Wanna Play?

• Layni Beatton, Grade 8
• Short Story
• 2018

I heard the footsteps, I saw the flash of the machete in her hand, I felt the tension thicken in the air. I was meeting my end. I pushed further into the wall until I was a shadow, holding my breath so I felt no pulse, the girl walked around the room eyes darting everywhere until she looked my way. I felt her stare, but she quickly ran out of the room, then I heard a scream. Why did I get put in this tournament?
I knew it was coming, when the people dressed in black came to the door and asked for me. I had the chance to run and not participate but my family thought it was a blessing not a burden and worse, my friend Dawn was entering too.
I heard the faint bell, the end of the game, thank goodness. I slide out of my hiding spot, grabbed my bracelet and pressed the button to teleport back to the podium. I arrived with the rest of the ‘group’, three kids fighting each other for survival.
“Congratulations players, you have survived the 10th round,” a voice came over the loud speakers.
“Good job Dawn, didn’t think you had it in you.”
“Ha-ha very funny Christy.”
“Can all the players head to their bunks and get ready for the next round.”
“Well I better be off, gotta train.”
“Bye Dawn.”
I should meet Dawn at the ‘gym’ I thought. I hurried to get ready and jogged to the ‘gym’ or should I say, a place with bars and twisted metal hanging out of the ground. When I was at the ‘gym’ I thought Dawn was near the wall, so I went over to say hi, but she had disappeared. I looked past the wall and saw her silhouette and followed. I arrived at a cottage.
I saw the flash again and followed, when the flashes stopped, I was in front of a cottage. I walked in side and saw cups of tea and a chair facing a fire. The chair swivelled around, and I saw Dawn.
“What are you doing here Dawn?”
“I was luring you here.”
“Why?”
“So, I could kill you, I realised only one of us would win and when I got told to participate I was going to, but you got chosen too.”
Dawn walked out of the cottage, I tried to follow but I couldn’t move. I looked down and I saw my feet sinking in the ground. I struggled but I sunk deeper, Dawn walked away further until I couldn’t see her, but I heard her say,
“You never had the smarts to beat me.”
“HELP!” was all I could say as I was consumed by darkness, like a blanket getting pulled over me.
I don’t know what happen after I died, Dawn could have won or been beaten, no matter what karma always bites back.
Karma’s a … ‘beep beep’ oops, that’s my burrito.