The alarm wasn't supposed to go off yet. That's what Sebastian thought when the sharp sound cut through the air. He still had time. He was sure he still had more than enough minutes left. Sebastian blinked a few times at a rapid speed. He pinched himself in his left arm to ensure he wasn't imagining this like you would in dreams. He was pulled out of his slum by the sound that declared the end of this all. How could it be that the timer already had run out? What would happen to him now? He didn’t know the answer. He had never felt so small all his life.

If only he had known this when he got that message on Monday, all this would never have happened. If he had just blocked the number, then his younger brother would still be alive.


An anonymous number had texted him a few days ago. It was one of those days where everything seemed dull. The rain was pouring, racing down the window of Sebastian’s small apartment. Sebastian blamed the weather on the day being a Monday. ‘Blue Monday’ as they say. He never really believed in myths or legends, but Blue Monday and Friday the 13th were days when he was extra cautious. He would avoid going out of his house and everything that was even a little depressing, he’d throw away. In short, it wasn’t always nice being around him on those days. Sebastian knew that too. It didn't help that the two dates fell in the same week this year. Maybe that was the reason why everything went down those seven days.

The sound of a notification pulled Sebastian out of his nap. If you’d consider sleeping on your cough at nine p.m. a nap of course. He was watching an old Netflix documentary about some murder trial but fell asleep after fifteen minutes. Watching a movie seemed to be the only thing that could make him fall asleep these days. He checked his phone, wondering if he was still dreaming. 

Anonymous: Hey Seb, how are you these days? How is Abigail? 9:11 PM

What? How…? Sebastian swallowed hard reading her name. She was a chapter in his life that had been written and forgotten. Everything related to her still made him uncomfortable. Because how could he ever be strong enough to think about her without feeling loss and sadness?

Anonymous: Oh, don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. The secret is safe with me. 9:11 PM

Though he was uncomfortable, he felt relief flooding over him when he read the last five words. No one could know.

Anonymous: Unless, of course, you decide to ignore my words and commands. 9:12 PM

Sebastian Jones: Is that a threat? 9:12 PM

He sent it before thinking clearly about that.

Anonymous: Oh, Sebastian, you can figure it out yourself. Like you always do. 9:13 PM

Sebastian didn’t like the way the message sounded. Almost as if he knew them. They talked so casually to him. He wasn’t used to this. Sebastian was the CEO of a business that specialized in the design and fashion of new media stars. Ever since his company blew up, he had been receiving special treatment. He didn’t mind it, but it felt weird in the beginning. Now, after a few years, it felt weird to him when people talked normally to him. The only ones who he spoke to without formalities were his brother and his parents.

Sebastian Jones: What do you want? Who are you? How do you know me? 9:15 PM

Sebastian decided to skip being polite and just ask straightforwardly. He didn't have time for this. This was the only moment he could sleep since his brother would be arriving tomorrow. 

Anonymous: To play a game. 9:15 PM

The number only answered one of the questions. Great, Sebastian thought.

Sebastian Jones: I don’t have time for that, I’m blocking you. 9:15 PM

Anonymous: No time for that? 9:15 PM

The number asked, almost mocking him.

Anonymous: Didn’t you take the week off from work? I think that should provide enough time to play my game. 9:16 PM

Sebastian’s finger lingering over his phone, only two buttons away from blocking the number, came to a halt. How did this person know? How much do they know? Would they know about…? They did ask about it. No. Impossible.

Sebastian Jones: What game? 9:17 PM

Anonymous: I knew I could convince you, Now, the game. It’s simple, do what I say and you get to choose a prize. 9:17 PM

Sebastian Jones: And if I don’t listen to you? 9:17 PM

Anonymous: You and I both know there are some things you don’t want other people to know, so if I were you, I’d say yes and just do what I say. 9:18 PM

Sebastian didn’t know how to feel. The whole conversation had only taken a few minutes but had more influence on his thoughts than anything for the last months. He took his glasses off and leaned back into his chough. His head throbbed as he rubbed his eyes. He looked around his apartment. It was a mess. Papers with designs lay all around the dinner table and his meal wasn’t even cleaned up yet. On the outside Sebastian may look like a calm and neat person. Someone who cares. But there is a side to him that almost no one sees. Only a few knew about his chaotic side, and he would like for it be stay this way. 

Sebastian stood up, made his way to his table, and started cleaning his mess. No way he would let his brother see this side of him. Having Oliver every two weeks inside of his house was bad enough. But he agreed to the deal, so it was too late to back off. After he scrubbed off the alcohol from the wooden table and made sure the smell was unrecognizable, Sebastian went to bed. He had no intention of sleeping this early after his nap, but with his mind imagining new and new questions every time he looked at his phone, he needed the distraction.

The television in his room was not big but also not small. It was ideal for watching movies alone at night. Sebastian put on the same show he had watched half an hour ago and closed his eyes. Something was comforting when the TV talked to him after a whole day of being alone.