Harley was dumbstruck, his eyes broadened and his jaw dropped. Becky regurgitated the burger she had eaten earlier in the day. Julie couldn't stare for another second, she crouched as she began to sob. Big Spence in an attempt to not sob like a child had his hand over his mouth, hit a fist on the wall, and let out a scream.

“Fucccckkk!”

“I knew it, I knew something wasn't right here. Fuck, I'm getting out of this place,” Becky said, bolting towards the stairs.

Becky didn't stop, the rest followed behind as she headed for the exit door. A strong wind blew and slammed the door shut before she could reach it.

Bold writing appeared on the door, not of a yellow background and black print, but of dark brown. It was boldly written with blood, James's perhaps. It read 'Won't you play?'

Becky ran towards the door, anxiously pulling at it but no way. She threw kicks at it, hitting the door hard with her fists but still no way. When she realized the door was not going to open and her feet began to hurt, she stopped trying, crouched, and began to cry.

“Let me out...please...let me out...I wanna get out...”

Julie hadn't stopped crying since she saw James's body, the door trapping them in only made things worse for her.

Big Spence was almost shitting in his pants, doors slamming shut by themselves were only seen in movies...horror movies, and he wasn't a fan.

Harley, still no reaction, just dumbstruck.

While still in their feelings, another door creaked open behind them, got them startled. Julie turned quickly to hold on tightly to Haley's hands. Big Spence almost did the same but remembered he was a man.

The door creaked again, opening widely like a gracious invitation from an invisible host.

“Harley, no,” Julie pleaded, voice quivered as Harley headed for the door.

Her eyes pleaded with him but again, Harley's curiosities seemed to win.

They accepted the invitation and went into the room. It was big and full of books. Old books. Harley looked around in surprise as he had never seen a house library that big.

While looking around the big library, they resisted the urge to touch anything.

A screech took their eyes to one of the shelves where the phalanges of a skeleton crept out from its back, giving off an eerie sound that sent a shiver through the hairs on the back of their necks then cascaded down their backbone.

“Holy shit!” Julie's hands held Harley more tightly.

One of the digits of the phalanges moved lifelessly, pointing in the direction of another shelf that had fewer books than the rest. More accurately, just four books.

They walked towards the shelf and reluctantly, Big Spence was man enough this time to make the move. He reached for one of the four books, it was old and covered in dust.  

He wiped off the dust on the book cover with his palm. The title of the book was written in large fonts, ‘Hide or Die’, and below the cover page was the author's name...his name— Ashworth Spence. He had never written a book in his life, to talk less, publishing. How possible? It was scary.

He went on to open the book, the first page read what they had earlier seen on the exit door, ‘Won't you play?’. He flipped to the remaining pages but nothing, they were blank. No ink.

When he wiped the remaining books, he saw that each of them had Harley, Becky, and Julie's names written as the authors' names. He gave each of them their copy, went on to open the books, the first pages read ‘Won't you play?’. The other pages were blank.

“Won't you play? Could this be a game or something?” Big Spence said anxiously.

“Game? What kinda game?” Harley asked.

“Game or not, ain't playing shii. I'm done here, I'm going to break that fucking door open,” Julie said angrily, flung the book, and wiped her tears with the back of her hands.

“Oh well, fuck this, I'm out too.” Becky hit the book on the shelf, in effect causing a vibration in the room. Then, the strange music played again.

‘Baby little baby.
Beautiful little baby.
The stars shine bright for you...’