In this chapter, you will read about a game/ritual.
It is merely fictional.

|chapter 11|

|oito corners|
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Flashback:

Rune shrieked after seeing a black figure waking everyone up in the middle of the night. Her eyes were shut closed.

"Rune, what happened?" Callan asked, removing her hands from the eyes.

"It...that... I saw a figure...black figure. I felt it's breath on my neck." She was shaking in fear. Aiden came forward and hugged her, "shhh! Shhh! We are here, Rune. Don't worry. If anything comes then we'll fight with it, altogether."

"Shake it out, girl! It's nothing. Maybe the curtains were moving due to air and you might misunderstand it" Ariadne patted Rune's back.

"No, it wasn't curtains. I felt it's breath on my neck and even it was crawling above me. Believe me!" Rune tried to explain.

"Okay, okay, maybe something was there, but we are there Rune. Don't worry now. Nothing will happen to anyone of us till we are together." As Ivy said this Rune seems to be relaxing a little.

"Guys, let's go to sleep now. Everything is all right" Ariadne said.

They all went to sleep. Jan put her hand above Rune to make her feel that she was not alone. Rune drifted into a deep sleep.

Next morning, there was a loud knock on the door which made them wake up. "May I come in?" Abigail asked before pushing the door open.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well last night? Hope you did" Abigail gave them a bright smile standing at the entrance of the door. Jan opened the mouth to tell about the incidents that took place at night with Janet and Rune, but Ivy elbowed, making her stop.

"Yeah, we slept well. Thanks, Abigail" Ariadne said, returning the smile.

"Aww! Glad you slept well" Abigail continued, "breakfast is ready. If you get fresh up then we can enjoy it together"

"Yep, we'll fresh up soon and will meet you down at the table," Ariadne said, smiling at her.

"Okay, then. I'll wait for you down. Do come soon as I'm hungry" she said, clapping her hands together. Ariadne kept smiling at her till she felt awkward and leave.

"Guys, don't you think she is weird?" She questioned them.

"Um...maybe But why?" Janet answered, taking out the toothbrush from her backpack.

"Yesterday, you as well as Rune shouted for life and she didn't bother to come and check once. And now she is all smiley in the morning. Also, she lives here alone. In the middle of woods where it's a no entry. How she gets her essentials and food?" Ariadne said.

"On that note, I'm also suspicious about her now." Aiden agreed.

"We have to be careful, guys. Anything can happen. After yesterday I'm sure of it." Rune said, and they nodded.

"Now, let's get ready or else she will come again to call us with that smiley face of her" Ariadne said.

Soon they got ready and went downstairs to have breakfast. They were not able to see the time as there was not a wall clock there. In the morning also there was complete dark downstairs and the candles were lit. The windows were covered with the curtains.

Abigail was waiting for them at the table. When she saw them, her face lit up. "Oh, come, come, let's eat I'm so hungry!" she exclaimed.

They took their seats as last night. Abigail served them the food and they all started eating.

"Why is it dark here in the morning also? And why don't you move the curtains from the windows?" Callan asked, munching his food. Abigail stopped eating and smiled at him, "It's my house. I'll do whatever I want to"

"Yes, it's your house but don't you think it's too dark in here ever in the morning?" Ariadne smirked. It was as if she was trying to get something out of her.

Abigail kept the spoon on the table beside her. Wiping her mouth with a handkerchief she replied, " I like to live like this. These candles give me the amount of light that I like. The most amazing thing about this darkness and candles is, the candles burn and give light which creates shadows of objects on the dark wall, but the flame of the candle doesn't make its own shadow. I love that" she explained.

"Oh, I see. Then it's okay. Your house. Your life. Your choice" Ariadne filled her mouth with food.

The time passed. They completed their food and went upstairs to have a chitchat. After some time Abigail joined them. They talked about school and how they became friends. They told Abigail about their parents and the reasons why they left. Soon it was evening.

"Ah! The time went by so early today, isn't it?" Ivy asked.

"Yeah, we talked so much that we have not noticed the time was passing" Callan agreed.

"I'm tired now," Jan said, falling on the bed.

"So early?" Abigail asked.

"What do you mean by so early?" Jan questioned her.

"I mean, I was deciding to play a game with you all. But I guess, you all are tired. Maybe we can play next time" Abigail made a gloomy face.

"What game?" Dylen got excited hearing to what she said.

