Burning.  Smoke was sucked in by my lungs, exhaled slowly to savor it. Right afterwards, I coughed uncontrollably, my lungs rattled by asthma. But a relaxation came over me. A gentle, soft touch of peace had caressed me.  

   The room around me became hazy and the blue LED lights on the walls were very pleasing to stare at, constantly changing to and from other colors. Blue, purple, violet, green, red, baby blue. I’m sure the glowing lights had a reflection in my eyes while I watched them, in thought. 

   It was just another day in this dimly lit living-room, the only light being the LEDs on the wall. Sitting back on the couch like always, getting high to forget the pain and all the memories. Because it seems as if the only times I feel some sort of happiness are only when I’m high. 

“Honestly...I need to find a will to live...Then again, I wouldn’t know where to look anyways.” 

I sat back, taking another puff from my pipe. Each grain of marijuana burned orange, then entered my lungs. 

“All rightttt. Here we go.” I was going to get as high as possible tonight. Afterall. Tonight was the big night. 

The time was 12:35, a.m., and I had somewhere to be by 3 a.m. But there was still plenty of time. So, I lived it up. I took 3 shots, smoked two blunts, smoked one joint, smoked out of a bong, and I even smoked out of an apple. All while I listened to music. 

I had to enjoy it to the fullest, this was the last time I’d ever experience these things. Time moved quicker than I realized. Before I knew it, the time was 2:20. 

So, I threw on my jacket, lit a cigarette and began walking. 

It only took me about maybe ten minutes to get to my destination. An abandoned building. Three stories tall, but it had a great view of the city lights. So, I sprinted the steps of the building till I reached the roof. The nice cold-early morning breeze, blowing my long hair out of my face. For once I could see clearly.  

I sat on the ledge and listened to my favorite songs in my earbuds, till the sunrise revealed a dazzling pink-Ish but orange sky, giving light to this world around. 

I closed my eyes and slowly, I leaned off the edge. Before I could follow through, a notification unexpected notification appeared. 

Ding! 

{From: Samantha Jules} 

{Long time no see.} 

Samantha Jules? That name... 

It didn’t ring any bells. I had no idea who it was.  

Ding! 

{Random question. What would you do if you got sucked dup by some higher powers and thrown into another world and across different dimensions?} 

Speaking of dimensions. The dimensions of this question were fucking killing me. Where does a question like this even come from? 

Couldn't help by shake my head and sigh. My fingers typed away at the screen. 

[Message Sent] 

{Well, I guess I’d probably have a crazy time as long as I was able to bring a lot of weed. That and some snacks. And music.} 

I sat and waited for a reply. And only 5 seconds later i got one. 

Ding! 

{Hmmm} 

Ding! 

{That should be an easy request to fulfill. Get ready.} 

    Get ready? What in the hell was this girl talking about?? 

[Message Sent]          {What am I getting ready for exactly?} 

I waited and waited, but I got no reply. So, I close demy eyes and leaped off the edge. This was the end of my patience with life. 

I felt myself falling through the air, I could almost feel how hard I would hit the ground. But it was better I kept my eyes closed. Seconds and seconds passed, it felt like I'd been falling for eternity. Eventually, I hit the ground. 

    The feeling wasn’t anything like I expected. It was soft landing, and I could feel myself being swallowed by a pile softness and feathers. 

That’s when I opened my eyes and saw the sight, I was resting in a pile of pillows. Up ahead was a long hallway. Brick walls that had pipes running along them, some parts even leaking steam. 

 ‘...Where the fuck...am I...?’ 

I looked up trying to see where I feel from but, it was just a roof. There was no way I feel from a 3-story building and ended up in some kind of service tunnel. It just wasn’t possible. 

Each footstep of mine echoed throughout this hall, still eventually reached the end. Where single ceiling light shined down on a table, where two weapons rested. One was a bat with nails, while the other was a steel rod. Beside them was a letter that read [ Welcome to your new reality. Before you are two weapons, it’s suggested you take one. You’re going to need it for what lies ahead. 

The lights flickered, sending chills down my spine. I didn’t know what this was, but I wasn't doubting it. I gripped the handle of the spiked bat and lifted it off the table. 

“If anything comes my way, this should do the trick. Right?” 

    I set my gaze on the door in front of me and turned the handle. And I flung the door open and stepped through, ready to swing the bat.  

Another hallway, but this one was different. There were doors, with room numbers, and lights along the walls. A crimson carpet with fancy designs. The ticking of a clock and the distant sound of classical music, it gave an eerie feeling to this empty space. 

“So far, it seems normal.” 

I continued forward. The longer I walked, the more the painting along the wall become more and more horrid. Going from a beautiful scenery to gothic themes, blood leaking from behind the pictures. 

“Please...I’m too high for this.” 

The lights flickered, and a figure appeared at the end of the hall.  A single dark figure. It was shape like a human, but it was far from human. Its skin was darker than black, like a shadow come to life. And it had no eyes, or really any facial features. Only a mouth. 

   I froze, staring this creature down. We both stood without movement, all while the distant music became static.  

    Suddenly, it lunged at me. Closing the distance of 30 ft in just moments. Its jaw unhinged, opening wide revealing sets of thorn-like teeth, ready to chomp my head clean off. 

