Ethan raised his hand slightly like he was in school. "I've got a question."
"What?" Melanie asked.
"When we started, Ava was first. But in the second round, it was our other friend who went first. Why?"
"The game shuffles the order to keep you guessing," Melanie explained. "It knows you'll try to protect each other. It keeps you on your toes."
Lily's face went pale. "So... we don't know who's next?"
"Nope," Melanie confirmed. "But you can outsmart it. Think outside of the box."
Noah looked confused. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Melanie smiled faintly. "When I was dared to cut off three fingers, it didn't said that I have to deattach the finger completely, I just made a small cut on my three fingers. We stayed alive a little longer that way. Outsmart the game, and you might have a chance."
Ava straightened up, determination flashing in her eyes. "We'll do whatever it takes."
"You'll have to," Melanie said. "Go back to the house. That's where this ends. Remember, you can be smarter than the game."
The group exchanged glances. They were terrified, but they had no choice. They had to finish what they started.
...
Jake's hands were shaking so badly that he almost dropped his phone. His eyes were glued to the screen, staring at the words that felt like a punch in the gut: YOU HAVE TO ROB A BANK.
What kind of twisted dare was this? His brain went into overdrive, heart racing, and in pure panic mode, he immediately dialed Lily.
On the other end, Lily frowned when she saw Jake's name pop up. "Why is he calling now?" she mumbled, already a little annoyed. She picked up the phone. "Hello?"
Jake's voice came through, but it wasn't his usual chill tone. He sounded shaky like he was on the verge of tears. "L-Lily... please come fast. I'm freaking out over here."
Lily's heart dropped. "What's wrong, Jake? Are you okay, baby?"
"No, I'm not okay!" Jake practically sobbed into the phone. "I just got a dare, and... I have to rob a fucking bank. Lily, I don't know what to do. Please, come now!"
Before Lily could even react, the call cut off.
"Jake? Hello?! Jake?!" she shouted into the phone, but it was useless. The panic was real now. She turned to Ava, her face pale.
"What's going on?" Ava asked, sensing something was wrong.
"It's Jake… He got a dare," Lily stammered, her voice trembling.
Ethan, who was standing nearby, overheard and instantly got worried. "Is he okay?"
"No, he's not," Lily said, her voice cracking as she tried to hold back tears.
Noah's face went grim. "What's the dare?"
Lily swallowed hard, barely able to say it. "He has to rob a bank."
Ava's eyes went wide. "What?! Oh no. We need to go, like, RIGHT NOW " Without another word, they all sprinted towards the bus stop, their minds racing as fast as their legs.
...
Meanwhile, Jake was spiraling. He'd dropped his phone after the call cut out, frozen in fear. His bed sheets somehow twisted themselves into the shape of a number nine, revealing a small gun hidden underneath. His heart sank further. There was no escaping this. He grabbed the gun, his hands shaking uncontrollably, and limped downstairs, trying not to completely lose it.
His little sister, Lucy, saw him and immediately blocked his way. "Where are you going?" she asked, her voice full of suspicion.
Jake avoided her eyes. "I… I have something important to do. Move."
Lucy crossed her arms, standing her ground. "You're not going anywhere. Mom and Dad left me in charge, so you have to listen to me."
Jake's patience snapped, the pressure of everything weighing him down. "JUST GET OUT OF THE WAY IF YOU DON'T WANT ME TO DIE!" he yelled, his voice cracking.
Lucy flinched, her eyes filling with tears. "What? What do you mean?"
He wanted to explain, to hug her and say it would be okay, but there was no time. His phone was counting down the minutes, and he had seven left. He shoved her aside and bolted for the door, leaving her sobbing on the floor. "I hate you," she cried as he ran out.
Jake jumped into his car, slamming the door shut, his heart hammering in his chest. He barely registered the drive to the nearest bank, his mind a blur of panic. In two minutes flat, he was there, storming inside with the gun in his hand. His thoughts were scattered, but he had to focus.
"EVERYBODY, HANDS UP!" he shouted, his voice breaking as he pointed the gun at the terrified customers.
People screamed, some dropping to the floor, others scrambling for cover. But Jake wasn't there to hurt anyone. He just needed the money. He rushed to the receptionist, his gun shaking in his hand.
"YOU! I need money! Just... just give me some, please," he yelled, but his voice cracked under the pressure. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he couldn't keep it together. "Please… it's an emergency. I swear I'll give it back. I don't have time to explain, but if you don't help me, I'll die."
The receptionist, trembling like a leaf in the wind, stared at him. She didn't know what to do. Was this guy for real? A robber begging for money? But she didn't have the guts to argue. Her life was worth more than her job, so she slowly started gathering some cash.
Just as she was about to hand it over, the loudest, most terrifying sound ripped through the air.
BANG.
Jake looked down, confused. His shirt was soaked in blood. He turned his head slowly, his eyes landing on a cop standing nearby, gun still smoking. The officer looked just as shocked as Jake. He hadn't meant to shoot. It was supposed to be a warning shot.
...
Jake's POV:
I hit the ground hard, my head spinning. The pain in my chest was unreal but worse than that… it was the regret. I stared up at the ceiling, my vision already blurred. People were shouting around me, but their voices sounded far away like they were underwater.
Tears rolled down my face. Is this really how it ends? I didn't even get to say goodbye. I couldn't hug Lucy, couldn't tell my parents I loved them. I made Lucy cry. And now… now I'm gonna die.
Everything went dark.