Horror Game With My Cheating Ex

The manor’s main doors creaked open.

It was even creepier inside.

A rusted chandelier swayed overhead. Cobwebs clung to the banisters like shredded veils. The air was thick with the smell of rot and decay.

At least, that’s what everyone else said.

I couldn't smell a thing.

"Alright, listen up," Chloe announced, taking charge. "As an experienced player, I'll give you the rundown."

Marcus frowned. "When did you become experienced? Weren't you just saying you were a novice?"

"I did my homework," Chloe said with a wink. "This manor has four floors. The first floor is relatively safe, home to some of the gentler spirits. The second is a bit more dangerous, and the third is pretty terrifying."

"What about the fourth floor?" the guy in glasses asked.

Chloe's expression turned serious. "The attic suite. It's home to the most terrifying entity in this manor. No player has ever survived a single night in that room."

A collective gasp went through the crowd.

"So," Chloe continued, "I suggest everyone choose a room on the first floor. They're smaller, but at least you'll stay alive."

As soon as she finished, everyone scrambled for the first floor.

"I call 101!"

"102 is mine!"

"Don't push, I saw 103 first!"

In just a few minutes, the first-floor rooms were all claimed.

Then the second, and then the third.

I stood back, watching them scramble for rooms like it was Black Friday.

So damn loud.

"Ava," Ethan walked over to me. "Why aren't you picking a room?"

"No rush," I yawned. "I'm sure I'll find a spot."

"But only the fourth floor is left," he said, his voice laced with a worry I no longer cared about. "It's dangerous up there."

"Oh," I nodded. "Perfect. I don't like noise."

Ethan stared at me. "Are you insane? Chloe just said—"

"I don't care what she said," I cut him off, my voice sharp. "We're over, Ethan. Remember?"

His face went pale.

Chloe ran down from upstairs, a fake look of concern on her face. "Ava, you haven't picked a room yet? I can let you have my room, 206."

"No, thanks," I said, heading for the stairs. "The fourth floor sounds fine."

"Wait!" Chloe grabbed my arm. "The attic suite is suicide! The thing in there isn't just a ghost, it's—"

"It's what?"

She bit her lip, her voice a terrified whisper. “It’s the Shadow Lord. An ancient entity that devours light and souls. They say he rips your soul straight from your body, leaving your mind to scream in the endless dark until he finally swallows you whole.”

I pulled my arm away. “Sounds cool.”

“Cool?!” Marcus leaned over the third-floor railing.

“Little girl, do you have any idea what happened to the last player who tried that? He didn’t even make it through the first night. The next morning, all they found was a human-shaped bloodstain on the floor!”

"Guess he had bad manners," I said, starting up the stairs. "I'll be sure to knock."

The entire manor fell silent.

Everyone stared at me like I was a lunatic.

I reached the fourth floor. There was only one door, with a rusty plaque that read: "Attic Suite."

The lock was an old mechanical type.

I pulled a paper clip from my pocket. Bent it into shape. Slid it into the keyhole and gave it a few twists.

Click.

The door swung open.

I heard a collective gasp from downstairs.

【Comment 1: Holy shit, she's a pro at lockpicking】

【Comment 2: What did this girl do for a living? Was she a thief?】

【Comment 3: Wait, she's a designer, why does she know how to pick locks?】

【Comment 4: Doesn't matter what she did, she's about to die anyway】

【Comment 5: I bet she won't even make it inside the room】

I pushed the door open and peered inside.

The room was huge, with a skylight and a small balcony.

The decor was old, but the space was generous.

Most importantly, it was quiet.

"Not bad," I nodded, satisfied. Then I called out into the empty darkness:

"Hey. New roommate moving in. Hope you don't mind a little mess."