The Forbidden Game

Summary: "Mystery. Danger. Seduction. Fear. Secrets. Desires...Temptation. Death. It's not just a Game. The Game is REAL." The flock face their worst nightmares as they come to life. (FAX all the way!)

IMPORTANT: This takes place between MAX and FANG...Max and Fang are dating. =) and NO DYLAN, not yet anyway. FAX...ALL THE WAY. :]

MPOV

"Are you kidding me...?" I muttered. I stopped in front of a store, pretending to observe their selection through the window.

In reality, I was watching the reflection of two guys across the street. They've already been stalking me for several blocks! Creepy, much?

I took a deep breath and kept on walking, ignoring the two men for now. I had to focus on the main task: finding a game.

Yes, a game. It was Nudge's idea to have a fun, normal, night with the flock. Just the six of us—seven, including Ella—enjoying a free day of normalcy the best we can, while we can.

Iggy took Angel, Nudge and Gazzy out to buy food and movies; Ella stayed home to watch the house, since Mom was away on business. That left Fang and I in charge of games. But as we left our house, I gave him a wicked grin. "No way you're going with me."

He had looked at me with eyebrows raised slightly; Fang's 'startled' expression.

I smirked and unfurled my wings. "We go separately. Each gets one game; an exciting one."

"Now, Max..." He fought a smile as he stepped closer and looked down at me, gently placing his hands on my waist. "We might as well go together. You know my game's gonna be better than yours..."

Fang chuckled slightly, making me stare at him, stifling my own laugh. "Is that a challenge, Fang?" I asked, playfully leaning into him.

"Do you want it to be?"

"No. Because we all know my game will be better." I unwrapped his arms from my body and intertwined both our hands by our sides.

He looked at me with an amused spark in his eyes. "Is that so?"

"Yup," I replied, popping the 'P'.

He smirked and said, "Then I'll enjoy this challenge." He leaned down to kiss me, but in that moment I let go of his hands and zipped away through the air, using my super speed.

And here I am.

But it was 6:30, and I needed to buy something soon; we all had to meet back at the house by 7pm. I had no time to be worrying about stalkers and pedophiles!

And to increase my worry, there was something about those two...something that made me think, 'NOT HUMAN.' They were too careful to be human. It made me feel even more uncomfortable.

I slowed down and glanced at the shop windows on my right. In the reflection I saw my two stalkers slow their speed.

I huffed in frustration. I'm never gonna get a game... I had to lose these two first.

I decided to take a right at the corner, and then another right. Looking over my shoulder, I saw the two guys turn around the corner—on my side of the street.

Feeling even more frustrated, I thought, Screw it. And I ran. I swung a left, crossing the street and then another left.

Right, right, left, left, cross, left...

Through my erratic heartbeat I could still hear their footsteps, but they wouldn't catch up to me for another minute or so.

I observed my surroundings. I found that I had stopped next to this mural, taking up the entire wall. It depicted an old fashioned street; old lampposts, old shops, etc. It even had an old door painted right in the middle, with the (ironic) words "MORE GAMES" on it. It looked so real; even the handle on the door looked three-dimensional.

In fact...

When I reached out, I was surprised to feel a cool, solid handle rest beneath my fingers.

Loud footsteps reached my ears and I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the two guys at the corner. I didn't even hesitate as I pushed through the door. Any place was safer than the streets right now.

I shut the door behind me and stopped abruptly. The store was...odd. It looked as old fashioned as the mural. Dusty lampshades emitted a soft yellow glow—the only light in the shop.

I continued to look through the unusual toys being displayed. I finally came across a game that looked similar to a scrabble board, only triangular. Little wooden letters spelled out:

W E L C O M E T O M Y W O R L D

"Can I help you?"

A beautiful voice reached me from a corner of the shop. I turned around and almost gasped.

His beauty was striking; he had shining blue eyes—a dark shade of blue I couldn't describe—and blonde hair that fell perfectly in his face.

I realized I was staring, but I felt...tongue tied.

STOP STARING! I mentally screamed at myself.

"Can I help you?" he repeated, giving me a slight smile.

I quickly regained my composure and said, "I'm looking for a game. One for multiple players? Do you have anything?"

"Of course. Follow me," he said, beckoning me with his hand.

We entered another part of the shop, him explaining several games on the shelves. There was Senet, the Egyptian Game of Death. Then there was a dice game where you "cast runes".

