The second challenge was a game that involved searching. That’s the only thing he knew about it. He had got a message after two days of silence that he had to be ready at noon. So after his, this time a successful, morning routine, he drove to the location. His brother sat next to him in the passenger seat while a weird atmosphere formed inside the car. Though they got closer these past few days, they still didn’t talk a lot about other things than just checking on each other.

They were only a a few turns away from the forest and Sebastian still didn’t know if this all was a good idea. He also kept questioning his decision to bring Oliver with him, but now that he hyped him up, turning back was out of the question. As they arrived, his insecurity became so big, that he decided to just ask.

Sebastian Jones: Can I bring someone along with me? 11:47 AM

He tried to get a look at Oliver and if he would be the person answering, but couldn’t see, since Sebastian was walking in front of Oliver.

Anonymous: You already brought them with you, so go ahead. 10:37 AM

The more the anonymous person spoke the him, the more he hoped it was his brother. The person always seemed to know where he was, what he did, and who he was with. If Oliver turned out not to be the one who had been sending messages to him, he’d have a stalker. That really freaked him out. The thought of having someone following and looking at him while he didn’t know made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

They reached the location of the message very quickly. It was a field in the middle of the woods and was a famous camping spot for hikers. At the beginning of the field, right before their eyes, lay an iPad. It looked so out of place on that table that Sebastian doubted if it was real.

Oliver came standing beside him while he turned the iPad on. Once on, it didn’t need a passcode and opened immediately. The screen showed a video and Oliver pressed ‘start’. The video began.

‘Welcome, Sebastian. To your last game.’ In the video, a figure was seen, wearing a dark hoodie, and their face was blurred. ‘You carried out the first challenge really fast, I didn’t expect that. But then again you’re Sebastian Jones. So, nothing is really that hard for you, right? The voice kept mocking him about that. It reminded him about old times and arguments. 

‘But, let’s forget your narcissistic past and focus on the now. The game you will be playing is called ‘Search without injuries’, isn’t that a great name?’ The robotic voice turned into static when the person started laughing.

The person explained the game further. ‘When this video ends, a timer will start. From that moment you have exactly one hour to find to suitcase hidden under the ground. 

What? How is that even possible? Sebastian looked up. This field was almost as big as a soccer field. It would be impossible to even find a buried car.

‘And before you start to think that this is impossible and it’s unfair, this is what you get after guessing wrong.

Sebastian felt Oliver staring at him but decided to ignore it. He couldn’t deal with his own questions, let alone the questions of his brother.

‘Oh, and watch out… Not every pile of dirt is made because of the suitcases, so don’t fall into their trap.’ The video is almost done. It’s almost time for the last challenge. 

‘There are two shovels placed under the table, and don’t forget this game is called: Search without injuries. Good luck.’ 

The video ends and the screen turns into a timer. Sebastian and Oliver both grab a shovel while sprinting to the field. Sebastian starts on the right side of the field, Oliver on the other.

After he dug up a deep enough amount of earth, he began digging in another spot. This went on for went on about five times until he switched to another tactic. He tried to guess the place of the suitcase. It wouldn’t lay in the exact middle of the field; that would be too obvious. It also wouldn’t lay at the sides or corners; also too obvious and a bit boring. He concluded that it had to be at the further side of the field on the left side. (the right was again too obvious.)

While running over to that side, he looked at Oliver. He had just finished digging a hole and went on to a pile next to him. 

No, no, no. No. The person in the video warned us about those piles of dirt. 

‘Stop!’ Sebastian screamed his lungs out to Oliver. He looked up, confusing making place for fear. But it was too late. A loud bang echoed through the air. Sand, dirt, and grass shoot up. 

What? No. No. No. NO. 

This can’t be happening. Let him be okay. Let him be okay. ‘Oliver!’ He called out.

Sebastian ran as fast as possible to Oliver. He fell on his knees when he saw him. Oliver was lying under a small layer of dirt. He wiped the sand out of his brother's face as gently as possible. Sebastian couldn’t think anymore. All he was able to do was hold Oliver in his arms. His skin was ripped open with small cuts and blood flooded onto Sebastian’s arms, clothes, and the ground.

‘You never gave up on anything in your life. Don’t start now.’ Sebastian's broken sobs were the only thing he could hear anymore ‘Don’t go, you can’t. Don’t leave me. Oliver, don’t leave.’

But no matter how much he pleaded for Oliver to return to him, his heartbeat never came back.

‘Come back.’ He inhaled sharply. ‘I’m sorry. I am so, so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you alone with our parents. I’m sorry. Don’t go.’

It was useless. Sebastian knew that and it was all his fault. Again.

After what felt like an eternity, he got back up. His clothes stuck to him because of the blood, sweat, and tears he had shed. 

He started walking to his shovel, needing to get his mind off everything. He started digging up a hole, big enough to burry himself in. Maybe he should just do that. After all, it was only fair after being responsible for Oliver's death. He lay down in the hole, staring at the sky as he broke down into tears. He almost laughed at himself. He hadn’t cried since the death of his old girlfriend and swore never to show any signs of weakness again. Not after he was the reason for their deaths.

Then a loud repeating sound rang. The alarm. 

The alarm wasn't supposed to go off yet. 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 do 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.

He got up and did his best to balance on his feet. His whole body felt weak as he ran out of the woods. He didn’t need that prize anymore. He disappeared deep into the woods.


‘911, what’s your emergency?’ The police officer spoke on the other side of the line.

‘I think I just saw someone kill a friend of mine.’ She fidgeted with the golden necklace around her neck. She always loved tracing the braids with her fingers before she gave it away.

‘OK, what’s your address?’ 

‘The camping field in the local forest.’ She tried her best to keep the fake tears flowing. She couldn’t fail. Otherwise, everything would be for nothing. All the late nights, the stalking, and the sacrifice made by Oliver.

‘We’re sending units to your location. What’s your name?’ 

‘Clarke. Abigail Clarke.’


THE END