Book of Fortune

The day had started as many others had before. I woke up, logged into my computer, and started to immerse myself in a fantasy world, my only escape from the harsh realities that my life seemed to be filled with. I took to the web, opening an online game, my only contact with others... I was a bit of a shut in, which was made obvious by my dingy apartment and my dwindling supply of food.

I had just logged into the game, when there came the sound of a bell. I'd spent so long alone, it had taken me a second to realize that someone had rung my doorbell. Almost like any sound but the tapping of keys had become foreign and almost mythical in my mind.

When I finally got out of my chair and opened the door, there was no one to greet me. Just a package and a letter, both of which I was incredibly suspicious of. No delivery person in this town would just leave a package without waiting for someone to answer the door, so the contents of this particular package must have come from another source. Someone leaving me a gift? That was almost as unlikely as the mailman leaving it here. My family had cut all ties with me, and any friends were far away. And yet, there sat a gift, clearly labeled with my name. "Cheren S."

I carefully picked up the box and letter, my curiosity finally overpowering my dread. The box was light, which relieved some of my anxieties. I assumed anything dangerous would have been heavier. But that begged the question: what was in this mysterious box? I decided that reading the letter first would be a good idea, hoping for some answers. However, as I tore through the envelope and pulled out the sheet of paper inside, I was only given more questions, as written on the letter was just the word "Welcome."

This had all become far too strange for me to resist. After spending months upon months doing nothing but playing games and doing odd jobs to make ends meet, this was something new and, dare I say, interesting. The same thing over and over can really get to you... But here in a box was something that was unexplained and mysterious. I couldn't hold back any longer, as I tore open the box and peeked inside.

All at once, every bit of excitement left me. The box only contained what appeared to be a small black book. Disappointed, I sighed and pulled it out, throwing it haphazardly on my desk, feeling as though I had just walked in on my birthday, only to realize that everyone had forgotten.

Defeated, I consigned myself to the desk chair, another boring day...

Hours went by like seconds, as I suddenly felt dizzy and drained of energy. It hadn't even occurred to me that I hadn't eaten since yesterday until my body was screaming for nourishment. Sighing, I logged out of the game and grabbed a cup of instant noodles, warming some water to cook them.

Once my dismal meal had been prepared, I sat at my desk, noticing that small black book again. I sighed and picked it up, inspecting the front and back carefully. It looked about the size of a traditional pocket book, nothing seemed to stand out on it, save for the odd symbol on the front, etched in some kind of metallic substance.

Finishing my noodles, I opened the cover slowly, chuckling as I saw my name etched on the inside in the same odd metal. I wasn't surprised, obviously they knew my name, it was written on the letter. Why they would go out of their way to make a custom black book for me, I couldn't tell, but it did look relatively cool.

I turned to the next page, my brow furrowing as I saw what was written.

"Welcome to the game, Cheren. If you are reading this, then you are already a part of our little contest. The first prize is $20,000. In order to win, you must hunt down the other players and take their books. Whatever method you choose is entirely yours to decide. The only rule in this game is: survive. Sincerely, The Book of Fortune."

I laughed. It was funny to me at the time, that someone was giving away $20,000 dollars for simply collecting these little black books from people. But then I turned the page, and I was confronted by reality again. or rather, something that shouldn't be reality. There was a countdown, a working, moving countdown, glowing on the page right after the introduction. Below that was a number, next to the word "Players".

"There are... five players total...?" I mumbled under my breathe. It didn't seem like such a daunting task to take four books from four other people. The only problem I saw was them taking mine, and the methods they would use...

I may have been a shut in for years now, but I'd at least kept up on my cardio. However, if it came to a fight, I would be severely outmatched in the strength department. I wasn't prepared to confront someone head on, so when the timer hit zero, I jumped from my desk chair and stared to move furniture in front of my doorway, blocking the only entrance to my 5th floor apartment. Unfortunately, this also blocked the only exit that wouldn't end with me splattered on the pavement below, but I wasn't thinking of that right now. All I was thinking of was survival.

