Ethan POV

The monitor begins to malfunction. We can no longer see Corl or hear his desperate cries for help as the screen and audio fills with static.

Out of nowhere, I hear a thump from behind me. I quickly spin around to see Corl on the floor, out cold. A heart above his head drains from bright red to grey.

We have to be more careful with this game. Four of us have already lost a life and we're only in the second challenge. We're not taking it seriously enough.

I don't want to die like this. We all sit by Corl's side, awaiting his presence. I know how losing a life feels.

In the fire of the moment, you think it's all going to end. Then, it goes black. It's a painful experience. Finally, you wake up feeling like a failure as your chances for survival have depleted.

Finally, Corl awakens. He blinks to life, though appearing weak.

"Hello?" Corl shakily asks.

Only now did I realize how silent it had been. Were we really not talking all that time?

"Corl!" We all shout in excitement, leaning into a hug.

I couldn't help but notice a crumpled piece of paper in Corl's pocket.

"I'm glad you're awake, but what's in your pocket?" I ask Corl, pulling away from the hug.

He looks at his pocket and tilts his eyebrows into a confused look. He takes it out of his pocket and glares at it. He then turns it around for us to see.

The only thing that's on it is the number 4.

"It's a clue," Alex concludes.

Corl crumples it up again and puts it back in his pocket.

Without a chance to discuss anything, we get teleported. We get ripped away from each other and yet again into another challenge.

Once the teleportation process finishes, I scan my surroundings. I'm in a pitch black room. Suddenly, a light flickers to life.

The room itself is painted all black, including the ceiling, walls, and floor. It's completely empty besides 3 chairs with a light above each.

One of the chairs sits across from the 2 other chairs. My eyes meet everyone on the floor, who seem to be scanning the room as well.

A piece of paper drops from above down to the middle of the room.