Episode 5: The Game Begins
Nikhil’s fingers trembled as he switched on his phone. The screen lit up, and his heart pounded louder than ever. The message notification popped up immediately: “Ready to play?”
His breath caught. The message was from an unknown number — the same stranger who had threatened him in the nightmare. A cold shiver ran down Nikhil’s spine. His mind raced. Was this really happening, or was he still trapped between dreams and reality?
He stared at the screen for several minutes, unable to type or make a call. Then, gathering his courage, he replied simply, “Yes.”
Almost instantly, the phone vibrated again. “Good. Your first task is simple. Look under your sofa right now.”
Nikhil’s hands shook, but he obeyed. Slowly, he crouched down and reached under the sofa. There, wrapped in a small plastic bag, was a folded piece of paper. With hesitant fingers, he took it out and unfolded it.
Written neatly on the paper were these words:
“Go to the old park at midnight. Look for the red bench. You will find the next clue there.”
Nikhil’s mind whirled. Why this strange game? Why was this man so intent on involving him? Yet, the threat was clear — refuse to play, and the nightmare might become reality.
Nikhil glanced at the clock — it was 9:30 PM. Three and a half hours to prepare. He paced around his flat, trying to plan his next steps. Calling the police felt useless; who would believe him? This was a twisted game played in the shadows, a deadly puzzle where his life was the prize.
Determined, he prepared for the midnight trip. He grabbed his jacket, locked the door behind him, and stepped into the cool night air. His phone was clutched tightly, flashlight ready, senses alert.
The walk to the park was quiet, eerie. The streets were empty, and the shadows of tall trees flickered in the moonlight. Nikhil’s heartbeat echoed in his ears as he entered the park.
There it was — the red bench, faded but unmistakable. He approached cautiously, looking around. No one was there.
Under the bench, he saw a small envelope taped securely. He peeled it off and opened it carefully. Inside was a note:
“You are smarter than I expected. But the game has just begun. Solve this riddle to get the next clue:
I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have nobody, but I come alive with wind. What am I?”
Nikhil frowned. A riddle? The man was not only dangerous, but also cruelly clever.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed again. “Answer quickly. Time is running out.”
Nikhil whispered to himself, “An echo.” The answer clicked instantly. He typed back, “Echo.”
The phone chimed — “Correct. Now, look inside the old fountain.”
He looked toward the center of the park, where an ancient stone fountain stood dry and cracked. Slowly, he approached, flashlight scanning the ground and the structure. He noticed a small compartment at the base, almost hidden behind moss and dirt.
Kneeling, he opened it carefully and pulled out a small box. Inside was a USB drive and a folded paper.
The note read:
“Plug this into a computer. Watch closely. Your next instruction will be on the video.”
Nikhil cursed under his breath. He didn’t have a laptop with him. He looked around for a safe place, but the park was deserted.
He made his way back home as fast as he could, constantly checking behind him, feeling eyes watching every step. When he reached his flat, he locked the door and hurried to his desk. He plugged the USB into his laptop.
The video file auto-started. The screen flickered and then showed the face of the stranger — the same man from the nightmare, the caller.
“Hello, Nikhil,” the man said, his voice cold and mocking. “You have done well to come this far. But the game is dangerous. Each step will test your mind, courage, and heart. Fail, and you lose more than just this game — you lose your life.”
Nikhil swallowed hard.
The video continued:
“Your next challenge is to find the envelope hidden in the city library. You will know it by the yellow ribbon tied around it. Hurry, Nikhil. Midnight approaches.”
The screen went black.
Nikhil sat back, overwhelmed but determined. This was no longer a nightmare. This was real — and deadly.
The clock read 11:15 PM.
He debated whether to go alone or call for help. But who could he trust? This man was always a step ahead, watching, controlling every move.
His phone buzzed again: “Tick-tock, Nikhil. Time waits for no one.”
He knew he had no choice.
Wrapping a scarf around his neck, he grabbed his keys and left the apartment quietly. The city streets were dark and mostly empty this late at night. The library was a few blocks away.
Inside the old library, the smell of aged paper and polished wood filled the air. The soft hum of an air conditioner was the only sound. Nikhil’s heart thudded as he moved between rows of bookshelves, searching for the yellow ribbon.
After several minutes, near the history section, he spotted it — an envelope tied with a bright yellow ribbon, placed between thick books.
He picked it up carefully and opened it. Inside was a note and a small key.
The note read:
“Find the lock this key opens. It is hidden in your office drawer. Hurry.”
Nikhil cursed under his breath. Back to the office — his workplace — the place where the nightmare had begun. But what if the stranger was waiting for him there? Was this a trap?
He had no other option.
He walked briskly to his car, his mind racing with fears and strategies. He told himself, “Stay calm. Think clearly.”
When he reached his office building, the lobby was deserted and eerily quiet. The elevator was working, so he took it up to his floor. The hallway felt long and cold. He moved toward his cabin cautiously.
Reaching his desk, he opened the drawer and found a small lockbox. His hands trembled as he inserted the key and clicked it open.
Inside was a letter and a small flash drive.
The letter said:
“Nikhil, you are brave but naïve. The final test awaits you tomorrow night at the abandoned factory on the edge of the city. Come alone. Bring the flash drive.”
Nikhil’s phone buzzed one last time that night. This message appeared:
“You chose to play. Now live with the consequences.”
Nikhil sat back, exhausted and terrified. He realized this was bigger than a game — this was a deadly showdown. He had to prepare for tomorrow, for the final encounter.
His mind replayed the nightmare, the strange man’s face hidden behind dark glasses, his ominous words. Who was this man? Why target him?
The answer seemed impossible to find, yet Nikhil knew one thing — tomorrow, at the abandoned factory, his life would change forever.
