running through someone’s fingers. It would only be a matter of time before I would disappear.

And Andi was smiling.

“Uh-huh,” Andi said. “Thank you so much for picking us, we will definitely be there!”

With that same goofy grin on her face, she hung up the phone before she tossed it back to me.

“Well, what did they say?” I asked her.

“They said that our interviews are at eight in the morning,” she replied.

“Did they say anything about the arena?” I asked, standing to my feet.

“No, girl, don’t worry about that part, it won’t be for a while yet. The people that host this thing want a show, and that’s exactly what we’ll give them. Now, we have to find you something more appealing for your interview,” she said.

“No,” I said sternly.

“But, Rexi,” she whined.

“But, nothing, Andi,” I countered. “If I’m going to do this, I’m gonna do it my way. That means no costumes, no acting, no show. They picked me and they’re gonna get me.”

Andi had the deepest frown on her face that I had ever seen. “Well, I guess I can’t force you,” she said uncertainly. “I just hope you’ve thought about this.”

“It’s not a hard choice,” I replied as I made my way into the kitchen.

Andi followed me with a curious expression on her face. “What are you doing, Rexi?”

“I don’t want to go in there helpless,” I replied. “If I’m gonna have to live each moment making critical decisions, I’m gonna start making them now. I’m gonna practice a bit with a knife. It’s the most cliché weapon; I figure one of them is bound to have one.”

Andi frowned. “You can’t be serious. This is what you’d rather spend your prep time doing?” she asked as she watched me pull the largest knife out of the knife set

I held it up in the light, observing the careful gleam as it drew a gentle outline of my reflection. I observed at the depth of the blade, the strength of the metal. I wondered what kind of agony it would cause if I was stabbed with it. I shivered when I remembered that feeling it could be a very real possibility.

“Yes, and if you wanna live, then I suggest you do the same,” I replied.

“I’m a lover, not a fighter,” she argued.

I sighed. I wanted to argue with her; shake her until she understood that this wasn’t a game; her life was in serious danger. In my heart, I once again, came to the realization that it would do her no good. She truly believed that she was going to be okay. In the end, her hope would prove fatal, but it seemed as if I was the only one that realized that.

I shook my head as I clutched the knife and headed out of the kitchen. I was surprised and relieved that she didn’t follow me; I needed this time more than she did. I followed the trail to Andy’s backyard, to the thick patch of the trees that marked the southern border. I gripped the handle of the knife tightly as I approached it. I took in a deep breath before I slashed out at it.

I barely left a mark in the bark.

I frowned. I knew what the problem was; I was weak. I knew that the serial killers that I would face would all be strong. They would have no problem driving the knife straight through the tree if they really wanted to. The thought seemed to trigger a fight or flight response within me.

The flow of adrenaline gave me the energy and encouragement to keep going. I did. I slashed and slashed at the tree until I was panting for breath. When I stopped, I realized that I left a deep array of marks all throughout the devastated bark.

I could be strong if I wanted to be; my only question was would it matter when I needed it the most?