A Game That Became Reality

The Call Up

In the near future, eight gamers receive mysterious messages inviting them to participate in a new game called The Call Up, promising a grand prize of $100,000. Excited and curious, they arrive at the 25th floor of a luxurious city building. Once inside, a robotic voice instructs them to sign in on a tablet. Then, they are asked to place their personal belongings in lockers and wear provided motion capture suits.

As they change, Adam is teased for struggling to fit into the tight suit. Carl reveals a nasty burn scar, while Andre casually mentions he was once a soldier. Once ready, they step into a room with a scanner. The voice commands them to stand on the scanner, say their usernames, and collect their new equipment—an advanced VR suit with a spinal attachment for full immersion. Adam, in awe, thought such technology was only for the elite.

However, one player, Zahed, a Bosnian Muslim, regrets his choice of the ironic username Terrorist after realizing it is displayed on his suit. He tries to leave, but the door is locked. The others convince him it’s just a game, and reluctantly, he stays.

The voice announces the beginning of the training module. As they close their helmets, their surroundings transform into a hyper-realistic post-apocalyptic world. Their suits become military uniforms, and tattoos disappear. Despite the lifelike simulation, they can’t physically touch objects. A strict sergeant materializes, barking orders, yet when they lift their helmets, he isn’t in the room—just a highly realistic NPC.

Following the sergeant’s commands, they pick up weapons—mere props in reality. They fire at bottles, amazed by the simulated recoil. After practice, the sergeant shoots two players, causing them to lose their vests. He explains the game’s rules: one hit removes the vest, leaving them vulnerable. If injured after losing a vest, they must use a special serum to heal. Each player gets only one.

Their first mission is clear—survive while eliminating the terrorists inside the building. Those who reach the ground floor win the cash prize. As the sergeant vanishes, Andre takes charge, offering stealth advice. When an enemy appears in the corridor, most players hide, but Andre swiftly eliminates him, earning all the points for Level 25.

When they attempt to descend the stairs, an electric shock mechanism blocks them—no exit unless the level is complete. Advancing to Level 24, they find better weapons. Marco scores his first kill, boosting his confidence. But as the group engages enemies, Adam wastes all his bullets without landing a shot. Andre steps in to take out a target but gets hit, losing his vest.

Taylor begins to panic. She wasn’t supposed to be here—she took her friend’s place. Overwhelmed by the game’s realism, she hesitates to shoot. Shelly comforts her but also freezes when her turn comes. The approaching enemy is killed by Carl, but he is then shot, losing his vest. Attempting to surrender, Carl is shot again. In desperation, Shelly charges and kills the attacker.

When Carl opens his helmet, he feels unbearable pain in real life. Andre quickly injects him with the serum, reviving him instantly. But the shock leaves Carl rattled—this can’t be just a game.

Taking a break, Adam searches for weapons while the group theorizes about the game. Carl suggests it’s a reality TV show. Zahed panics, trying to remove his suit, but it won’t budge. Marco speculates that The Call Up is a military experiment, and Andre is the inside man. Tensions rise.

Andre steps away to calm down, unaware the game is still active. Suddenly, a revived enemy ambushes him in the bathroom. He manages to close his helmet before being shot. He reaches for a serum—only to remember he used it on Carl. The others hear noises and rush to help, but it’s too late. When Andre removes his helmet, a countdown begins. In seconds, his body convulses violently, electrocuted by the suit. By the time they find him, he is dead.

The voice instructs them to proceed to the next level, but fear grips the group. Blood on the ground confirms it—this isn’t a simulation. They attempt to remove their helmets, but it's impossible. Zahed, in a panic, smashes his head with a fire extinguisher, begging for help. Carl offers to test something. He strikes Zahed, but the helmet stays intact.

The sergeant reappears, walking through Carl as if he isn’t there. He viciously kicks Zahed, punishing him for breaking the rules. A chilling warning follows: refusal to play will result in severe punishment. With no way out, the group continues.

They fight through multiple levels, facing new challenges—gas-filled rooms where gunfire is prohibited, hand-to-hand combat scenarios, and advanced enemies. Taylor struggles with her anxiety. Shelly reassures her, promising to get her out. But as the game progresses, the cost of survival grows heavier. One by one, they lose their vests. Carl and Adam fall, saved only by their last serum doses.

Hours later, exhaustion sets in. The group smashes at the windows, desperate for an escape. Zahed manages to crack the glass, but the sergeant reappears, now stronger, and beats him mercilessly. Zahed, in a last attempt to flee, stumbles down the stairs. The fall snaps his leg. The sergeant’s final warning echoes: the next escape attempt will end in death.

The team hides Zahed behind furniture. Minutes later, he bleeds out.

On the next floor, Marco and Adam argue, giving an enemy an opening. A bullet grazes Marco as the team fires back. Taylor, terrified, hides in a bathroom stall. A terrorist approaches, checking each one. Shelly hears this and bursts out, stabbing him before he can attack Taylor. The level ends, and Edward takes the top score.

During a break, the players discuss their lives. They realize they all have one thing in common—no family. They were chosen because no one would search for them. A chilling realization settles over them: this is a death trap disguised as a game.

And the worst is yet to come…