The trip was long, but nothing I haven't experienced before. It's annoying we had to come by land tho, a jet plane ride would have been way quicker. I guess not everyone can afford it.

It's... different, kind of picturesque. I'm still not sure where we are, but judging by the fact we needed our passports it's not in the US. Makes sense, these type of shows are cheaper to produce somewhere else. And everyone with a smidge of general knowledge would know laws are also somewhat lenient in other places.

Nice.

Having my own private ride was a nice touch, not a fancy limo but at least an SUV with enough space to put my legs on the rest of the backseat. They probably don't want us to interact with each other out of the camera eye, whatever.

I grab the phone that tall bearded dude gave me and snap another selfie, looking out the window, pensive. It feels nice to imagine everyone's expression when they realize I'm here, that they'll have this one-in-a-million opportunity to get to know me.

I use the phone camera to fix my hair and clothes. It has probably taken long for them to give me the signal to get down because they want everyone reunited beforehand. I would to want to record their expressions too!

Who else would be there? Anyone I know?

Youtubers, most likely. Tiktokers even, at least a couple. TV celebrities? Musicians? Entrepreneurs?

Regular folks as well, that's for sure. There's something about seeing lower people interact with higher class that's just so entertaining. I bet the audience will completely eat it up once it goes out!

The excitement pulses through my veins, finally the escape I needed. No stress, no annoying parents or lawyers to tell me what I can and can't do. Just pure unadulterated freedom. Still, a bit of apprehension lingers in the back of my mind. Nothing too remarkable, just the wonder of what this experience has in store for me. How much I will be able to stay.

They haven't explained anything, just the general idea of the show that was in the papers I had to sign. Challenges that test our boundaries, experiences that are supposed to bring us closer to each other. Damn, I'm not here for love, but if I find someone down to fool around with why the fuck not? Good thing I brought so many condoms, I don't need any girl trying to get smart with me and extort me or something.

The tap on the windows brings me back to earth.

Fucking finally!

I step out of the SUV with a smile, I have to make sure everyone notices how confident I am. They have to know who's the alpha in here. A couple of people that look like crew members rush towards me, eager to assist, but I dismiss them with a wave of my hand. I don't need their help; I am perfectly capable of handling things on my own.

"Thank you, but I think I can manage," I say with a hint of condescension in my voice. Their faces, a mix of surprise and annoyance, but I pay them no mind.

After all, their purpose here is to serve me, to cater to my every whim.

As I make my way towards the building, I can't help but revel in the power I hold. I have known from a very young age that my mere presence commands attention. It's a feeling of invincibility, a reminder of my status in the industry.

The crew members, still lingering nearby, exchange glances, probably in disbelief or frustration. I couldn't care less. In fact, I smile a little bit more.

With a confident stride, I go through the Art Deco doors of the main building, ready to conquer whatever challenges lie ahead. Leaving them behind.

I am anticipating the presence of cameras strategically placed in every corner, casting a bright light on the surroundings. Photographers, makeup crew, a photo-op. Stunning visuals to truly demonstrate how important this moment will be for the rest of my life, everyone else's. A new age of streaming TV being born in this exact moment.

But I'm greeted only by the ominous presence of the empty lobby.

There's no one, not a single soul.

It feels... anti-climatic, to say the least. But I know I have to be prepared for anything and everything, so I won't let this get in the way of my great first impression.

Someone is laughing very loudly somewhere, it comes from the left. I take a deep breath and prepare my perfect smile, then make way to the giant dark glass doors.

The space exudes elegance and sophistication, like me, obviously. Just like it was meant to be! It's the representation of luxury with its sleek lines, geometric patterns, and fancy furnishings.

A warm glow is covering everything, with dim lights perfect to create a more intimate ambiance, probably exactly what the producers need right now. It's still kind of early, probably not even seven, but I could use a drink!

There's a blonde chick behind the bar, short hair, very nice face. Dressed skimpily, pretty damn good.

She's talking to the one that's laughing at that insane volume, her mouth is so big I can probably see her molars from here. Her hair is dyed in that 2010s fashion, split dye, very outdated. Not so skimpy but at least has a decent pair.

Then, there's the guys. A tall one, dark skin, long dreadlocks and insanely good looking. He's smiling also, without a care in the world. His expression looks so nice and affable it immediately causes distrust. No one is that nice in real life! Next to him, in a chair, a short chubby dude with blonde curly hair. He's dressed in flannel which is clearly... a choice. At least won't have to deal with him by a lot, he'll probably be the first to go!

But. Is this... everyone? It can't be! The contract never said the amount but only four feels ridiculous. Maybe they haven't finished with the arrivals.

