Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 112
“I don’t think Mr. Cole’s a bad guy,” Ethan added, his voice shaky, like a student awaiting a teacher’s verdict. “Maybe Ms. Grant just got him wrong.”
His words were empty, lacking weight or proof, and everyone knew it.
That was enough. Overplaying his hand would raise Julian’s guard.
By siding with him, Ethan sped things up, signaling goodwill to climb a rung in Julian’s eyes—from disposable pawn to a piece worth keeping, at least for now.
“I’m good with it,” another voice chimed in.
“Me too,” said a third.
One by one, the others agreed, and Julian secured his role as temporary leader.
Under his direction, they split into four pairs: Julian with Leo, Mason with Victor, Gavin with Simon, and Ethan with Owen.
As expected, Victor was paired with Mason.
That all but confirmed Victor as Julian’s ally. The question lingered: of the two women who’d faked their reactions earlier, which was part of Julian’s crew?
Ethan set that aside for now. Julian’s choice of Leo was no surprise.
Gavin had a Blessing but lacked Mason’s sharpness. Simon and Owen were too young, less convincing in their roles. Leo, steady and unassuming, was the safer bet for Julian.
The pairs fanned out.
Owen, a college student, had been jittery since arriving, barely speaking. Ethan pegged him as a follower, always looking for someone to hide behind.
Ethan didn’t mind, as long as Owen didn’t cause trouble.
But Owen wasn’t thrilled. Paired with another apparent rookie, he felt shortchanged.
Two greenhorns hunting clues? What a recipe for disaster. He’d wanted a heavy hitter, not a liability.
His luck was rotten—no Blessed teammate.
He didn’t dare challenge Julian’s setup, so he swallowed his frustration.
Maybe ditch the search and stick close to the guards?
They’d proven they could protect him from prisoners. Why risk it?
With three other pairs scouting, his absence wouldn’t matter. He and Ethan could fudge a story later.
The more he thought, the more it made sense. He turned to discuss it with Ethan, only to find him already heading out.
“Wait!” Owen hurried after him.
“What’re you doing?”
“Looking for clues,” Ethan said, his eyes clear, radiating an honest simplicity. “Just keep an eye out for me. If a prisoner comes near, shout or call a guard.”
Owen blinked, thrown off. Ethan had taken the dangerous role without hesitation, leaving him no room to object.
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