David Stoll sensed the truth behind his predicament. His unique existence made him a target, and he suspected the Players knew it. If they did, they'd stop at nothing to eliminate him. As a glitch in the Story System, it took ages to scan and verify his identity upon entering the Story Realm. Being an anomaly meant someone would try to erase him.
* Let them come, * David thought, his gaze sharpening with resolve. * I'll destroy anyone who tries. *
He slid into the police car, which sped toward an abandoned factory. The heavy door groaned as he pushed it open, revealing a desolate interior coated in dust. He stepped forward, senses sharp.
A sharp whoosh pierced the silence. David lunged forward, narrowly dodging a syringe aimed at his back. A figure in a pig mask gripped the weapon. With a fluid motion, he seized the syringe, lifted the attacker off the ground, and tore off the mask, revealing a young woman with a captivating figure.
"Amanda?" David said, recognizing her instantly.
Her eyes widened, stunned that he knew her name.
He flung her aside. She slammed into the wall with a grunt. "Take me to Jigsaw. What's this, a warm welcome?"
Coughing, Amanda staggered to her feet. "Who are you?"
Her walkie-talkie crackled before she could probe further. After a brief exchange, she led David deeper into the factory, her expression cold, to Jigsaw's workshop.
"Welcome to my domain," John said, his voice calm and measured. He looked healthier, as if recovering from a grave illness.
"You need rest, not extra hours," David replied, shrugging. Facing the man whose wife he'd slept with felt strange. * I'm not a monster yet, * he thought, * so the guilt still stings. *
John's tone remained steady. "This game isn't about me. It's about Amanda, a survivor from one of my past trials. I'm pleased she's embraced life with new vigor."
Amanda, the one who'd ambushed David, had endured Jigsaw's brutal test. She'd worn the reverse bear trap, a device designed to rip her jaw apart unless she unlocked it. The key was buried in a living drug dealer's stomach. In a frantic struggle, Amanda had carved open the still-conscious man, rummaging through his insides to retrieve the key just before the trap triggered.
Grateful for her survival, she pledged herself to Jigsaw's cause. Attacking David was her initiation, a test of loyalty.
"Drugs wreck your body," David said suddenly, glancing at monitors displaying several trapped participants. "Quitting is hard, but a good distraction can work miracles."
Amanda frowned, puzzled. "What kind of distraction?"
"Sex," David said, his face serious.
Her jaw dropped. Even John's brow creased in surprise.
Amanda sneered. "You're crazy."
David raised a finger, shaking his head. "No, you don't get it. Sex is a workout. It's not just about a dick sliding into a pussy, you clueless girl. Fucking pumps adrenaline, keeping your brain alive. Drugs dull your mind; sex does the same, but it's healthier. It's a perfect swap."
His argument sounded plausible, almost scientific, yet it felt off. Amanda wasn't convinced. "If it's so effective, why isn't everyone doing it? Quitting drugs wouldn't be such a nightmare."
John, curious, leaned forward. "You have proof to back this up, don't you?"
Amanda glared at David, certain he was a fraud.
"It's not simple," David admitted. "Most women shy away from casual sex, and diseases like AIDS are a real risk. For it to work, you need a man with a matching sex drive. It's about balance, where he satisfies his urges, and you get that mind-numbing pleasure. When the cravings hit, fucking is your safest bet."
Amanda smirked. "If it's so tough to achieve, why bring it up?"
"It's not just about banging for fun," David said. "The real question is whether lust owns you or you own it. Giving in to obsession is beastly. Meeting a need is human. If you're interested, I can help. I've got a sex addiction, so I'm always up for a good fuck."
* Just another angle to manipulate her, * he thought, hiding a smirk.
Amanda didn't buy it. "You're full of crap."
"Fine," David said, turning to the monitors. "Just letting you know, I'm available if you change your mind. Now, let's start this game. I'm eager to see how these Players hold up."
Six Players appeared on the screens, their labels visible only to David. He wasn't sure if they could identify his status as easily, but he'd stay vigilant.
Amanda swapped outfits and headed out. "I'm joining the game myself."
---
The plan hadn't gone perfectly, but David didn't care. He'd already fucked Jigsaw's wife, Jill, several times. * Win or lose, I'm satisfied, * he thought.
The game began. Six Players, stripped of their abilities and reduced to ordinary humans, faced Jigsaw's deadly challenges. Success earned points and a return to the Nexus Point for a lavish life. Failure meant a horrific death.
A man woke first, swearing loudly. "Where the hell am I? What's happening?"
Others roused, including the six Players: five men and one woman. The woman was covered in tattoos, her face heavy with makeup, clearly a prostitute. * Not my style, * David thought. * I'd rather fuck a housewife than a whore. *
Someone spotted Amanda. "Hey, you're that girl from the news!"
Amanda clutched her head, faking distress. "I don't know why I'm back here!"
A hulking white man, Xavier, slapped her twice. "Speak! Where are we?"
Rage flickered in Amanda's eyes, but she replied, "If I'm right, this is Jigsaw's domain. He runs death games. I was a drug addict, tried to kill myself, and landed in his game. I escaped once, but now I'm back!"
Panic erupted. Jigsaw, also called the Puzzle Killer, was notorious for cutting puzzle-piece shapes from his victims' skin.
"We're in a death game!" someone yelled, hammering the windows. Amanda joined in, pretending to lose control, then slumped to the floor, sobbing.
The group froze, the two women crying helplessly. Xavier seized Amanda's throat. "You've survived this. You know something!"
"Recordings!" Amanda choked out. "Jigsaw always leaves a tape with rules. Find the recorder, follow the instructions, and we live!"
"Move it!" Xavier bellowed, shoving her aside.
The Players, now understanding the stakes, joined the search. After scouring the room, they found a recorder hidden behind a wall painting.
Jigsaw's voice played: "Hello. You know where you are. To survive, play my game. You all share a connection. You've been breathing poisoned air for two hours. Find the antidote within that time, or you die. Each person needs one dose. One antidote is in the room's safe, its code tied to all of you. Look behind your thoughts, arranged at the rainbow's end. More antidotes are in other rooms. Let the game begin."
"Damn this stupid game!" Xavier cursed, spotting a door and examining it.
The Players watched each other cautiously, each protecting their own interests while hunting for clues.
In the control room, David pointed at a monitor showing a room packed with syringes. "Who's that trap for?"
"Xavier, the big guy," John said. "He's a drug dealer who exploits the poor, draining them dry. He deserves this."
"What if he forces someone else to go in?" David asked, familiar with the story's twists.
John paused. "It's possible. We'll see. Everyone here has earned their punishment."
"Amanda's not right to take your place," David said. "She's too eager to kill."
"I'll give her a chance," John said, eyes glued to the screens.
David scratched his crotch. * Damn, I'm horny again. * "I'm getting that urge, man. By the way, I found two better apprentices for you. As for Mark, the deputy detective, he's only with you because you've got leverage on him. Without that, he'd run."
John's brow furrowed. "I'll give Mark a chance too."
"Your choice," David said. "But don't put yourself in the game. Dying's not worth it. I've said enough. Also, I want to fuck someone. Any suggestions?"
John's frown deepened. "You're really hooked on sex. Try Jill."
"No way, her pussy's too worn out from me. I'd wreck her," David said, hinting at his cock's size.
John's expression tightened, catching David's concern for his ex-wife. "What do you want?"
"Call Amanda back. I'll handle her. You're testing her, but she'll destroy you. You know she's got feelings for you, right? She sees you as a father and a lover. It's twisted, but real."
* Let's shake things up, * David thought, studying John's reaction.