David knew something was wrong. His role in the Story System felt off, maybe a mistake. If other players found out, they might want him dead. The system took forever to scan him when he entered the Story Realm, a clear sign he wasn't a normal player.
* Let them try to kill me. I'm ready. * David's eyes sharpened with defiance. If they were enemies, he wouldn't hold back.
He climbed into a police car and drove to an old, abandoned factory in Raccoon City. He pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside. The air was thick with dust, the place long forgotten. As he moved forward, a sharp whoosh sliced through the silence. David dodged quickly, avoiding a syringe aimed at his back. A figure in a pig mask stood there, clutching the weapon.
With fast moves, David grabbed the syringe and lifted the attacker by the collar. He pulled off the mask, revealing a young woman with a curvy body. "Amanda?" he said, recognizing her.
Amanda's eyes widened. * How does he know my name? *
David tossed her aside. She hit a wall with a loud thud. "Take me to Jigsaw," he snapped. "Nice try with the sneak attack."
Coughing, Amanda struggled to stand. "Who are you?" she asked, voice sharp.
Her radio crackled before she could say more. She listened, then led David deeper into the factory, her face blank. They reached Jigsaw's workshop, a dim room filled with tools, monitors, and traps.
"Welcome to my workspace," John said, looking healthier than David expected, like he was healing from a long sickness.
"You should rest, not push yourself," David said, shrugging. Meeting John face-to-face felt strange, especially after sleeping with Jill, John's wife. * He's not a complete monster yet, so I'm not bold enough to act proud about it. *
John's voice stayed calm. "This game isn't about me. It's about her, Amanda, a survivor from one of my old games. I'm glad she's changed, found new purpose in life."
Amanda was the woman who attacked David. In a past Jigsaw game, she wore a jaw-splitting trap. To survive, she had to find a key hidden inside a living drug dealer's stomach. After seeing the trap's deadly power, Amanda grabbed a knife and cut open the drugged man, still awake, to get the key. She unlocked the trap just in time, escaping a horrible death. Thankful to Jigsaw, she joined his cause. This attack was her test to prove her loyalty.
David glanced at the monitors showing several people trapped in a game. "Drugs are bad," he said suddenly. "Quitting is tough, but there's a way to distract yourself. It works well."
Amanda frowned. "What way?"
"Sex," David said, his face serious.
Amanda's mouth fell open. John's brow creased.
Amanda scoffed. "You're insane!"
David wagged a finger. "No, you're wrong. Sex is exercise. It's not just touching private parts, you silly woman. It releases hormones that excite your brain. Drugs dull your mind, but sex does too, in a similar way."
His words sounded almost convincing, oddly logical.
"If it's so great, why doesn't everyone do it?" Amanda snapped. "Quitting drugs wouldn't be so hard then."
John leaned in, curious. "You sound certain. Got proof?"
Amanda glared at David, thinking he was lying.
"It's not simple," David admitted. "Most women don't want casual sex, and there's the risk of diseases like AIDS. For it to work, you need a man who's just as eager. Perfect teamwork. He satisfies his needs, you numb your brain with pleasure. When you crave drugs, sex is a strong fix."
Amanda laughed coldly. "If it's impossible, why even bring it up?"
"It's not the same," David said. "Sex for selfish lust is different. The question is whether you control it or let it control you. Obsession is animalistic. Meeting a need is human. If you want, I can help. I've got a high sex drive, so I'm ready."
* Just another way to mess with her, * David thought, smirking.
Amanda didn't believe him. "You're full of nonsense!"
"Whatever," David said. "I'm just saying, if you need me, I'm here. I can show you how it works. Now, can we start the game? I want to see what happens to them." He nodded at the screen, where six players were marked with glowing labels only he could see. * Do they see me the same way? Better be careful. *
Amanda changed clothes and headed out. "I'm joining the game myself," she said.
