Shadow Side

Four total strangers, have each received a jack in the box sent from an anonymous source. The note card given to them upon signing for the package, has explained the rules of the game they are about to play. The note card holds simple instructions that include a time, location, and house rules. They all know that the stakes are high, but for some reason, they have all decided that the risk is worth the payout.

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The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Four pledges walked in, knowing, only one would leave out alive. As they sat in a circle around the jack in the box, they each sent a silent prayer that the clown would not pop out facing them. The doors were all locked, and the windows were all sealed tightly in place. They each had a different motive as to why they had chosen to sign their life away. The lure to become a member of the coveted secret society was so strong, that not even the expanding missing persons list in the area was enough to give them pause. Cara a new divorcee, sought comfort. Stan sought to prove he was the most cunning. Greta sought a new adventure, while Larry sought control. Stan the oldest of them all, sat stone faced, strategizing how he could ensure that he wouldn't be the one to die that night. He searched their faces, waiting to see who would be stupid enough to crank the toy first. Larry reaches out, and Stan smirks, of course he would have the desire to prove he was the bravest of them all. The box begins to play a macabre tune on and on and on. Out pops the clown, and it's facing Cara.

Cara sits stunned. Tears run down her face, as her whole body shakes full of anxiety, wondering what task she will be given. The trap door beneath her opens up, and she falls into pure darkness. She hits the concrete below, and the trap door above her closes. Once she manages to stand, she hears singing. Soothing voices sung in all different octaves lure her, instructing her to come their way. She turns left and begins following those voices. Before she can take five steps, another voice breaks out in song behind her. As she turns to walk in the opposite direction, she is then hit with comforting tunes from every direction. Faintly in front of her, she hears a small voice just above the singing, a voice that strangely sounds like her own. She immediately doesn't trust it and deems it a trap. She takes her chances and goes in another direction. A direction that drops her--- right into the underground furnace. Immediately all singing stops, and the faint voice grows fainter until it fades out. The lights come on, and four paths are seen. Three of the paths lead to an opening in a furnace. The one that initially held a replica of her voice, leads to a set of stairs, that would've taken her to the outside of the cabin. If only she had sought solace, by following the sound of her own voice.

Up above, the remaining three pledges silently sit lost in their own thoughts. Greta fidgets with her butterfly ring, Larry flexes his fingers, while Stan sits immobile. The box shuts. They all perk up, and eye the remaining pledges. One less competitor stands between them and winning. Larry yet again, to the surprise of no one, reaches out and cranks the box. The box begins to play the same macabre tune as before. The box slowly pops open, and a loud screech echoes across the empty barely lit room. As the box opens fully, the screeching halts and lends way to silence. The jack doesn't pop out. The contestants sit puzzled, yet they remain silent, because they fear what will happen if they break the "no talking" rule. The minutes slowly tick by as raindrops begin to pound viciously upon the roof. Larry, as frustration builds, reaches into the box. SLAM!!

It takes everything within Larry not to scream out in pain. The pressure on his finger's has him breathing in out and rapidly, almost to the point of hyperventilation. He can feel the friction caused by his constant pulling and tugging, tearing at his skin. Greta moves towards him, but he refuses her help, and instead uses his free hand to shoo her away. He doesn't need anyone; he knows exactly how to take care of himself. He moves towards the nearest wall and hits the box against it. He knows if he continues to hit it over and over, it will eventually break. The harder he hits the box against a surface, the tighter grip he feels the box has on his fingers. Yet, he continues to do the same thing over and over again until he can barely keep his eyes open. He passes out from the combination of pain and exertion. The box opens up, as well as a portion of the floor, and Larry goes tumbling down. Greta tip toes cautiously towards the box and picks it up. She reads the words engraved on the inside, " In the instance that the toy malfunctions, four hands on the box at once will automatically reset it." Greta shakes her head. His need for control, caused him to ultimately lose control. If only he had allowed her to help him.

Two remain. Greta sits the box down, and Stan immediately cranks the toy. He cares nothing about the scene that just played before him. His only goal has always been to outlive anyone else in the room. The box opens and the clown lands on Greta. Stan smiles smugly, waiting to see what fate awaits Greta. Greta stares at him and points down. The clown has now turned towards Stan instead.

"This can't be right, you did this. You cheated", screams Stan. "I've played the game the best way possible. There's no way it should've done that. I read the rules we were given before we signed the contract. I sat and strategized for days based upon the information we were given about prior contestants. I read your files ahead of time, I know what you want and how you'd plan on playing this game" Greta continues to sit and stare, despite the fact that Stan is now towering above her. "Say something, I know it was you", he bellows. Greta stands up and smiles menacingly. She pulls her fingers across her mouth replicating a zipping motion. Stan realizes the mistake he has made. He closes his mouth and jumps from the spot he was just standing in, but it is too late for him. The floor beneath him opens and he tries desperately to grab on to anything. All he manages to grab is air, as he goes tumbling down into the furnace like the others before him. Unfortunately for him, things don't always go as expected. If only he had thought to expect the unexpected.

The front door unlocks and opens. Greta walks out and is met by two figures in costume. The figure's grab her hand and blindfold her, leading her further into the woods. Greta can barely contain her excitement; this is the most fun she's had in years. She hears rattling chains up ahead, and she knows they must be getting closer to the site of initiation. A few minutes more, and her blindfold is removed. In front of her sits a life size jack in the box. The clown jumps out of the box and faces Greta. She thinks this just might be her end, but at least she got the adventure she wanted.

THE END

The tour guide pauses and is met with a room full of clapping tourist. "Thank you for participating in our fireside and tea event tonight. It has been the most popular portion of our haunted cabin tour five years in a row. Thank you for signing your release forms, and I hope this weekend is simply to die for. Oh, and before I leave, a word of advice. The locals swear Greta still roams this area. The nearest house is thirty miles away, so there's nowhere else to go but here until your bus returns." The tour guide winks, holds up the butterfly ring in her hand, and disappears right before their eyes. The doors lock, the fireplace goes off, and a lone candle flicks in the window. A blur runs past the window. A window outlined with posters. They read, "Have You Seen Me"?