THE DEAD GAME
Louise and her friends escaped End House but the deadly game was far from over.
The Dead had much more in store for Louise.
Black shapes were creeping toward them on the pool deck.
Louise fled down the stairs to the beach,
with Mike and David following close behind.
David was screeching about flying bats trying to knock him off the mountain.
Hard objects swiped at her,
almost causing her to lose her balance on the slippery stone steps.
But she continued on, refusing to look back.
She dashed along the beach.
Mounds of sand were being thrust in her face.
On the walkway, branches swiped her across the face.
Skinny wooden arms struggling to hold her back.
She ran down Main Street.
She felt all alone.
The streets quiet.
No lights or sounds were coming from the empty buildings.
Candles were flickering inside the gazebo.
Her body was being thrust toward the ghostly display of lights.
The gusting wind was flinging leaves and branches,
but still she was being propelled forward.
She had no control over her body;
she was like a puppet on a string.
A noose wrapped itself around her neck.
She was hanging in the middle of the gazebo.
Hooded creatures began circling her.
The noose was tugged tighter
until she could no longer breathe—or even care to struggle any longer.
Without any air left in her lungs…
with the world spinning around her…
she watched as the shadows slowed down
to take on distinct human forms.
The figures revealed themselves to be men and women with black eyes,
glaring up at her.
They were chanting in an unfamiliar language.
Their hoods casting their faces in deep shadow.
Long metal chains hung from their necks with gold medallions depicting snarling wolves’ heads.
One member of the group lifted arms up high.
The winds turned wilder and more violent,
moaning in unison with the voice of the unknown leader.
Louise recognized one face right before she lost consciousness,
but she knew that it was too late for her or the town.
THE DEAD GAME has begun.
