– The Game Begins

Chapter Two

[23:26] You:

HOW did you get that photo??

[23:26] Unknown Number:

I told you. I’ve been watching.

[23:27] You:

This isn’t funny anymore. I’m calling the police.

[23:27] Unknown Number:

Do it. Tell them about the faceless number who knows your living room.

Will they rush over? Or tell you to lock your doors and wait?

[23:28] Maya:

I called. They said stay calm, don’t panic. They’re sending a car.

[23:28] You:

Good. Just stay at your place.

[23:28] Unknown Number:

You shouldn’t have done that.

[23:29] You:

What do you want from me?

[23:29] Unknown Number:

A game. Just one game.

[23:30] You:

I’m not playing anything with you.

[23:30] Unknown Number:

You don’t have a choice.

[23:31] Maya:

What’s happening??

[23:31] You:

They said they want to play a game.

[23:31] Maya:

What kind of sick—don’t answer!

[23:32] Unknown Number:

Level one: Honesty.

Tell me your darkest secret.

Something you’ve never told anyone.

[23:32] You:

No.

[23:32] Unknown Number:

Then Maya gets a midnight visitor.

[23:33] You:

Leave her out of this.

[23:33] Unknown Number:

You think I don’t know where she lives? Apartment 4B. White door. Gold sticker peeling off the mailbox.

[23:34] Maya:

Wait—how the hell do they know that??

[23:34] You:

I don’t know. Maya, lock your door NOW.

[23:35] Maya:

Already did. I’m shaking.

[23:35] Unknown Number:

Tick. Tock. Your secret.

[23:36] You:

Fine. When my dad died, I lied to him on the hospital bed. Told him I’d be okay. I wasn’t. I wanted to follow him.

[23:36] Unknown Number:

Better.

Level two: Obedience.

Open the curtain.

[23:37] You:

No.

[23:37] Unknown Number:

Do it, or I walk up your stairs right now.

[23:37] Maya:

Don’t you dare!

[23:38] You:

…(slowly pulling curtain)…

[23:38] You:

It’s just darkness.

[23:39] Unknown Number:

Look closer.

[23:39] You:

WAIT—there’s someone standing by the streetlight. Just standing. Watching.

[23:39] Maya:

Call the cops again!!

[23:40] Unknown Number:

They won’t get here in time.

Level three: Trust.

Turn off your lights.

[23:40] You:

Why??

[23:40] Unknown Number:

Because you’ll see me better in the dark.

[23:41] You:

No no no no no—

[23:41] Maya:

DON’T DO IT.

[23:41] You:

(Hands shaking… lights off)

[23:42] Unknown Number:

Good. Now we can really begin.

[23:43] You:

What do you mean “begin”??

[23:43] Unknown Number:

Level four: Memory.

Check your photo gallery again.

[23:44] You:

I swear if you—

**[23:44] [New photo saved: You sleeping in bed, taken last night.]

[23:44] You:

OH MY GOD.

[23:45] Maya:

WHAT IS IT?!!

[23:45] You:

They have pictures of me… sleeping. From last night.

[23:46] Maya:

No. That’s impossible. That means—they were INSIDE.

[23:46] Unknown Number:

Sweet dreams are easy to watch.

The way you twitch when you dream… adorable.

[23:47] You:

I’m going to kill you if you don’t stop.

[23:47] Unknown Number:

Careful. Anger makes you sloppy.

And sloppy people don’t survive games.

[23:48] Maya:

Police car should be close by now. Just hold on!

[23:48] You:

You hear that?? You’re done.

[23:49] Unknown Number:

Funny. Because I don’t hear sirens.

Do you?

[23:49] You:

…

[23:50] Unknown Number:

Thought so.

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