Hosting Game

I begin to hear soft whispers behind me. Someone is standing so close that their breath brushes against my neck.

Welcome.I can't see anything. My eyes are blindfolded, and I have no idea where we’re headed.“We’re almost there,” my sister says, sitting beside me in the back seat of the car.

The car halts, and I’m led outside. We walk across gravel, then grass, and finally inside a building.

It's eerily quiet. Someone removes my blindfold, and I’m met with a room full of eyes watching me.

“Alex,” a voice says, “You’re here today for the initiation ritual to become part of our secret group.”

“Correct,” I reply, my body tense,

I don’t know what to expect.My sister, who has been in the group for years, hasn't told me much.

The older woman in front of me begins explaining the ritual I will soon take part in. “To prove you have what it takes,” she says, “you must perform the hosting ritual.

If you succeed, you will be allowed to join.

If you fail… well.”

My sister looks down at the floor.

“Do you accept?” the woman asks. “Yes,” I answer, my heart pounding.

As she explains the rules, my heartbeat grows louder with every second.

When she finishes, someone blindfolds me again, and I’m driven back home.

I now have to prepare for the ritual. I gather a pen, paper, three matches, and a watch.

I walk through the house, deciding to use the storage room in the basement for the ritual.

It’s midnight, the time to start the invitation. I’ve already turned off all electronics and made sure there’s no window in the storage room.

I walk in and flick on the ceiling light Placing the pen and paper on the floor, I exit the room.

I climb the basement stairs and head into the living room, the farthest point from the storage room.

I call out into the empty house,

“I’ll be ready soon.”

I walk from room to room, repeating the same words, getting closer to the ritual room.

Finally, I’m standing outside the storage room.

I enter and sit on the floor, writing the invitation on the paper: You are invited to a gathering hosted by Alex Jackson, taking place from 12:10 AM to 1:10 AM. Bring your friends.

A chill runs down my spine.

I’m scared of what’s to come.

I place the paper in the center of the room, then walk to the door.

Standing in the doorway, I face the room and call out, “I’m ready. Come on in.”

It’s time for the gathering. I turn off the lights, take out the matches, and start counting: “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.”

I strike the first match.

Holding it as it burns, I greet my guests, “I’m so glad to see you. Thank you for coming.”

As the flame touches my fingertip, I let go of the match, reminding myself, don’t look back. I try to strike the second match but fail at first.

Don’t panic. Just keep going.

I manage the third match and say,“Now everyone is here.”

I count again,

and then the whispering starts behind me.

I feel them standing so close. My legs tremble from fear.

Don’t look back.Someone's breath touches the skin on my neck.

Goosebumps crawl up my spine. I jump back and, for only a second, glance behind me.

I see the horrible creature. No, I shouldn’t have looked.

The guests, no longer bound by the ritual’s rules,begin to move toward me, their grotesque faces grinning.

I feel a strong grip on my arms,and someone whispers in my ear,

“You failed.”

The whispering begins again. Someone is standing so close,

their breath brushing my neck.

Welcome.