With considerable effort, Arga forced a smile, though it clearly looked strained. Meanwhile, Sana—who had just returned to the garden carrying a tray of snacks—tried to steady herself. Yet, Arga noticed her hands trembling slightly as she placed the tray on the small table. The tension between them was so palpable it felt almost tangible.
Under the warm glow of the garden lights, their shadows stretched long, like a story just beginning to unfold amid the uncertainty of the night.
Kirana seemed to revel in the atmosphere, her smile widening like that of an artist admiring a masterpiece. She rose with graceful movements and walked slowly toward a large box that had been tucked away in the corner of the garden. With ease, she lifted the box and placed it in the center of the garden, between Nico, Sana, and Arga, who still sat with questioning expressions.
"Alright," she said, her voice overly enthusiastic, almost grating to the ears. "Welcome to the best gamble I've ever created. No money, no treasure, but something far more... personal, more precious."
Her gaze moved slowly from one face to another, piercing like an invisible dagger. Sana, who had been hesitant, finally mustered the courage to speak, though her voice was barely above a whisper. "What are we wagering... here?"
Kirana chuckled softly, a laugh that flowed gently yet carried a sharp, sinister undertone. With a dramatic motion, she opened the box. Inside, there was a small compartment with an opening large enough to fit a hand. She patted the box with satisfaction, as if declaring it the centerpiece of the night.
"It's simple," she said with a sly grin. "Put your hands into this box. That's all."
The air seemed to freeze. Arga stared at the box, his brows furrowing. His body tensed as though standing on the edge of a steep cliff. His palms began to sweat, and his heartbeat pounded in his chest like war drums.
"I... I don't understand. What's the point?" he stammered, his voice barely breaking the silence.
Kirana merely shrugged lightly, her gesture casual yet brimming with mystery. "Oh, you'll understand... soon enough."
One by one, they placed their hands into the box. As soon as their hands were inside, a mechanism clamped down firmly, making it impossible to withdraw. The tension climbed, like a rope slowly being pulled taut before snapping.
Kirana's smile widened further, almost resembling the predatory grin of a hunter satisfied with their catch. "This game is a test. No one will die tonight," she said softly, her words hanging in the air before she added, "At least, if you're lucky enough."
Nico suddenly burst into laughter. His voice was light, yet the meaning behind it was hard to grasp. Sana instinctively took a step back, but Kirana's sharp gaze froze her in place. "There's no turning back now. You're here to play, aren't you? So... put your hand into the box," Kirana demanded, her tone turning razor-sharp.
Arga tried to steady himself, though his body felt frozen. "What will happen to our hands?" he asked, attempting to keep his voice calm, though a slight tremor betrayed him.
Kirana tilted her head, her gaze turning icy. "Oh, you'll feel a little sensation... like losing something precious. But don't worry, it's just a game."
The once-peaceful night had transformed into something ominous. A cold breeze swept gently, rustling the grass in the expansive garden. Even the oil lamp's light seemed dimmer, as if it too bore witness to the game that was about to begin.
Nico worked hard to keep his face composed, but his heartbeat echoed like a relentless drumbeat. "What do you mean by wagering our hands, Kirana?" he asked, his voice quivering despite his attempt to sound firm.
Kirana shrugged casually, a sinister smirk playing on her lips. "Exactly what you think, Nico. Your hands will be the stakes."
Arga, Sana, and Nico sat around the box, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense. On top of the box were five small buttons arranged in a row, each identical and offering no clue to differentiate them. Kirana explained nonchalantly that one of the five buttons would trigger a sharp blade hidden within. They needed to press four safe buttons, leaving the last one untouched if they wanted to "win" without losing anything.
Arga stared at the buttons with a vacant expression, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. He glanced at Nico and Sana, seeking reassurance in their faces, but found only the same fear mirrored back at him.
"You first, Arga," Kirana commanded with an authoritative tone, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "Come on, show your courage. If you press the wrong button, we'll all lose a hand. Fun, isn't it?"
Her laughter rang out, echoing among them and amplifying the suffocating tension. Arga, Sana, and Nico chuckled nervously, their laughs forced and hollow—more an attempt to mask their growing unease than genuine amusement.
Arga raised his hand slowly, his fingers trembling as they moved toward one of the buttons. His breath felt heavy, pressing against his chest from the inside. Kirana watched him with anticipation, her sardonic smile never leaving her face.
"Come on, Arga, don't take too long. Your courage is being tested here. Or maybe… you're just not brave enough?" teased Kirana, accompanied by a small laugh that sounded like a taunt.
Arga swallowed hard, trying to ignore the creeping fear coursing through his body. But before he could press the button, Nico suddenly snapped out of it, his voice breaking the silence. "What am I doing?! Why am I using my right hand?!" he shouted in panic, trying to pull his hand out of the box. But his efforts were futile; the box had locked his hand in place automatically and would only open if all four buttons were pressed simultaneously.
"I should've used my left hand! My right hand is way more useful! I'm such an idiot!"
His panicked outburst turned the already tense atmosphere into something slightly absurd. Sana nearly burst out laughing but held it in by biting her lower lip, while Arga simply stared at Nico with a mix of horror and amusement.