I walk onto set number 8 and enter… a simple office? There's a small desk with two microphones. A screen displays scrolling text. Several monitors show footage of some dark, twisted world. Then I notice a poster on the wall: CURSED BY LUCIFER OUT OCTOBER 5.
Am I standing on the set of the darkest world ever created? Wait… does that mean those photos are connected to this?
My legs start to tremble. Several camera operators enter and begin setting up. I feel sick, like something is gnawing inside my stomach. A strange vibration throws off my balance. Sweat drips from my forehead just as someone walks into the room.
It's Elias, thank God. It eases me a little. But still, I don't trust him one bit.
The question that won't leave my mind: Is this show real or not?
Something deep inside whispers that it is. That strange autopilot feeling keeps taking over my actions.
"Go ahead and sit down," Elias says hurriedly. "The show starts in half an hour."
I reply, clearly tense, "Okay, sure."
I sit down. All these images start to blur my vision. I see thorns and blood on the screens, but I don't dare look closer. More and more cameras turn in my direction. A tear slides down my cheek, but I try to hold it together.
Elias
Usually I run the teaser live right now. Exciting stuff — this will be a major event.
Once the first contestant gets tortured live on camera, I won't be able to contain my joy. But I need patience. This project is difficult and top secret; it has to be worth it.
Good thing I manage to drag Zane into this… yeah, let's not think about that now.
I let my thoughts spiral as I walk over and sit beside Zane. I stare at her on purpose, frowning. I see the dirty sweat dripping down her face.
This is going to be a long ride.
Blane
I sit in front of the TV, curled up on the couch. My parents lie beside me, fast asleep.
Only 20 minutes until the biggest TV show in the city goes live.
Something taps against the window. While my parents don't notice, I glance over. A raven. It just sits there, staring at me like I'm a threat. It feels like it recognizes me. A face. A scent. I'm not reassured at all, and yet I want to understand. The raven is already gone. Still, I keep staring.
My thoughts drift… I imagine myself living in a fantasy world. One where I'm free, where I can do anything I want. Food arrives when I call for it. Rivers flow like joy. But a raven flies by. The world begins to weep. Dark thoughts keep me awake. Waking up into this twisted reality always feels wrong.
The TV turns on. My eyes barely open. Everything is blurry. I rub my hands over them. On screen: a forest of thorns, a teaser. A crow perches on a branch. The world moves slowly in the frame. Blood drips. A wave of fear hits me, but curiosity takes over.
A countdown begins: 15 minutes left. A large digital clock. I feel a strange connection to the screen. The longer I stare, the more I feel pulled into it. Like I belong there. Weird thoughts crawl through my head. Could the series actually be real? Are TV commercials lying? If you believe the ads — it's real.
For the first time, I feel deeply watched in this room. Faces brush across my cheeks. I don't feel safe anymore. The mood around me feels like a candle, being burned away.
I begin to laugh, though I know I might cry next. The TV… it stares back at me. My muscles freeze. I can't move. My brain races, but my body won't respond.
10 minutes.
I see a studio in darkness waiting to be used. All this confusion scares me. I'm trapped on the couch, my emotions written all over my face.
Zane
The lights are off for now. I kneel on the ground, waiting for the final five minutes to pass. This is the most terrifying thing I've ever experienced. I don't even believe in this. Can I even do this? What if I can't? Will they kill me?
From five, it's down to three… then one…
Elias
It's happening. A show I've waited months for. People finally have something worth watching. My hands itch — the excitement feels like cold water on my skin. Time to disturb the world. Zane, just don't mess it up. Or I swear, I'll make your pain worse. Mood-dependent, of course. But I'm smiling already.
Zane
Ten seconds are up. The lights come on, almost blinding. They swirl across the ceiling. Time to walk to our seats. Then the spotlights hit us, and music begins to play.
"Welcome to the long-awaited television event!" Elias says, with that smug, confident voice.
"We'll explain how everything works and some surprises coming later! I can't wait. Who else can't?"
I begin hesitantly, "I'm Zane."
But soon, I find my confidence again.
I continue, reading the cue card but keeping my eyes locked on the camera. "It's finally time. A series that airs every day, every hour nonstop.
Blane
Zane and Elias's voices echo in my head. Still paralyzed, the show keeps going. It's an interesting concept, but I want to move.
Suddenly, the room goes dark. The only light comes from the TV, glowing in my eyes. Emotion crashes like lightning over water. Thunder rumbles in the background.
All I can do is stare at the screen.
EliasThe talking goes smoothly. So far, so good. Soon, the first victim enters the cursed world. I can't wait. Hopefully, they don't die too quickly or too slowly. As long as they entertain.
Zane looks so uncomfortable. Guess it's up to me to explain the rest.
"There's a story built into this series. Each contestant must find their way out. But whether they survive… that's the question. If they win, they get money. And freedom. Even power. If they fail, you see it live."
Blane
Money and power? How corrupt can this government get? Who even agreed to be part of this?
Zane
I continue, "We can't reveal who the contestants are, or how they enter. But the show doesn't end until either they find a way out… or they all die. There are many paths — you'll see them soon enough."
Behind us, the footage from the dark world keeps playing. I see those creatures living… normally? I'm explaining things I don't even understand.
What a lovely view.
Blane
It's still all so strange. Don't you think? I whisper to myself, as if someone's listening in.
The room is still dark. Darkness always makes me anxious — I can't see what's coming. While watching, I hear soft breathing. In and out. It's behind me. I freeze on the couch. My parents are fast asleep.
Footsteps begin circling me.
STEP. STEP.
It feels like the floor cracks underneath. I can't describe the fear. A figure dashes past my eyes like lightning. I don't know what I see. Am I dreaming? Sleep paralysis? Or worse… is this real? It happens again. The flash of white. I want to scream, help me, but I can't move.
The man behind the footsteps wears a mask. What's striking is that he's completely white from head to toe. It makes me reflect on my life. A figure I'll never forget. A vision that brands itself into my memory.
I feel myself being grabbed, stuffed into something. A sack? It all happens so fast my brain can't keep up. The voices from the TV keep playing in the background. And then… complete darkness.
I don't know where I'm going.
But one thing is already clear: my fate is no longer mine.