Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 106
“First batch of Testers?”
The words sent a ripple of alertness through the group.
“There are others besides us?” someone asked.
The guard nodded, his tone matter-of-fact. “It’s not surprising you didn’t know. It was a last-minute call. We got two groups of visitors wanting to tour the Prison. The first batch was small, too few to bother with alone.”
“So the higher-ups decided to combine you all for the experience.”
The group exchanged glances, piecing it together. The first batch were likely Dreamwalkers too.
“Clara, have you seen this before?” Nora asked. Her chestnut curls cascaded over her shoulders, gleaming softly, her polished makeup accentuating her sharp features with a touch of peach eyeshadow.
She filed her nails, her question casual but pointed.
“First time for me,” Clara replied.
Their brief exchange carried weight, a signal meant for Ethan.
He caught it. This Dreamplay was veering into uncharted territory, even for them.
A sidelong glance at Julian showed his face flickering between calm and unease, clearly rattled.
It made sense. If the men’s group had one of his allies, picking out Clara’s teammate from the remaining three wouldn’t be hard.
But more players changed the game. What if Clara’s ally was in the first batch?
Clara and Nora’s conversation only deepened Julian’s suspicion. By raising the batch issue now, they seemed to imply they didn’t know about the extra players.
Were they covering for a teammate in the first group?
His earlier probe had failed, and now he wondered if Clara was baiting him.
Uncertain, he stayed quiet.
Despite being underwater, the Prison felt neither damp nor cold, but oddly pristine.
They moved forward, arriving at a vast circular hall filled with people.
One figure stood out—a man of average build, wearing a warden’s uniform, glasses perched on his nose, a book in hand, exuding a refined air.
But behind those lenses, his eyes were chilling—not cruel or hateful, but utterly devoid of feeling, as if nothing could spark his interest, every living thing reduced to lifeless objects in his gaze.
Led by the guard, they joined the first batch of Testers.
Ethan scanned them. Six waited—three men, three women, their faces tense. A quick exchange of looks confirmed both groups were Dreamwalkers.
Sixteen players in a medium-difficulty Dreamplay stunned them all.
“Everyone’s here,” the warden said, his voice flat, mechanical. “I’ve been briefed. Since the higher-ups want you to experience Prison life, we won’t object.”
“You’ll stay five days. We’ll handle food and lodging.”
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