[Scene: Jeremy's Room – Night] Jeremy sits at his desk, trying to focus on his homework. The room is quiet except for the faint rustling of leaves against the stained-glass window. His mind drifts back to the mysterious board game. He glances toward the cabinet where he last saw it, but convinces himself it's all in his head.
Jeremy (thinking):It's just a stupid game. I'm overthinking. It's probably not even there anymore. Dad probably tossed it or something.
Shaking his head, he forces his attention back to his math problems. However, a creeping unease settles over him. Out of the corner of his eye, he swears he sees a faint glow coming from the cabinet. He turns his head quickly—nothing. It's dark and still, just like it should be.
Jeremy (muttering): "Get a grip, Jeremy. You're losing it."
Just as he's about to return to his work, the faint sound of whispering catches his attention. It's so quiet it could almost be the wind, but the words feel… deliberate. His heart begins to race as he strains to listen.
[Scene: Allen and Elena's Room – Same Night] In his parents' room, Allen is seated at his desk, working on some papers, while Elena is brushing her hair by the dresser. The board game sits on a shelf in the corner, completely still but seemingly out of place. Its polished surface gleams faintly in the dim light, and Allen glances at it briefly, feeling an inexplicable discomfort.
Elena:[noticing his distraction] "You've been staring at that thing all evening. Is it really bothering you that much?"
Allen:[shaking his head] "I don't know. It's just… something about it doesn't feel right. Jeremy's reaction to it—those nightmares… It's like there's more to it than meets the eye."
Elena puts down her brush and joins him, her expression thoughtful.
Elena: "Maybe we should just get rid of it. Toss it out or donate it."
Before Allen can respond, they both freeze as a faint knock echoes through their room. The door is slightly ajar, but no one is there. The eerie silence that follows makes the air feel heavier.
Allen:[frowning] "Jeremy? Is that you?"
When no response comes, Elena steps toward the door, but the moment she reaches it, the faint knocking sounds again—this time louder, coming from within their room. They both turn toward the shelf where the board game is sitting.
The knocking stops abruptly. For a moment, everything is still. Then, as if on cue, the board game emits a faint hum and a single word appears on its surface, glowing in jagged, otherworldly letters: "Ready?"
[Scene: Jeremy's Room – Moments Later] Jeremy is frozen at his desk, clutching his pencil tightly. The whispering has grown louder, but it still sounds like it's coming from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Unable to shake the feeling of being watched, he finally stands and opens the cabinet.
It's empty.
Jeremy (thinking):Wait… what? I swear it was here…
His breath quickens as he backs away, his mind racing. Just then, his door creaks open, and Allen steps in, his face pale and tense.
Allen: "Jeremy, did you… did you hear anything just now?"
Jeremy stares at his father, his unease growing.
Jeremy: "What do you mean?"
Allen hesitates, glancing over his shoulder as though expecting something—or someone—to follow him.
Allen: "The board game—it's in our room now. I didn't move it, but… something's not right about it."
The air in the room feels colder suddenly, and Jeremy shivers.
Jeremy:[whispering] "I thought it was here… I thought I was imagining it…"
Before either of them can say more, a sudden loud thud echoes from Allen's room. Both father and son freeze, their eyes locking.
Allen: "Stay here. I'll check it out."
[Scene: Allen and Elena's Room – Night] Allen enters the room cautiously, Jeremy following close behind despite his father's protests. The board game sits exactly where it was before, its surface now dark and unassuming.
Allen: "There's no way…"
Suddenly, the air grows heavy, and the whispering Jeremy heard earlier begins again—soft, insistent, and now unmistakably coming from the board game. The words are still unintelligible, but they carry a weight that makes the room feel smaller.
The board game's lid slowly creaks open on its own, and both Allen and Jeremy take a step back. A strange glow emanates from within, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
Elena appears in the doorway, her face pale.
Elena: "What's going on? What is that thing?"
Before anyone can respond, the room is plunged into darkness. The glow from the board game intensifies, and the whispering crescendos into a chaotic cacophony.
Then, everything goes silent. The board game slams shut, and the room is still.
Allen (whispering): "We need to get rid of this. Now."
But deep down, they all know—it's not going to be that simple.