The first sign something was wrong came with the sound —— a deep, metallic clang that echoed through the halls, shaking dust from the rafters.
Daniel froze.So did Ethan.And Zoe, and Maya, and the others.
Every door slammed shut at once.Every window blackened, the outside world vanishing like it had never existed.
Above them, hidden speakers crackled to life with a distorted voice — calm, cold, ancient.
"Welcome, players."
Daniel's blood ran ice cold.
"You have trespassed.You have awakened what sleeps.To earn your freedom — and your reward — you must play."
A loud THUNK sounded in the middle of the grand hall.
A box — old, ornate, covered in carvings — dropped from the ceiling on chains.
The voice continued:
"Complete the trials.Survive the games.Or stay here forever."
A mechanical click, and the box swung open — spilling nine objects onto the floor.
Masks.
Each mask different — some porcelain, some metal, some made of stitched leather — but all with cruel, leering faces.
Chris broke the silence, forcing a laugh. "Okay, okay, this is next-level escape room sh*t."
Nobody laughed.
The voice spoke again, softer this time, almost... hungry.
"Choose your mask.Choose your fate."
Daniel looked at Ethan — his best friend's bravado was cracking, a twitch in the corner of his mouth.
"What the hell do we do?" Maya whispered.
"If it's a game," Ethan said slowly, "we play. We pick a mask."
"Or we don't," Jules snapped. "Maybe we just — stay put. Wait it out."
As if in response, the chandelier above them creaked violently —— and fell.
It crashed into the floor where Jules stood moments ago, missing her by inches.
The message was clear.
Play. Or die.
Daniel stepped forward, heart pounding so loud he could barely hear. He knelt and picked up a mask — a simple, blank porcelain one, its expression unreadable.
Around him, the others chose reluctantly.Each mask almost seemed to call to them.
As soon as the last mask was touched, the mansion shifted again — the walls groaning, the floor vibrating under their feet.
The voice returned:
"First trial:Run.Hide.Survive the hunt until the hourglass runs dry."
A panel slid open in the floor — revealing a huge, ancient hourglass filled with black sand, already trickling down.
From deep within the mansion, a new sound rose —heavy, scraping footsteps.And laughter.Childlike.Cruel.
Something had been released.
Something hungry.
Daniel's hand tightened around Ethan's wrist.
The hunt had begun.