1 The Call

Hello, I am #@$#_=-_ , I worked as a teacher at {insert elementary school name here} I am a single father. though, I did not get paid a lot, I still worked hard to see my daughter's smiling face. however, now I'll never see it again.

it all happened one day when I was grading papers looking at tomorrow's assignments, etc. when I finished, I got a phone call from...the police?

"Hello. Is this #@$#_=-_ ?"

"Yes it is. How may I help you?"

"You need to come to the {insert nearest police station name here} immediately.

"Will do officer, thank you."

I ended the call, packed my thing and went to my car quickly. I drove up to the police station and talked to an officer. they started the conversation with, "I'm sorry for your loss." my heart dropped. it was obviously my daughter. due to the fact that I have no other family, or well, I didn't anymore. even though I knew it was my daughter, I asked, "who?"

"pardon..?" the officer said looking confused but keeping a serious tone. "who" I said more aggressively. "sir, it was your daughter. it was a first degree murder.." he mumbled the last part. but I heard it loud and clear, it echoed in my head as I drifted off into a day dream about me, coming home to a happy little girl. jumping on me and smiling as wide as the whole ocean. that day dream went away as soon as I opened the door. no daughter. no happy little girl. no nothing.

I sat down on my couch massaging my temples. I could've sworn I felt something or someone touch my hand however when I looked up there was nothing.

A few months had passed, and I lost my job, could barely pay rent, not to mention I was going insane over losing my daughter. I kept getting phone calls from this scammer. when they called me the 5th time I let them talk. they said, "Hello. I have heard terrible news that you are struggling with paying and all sorts of stuff, I am willing to help you only if you come to this little game I am hosting. please rsvp me if you do decide to come, and meet me here _______ _______ _________" they ended the call once they finished talking. I couldn't even say anything. "game?" I said to myself.

I couldn't help but wonder how would they help me by some sort of game, this must be a prank or something. I needed answers so I went to location. and saw this middle aged man, with a semi-pointy goatee. I sat down on the chair that was in front of his desk. he said "welcome, I bet you have some questions, so ask away." I then said, "yes I do have some questions." the first question that came into my head was, "is this some sort of sick joke?" he looked puzzled and said, "my, my, why ever would I do that to someone I don't know? I simply want to help you!" He continued, "look, come to this house" he said as he handed me a piece of paper that said the address, "and the door will be unlocked waiting for more people, if you win you will get the money you need to pay rent, get some new clothes to get a new job, oh and you are really behind on getting those funeral services for your daughter, you should look into that." again, he didn't let me talk, he just used his butler to shoo me away like I was some sort of bug.

though, I did wish I had asked a different question. I decided to go to the house, to see what it was about. it was 9:40 and I decided to take a nap. I woke up at 10:50 I rushed to get ready the party, would it even be called a party? whatever, the thing started at 11:00 I felt if I were late I rather not see what would happen. I got into my car and drove as fast as I could. I arrived at the front door of the house, it was a lovely home but gave off a strange vibe. I grabbed the handle, slowly turning it. the door creaked as it slowly opened. the creaking sound killed me. the same man I met with told me to go into the dining room as there was other guests inside there. I was about to walk into the dining room when the door opened and a woman entered, I said, "hello welcome to the party" I take out my hand waiting for her to shake it. she didn't shake it. I put my hand back into my pocket and say "you must be fun at parties" she scoffed and walked passed me. "rude" I mumbled to myself. I ocalled out, "oi! sheesh I'm sorry I'm yamamoto." she turned around, her blonde hair flipping and her green eyes locking with my eyes. she said "I'm bethany."