That night walking home from work, the blinding light, and then… nothing.
Until I woke up in a cell block, with two other women as scared as I was.
Natalie and Chloe.
Their names echo in my mind, accompanied by vivid images of their tear-streaked faces.
I shiver as I recall a floating drone, its monotone voice delivering the gut-wrenching news: we were “prizes” in some twisted alien game show called The Loop.
We weren’t people to them—just objects to be won and used by alien warriors.
Then there was the Host. My skin prickles as I remember his bird-like appearance, that cruel beak and those calculating eyes that seemed to strip us bare. The memory of his leering gaze makes me want to scrub myself clean.
But the Host was just a small part of this nightmare.
I distinctly remember three towering alien warriors looming over us, each more terrifying than the last. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the memory, but it persists. They were there to fight over us, like we were some sort of twisted trophy.
I then recall the “voting” process. Of course, it ended in a tie. Each warrior had their sights set on a specific prize.
And the one who chose me?
I swallow hard, remembering those dark, ancient eyes that seemed to peer straight into my soul.
Krakenos, the Host had called him. The Aquarian Heir Apparent of some vast underwater kingdom. He looked like something straight out of a horror movie—gills, fins, and all. I clench my fists, forcing myself to hold on to these details. Knowledge is power, even in this hellish situation.
In the end, it came down to chance. Natalie was picked at random, and Chloe and I were shuttled off to be frozen until the next season, like produce in a freezer.
I hug myself tighter, willing the trembling in my limbs to stop.
The three of us had a plan, didn’t we?
We weren’t just going to take this lying down.
But I can’t remember it.
I huddle on the cold floor, my mind a whirlwind of worry for Natalie. The memory of her being chosen as the prize replays in my head like a horror movie. Did she manage to slip through the cracks of this prison, or did one of those alien warriors…
I can’t bring myself to finish the thought.
It’s then that the pact we made—Natalie, Chloe, and I—echoes in my ears. Our voices, hushed but determined, swore to find a way out together, to leave no one behind.
But now, alone in this cell, the weight of our situation threatens to crush me.
I glance around, taking in the alien tech that surrounds me. The sleek cryopod, the eerie hum of a floating drone outside the cell, the slight pressure of the translation device on my temple. It’s like I’ve stumbled onto a movie set, except the fear churning in my gut is all too real.
I scoff. What chance does an average, unremarkable woman like me have against all of this? I’ve always been a runner, bailing at the first sign of trouble. It’s why my life’s a patchwork of half-started relationships and job-hopping—no roots, no foundation, just me and my worn-out running shoes.
But now, as I press my palms against the floor, I realize there’s nowhere to run. The thought settles in my stomach like I’ve swallowed a stone.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. To get out of here, I’ll have to play along. Win their game, entertain their audience, and hope the Host deems us worthy of freedom, even if the very idea of being fought over like a prize pig at a county fair makes bile rise in my throat.
Unbidden, the image of Krakenos appears in my mind. The Aquarian warrior, with those bottomless black eyes that hinted at something—but I don’t know what.
A shudder ripples through my body as I wonder what he’d do if he won. Would I even survive whatever he wanted to do to me?
I clench my fists, pushing the thought away. No, I can’t go down that rabbit hole. I have to be strong, for Natalie and Chloe. We made a promise, and by God, I’m going to keep it.
My nails dig into my palms as I steel myself. Even if it means facing down my worst fears, I’ll find a way out of this. No more running. It’s time to stand and fight.
I try to center myself, letting my mind drift back to my life before all of this madness. It feels so distant now, but the memories are still vivid.
I remember my little apartment in the new town I moved to after my last relationship fell apart. It was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance to leave the pain and disappointment behind. I had landed a job as an elementary school teacher, and I was determined to make it work this time.
No more running away when things got tough. No more giving up.
I remember telling myself that this was it, my last chance to build something real. I had scraped together what little savings I had left and poured everything into this new beginning. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
I remember my classroom, and the bright faces of my students. I loved those kids, watching them learn and grow. That wasn’t to say it was easy; they could be a challenge, but it was the kind of challenge I enjoyed. Teaching was more than just a job to me—it was a chance to make a real difference in their lives, like the teachers who helped me through my tough childhood.
But now it all seems so far away.
I think of my fellow teachers, the parents, my neighbors… They barely knew me, and not just because I was new in town. I made sure to keep everyone at arm’s length, to build up walls around myself while I tried to get my life together.
Do they even know I’m missing? Is anyone looking for me, or have they assumed I left town as quietly as I had arrived?
The thought brings fresh tears to my eyes, and I angrily swipe them away.
I can’t afford to fall apart now. Not when Natalie and Chloe are counting on me. Not when our very survival is at stake.
