I woke up from a nightmare, completely chilled with terror."Well, I guess it was just a dream... thank God."
I did the usual morning routine: took a shower, then put on a red suit, black tie, and black jeans."Ah man, where's my freaking shovel!? I left it right here... Seriously? Not even here!?"
The doorbell rang. I opened the door.
Chakshu: Ready?
Magic: Not yet...
Chakshu: Why not?
Magic: I can't find my freaking shovel, man!
Chakshu: Oh, don't worry. I brought an extra one.
Magic: Oh—okay.
Chakshu: I knew you'd be clumsy, so yeah, I came prepared with everything we might need.
Magic: You're a lifesaver, dude!
Chakshu: I know, I know. (feeling proud of himself)
We packed up everything we needed and headed to the meeting hall, where a huge crowd had gathered for the treasure hunt prize.
Magic: Damn, the whole town is here.
Chakshu: Um...
We squeezed into the crowd like puzzle pieces.
Chakshu: Too many people! I can barely breathe!
Magic: For real!
Barely surviving the crush of the crowd, we managed to push through the main gate of the hall, where two security guards stood holding flintlock pistols.
Magic: They still use those weapons nowadays?
Chakshu: Yeah, I don't know if it's a tradition or what.
We finally found some chairs and sat down, waiting for the mayor to announce something that could change thousands of lives.
Chakshu: I can't take this heat anymore!
Magic: I can't even breathe properly with all these people... Do you have any idea when the mayor will show up?
Chakshu: No clue. Why not ask one of those guards we saw earlier?
Magic: Nah, I'm fine waiting.
After waiting for a while, the mayor finally arrived.
Mayor: Thank you all for waiting. I know it's not easy in this heat and with such a crowd... But as most of you already know, I'm organizing a grand treasure hunt.
Suddenly, a voice from the crowd shouted,"What's the reward!?"
Mayor: We'll get to that shortly, don't worry. In this treasure hunt, your goal is to find three keys. I'll be providing maps to their locations. And yes—you can do whatever it takes to get them.
The moment he said that, a strange chill ran down my spine.
(I leaned closer to Chakshu and whispered)Magic: "Is this... some kind of twisted game?"
Chakshu: "Relax! It's just a treasure hunt. Nothing to worry about."
Magic: "Hmm... okay, I guess." (Still not convinced.)
Mayor: And now... are you ready to hear the prize?
The crowd erupted into cheers, the energy electric with anticipation.
Mayor: The prize for the winner... will be Ten million Akir—the highest currency in our state.
Chakshu: "Damn!! That's insane! We couldn't even spend that much in a lifetime!"
Magic:"Hm..." (A seed of doubt rooted deep in my mind.)
Chakshu: "Oh come on! Are you still overthinking this?"
Magic: "No, no... I'm not. I'm just..."
Chakshu: "Don't think so hard! Just go with it!"
Magic: "Y-Yeah... okay."
Mayor: I'll now draw names. Three winners will each receive a map.
Chakshu: "Hope you win—"
Magic: "HUH!?"
Chakshu: "I... may have volunteered you. Coughcough."
Magic: "You what...?"
Mayor: The selected participants are... Leo, Steven, and... Magic!
Chakshu: "YEEEESSS!!!"
Magic:(Buries face in hands and sinks into the seat.)
Chakshu: "GO, BROTHER! GO!"
I hesitantly walked up on stage, nerves churning in my stomach. The mayor handed me a sealed map. I took it silently, nodded, and walked back to my seat—trying to ignore the eyes now fixed on me.
Later that night...
A loud, relentless knock shattered the silence.
Magic: "Huh? What the—?"
Before I could finish my thought, the door exploded inward, slamming against the wall. Splinters flew. Shadows burst into the room—three masked figures stormed in like a hurricane.
One of them grabbed me by the throat and slammed me against the wall, my head whipping back with the impact.
Intruder: "WHERE IS THE MAP?!"
I gasped for air, clawing at the iron grip tightening around my neck.
Magic: "W-What—what are you talking ab—"
Intruder: "GIVE US THE MAP!"Another slammed his fist into my gut. I choked, my vision swimming.
They pinned me harder, rage flashing in their eyes like fire.
Intruder: "You don't understand what's at stake. Give. Us. The. MAP!"
I struggled, but their strength was overwhelming. Every breath was a battle. The room spun violently. Their voices became distorted echoes.
Magic (inner monologue):This isn't a game... this is real... deadly real...
My consciousness began to fade, swallowed by the darkness...