The second mistake came quietly.
Nisha placed a wrong number without realizing it. She kept smiling, still enjoying the puzzle, unaware of the storm her small hands had unleashed.
Sara screamed. Her body jerked violently as the second electric shock tore through her. Stronger than before, it made her voice echo through the hall, raw and unending. The sound was so sharp it felt like glass shattering inside every ear.
Eli dropped to the ground, pounding the floor. His voice was broken, wild.
"Why wasn't it me?! Why wasn't I chosen?!"
Jinni covered her ears, Rose squeezed her eyes shut, Annie and Zoya turned their faces away. None of them could bear to watch as Sara's cries filled the hall.
The clock ticked down. Only one minute remained. Every child leaned forward, desperately working to solve the puzzle. Their small voices whispered numbers and guesses, innocent and focused, never knowing the weight their choices carried.
Then, in the last seconds, the children placed the final numbers. Milo, Leo, Nisha, and Anya completed their puzzles.
Suddenly, Maya's small hands stilled. Her brows furrowed, lips pressed into a pout of defiance. Then, without warning, she tore the puzzle page straight down the middle with her bare hands. The rip echoed in the quiet room like a scream.
She pushed the pieces aside, folding her arms with stubborn finality.
"This is boring," she muttered, her childish voice sharp in its innocence. "I'm not going to play this stupid game."
The parents froze, horror coursing through them. To them, it was no simple tantrum it was a death sentence.
Kai's eyes widened, his breath catching. Ethan shook his head in disbelief. Sara let out a broken sob. And Logan, chained and trembling, slammed his fists against the metal pole, his voice cracking:
"She doesn't understand! She doesn't know what she's doing!"
But Maya simply looked away, as though the puzzle had never mattered at all.
The buzzer rang. Time was up. The children's screen went dark.
The demon mask lit up once again. His distorted voice filled the air.
"Kai… I thought your daughter would be the first to succeed. But instead, she gave me disappointment."
Kai's jaw tightened. His silence was colder than words.
The masked man turned toward Ethan.
"Your son Leo saved you today. A loyal boy. You've raised him well he carried you through punishment."
Ethan's relief was poisoned with guilt.
Then, the masked man's head tilted toward Logan. His voice dropped low, deliberate.
"And Logan… it's only the beginning. Yet you are already tired."
Logan's eyes burned, but he said nothing.
The masked man let silence linger before turning to Sara. His voice curved into a mockery of praise.
"And Sara… what a beautiful show you gave us. Your pain entertained everyone. Such… devotion."
Sara sobbed against the iron pole she was still chained to, her body trembling with exhaustion.
Eli's fury boiled over. His face was red, his voice hoarse.
"You monster! I'll kill you! I swear, I'll kill you first!"
The masked man only laughed softly, boots echoing as he stepped forward.
"Kai. Ethan. Logan. Sara. Finn. Step forward."
Guards moved quickly, unlocking the cuffs from the poles. But the five could hardly stand their wrists were burned raw, their legs weak from the pain. They collapsed near the others, sinking to the cold floor.
Only Kai was dragged into a chair, placed in the center of the hall like a sacrifice.
The masked man's calm voice cut through the silence.
"Kai, tell me. Which finger will it be?"
Kai stared blankly, unable to process the words. His breathing came shallow and uneven.
The masked man leaned closer.
"I'll ask again… which finger, Kai?"
But Kai stayed frozen, confusion and fear locking his tongue.
The masked man sighed.
"I dislike waiting."
Without hesitation, he grabbed Kai's right hand. A blade flashed. In one swift movement, his little finger was severed.
Kai's scream split the hall, raw and piercing. Blood spilled onto the floor, his body shaking uncontrollably against the restraints.
Jinni fell to her knees, crying out.
"Please! Don't hurt him anymore! Please, stop!"
Her pleas were ignored. The masked man straightened, his voice steady, almost casual.
"You've all done well today. Very well. Go and rest. I'll summon you again… when it is time for the next round."
The guards pulled Kai away, his blood trailing on the cold floor. The parents sat in silence broken, helpless, knowing this was only the beginning.
To be continued…