"No..." I said.

He watching me with a flirtatious smile. The word "Sexy" came into mind, but I guiltily pushed the thought away when I remembered Fang.

He continued to explain more. "There's also the Tibetan game of tigers and goats." He paced next to me, and by next to me, I mean really close to me. "A game of chase, where the fierce tigers stalk the innocent little goats. For two players."

"I—no. I was looking for something more like Pictionary or Outburst….or..." I trailed off, seeing him looking at me with an unnerving smile. I was beginning to feel more uncomfortable now instead of flattered.

When he didn't say anything I awkwardly said, "O-kay...well thanks anyway," and then made my way back to the door.

"Mystery." His voice caught me halfway across the room. I hesitated in spite of myself. What was saying?

"Danger. Seduction. Fear." I heard him nearing me with each word.

I turned to face him, his voice almost...mesmerizing. I found him holding a blank, white rectangular box. No title, no graphics, just—blank. I gave him a how-stupid-do-you-really-think-I-am? look. Was he mocking me?

"Secrets revealed. Desires unveiled." He smiled and pronounced the final word distinctly: "Temptation."

"What are you talking about?" I finally asked.

His eyes flashed with an unknown emotion. "The Game, of course. That is what you're looking for, isn't it? A very... special game?"

One that could make Fang's look pathetic? YES, I wanted to say. But I didn't.

He gestured to the box he was holding. The stupid plain box. "I believe this is what you've been looking for."

I opened my mouth to say, You have got to be kidding me. But as he tilted the box, I found that I couldn't look away from its milky surface.

He let me hold it, and I asked, "How much?"

"Twenty's fine." He went over to the cash register and opened it. As I handed him a twenty, I caught sight of oddly shaped coins and colorful bills. None that looked anything close to American money.

Somewhere, a clock chimed seven, making me curse. I was already late! No time to check out the game now...

"Damn, I'm late...thank you for your help and, um, see you later..." I said awkwardly. I didn't want to be rude...

As I was heading to the door, I swear I heard him say "at nine," but it was probably "that's fine" or something.

I stepped out of the store, noticing the sky darkening.

I also noticed the two guys lurking across the street, staring at me intently.

Startled, I backed up against the wall and blindly began feeling for the doorknob to the More Games store.

Only I never found it.

I whirled around, observing the mural. I saw the artwork and the painted shops and then I saw the door and even the doorknob! But—it was painted on. There was no handle; there was NO door. Just a smooth wall.

What the f***…That's not even possible…!

I turned back around nervously and saw them already halfway across the street.

Buy time! I was telling myself.

Due to my panicked brain, I decided throwing the game was the best option at the moment. I know; stupid, right?

But as I held up the game, preparing to launch it, they froze, staring at it, and then took off like scared little children.

I frowned, unsure of what happened. I warily looked at the game in my hands.

For some unknown reason, it felt almost attached to me. Like I couldn't bring myself to simply let go of it. I was running my fingers over the surface, flipping it over and etc.

The game inside rattled, making me curious.

I was about to open it, but decided against it and took off into the air.

There will be plenty of time to play the game tonight.

The-Guy-From-the-'More Games' shop-POV

"Damn, I'm late...thank you for your help and, um, see you later..." Max had awkwardly said, heading to the door.

"At nine," I replied softly, hoping she hadn't heard.

I looked up and saw the door shutting behind her. A growl of pure need was building in the back of my throat, but I kept it in.

My need for Max could wait a little longer. Just two more hours until I see her again...and then soon enough, I'll have her.

She'll be mine by dawn.

Okay! So that was chapter one! Kind of a prologue to HOW she got the game.

IN CHAPTER TWO THE GAME BEGINS! (No joke. 'Let the games begin!'-Hunger Games hahaha) Please Review if you think I should keep going!

AND THIS PART IS REAAALLLLY IMPORTANT!

Okay so if someone had to, oh i dunno, DIE in this story because their nightmare kills them and they couldnt face it, Who would you have die?

MAX, FANG, IGGY, NUDGE, GAZZY, ANGEL, OR ELLA.

Please let me know! (Yes, it has to happen. Someone won't make it, I'm sorry. XD but dont worry...i dont plan on killing off a main character. I just wanna see if any of you agree with who I think could go bye-bye)

REVIEW PLEASE! (I'm inspired by you guys more than you know...! =) )