I've been lying in bed for almost three months now. Blane, October 5. I write in my journal but don't do anything with it.
It's so dark here because of the storm. People don't go outside anymore. They all turn on the TV and stare at it for hours. Something happened here that changed everyone. But what? I still don't know.
We can't even go to the store anymore. Like, no one can. I hear someone knocking at the door.
BANG, BANG.
"Mom, Dad. Can someone please open the door?" I shout.
But no one answers. When I try to open the door, I realize my parents have fallen asleep. I see the food already set out with some drinks. I pick it up, watching the rain fall faster and faster outside. When I go back inside, I wake my parents up. They just can't miss the show.
It feels like we're forced to stay here. Like I have no choice but to stay inside and do nothing normal. That feeling sits deep inside me, scraping my tears.
I've never been this bored before. These are the hours when nothing is on TV. And since we can't do anything else, all we can do is be bored. I refuse to read books.
I live here with my parents, but no one else. I used to visit my grandparents sometimes, but not anymore. So many things just aren't possible now. My bedroom is starting to feel like my whole world. If I stay quiet for a moment, I hear thunder attacking the streets. Cats lost and wandering. Homeless people slowly dying.
After all that, there's a big tension among the townspeople. The TV show is supposed to start tonight at 8 PM. At least there's something to look forward to. But still, it feels strange. It's like the whole world revolves around it. The thing is, I've never been outside this town called "Dark Twist."
Neither have many others, and I don't know why. Maybe this is the only place that exists—who knows.
A day earlier...
Zane
I live in the village next to the town of Dark Twist. I've heard a lot of stories about it. My brother Elias sometimes goes there for work. He says it's a secret project, but it remains a mystery. I don't pay much attention. But sometimes I hear the thunderclouds from just next door. I've never seen anyone enter or leave the town.
My brother and I have been through a lot together. When I was scared of storms, I could always hide with him. We also had to cross streams like those in Dark Twist now. If I felt sick or hurt, he was always there to support me. I tried to do the same for him.
I also have an older sister, Billie. She's the most creative one in the family. She was more like a mother figure to me since our parents were rarely around. I have a deep bond with her, and I hope it lasts forever.
When we came back from a lovely shopping trip, I already felt something was wrong with my brother. He had been acting strange and tense all day. My sister said I was just imagining things. I confronted Elias myself, but he wouldn't say a word.
So weird, and I know something is going on. I'll have to go to sleep with nerves. It's getting dark already, and tomorrow's going to be a long day. I hope he tells me what's happening, or I might go crazy.
The next morning...
I wake up with moonlight shining through my room. I see blood on the floor. The ceiling has partially collapsed. Panic hits me and I start screaming as I realize where I am. I feel the rain falling on me in the depths of the night. What am I supposed to do now? I feel pain everywhere and begin crying uncontrollably.
In the distance, I hear "TING? TING." It's just my alarm clock. Sweating, I wake up. I have to cry again, but this time from relief. Looking around, everything is fine. But then I notice something: my hair is suddenly purple and glowing all over my body. The moonlight makes it look almost holy. My hair reaches down to my lower back. I am dressed, wearing makeup, and even heels. I don't remember anything from last night.
Still, it all feels normal. Like I've been getting ready for something big every day. Like I've always had purple hair, and now I'm about to confront Elias in the bathroom. And as I think this, it actually happens.
I leave the room and walk toward the bathroom. Elias is fully dressed too.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?" he says
I answer, "Yes, just a nightmare."
I'm usually honest with my brother, but this time it feels wrong. It feels like we're just going through motions. My thoughts start to fade. I begin doing things automatically—normal things like brushing my teeth. I stand in the bathroom for three hours. Elias and I don't say a word to each other.
I get into the car that takes us somewhere. I have no idea where. Fear tightens in my throat. Elias sits there like it's nothing. I don't recognize the driver. The ride takes a long time, and I have no idea where we're going. I see homeless people who look at us strangely. We drive through the strangest streets. It's still dark outside so early in the morning. The radio stays silent the whole trip.
The car stops next to what feels like a random house in an ordinary neighborhood. The driver leaves. The streetlights are still on, but there isn't a soul around. It feels eerie—I can't explain it. Shadows make me imagine things. Having no control over myself frustrates me.
We go deeper into the street until we reach a manhole cover. I feel heavily watched, like I'm about to learn a secret that must never be told. When the cover lifts, a staircase to darkness appears.
Elias
Almost there, then it's done. Then Zane and I will be the hosts. I've been working on this secret project for months. As soon as we go down that staircase, we enter one of the biggest secret productions. Finally, I can use Zane, that stupid brat. They'll be so proud of me. So many secrets, but no words to tell. No letters to write. I'm not telling Zane anything right now. That Billie can go to hell too. When I told her a little, she just laughed at me. We'll see what's so funny.
Zane
I go down the stairs, not saying a word to Elias. I'm too scared. He's never acted so strangely before. The deeper we go, the more light I see. People walk around busily. I end up in a huge film studio—like an underground Hollywood. Everywhere is something related to a production.
Elias says, "You and I will be the hosts. Go to room number 8. The set should be ready. See you later."
Before I can say anything, he walks away. Fearful, I wander through the halls. I wonder what for.
1
I see the number and start finding my way. People are everywhere. I see screens showing live feeds, just like the commercials promised.
2
The further I go, the darker it gets. I see pictures of the cast and participants hanging on the walls. I see a photo with the name Blane on it. Me and Elias are on there too. I'm too scared to look further. I decide to walk away, but a photo falls to the floor…
3
Those photos are horrifying. Seeing all those victims—it's unbearable.
4
I pass number 4. Things happen quickly. I see a control room watching over the town of Dark Twist, with the next sets…
5
6
7
All of them overlook the town. I realize they probably control everything from here. After walking several kilometers, I finally reach number…
8
But the hallways keep going. I definitely don't want to go any further.
Elias
After setting things up and heading to room 8, I see one of the photos lying on the ground. It's Billie's…