Chapter 2

The ten people all stood there, shocked.

"What just happened?" the redhead, the girl, blinked.

"I don't know," the white-haired boy said. "But let's be smart here. Let's start to introduce ourselves. After all, from the sounds of it, we're going to be here for a long time."

"Why would we introduce ourselves?" the black-haired girl frowned. "And it's not like whoever who said those things are even real. Someone's probably playing an elaborate prank on us, or maybe we actually died, and this is just some stupid test. Why are you so calm, anyway?"

"Staying calm is the key here," the white-haired boy replied. "And we might as well introduce ourselves. I'll start. My name is Eli, and I'm 18. I know all sorts of languages, and love to read books."

"My name is Avery, and I'm 16," the blue-haired boy said. "I do a lot of sports."

"I'm Kiana, and I'm 17," the pink-haired girl said. "I'm a gamer."

"I'm Daphne, and I'm 16. I love gaming, as well as acting."

"I'm Pamela, and I'm 17," the red-haired girl said. "I'm like cooking."

"I'm William, and I'm 15," said the green-haired boy. "I like plants and animals."

"I'm Sophia and I'm 19," said the black-haired girl. "I like hunting."

"I'm Nero, and I'm 15," the black-haired boy said. "I just like cleaning stuff."

"I'm Mia, and I'm 19," the dirty blonde stated. "I like dancing."

Everyone was startled when the red-haired boy stood up. "This is stupid," he growled. "I don't care what that stupid voice said. I'm leaving."

"Wait, we have to be careful-" Eli started.

The redhead ignored him and pushed open the large door and stepped onto the grass outside the building. He grinned at them. "See? You were all scared for nothing! Why are you all so afraid-"

He was cut off mid-sentence as he suddenly exploded in a shower of blood. Everyone screamed as the door swung shut on its own.

"What just happened? What was that?"

"I don't know," Eli's voice shook slightly. "But we need to stay calm and rational-"

"Calm? Rational? A boys just exploded in front of our eyes! How do you want me to be calm and rational?" Mia screamed.

Everyone was panicking as Eli shouted, "Everyone, stay calm! We won't understand what happened if we keep panicking and screaming and running around like headless chickens! We need to stay calm and stay rational to avoid any of us exploding as well!"

"Eli is right," Pamela's voice trembled. "The voice warned us not to go out. We should listen to what it says."

"And what, just sit here patiently and follow every single damned thing it says?" Sophia snapped.

"Well, what do you want to do? Disobey the voice and possibly get exploded?"

The voice crackled to life again. [It seems that a player has disobeyed the rules. A new player will be sent in to replace the player.]

The door suddenly opened, just a crack, and a girl was shoved in before the door closed once again.

"Where am I?" the girl asked in confusion.

The nine of them ran over and told her what had happened, not sparing any details. The girl, who had introduced herself as Kim, paled. "A boy just what?"

[It seems that you have gotten familiar with the new player. Now, it's time for your first challenge.]

"C-ch-challenge?" Pamela stuttered. "What do you mean, Voice?"

The Voice laughed. [I'd rather be called Creator. As for what I mean, I believe I was specific enough the first time. You'll be given challenges, and for each challenge completed, a level will be unlocked. Anyone who reaches the hundredth floor will be let out of the building.]

"What's the challenge?" Sophia asked.

[Go to the table in the front of the room. There are cards there. Pick up your respective cards and pencils.]

Everyone walked to the table, picking up the card and the pencils under their pictures.

[Now, sit in a circle. Place your cards in front of you. All of you must close your eyes. Only the person whose card read Red may keep their eyes open. Anyone who does not hold the card that reads Red and opens their eyes will be punished with death.]

Daphne's eyes were shut tight, and so were all the other non-Red players.

[Now, the player with the card Red must write down a name or a description of a player on his or her card. Not doing so will be punished by death.]

There was the scratch of a pencil before it stopped.

[Place the card with the name face up, and close your eyes as well]

For a moment, everything was silent before Creator spoke again. [You may now open your eyes.]

Everyone opened their eyes in relief, the cards seeming to have mysteriously disappeared. "That was so nerve-racking," William shuddered.

"I know!" Nero exclaimed. "I actually got the Red card. I didn't know what it was, so I wrote my own name."

"That's stupid," Eli said.

"Why?" Nero asked. Eli didn't answer.

[The first challenge has been completed. The second floor is now unlocked.] There was a sound as the metal barrier closing off the spiral staircase to the first floor and the second floor was unlocked and lifted.

Before anyone could move, however, Creator spoke again. [The person whose name has been written down will now be punished.]

Nero opened his mouth to say something before exploding, showering blood all over Daphne and Kim, who was standing next to him.

This game just got very real.