Main character: Tamsin (F) & Glen (M) // Place: A long-abandoned castle
Daily life often feels like a copy of yesterday—so ordinary, so predictable that it almost numbs the mind.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTnq3tYON4
But sometimes, fate suddenly snaps that repetition in half.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S409mmmtI
And in an instant, everything changes.
Just like now.
Tamsin could clearly remember that her last memory had been of her familiar bedroom. Yet the next moment, a thick, dusty scent filled her nose. When she opened her eyes, her gaze struck a ruined ceiling.
She jolted upright in alarm—only to realize she wasn’t alone. All around her, dozens of strangers were beginning to stir on the cold stone floor of a grand hall, their expressions dazed and frightened.
Tamsin looked around, her heart tightening.
It was a long-abandoned castle hall. Towering stone pillars stood cold and silent; tattered paintings hung from the walls, their colors long faded. Antique furniture lay draped in layers of dust, the fireplace was filled with ash, and the once-luxurious carpet had rotted away, exposing the dull stone beneath. The mirrors were mottled with age, their silver backing peeling, reflecting warped, ghostly silhouettes. The whole place reeked of mystery and decay—like a mausoleum of forgotten time.
A sudden gust of wind sliced through the hall, sharp as a blade. Tamsin shivered, hugging her arms tight—and only then noticed that she was still wearing her usual loungewear.
Around her, the others were dressed in modern clothes as well, utterly out of place in this desolate castle. It was as though they’d been torn out of one world and dropped into another.
“…Where is this place?” she whispered.
No one answered. No one even looked at her. It was as if she were invisible.
A chill prickled down her spine.
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Am I… unseen?
Before she could think further, a piercing voice exploded inside her mind—
“Game, or death?”
The words stabbed straight into her consciousness—cold, mechanical, merciless.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMREJsxrlA
Pain ripped through her skull. Nausea churned in her gut. The agony was so intense she fell to her knees, clutching her head.
If this was what dying felt like… she would rather play the “game.”
As if hearing her thought, the voice spoke again—this time with a mocking laugh:
“Game! Welcome, player. You must complete a series of tasks. Each time you succeed, you’ll earn a doll.
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Collect ten, and you may leave the castle.
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Survivors—come forth.
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Don’t miss your chance.
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Good luck… hehehe…”
Then the voice vanished—and with it, the pain.
Tamsin gasped for air, slowly pushing herself up. It was as though nothing had happened.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy5eN78ftt
Tasks? Dolls? Survivors? Her thoughts spun in confusion, unable to piece together any meaning.
Then she noticed a boy around her age sitting nearby, pale-faced and trembling.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPN6ja0YQN
After a brief hesitation, she reached out a hand. He looked up; their eyes met for a fleeting second before he grasped her hand and stood.
He was the first person to truly look at her.
Tamsin broke the silence. “This place… it’s unnerving. Like something’s wrong.”
The boy frowned slightly and nodded. “Yeah. Do you… remember how you got here?”
“No. You?”
“Same. Nothing at all.”
Tamsin glanced toward a shadowed corner of the hall, unease prickling at her chest.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDDzJPoWzD
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It seemed… there were fewer people awake now than before.
The boy’s voice pulled her back. “Hey—did you hear that voice, too? In your head?”
“I did.” Tamsin bit her lip and whispered, “It said we have to finish tasks and collect ten dolls to escape. But that voice—it felt like it was tearing through my brain.”
He fell silent for a moment, then nodded grimly. “So we all heard the same thing.”
“True or not, we’ll have to try.” She steadied her shaking hands, forcing herself to sound calm.
After a pause, the boy said quietly, “Then… do you want to team up? Two people are safer than one.”
Tamsin blinked, then smiled faintly and offered her hand. “Sure. I’m Tamsin.”
“I’m Glen.” He shook her hand, a hint of relief softening his tone.
Just as they exchanged names, a shout rose from the crowd—
“Whoa!”
“What is that!?”
“I found one!”
The hall erupted in startled voices.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe45eDXfrgz
Tamsin and Glen exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding in sync—121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6XPrzbEen
then turned and pushed through the crowd toward the source of the commotion.
To be continued...
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