A new challenge.
1076 Words
After the deadly game, they went back to their respective rooms to get some rest. few minutes after, they converged in a ball room and decided to ease their minds by dancing to the slow music that filtered in from the background.
But, just as soon as they got to dancing, the music cut out so fast, they paused in their dancing tracks, startled.
Elias barely had time to step back from Celeste before Voss’s voice rang out.
“Apologies for the interruption,” he said, though he didn’t sound sorry at all. “But the next challenge begins now.”
Celeste let out a slow breath of disappointment, the warmth from their dance still lingering between them. “Figures. Can’t let us have too much fun.”
Elias didn’t respond. His focus was on Voss, who stood at the center of the ballroom, holding another one of his damn envelopes.
“The rules are simple,” Voss continued, pacing leisurely. “One of you is about to receive a very important secret. It will be up to you whether you share it. But remember…” He turned slightly, eyes scanning the room like a predator. “Secrets are power.”
An eager to please waiter in white gloves stepped forward, holding a small silver tray. A single envelope rested on it.
Celeste’s grip on Elias’s arm tightened slightly. “I don’t like this.”
“Not like anyone would,” Elias murmured.
Voss gestured toward the tray. “Mr. Carter, would you do the honors?”
Elias didn’t move right away. He was nervous and reluctant, but he knew he had to move because, everything here seemed like a life or death situation. The death of that gentleman who had refused to join in their game played back in his head.
Celeste glanced at him. “We could just… not.”
Voss smirked. “Of course, you could refuse. But then you’ll forfeit your reward.”
Celeste raised an eyebrow. “Not like we care about the reward, because we care more about our lives, but what exactly is the reward?”
Voss took his time answering. Then, with a slow smile, he said, “The truth.”
Silence stretched between them.
Elias exhaled, then reached for the envelope. The paper felt thick, expensive—like everything in this damn place. He flipped it open and pulled out a single card.
“What?” Celeste asked, leaning in.
Elias didn’t look up. The words on the card were clear, printed in bold black ink:
“One of you is lying about why you’re here.”
Celeste shifted. “What does it say?”
Elias hesitated. If he told her, it would put them both on edge. If he didn’t, she’d know he was hiding something.
He handed her the card.
Her eyes scanned the words, and she frowned. “Well, that’s not ominous at all.”
Voss tilted his head. “Interesting, isn’t it? How quickly trust becomes fragile.”
Celeste ignored him. She turned back to Elias, her expression unreadable. “You don’t think this is about me, do you?”
He didn’t answer right away. But something in his gaze shifted—just slightly.
Celeste narrowed her eyes. “Oh, come on. You can’t be serious.”
Elias exhaled. “It’s just a game, Celeste.”
“Yeah, sure. A game designed to make us question each other.” She crossed her arms. “You think I’d lie to you?”
Voss, clearly entertained, poured himself a drink. “Careful, Miss Moreau. You seem offended. Almost as if you do have something to hide.”
Celeste shot him a glare. “I don’t.”
Voss only smiled, swirling his glass. “Of course.”
Elias ran a hand down his face. Damn this whole thing. He turned to Voss. “Is that it?”
“For now.” Voss gave a mock bow. “Enjoy your evening.”
And just like that, he was gone.
---
The Firepit & The Question No One Wants to Answer
The cold night air bit at Elias’s skin as he stepped outside. The estate grounds stretched before him, a vast landscape of snow-covered trees, frozen fountains, and sharp, empty silence.
Celeste followed him out, wrapping her arms around herself. “You know, I never imagined I’d be spending my Christmas like this.”
Elias sat on the stone bench near the firepit, the flames casting a soft glow on his face. “I don’t think anyone here planned to be in this mess.”
Celeste hesitated, then sat beside him. The fire crackled between them.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The weight of that card still hung in the air.
Finally, Celeste broke the silence. “You don’t actually think it’s me, do you?”
Elias didn’t look at her right away. He just let the question sit there.
Celeste sighed. “Okay. Since you’re clearly not going to answer, I’ll make it easy for you.” She turned to face him. “I was invited. That’s the truth. I didn’t lie to you.”
Elias finally met her gaze. “Then why do you look guilty?”
Celeste flinched. “I don’t.”
“You do.”
She exhaled, rubbing her hands together. “It’s not guilt. It’s just… frustration. This whole thing is built on manipulation, and it’s working.” She gestured between them. “Look at us. We were literally dancing five minutes ago, and now we’re questioning each other.”
Elias didn’t deny it.
Celeste studied him, her voice softer now. “Do you think you were the one the card was talking about?”
His expression didn’t change, but something in his posture stiffened.
Celeste caught it immediately. “Elias.”
“I’m not lying,” he said.
“That wasn’t a no.”
He looked away, jaw tight.
Celeste leaned in slightly. “I don’t care what brought you here, Elias. But if there’s something you haven’t told me—”
“There isn’t.”
She searched his face. “You sure about that?”
Elias met her gaze again. “Yeah.”
Celeste studied him for another second before exhaling. “Fine. If you say so.”
They fell into silence again.
The fire crackled. The cold pressed in. And even though they were sitting right next to each other, the space between them felt heavier than before.
- Writer