Maybe I wasn't the last after all...

And thinking it thoroughly it makes perfect sense! It would be more worth it to record people's reactions to me when they are arriving. I breath a sigh or relief. And walk towards the bar.

"Hey! Hi. Darling. Can I get a Moscow Mule?", I say in my usual irresistible tone. I'll address the others in a bit, will let them digest where they're probably recognizing me from.

"Pfft. Darling?!" The short haired blonde snorts and almost spits on my face. Then finished the cocktail she's making and hands it to the chubby one before responding. "Serve yourself dude, what the fuck? At least say hi first."

She's still chuckling as she gets out from behind the bar. I have to take a minute to respond.

"What kind of bartender...?" I start, but the fake-nice guy interjects.

"There's no bartender here bro, there's no one in the hotel. Just us."

And then it clicks. She's also one of the contestants and I just blew my chances. Fuck.

I wait a few seconds so they can break the silence, but since they seem like they're starting to go back to their conversation from before -without me-, I speak again.

"My bad, my bad! I'm used to workers running these places, you know?" I wink, she doesn't seem that upset after all and just brushes it off. Before I can say something else, I finally hear the words I have been waiting for.

"Hey aren't you... Louis? Louis Walton?" The split-hair-girl comes to my rescue and smiles at me, I feel that all the tension that had been built up in my body disappears.

"Luis Walten" I correct her, with pride. "But yeah, that's me!"

"Ooh right! You're the son of that millionaire! The online casino guy!" Says the black dude and also smiles.

And now it's finally showtime.

As the evening progresses, the atmosphere intensifies. Everyone buzzes with anticipation, a palpable energy that shows this will be at least entertaining.

Drink after drink I learn we're not the only ones. One after one more people join us after the initial confusion of the empty lobby, kind of in a similar way than what had happened to me. At first glance, it seems like the producers are willing to play mind-tricks with us from the very beginning, I have to keep my guard even more up.

I'm able to recognize some people, but most seem pretty insignificant. Nadia, from the pickingyourbrain youtube channel is here; as well as that dancing tiktoker, Jasmine.

When Owen arrives, all heads turn towards him and I can't help but feel a pinch of jealousy... That I absolutely don't express in any way, shape or form. He's big, really big. Probably on the top 10 entrepreneurs in the world right now. I have to give it to him, creating a streaming service out of kickstarter and becoming so popular is something most would aspire to. Not me tho, I already have all the money I could possibly need.

But he's... different. His online persona is perfectly catered to be the relatable guy next door that just got lucky with an idea, without even sharing a smidge of his personal life. Damn, he doesn't even use his last name!

Good thing all eyes are on him right now, good thing I know him already.

"Oh my God! Owen?" I shout, as loudly as I can, and open my arms while walking towards him.

"Heey Luis! What's up?" He responds, my smile brightens. We hug and I can feel all eyes on me in a sense of disbelief, it's beautiful.

The two most important people in the room, banded together. Just like it was meant to be.

Twenty people is not a bad number. Eleven women, nine men. The odds are already in my favor!

It was easy for most for us to get comfortable, really comfortable. The alcohol and the fact that we probably haven't had anything in our stomachs since breakfast are probably big factors on that. Well, most of us. Maya found several bags of chips stored away in some cabinet I'm pretty sure she shouldn't have been snooping into, and she hasn't been able to stop eating them ever since. She looks like a wild animal, stuffing her mouth so much I'm afraid she has to stop breathing to do so. It's like this is the first time she has eaten in her life.

Judging by her accent it might actually be true.

Oh, and she also called them fancy chips.

It's exactly like they say, you can't polish a turd...

Some people just don't have any class at all.

There's no clocks here, just our phones. I guess we are too focused on taking vlogs and pictures, exchanging numbers, like we aren't going to live with each other for the foreseeable future.

Some people just are so... desperate.

I'm evaluating my fourth selfie with Owen and Ada when my phone vibrates in my hand. And then, everyone else's does.

Some devices emit a low beep, others already have a special ringtone, probably the ones of people with way too much time in their hands. The ones that prefer to have their faces buried in the screen instead of taking advantage of the first opportunity they'll get to fuck... to meet the rest.

Oh no, I'm not exaggerating. There's three that already made out. Together.

Kind hot, wish it was me.

Whatever.

My phone has a new message from The Path. I look around for a split second, everyone is still and silent. It's like time has stopped and I'm the only one that's not aware yet. I take a moment to detail Ada's features, so fine and perfectly angelical. Her white long hair flowing down her back and stopping at her hips, mixed with the white in her long dress, almost translucent.

