Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 75
Wesley swiped at his brow, eyes locked on the glowing lotus.
Its whispers pushed him closer, step by step.
His first Dreamplay? Dumb luck carried him through. Most newbies rode that wave—trial rounds were cake, monsters leashed tight.
A sharp teammate could drag the whole crew to victory.
Sure, some got picked off early, but survivors learned the patterns, odds spiking with each day.
No one mentioned Blessings until the end, when escorts whisked them to a club, dishing dirt on Dreamwalkers, Dreamplay, and the Blessed.
He’d figured Madam Arachne’s game would mirror that first romp. One day in, he knew he’d miscalculated.
Even Jack, a Blessed, didn’t make it. What chance did he have?
He reached the lotus, fingers hovering at its base.
Do it. They pay, not you. Screw the rest—survive.
His hand shook, bloodshot eyes fixed, sweat dripping to the dirt.
One tug, and it’d be done.
But his grip faltered, face pale as bone.
“Just pull it,” the voice urged. “My Blessing means you don’t need them. What’s stopping you?”
“Their lives? Chump change next to yours. Think of your parents—how they’d break if you didn’t come home.”
The voice kept pushing, but Wesley’s hand steadied, thoughts drifting.
“If you’re worn out, rest at home for a bit.”
“Overcoming setbacks makes you stronger. If you’re not there yet, I’ll wait for the day you are. You’re my kid—I don’t think you’re less than anyone.”
His parents’ words flooded back. Despite his dodging life, they’d never thrown shade, always nudging him to rise.
Now it hit him: he came from good stock, upright and true.
And here he was, about to sell out his team for a shot at survival?
It wasn’t just about chilling his parents’ hearts—it’d smear their name.
“No!” He let go, stumbling back in a jog.
A snarl erupted in his mind. “Useless trash!”
Wesley tuned it out, a weight lifting. He’d always been wishy-washy, dodging choices, fleeing the hard calls.
This time, running felt right—no regret, just clarity. His best call yet.
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