Gather For A Night

Ten little lights gathered to die; One got nosy and then there were nine.

Nine little lights can't accept their fate; One was taken away and then there were eight.

Eight little lights stay safe until eleven; The clock struck twelve and then there were seven.

Seven little lights split and accuse each other of tricks; A mean trick plays on and then there were six.

Six little lights armed themselves with a knife; She couldn't take it anymore and then there were five.

Five little lights feel beaten and sore; One turns against the other and then there were four.

Four little lights must find the key; If time stops then there will be three.

Three little lights turn blue; One has to give up so there can be two.

Two little lights stand with a gun; A final game must be played until there is one.

One little light smiles as all is done; The last walks away and then there were none.

Sora sets the plates around the large table. All his friends are coming for his birthday party. They even agreed to stay the night. He sighs, happy with the decorations he's created.

"They said a themed dinner would be stupid," Sora laughs, "It'll be so fun!"

"No, that's totally lame." Sora's brother Vanitas stands at the dining room entrance. Sora sticks his tongue out at Vanitas, "Shut up, it's my birthday."

Vanitas rolls his eyes, walking up to Sora, "So, what's the theme of the party anyway?"

"A scavenger hunt murder mystery. Figuratively. There will be clue cards and stuff." Sora speaks softly, almost embarrassed.

Vanitas chuckles and messes with Sora's hair, "That does sound kind of fun. But can you pull it off?"

Sora grins, "Yeah!"

Vanitas smirks, crossing his arms, "Well then, you better impress me."

He chuckles again, dropping his hands and sticking them in his pockets, "So, when's everyone gonna show up? Who's all coming anyway?"

"They should be here any minute. Besides you and me, eight others are coming; Roxas, his brother Ventus, Riku, Kairi, Namine, her sister Xion, Axel, and Demyx." Sora replies.

Vanitas grimaces, "You're inviting the loser brothers and those creepy sisters?"

Sora frowns, "Be nice, they're my friends."

Sora gasps and runs to the door as someone knocks. Vanitas walks after him as Sora opens the door. He smiles, seeing all his friends standing on his porch. He moves to let them in, "Guys, I'm glad you could make it!"

"And miss your birthday? No way." Kairi smiles, following the others in. Riku and Namine smile and Xion waves. Roxas, Axel, and Demyx each give Sora a high five. Ventus smiles, "Happy birthday."

Sora shuts the door behind his guests then he gestures to the table, "Sit down, the party's about to start. I'll get dinner set on the table."

He runs to the kitchen and grabs a huge platter covered with a silver dome. A fancy replica for any theme dinner. Sora proudly brings the huge platter to the table and sets it down in the center as everyone takes their seats around the table. Sora smiles, "Everyone ready to eat?"

Everyone murmurs their agreement and as Sora removes the dome lid, everyone glances at him in confusion as they see the only thing on the platter is a card face down. Sora frowns, "Um.. I swear there was food under there not even ten minutes ago.."

He picks up the card and flips it over to read. His face slowly becomes more confused, "I didn't write this.."

"What's it say?" Riku asks.

Sora reads aloud, looking uncertain now, "Ten little friends were gathered for fun. Ten little friends will come undone. When the lights go out, the games will begin. At then end, only one can win. You all came here for a murder mystery, how will you feel when your friends become history? When the lights are down, no way out will be found. The only way to get back home is to make it out alone."

Sora looks up from the card, looking at his friends. They all seem excited. Sora stares in confusion, "Um.. Why are you all smiling like that?"

"You got the creepy atmosphere down, bro." Roxas grins, giving Sora the thumbs up.

Sora shakes his head, "But this isn't one of my clues. I didn't write this."

"Someone give this kid an Oscar!" Axel laughs.

"Guys, I'm serious!" Sora huffs, "The clues weren't supposed to start until after we have dinner!"

"Maybe he's telling the truth.." Xion frowns.

Axel smirks, "What? Did someone hijack your party, Sora? Should we call the police?"

Sora's face flushes in embarrassment, "Um.. Maybe..?"

"Hey, there's a card under my plate.." Kairi pulls a card from beneath the paper plate in front of her. She holds it up briefly then reads aloud, "There are ten guests here tonight, ten little friends, ten little lights. The clues are in the riddle hidden in each room. No one is permitted to leave this room until the game of the room has been solved. If anyone tries to leave ahead of time, you won't like the outcome. Precautions have been set, you have been warned. Be good little lights and you might make it out alive."

"I didn't write that either!" Sora frowns, trying not to panic, What the heck is going on?

"I have one, too!" Roxas pulls a card from his plate as Kairi had, "It says 'The first riddle is one of ten. Ten rooms in this house have been rigged for my game. The game is about to begin, so remember, no one is allowed to leave until the first riddle has been solved. If you solve it quick enough, you may be able to save your friend. But how many people here can you call your friend'..."

Roxas frowns, repeating, "How many people here can you call your friend.. Roxas?"

He looks around and everyone looks confused. Sora shakes his head, "I didn't write any of this, what is going on?"

"Guys?" Xion holds up a card, "I think I found the riddle."

Everyone turn their eyes on her and she looks down, reading slowly, "Ten little lights gathered to die.. One got nosy.. And then there were nine.."

"What could that mean?" Ventus frowns, "That doesn't make much sense.."

"I told you this theme was dumb. What are you going for, Sora? This isn't exactly what I thought you had in mind." Vanitas crosses his arms.

Sora shakes his head, holding his arms up in surrender, "I didn't write these!"

The lights go out, and then they come back on a few seconds later. Roxas frowns, "Has the game started then?"

"We have to solve the first riddle." Ventus stands and walks over to Xion, reading the card over her shoulder, "So, ten little lights gathered to die; One got nosy and then there were nine. Hmm.. Okay, so based on Kairi's card, the ten of us represent the lights?"

"I-I think so." Kairi stands, walking over to Ven, showing her card, "That's what it says. 'There are ten guests here tonight, ten little friends, ten little lights.' Yeah, it has to mean us."

Before long everyone is standing around, talking about the riddle Xion found and what it could mean. Sora looks around nervously, They think this is part of my theme? I didn't write those cards though. So, who did? And how did they get in here like this? I set the table, I didn't see any cards on the table. Did Vanitas put them there? He might have when I went to get the door.. Sora looks over at his brother, who's off to the right talking to Riku and Kairi. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Xion standing in the entrance to the living room. She heads inside. She flips the light switch, saying, "Why are the li-"

She suddenly screams as she's electrocuted. She falls limp on the living room floor and the house goes silent. Ventus's eyes widen, "We.. Solved the first riddle.. Ten little lights gathered to die.. One got nosy.."

He turns and counts out loud, pointing to the people in the room, "One, two, three, four five, six, seven, eight," he points at himself, "Nine. Now there's nine of us. Xion left the room.."

Namine drops to her knees, staring at Xion. She shakes, "No.. No..!"

She turns and glares at Sora, "What did you do?!"