"Nothing. Let's play it later. You all take rest"

"Tell, Abigail. Anyhow there is nothing we can do here. I'm bored. Let's play it" Dylen tried to convince her to tell what game she wanted to play.

"Okay, but if you all are ready, I'll tell. Because it will be fun to play it together" She said.

"We are ready. Jan?" Dylen said.

"I guess I have to play then" Jan get up from the bed.

"Yeaa! It will be fun. Let's go then." She said, getting excited like a child.

"Go? But where?" Janet asked.

"To play the game, obviously," she said.

"Okay, but we can play here also. Why go somewhere else?" Janet said.

"No, we can't play it here"

"Why can't we play here?" Rune asked.

"Because it's a special game. We have to go to the game room to play it." She replied.

"Game room? Do you have a game room too?" Dylen asked.

"Yes, I have a game room specially built for that game only" she smiled.

"That's so cool!" Dylen jumped in excitement.

"Wait, why only for that game?" Ariadne asked.

"Oh come on Ariadne. Why do you ask so many questions? Let's play and have fun." Dylen said.

"Um..okay then let's go and play." Ariadne smiled at Dylen.

"Then you all follow me," Abigail said, making them follow her outside the villa. It was all dark. The sun has gone down. The trees were looking so creepy in that darkness. She leads them to a cabin a few feet away from the villa.

The cabin had big doors. She pushed open the doors revealing a dark room. Abigail asked them to help her lighting the candles. She placed the lit candles at the corners of the room. It was not the usual room. It doesn't have four corners, rather eight. It was in the shape of an octagon. The candlelight revealed the floor on which a symbol was made in the centre.

"What does it have eight corners?" Jan asked in confusion.

"It's because the game we are gonna play now require a room with eight corners and nine people," Abigail said.

"Ohkk...but Why nine people?" Jan asked.

"You will know, why it requires nine people as we start playing it"

"Okay, but what's the game and what's the rules?" Ariadne asked.

"The name of the game is Oito corners. Eight people, one in each corner will sit facing the wall with a candle and their backs should face the centre. Then they have to move anticlockwise without turning back. Once you all complete a single round and exchange each other places by turning anti-clock, the winner will be chosen by The ninth person standing in the centre who will look after everyone. If anyone turns around during the game then, that person will be disqualified" she explained.

"Ohkkkk... I didn't get anything but I guess I'll know when I start playing" Janet said.

"So what are we waiting for? Let's begin the game" she smiled brightly as if something of her wish was coming true.

She made them sit in the corners facing the wall. One in each corner. She handed them candles to light and keep in front of them. She said, she will be the ninth person in this round as she knows the game and they don't. She went and stand in the centre. "Is everyone ready?" She asked and they all said, yes. "Okay, but keep in mind, no turning around. You'll be disqualified if you do. Let anything happen, font true back, Okay?" They shouted in chorus, "Yes, ma'am!"

"Okay, so let's begin!" With this, they started the game. They moved anticlockwise, still facing towards the wall. This made their places to get exchanged with each other. Abigail asked them to move once again, and they followed her.

Weird noises of someone whispering started to spread in the room. As they were told, they did not bother to turn around though they were getting scared. Abigail again asked them to move. As they were said, they followed. The whispers were getting higher and higher. Rune shut her eyes closed. Callan was not able to take in the noise so he covered his ears, so do Ariadne, Ivy and Jan. Out of fear, Dylen started to shiver.

Janet started shouting. They thought that she was doing so because of the noise. Rune gave in and turned around. Her eyes got wide in the fear of what she was seeing. Abigail was surrounded by black shadows. Her skin was dripping down like the wax from candles. Her face was looking austere with thick green veins swelled through her ripped skin. Her hairs were rippling it's dark think waves like the death of the night.

Rune kept her hands on the mouth to prevent herself from shouting. Due to fear, tears started to form in her eyes.

Her eyes landed on a corner which was empty. She moved her head and saw that Janet was missing. She was not able to hold it in more and she screamed in fear. Abigail looked at Rune with her dark empty eyes. She bent down the head and gave her a creepy smile...
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"Rune! Rune! Wake up!"A familiar voice called out.

"Rune! Open your eyes, look at me, Rune!" The voice called again.

Hope you like this chapter <3
Don't forget to vote :)
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Do tell me what you think about the idea of the game played here :)

Where is Janet?

Who is Abigail, in actual?

What is that game for? Or Is it a game or something else?

Who's voice is it which is trying to wake Rune up?