I looked in the book for more information, for any way that I could somehow know when someone was coming too close for comfort. I turned to the third page, and there I saw something that made me question my sanity even more. There was a working map, with glowing red dots shining in five different locations. Three were on the move, while the other two were stationary. I noticed one was right over my address, confirming it was me by pacing back and fourth and noting the small movements. The other stationary one seemed to be right across from my apartment, likely coming from the building across from mine, which was a lot smaller and more run-down. But I wasn't thinking of that. Not too hard, at least. I was thinking of the three dots that were moving towards my building, and the sudden gunfire I heard from the window, followed by screams of panic and people running all throughout the building.

I checked the map, seeing that one of the red dots had grown brighter, and one of them had disappeared.

"So, someone is already taking it that far...? I mumbled shakily, as two more shots fired. I could tell from the sound that whoever was shooting was using some kind of shotgun. The smaller of the two dots was quickly running for cover, only to stop suddenly, as another shot rung out, and the bigger dot slowly drew closer, growing even bigger and brighter as the smaller dot disappeared.

This was all happening so fast, my heart was pounding out of my chest, and breathing had become a chore. Whether it was by shock, or some morbid sense of curiosity, I slowly opened my curtains and looked out over the small square that sat just below my window. I didn't know what exactly I was seeing, my brain wouldn't process it. Something red covering the square... pooling from the forms of people, who all looked as thought they'd been hit by a tornado, chunks of them scattered across the ground like they were nothing more than meat. And then I saw the one with the three books. His face was blank, his eyes uncaring as he walked towards the other building, where the fourth book, and it's carrier, was hiding.

The way his eyes looked, and the lack of care on his face... it triggered something in me. Some unbridled rage at the waste of human life, some sense of responsibility to make sure that this didn't happen again...

I was surprised to find myself unblocking my doorway, and even more surprised when I stepped out of the safety of my apartment. It was like I was possessed by the ghost of a knight, wanting to avenge people I hadn't ever met.

No. Go back inside. Leave them. You're safer that way.

My thoughts fought my body, as I reached the bottom floor, walking through the blood and carnage that I'd seen from my window, bile reaching my mouth as I saw the true scope of the bloodshed up close. But I didn't stop. I choked down the vomit, and shakily approached the door of the next building, almost letting out a scream as I saw the man with the shotgun stepping into the elevator. I checked my book, seeing the dot moving in an odd pattern as the elevator rose.

Taking this as my only opportunity, I ran for the stairs, hoping to any god that would listen that the man wasn't checking his book. I just wanted to save the other person, I didn't care about my own life. Then, I had an epiphany. It hit me like a ton of bricks, and the idea made me sick to my stomach. But it was worth a shot...

I arrived at the floor where the other persons dot was, seeing that the larger dot was still in the elevator. I made a mad dash to their apartment and pounded on the door.

"Go away, you monster!" I heard a voice call. It sounded like a younger man, probably the same age as me.

"I'm not gonna hurt you, but you need to let me in, or that guy with the gun will take us both out!" I shouted, my voice breaking slightly.

He seemed surprised to hear my voice, not saying anything for a few seconds, but then the door slowly opened, and as I heard the elevator ding, I slammed myself through it and pushed myself against it on the other side, the young man locking it as I sat there on the floor, out of breathe. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to get much of that breathe back, as I was suddenly face-to-face with the barrel of a handgun.

Everything happened so fast, I could barely process it...

The monstrous man blasted the door down on top of me, injuring the younger man, who fired wildly, only hitting the shotgunner once or twice.

I heard another shot that made my ears ring, as the younger man fell in front of me, eyes staring at n0thing, completely lifeless.

The monster, who hardly seemed human anymore, picked up the dead mans book, slowly walking over to me, ready to finish me off.

My vision went red, as I felt this urge to survive take over, adrenaline surging through me...

In one motion, I'd grabbed the handgun from the dead man, and shot the monster in the head, his large form falling to the floor, that same blank expression never leaving his face...

When the police arrived, I was taken in for questioning, but they didn't get much from me...

I returned to my apartment, not moving from my desk for days, my black book still tucked away in my back pocket...

Then, I got an email.

$20,000 dollars had been deposited into my account by an anonymous source. I felt sick to my stomach... It was as if that was the price of seven peoples lives...

I decided to spend it on a plane ticket and another apartment in a new city... I got in contact with some old friends, who said they knew a place close to them. Living life alone at this point would always remind me of that awful game...

I wasn't alone anymore... But the memories... They'll always haunt me...