The atmosphere in the Fear House feels heavier than ever, each corner shrouded in an unrelenting tension on the tenth day. The teens sit scattered in the gathering zone, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and guarded apprehension. The sterile walls seem to pulse with their unspoken fears, amplifying the oppressive silence.

Without warning, Mother's voice rings out, crisp and mocking. "Ah, my dear roommates, it's time for the next challenge! Are you ready for a little honesty? I call this one... #Shametale."

The red lens of the camera hovers above the big screen, its ominous glow capturing every twitch of their faces. The announcement sends a ripple of unease through the group. Lynne shifts uncomfortably, brushing her ponytail over one shoulder. Henry adjusts his glasses, his hands trembling slightly. Maddie hugs her knees to her chest, her eyes darting nervously to the floor.

Sam breaks the silence, her voice firm. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, patience, Sam," Mother replies, her tone saccharine. "#Shametale is a delightful game where one of you lucky roommates will get to share your most painful, humiliating memory live for the nation to see. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"It's sick," Sam spits, her glare fixed on the camera.

"Perspective, my dear," Mother chirps. "The nation finds it quite... entertaining."

The others exchange wary glances but say nothing, their silence a mixture of dread and resignation.

"Now," Mother continues, her voice brimming with anticipation, "let's see who gets to go first. Eeny, meeny, miny... Austin!"

Austin stiffens, his hazel eyes flashing with defiance. "No way. I'm not doing this."

"Oh, but you are," Mother purrs. "Step closer, Austin. Don't be shy."

Reluctantly, Austin rises to his feet, his broad shoulders tense. He takes a deep breath, his usual confidence faltering under the weight of Mother's gaze. "Fine. What do you want me to say?"

"Let's start with something simple," Mother replies, her tone mockingly sweet. "Why don't you tell the nation why your charm and good looks couldn't save your relationship with Serena? Or should I say, your ex-girlfriend?"

Austin's jaw tightens. "You don't know what you're talking about. Serena and I are fine."

Mother chuckles darkly. "Oh, Austin, denial is such an unattractive quality. Allow me to jog your memory."

The big screen flickers to life, displaying a TikTok video. The image of a sixteen-year-old red-haired girl, her face flushed with fury. Her green eyes narrowing with a heated glower. Fire and anger emoji stickers fill repeatedly on the screen.

It's Serena.

Austin's eyes widen as he looks at his girl being shown on the screen, not just to him and his fellow captive roommates. But to the many watching. He tries to find words in his mouth to force Mother to stop this. Except as his mouth partially opens, there are no words coming out. He remains silent as he listens to what he believes is still his girlfriend.

The group watches in stunned silence as Serena's voice rings out, raw and emotional. "Austin Moore is a cheating freak! He's no boyfriend. He's nothing. Three years!" She rambles as she pulls her phone's camera close to her. Her frustrated face blisters high, as she continues her rant. "Three years he wasted my life! And for what? So he could mess around with Lizzy? My best friend? Some sorry excuse for a boy who doesn't know how to love. That's Austin Moore for you."

Austin's face pales, his fists clenching at his sides. "Turn it off," he mutters, his voice shaking.

"Oh, no, Austin," Mother says, her tone laced with amusement. "The nation deserves the full performance."

Serena's tirade continues for another two minutes, her words cutting like knives. Each damning word piercing Austin's charismatic façade.

"Ladies don't date Austin. He will lie and cheat. And if you're listening to this Austin, I'm done! Get lost!" Serena hollers angrily.

When the video finally ends, the room is steeped in heavy silence. Austin stares at the floor, his face a mask of barely contained fury, embarrassment, and pain.

"Poor Austin," Mother mocks. "It seems your charm isn't as foolproof as you thought. Did Keith know about your little indiscretion? Is that why he's dead?"

"Shut up!" Austin snaps, his voice low and dangerous.

Mother laughs, a cold, metallic sound. "Touched a nerve, have I? Don't worry, Austin. You're not alone. Let's see who's next."

The screen flickers, revealing a live feed of a teenage boy fair-skinned with a black tamper fade, who looks to be sixteen. He initially stands straight as he tries to toil with his computer camera, sitting firmly in a brightly lit bedroom. His smirk is smug, his dark brown eyes gleaming with malice.

"Hello, roommates!" He mockingly waves.

"Meet Reese," Mother announces. "A devoted fan of the show. Reese, the stage is yours."

Reese leans closer to the camera, his tone dripping with mockery. "Hey, Henry. Why don't you just admit it? You'd rather hide behind comics and screens than face the real world. Might as well be invisible, but I guess you already are."

Henry's face flushes with anger, his hands curling into fists.

Reese continues, his voice rising with glee. "Let's be real, even if you somehow survived this place, who'd miss you? Maybe your mom, but she'd probably move on in a week. You're just... forgettable."

"Shut up!" Henry snaps, his voice trembling. "You don't know anything about me."

"Oh, but I do," Reese retorts, his grin widening. "Bet your little sister wouldn't be proud to see her big brother hiding like a coward. You're the family's disappointment, and you know it, don't you?"

Henry lunges to his feet, his voice rising. "Up yours!"

Reese laughs, his image flickering as the feed cuts out.

"Thank you, Reese," Mother says cheerfully. "Your contributions are always appreciated. Let's move on, shall we?"

The screen changes again, this time to a teenage girl with short brown hair, a sharp smile, and piercing teal eyes, who looks to be three years older than most of the captive teens.

"Everyone, meet Darcy," Mother says. "Darcy, take it away."

Darcy smirks, "Thank you, Mother!" She surveys the guys and pinpoints one, her tone laced with venom. "Lynne, you think you're some talented dancer? Your dad's the only reason you've made it this far. Deep down, you know you'll never live up to the family name. No wonder you're stuck here."

Lynne stiffens, her hands shaking in her lap.

Darcy's gaze shifts. "Henry, still clinging to that 'genius' label? Must be hard knowing you'll never be more than a footnote in someone else's story. Bet it kills you inside—assuming you're even capable of feeling anything."

Henry's jaw tightens, his silence speaking volumes.

Finally, Darcy turns to Sam. "And you, Sam. You think you're tough? The truth is, you're just a scared, sad little girl who no one wanted—not your birth parents, not your foster ones. Bet they're glad to be rid of you."

Sam's eyes blaze with fury. She takes a step forward, her voice sharp. "Why don't you come say that to my face?"

Darcy laughs, shaking her head. "No need. I've said what I needed to."

Mother's voice returns, smooth and triumphant. "Thank you, Darcy, and thank you to all our wonderful fans. Your insights are invaluable."

The screen goes dark, leaving the teens in a silence thick with tension and anger They briefly look at each other, and then turn their sights back to the centered camera lens.

Mother's red light inside the lens glows brighter. "Don't worry, my dear roommates. The killer will be revealed soon. But I won't spoil the rest of the surprises."

"Surprises?! What other surprises?" Lynne demands, her voice shaking.

Mother chuckles. "You'll find out... eventually."

The red light fades as Mother goes silent. The teens try to grapple the weight of their humiliation. Each of them lost for words, unable to say anything as all they can do is share mortified stares. And now they have to ponder, who is crueler...

Mother or the audience?