I shake myself off and read the text, before it's too late and everyone is in the known but me:

ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴛʜ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴠᴇɪʟ ᴛʀᴜᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛꜱ ɪɴ ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇꜱꜱ.

ʟɪꜱᴛᴇɴ ᴄᴀʀᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ʟᴇᴀᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ.

ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ: ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ꜱᴛᴇᴘᴘɪɴɢ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴏʀ, ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜰᴇᴀʀꜱ ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ.

Below the poor written riddle, there's a button that toggles a live map of the ground floor of the hotel. It shows my exact location up to the point inside the bar where I'm standing right now. Damn, at least now I know I'll have to ditch my phone whenever I need privacy.

People start walking out with their faces glued to their phones, it's surprising how little cliques start forming. It reminds me of school, not that I got a lot of that anyways.

It's about to be nine, but the windows to the outside make it seem like it's midnight. Not a single bit of light can be seen through them. This complex must truly be in a desolate place.

I follow the rest, both because it's easy and also because the phone says so. There's chitchat around and it's more than evident most are excited for whatever is going to happen, even I feel a slight tingle in my bones.

"What do you think it is?" Ada whispers, almost as if she felt we were in some sacred space and she didn't want to interfere with it. She also has an accent, but this one is nice.

"I think the darkness is a metaphor." Owen responds and I clear my throat. I can't let him seem more intelligent than me.

"Of course, it's most likely related to secrets and truth," I explain, as if it was second nature to me. "We are both literally and figuratively in the dark right now in regards to one another."

I smile at her and she smiles back, her eyes glisten. Owen's blood is probably boiling right now, it's clear that while his thing might be business, mine is charm.

Someone screams. I shiver.

And then they let out an insane laugh of relief.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It's pitch black in there!" I hear. I swear if it's that annoying split dye haired girl again I'm going to...

Maya is only a couple of feet beside me and turns around almost as if she heard me about to badmouth her. We lock eyes for a mili-second and she raises an eyebrow. Looking at her more closely, her face is not that hideous. Even though her mouth is way too big for the rest of her face.

One by one everyone turns their phone lights on and we go through the thin door, whoever screamed was right, the room is so dark we can barely see each other with the flashlights. And then, the second the last one of us goes through the doorframe, it closes loudly and all the ceiling lights turn on at once. I feel blinded for a moment but my eyes adjust quite quickly.

The room is a stunning display of art deco modern design, probably like the rest of the hotel. It exudes an air of elegance and sophistication that perfectly complements my own refined taste. The walls are adorned with rich red curtains, adding a touch of drama to the space. Intricate gold details embellish everything, from the ornate trim on the walls to the intricately designed podium at the front.

In the center of the room, there are twenty chairs arranged neatly in rows, facing the front. Each chair upholstered in plush fabric, matching with the rest of the aesthetic perfectly. At the front, there is a large screen embedded in the wall. Its sleek surface reflects the ambient light.

I take in the sight before me and can't help but feel a surge of excitement.

It feels so calculated it's almost eerie. The second after the last person seats down, the lights dim and the screen starts glowing with an ominous hum.

20 ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ

20 ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ

ᴄʜᴏᴏꜱᴇ ᴡɪꜱᴇʟʏ

My phone vibrates again and starts emitting little bell chimes. The rest of the devices around me do the same, and create a beautiful melody of high and low notes. Damn, this is what I call an immersive experience.

Then, in my phone screen, the instructions to this first test:

ᴡᴇ ᴘᴏꜱꜱᴇꜱꜱ ᴀ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴘᴀʀᴛɪᴄɪᴘᴀɴᴛ.

ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄʜᴏᴏꜱɪɴɢ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴀᴄʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏᴅɪᴜᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ ᴀʟᴏᴜᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʜᴇꜱɪᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ ᴡʜᴏᴍ ʏᴏᴜ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇꜱᴘᴏɴᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ.

ɴᴏ ᴇxᴘʟᴀɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴇᴄᴇꜱꜱᴀʀʏ, ᴏɴʟʏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱɪxᴛʜ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇ.

ʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴀꜱꜱᴜʀᴇᴅ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀɴ ᴏᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴠᴏᴛᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏᴅɪᴜᴍ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ʀᴇQᴜɪʀᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪꜱᴄʟᴏꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ.

ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ɪꜱ ᴜɴᴠᴇɪʟᴇᴅ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴏʙʟɪɢᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴅᴍɪᴛ ɪᴛ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴄʜᴏꜱᴇɴ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛʟʏ.

ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄʜᴏᴏꜱᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴏ, ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴡᴀʀᴅ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ ɪᴛ.

I haven't finished reading when I hear a chair moving and a muscular woman with leather shows and a crop top runs to the podium. Her plum hair bounces in one side of her head, the other one shaved.

"Let's fucking go!" She screams with excitement, her energy is contagious and everyone smiles, me included. It seems that somehow she was able to relieve our tension and awkwardness.

There's a small clap and a few encouraging screams from the crowd. She starts touching the podium and sliding her fingers through what I'm assuming it's a screen and then clears her throat before starting.

"Endless intimacy through the screen, I got lost in a trance, addiction consumed me in a chance. But on the path to recovery, my secret is a part of my discovery. Who am I?" She says, her mouth opening wider and wider the more she advances in the phrase. "Holy shit, someone here's addicted to porn!!!"

She doesn't laugh, but smiles. My phone screen is showing me 20 portraits, but I'm too busy trying to get the reaction on the rest. Some look visibly uncomfortable but no one reacted necessarily surprised. I tap on the face of some random guy and it immediately grays out.

"I don't know, probably you?" I feel her finger pointing at me even before I see her.

I knew she was a bitch.

"What the hell?!" I stand up and she shrugs. "I hate porn!"

"Nothing personal, you just seem too refined and elegant and shit. Usually those are the worst ones." I have no idea if it's an insult or if she's trying to flirt with me. She winks and jumps off of the stage.

"What's so wrong about porn?"

"Oh, he's probably a prude or something. Just look at him!"

I hear from somewhere around my right, but I can't quite get who said it. Since I'm already standing up, and sitting down would make me look like I have a hurt ego, I walk towards the front.

"FYI, porn degrades women, assholes." I say, with a smirk and a giggle. I can see a couple of girls are looking at me with pleasant smiles, but some others look completely furious.

I almost run to the stage and touch the podium as fast as possible, to liberate the tension that's lingering in the environment.

"Anyways!" I touch the screen, and the words start appearing one by one in front of me. "A baby given away, a decision I couldn't sway." I read, feeling slightly uncomfortable. "Adoption was my choice, but too late to rejoice. Regret fills my heart, my secret's a vital part. Who am I?"

Absolute silence.

I look at their faces, some sad and some uncomfortable. A couple of women are looking down but I feel if I point at them I will seem insensitive or a douchebag.

"You know? I'll just come full circle, just because what you said was absolutely unhinged". I point at the girl from before and, thank goodness, she takes it with a laugh. Her name lingers in my tongue, but I can't remember it exactly.

"Zoey," she completes it, like she knew what I was thinking. Am I that easy to read? "And, you know what? Fair enough, even if it's not me."

When I go back to me seat she leans to the side and we fist bump. Seeing how so many of them are so nice makes me feel uncomfortable, people are not this nice in real life. Or are they?

Before I can continue with my thoughts, there's someone else in the podium. Owen.

"In the shadows, I silently creep..." He pauses, visibly uncomfortable. "secrets hidden, my vigilance steep." Owen gulps, he's obviously too weak for this. "Watching, stalking, obsessions... I keep. My secret's a secret I'll always keep. Who am I?" He looks around and makes a disgusted expression. "I hope this is a joke, stalking is illegal."

There's murmur in the crowd and someone encourages him to just choose already. To my surprise, he gestures towards Maya. She acts offended in an overly exaggerated manner, almost like putting up a show. People seem to like it.

"I don't think you are really a stalker, but I've heard before latinas are crazy so..."

She laughs, of course she does.

"Look. I think every woman with enough determination could be scarier that your FBI agent, so why not?" She says while standing up. It seems like we have a rhythm going on and people are not taking things too personally.

I remember in the forms they made is fill, there was a section asking for a secret. This must be it. It's surprising to see how much people are willing to reveal just for a smidge of attention. But I get it anyways. Specially having famous influencers and artists around, they might feel the need to stand out. And, probably willing to do anything just to achieve it.

"Trigger warning" She whispers before starting, the room gets completely silent. It seems it's hard for her to read the words. "Not so long ago, I swallowed a dark abyss, but my life wasn't stopped by the pills." Her voice breaks a little. "O- Overcoming shadows, I emerged anew... my secret holds a story true. Who am I?" She wipes a tear from her face, I can't breathe. "I- I don't know who it is but if you still feel like this... I'm here to listen, I swear."

Everything goes black, I feel like I can't breath. I feel a tingle in my throat and have to grind my teeth to make sure my jaw doesn't start shaking.

How the fuck did they know what I did two years ago?!