The Blood's Elegance

Prologue   Sweats dripping off our forehead, Seth and I ran back the hall. As soon as our feet stepped inside, a party popper sounded much to my surprise. Together with the fall of confetti down to my wet skin, I suddenly shivered because of coldness. I didn't know where to look at. People clapped and the hosts were glad to see our presence that's what I know. I glanced at Seth who was also wondering as I do.   "Congratulations! You are the new grand champion of Wheel of Showdown!" the host said. I roamed my eyes around. The crowd sitting on the benches clapped once again. Things started to sink into me. We were the new winner of this game show. We were the first to finish the tasks for the last round. We were the first to arrive at the last destination the starting point of this game. My boyfriend offered his hand as we climbed to the stage. He was smiling all the way, but I know my lips were stretch wider than his. I just can't believe what happened.   A million-dollar.   A house and lot.   A brand new car.   It's too unrealistic. If the prize was a grand, then maybe it's true. But then, we made a fast buck, and up until now, it was still unbelievable. However, as far as I know, nationwide channels air this show, so it was impossible to be fake.   The hosts handed us our prizes a check, the contract of our house and land, and the car key. The truck was not that bad, I love the color.   "Babe, this is the life I wanted," Seth exclaimed when he rested his body on the couch of our old house after we get back. They were still to process the transfer of the property. I can't wait.   I giggled. I headed to the kitchen and opened the cupboard to grab a bottle of wine. Seth stood up and hugged me from behind, planting kisses on my collarbone. A life that he wants. A life that I want.   Both of us dreamed of it, but not the deaths of people around us. Weeks passed since they declared us as the winners, and days passed since they announced the death of one of the third winners of the game show. The motive was unknown.   "A woman was dead after she was shot multiple times according to Chief Inspector Debbie Collins. They identified the victim to be the third winner of Wheel of Showdown, Callah Evans, who was pronounced dead after the police found her in her boyfriend's condominium with multiple gunshot wounds on her body parts and one fatal gunshot in her head that caused her immediate death. The police suspected Jayzam Peters, the victim's boyfriend, but was later on cleared from suspicion after proving his alibi."   I embraced Seth, terrified of the news. The fear grew more and more when they announce the death of other murdered winners. Someone killed them, and the reason why it happened was still a question to us.   "We have to leave!" I shook Seth's shoulders, but he was not showing the answer I wanted. We might be the next no! I am sure we are next! "I don't want to die yet! Please!"   He shook his head, disagreeing with my plan. "We can't. I don't want to abandon my hometown!"   "We're not abandoning this place, Seth. We will return as soon as we guaranteed our safety."   I was not able to finish my sentence. I held my breath and my mouth gap open, shock. Blood gushed out from Seth's mouth and he fell to the floor. I screamed upon seeing the wound on his head caused by a gunshot. I stumbled on the cold tiles as I realize I am the next victim.