Page 37 of The Player

“I noticed you. I’ve always noticed you.”

It went quiet. The only sound I could hear was our breathing and his fingers rubbing over my scalp.

And then… “I know. I just didn’t want you to notice anyone else. I wanted to be all you saw.”

And he was.

But I only nodded.

My heart was already fractured, breaking every minute that we were locked in here. I wasn’t sure it could take anymore.

ChapterSixteen

WILL

Hours turned into days, but the seconds ticked by so slowly it felt like time stood still as we stayed locked in our room.

Waiting for something.

Anything.

Twice a day, we were given water and simple food, usually stale sandwiches. Day and night were only broken up by the lights suspended above us, controlled by him.

And then it happened again.

The television came to life.

Bryony sat beside me on the mattress as the TV showed us our captor, filling the screen with a different mask, Freddy Krueger this time.

“Always fucking hiding,” I seethed. “Why don’t you come in here and face me like a real man?”

Ignoring my challenge, he started his diatribe, that mechanical voice making me want to pound my fist into the screen and shut him up for good.

“Good evening, players. It’s time for game two to begin. But before it does, I had to come on here and address a few things.”

“Like the fact you’re a sick fuck who’s going to die a very long and painful death when I find you?” I hissed.

“No. The fact that you want to know if I picked you on purpose. And I did pick you. Both of you. I’ve watched you for a long time.”

We didn’t speak, both of us waiting to hear what he’d say next.

“There’s a very good reason why you’re here, and it will be revealed, all in good time. But not tonight.” Typical. He never answered a question with a proper answer. “Tonight, you need to play to survive another day. I have another task for you. One you’re going toloveplaying. In a moment, the door to your room will open and you will make your way to the task room. As I’ve stated before, you leave this room empty handed. Try anything stupid and you will be punished. You work as a team. If you don’t, you’ll fail. Instructions for the game will be given to you in the task room. Listen carefully. Do as you’re told and don’t try to be a hero. It won’t end well for you.”

The TV cut out with no further explanation, and I heard Bryony take a deep breath.

“We’ve got this, Bee,” I told her. “And when it’s done, I’m staying in that fucking task room and waiting for him. He’ll face me tonight if it’s the last thing I do.”

“You heard him,” she warned. “Don’t be a hero.”

“Fighting for our lives isn’t being a hero, Bee. It’s what I need to do.”

The door to the hallway suddenly slid open, the strip lights on the ceiling guiding our way to the task room.

“Let’s get this over with, shall we?” Bee stood up, but then, grabbing my hand, she stood in front of me and begged, “I want both of us to get back here alive. Please don’t do anything stupid, Will.”

I squeezed her hand.

“I won’t do anything to put you in danger.”