No luck with Amanda, but David didn't care. * Already had my fun with Jill a few times. I'm fine either way. *
The game began. Six players, stripped of their powers, were now ordinary people facing Jigsaw's deadly traps. Their goal was clear: survive and win the game to earn points and return to Nexus Point for a life of luxury. Fail, and Jigsaw's traps would make them suffer before killing them.
A man woke first, locked in a small room. "Where am I?" he shouted, cursing loudly.
Others stirred, including the six players: five men and one woman. The woman was covered in tattoos, her face heavy with makeup, clearly someone who lived a wild life. * Not my type, * David thought. * I'd rather have a sweet girl, not a prostitute. Why bother when I've got skills? *
Someone recognized Amanda. "Hey, you're that woman from TV!"
Amanda clutched her head, pretending to hurt. "I don't know. Why am I back here?"
A burly man, Xavier, slapped her twice. "Speak! Where are we?"
* He'll regret that, * David thought, seeing Amanda's eyes burn with anger. She spoke calmly. "If I'm right, this is Jigsaw's place. The man who runs death games. I was broke, tried to kill myself for drug money, and ended up in a hospital. I escaped his game once. Why am I back?"
Everyone froze. Jigsaw, the Puzzle Killer, was infamous. He cut puzzle-shaped skin from his victims as trophies.
"Oh no!" a man yelled. "We're in a death game! Let us out!"
Amanda banged on a window, faking panic, then slumped to the floor, crying. The others exchanged nervous looks. Two women, including the tattooed player, crouched and sobbed.
Xavier grabbed Amanda's throat. "You've been through this. You know something!"
Amanda gasped. "A tape! Yes, a tape! Jigsaw always leaves a tape with clues. We find it, follow the rules, and we can survive!"
"Then move!" Xavier pushed her aside, shouting at everyone. "Find the tape!"
The players joined in, knowing survival meant winning the game. After searching, they found a tape recorder hidden behind a wall painting.
The tape played Jigsaw's voice. "Hello. You know where you are. To live, play my game. You all share something. You've breathed air laced with slow poison. You have two hours to find antidotes. Without them, you die. One antidote is in this room's safe, its code tied to each of you. Look behind your thoughts, arranged at the rainbow's end. Other rooms have antidotes too. Game on."
"What kind of garbage is this?" Xavier roared, still cursing. He spotted a door and began checking it, hoping it led out.
The players watched each other carefully, guarding their moves, searching for clues.
In the control room, David studied the monitors and pointed at a room filled with needle-covered traps. "Who's that for?"
"Xavier, the big guy," John said. "He's a drug dealer, hurting the poor. He deserves punishment."
David grinned. "What if he makes someone else go in there instead?"
John stayed calm. "It's possible. We'll see. Everyone in there has sins to face."
"Amanda's not right to take over for you," David said. "She's too eager for blood."
"I'll give her a chance," John replied, not looking at him.
David scratched himself, feeling a stir. * Horny again. * "I'm feeling it, John. By the way, I found you two good apprentices. Not that cop, Hoffman. He's only with you because you've got dirt on him. Without that, he'd leave you."
John frowned. "I'll give him a chance too."
"Your choice," David said. "But don't risk your life in these games. If you die, it's a waste. Oh, and I want to find someone for sex. Any ideas?"
John's frown deepened. "You're really stuck on it. If you need to, go to Jill."
David shook his head. "No, her pussy can't handle more. It's taking too much."
* Like I'm bragging about my stamina, * David thought. John seemed to think David was protecting Jill. "What do you want?" John asked.
"Let Amanda come back," David said. "I'll try calming her. Using her as a test is bad for you. You know she's got feelings for you, right?"
* Amanda sees John as a father who saved her and a lover she desires. It's twisted, but true, * David thought, understanding her complex emotions.
David leaned back, watching the monitors. The players scrambled, unaware of the traps waiting. Amanda moved among them, playing her part, her eyes sharp with purpose. David smirked. * This game's just getting started. Let's see who survives. *