“OHHH SHIT!” 

   Without giving another thought, I swung the bat with every ounce of violence I could put behind it. The creatures face caved in on impact, and its head popped like watermelon.  

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

   The carpet and walls were splattered with a black goo, the blood and brain matter of whatever this thing was. 

Huff...Huff...Huff... 

“What the fuck...What the fuck!” 

I couldn’t help but yell while I looked at its headless body. But there was no time to process, more were waiting ahead of me. 

This time, there were three of them. 

“...” 

I took in a deep breath, then exhaled.  

“Alright...What the hell...Bring it on.” I taunted. 

    But this was just an act. False courage. I was hoping to sike myself up but, my chest was full of fear, my legs trembled.  

   The very moment they moved a muscle; I dashed at them. And with on swift swing of the bat, I wacked one of their head clean of the creature in the middle. A trail of black blood following.  

   I repositioned my footing and came around for a rebound swing, this time aimed at the creature to my left. But as I swung, it slashed its claws across my shoulder. My skin and flesh were shredded through, and the burning pain almost immediately set it. But this didn’t stop my attack. 

BMP! BASH! 

Half its skull flew off, and its body slid across the floor. 

I spun around to face the last one standing, but by time I even laid eyes on it, I was already tackled to the ground, the back of my head hitting the floor. My vison blurred and for a second, I was seeing double. 

But I could just barely make out the creature’s jaw opening, prepping to crush my head. I climbed on top of me and bit down with the entire strength of its jaw.  

CLAMP!! 

“Not...like this....” 

The creature caught a taste of my bat, its teeth stabbed into it like nails. Tugging and pulling, it was stuck. and it looked like it couldn’t free its teeth from the bat. So, I quickly took advantage of this. I shoved forward, throwing the creature off. 

Keeping both hands on the bat, I climbed onto and shoved it deeper into the creature mouth. Till i heard a snap, then another. Each and every one of its teeth broke off and fell into the back of its throat. 

I stood up and took a batting stance. A single downward swing, its head exploded. The carpet painted with black. 

The fight was over. As fast as that was, it took a lot out of me. My legs felt like they were about to give, and I just collapsed against the wall, allowing myself to just sit there. 

“...Okay...now I can think about what the hell this is...” 

I blinked. But the moment I opened my eyes; I was met with a blinding light. A light warm and welcoming. As it faded, it became clear that I was not in the same place anymore. 

  I sat in on a warm, fuzzy sofa with a fire play besides me. The snaping and crackling of burning wood. And that woodfire scent.  

There was an empty wine glass on the table in front of me. And just out the corner of my view, I could see a woman’s legs. Legs crossed, wearing a beautiful green dress. And the outline of her body nearly glew with holiness. 

The woman chuckled and glanced over at me. 

“Welcome. That was quite an entrance you made. For just an ordinary person, it’s impressive how you still managed to not lose your face.” 

  I tilted my head, “Just tell me what all of this is. I’m way too high and confused. I’m not even sure if any of this is real at this point...” a sigh fled my mouth. 

“I can assure you, Kuro. This is very real.”  

  She snapped her finger, and instantly, the environment faded, turning into a forest.  Tall pine tree and a cold fresh breeze. Again, she snapped her fingers. And just like that, we were now standing in the middle of a stadium. 

Then once more, she snapper fingers. And suddenly, we were sitting in a modern living room, the tv running in the background. 

 The woman smiled, pearly-white teeth that shine like polished marble.  

“I am a goddess. And I one of the hosts of a show. A show purely for the entertainment of higher beings. We pick 100 different people from alternate worlds and realities, people who have a strong desire for something. In exchange for participating in this game show, you will have your desires/wished fulfilled.” 

She smiled, “Each contestant has 3 lives. When all lives are lost, they are sent back to their world. But don’t worry, you get 1 wish as a parting gift. And the games continue until only one contestant remains. Their prize? They get everything they could ever desire and will live out a good life.” 

   So, in a nutshell, here’s what I understand from this. 

* I have 3 lives like a video game 

* There are 99 others just like me. 

* And only one of us were getting the grand prize. A truly, fulfilled life. 

“...So... just to make sure. How d-” 

“-Do you really want me to prove that?” the goddess interrupted me. As if she had just read my mind.  

“So, you can prove that this isn’t a dream?” I asked. 

“If I must.” 

I thought about it for a second. It almost sounded, scary.  In what way was she about to prove that everything I just went through, was not some weird stoner dream. 

Snap! 

A single snap of her fingers, reality set in. Just a moment ago I was still feeling the high effect of the weed I smoked...but now I felt completely sober...Like I hadn't smoked in days. 

“Ahh...alright...I hate this.” I dropped to the floor, where I rested my back against a wall, “I believe you now...just please...I don’t wanna be sober...” 

  An angelic light flashed form the hand of the goddess, revealing a pre-rolled joint in her palm. 

“Here. Smoke up then we’ll talk.” 

I snatched the joint out her hand and put it between my lips. But that's when I realized! I didn’t have a lighter. Before I asked for one, she snapped her fingers and the end of the joint lit up, bringing smoke to my lungs. Soft and calmness to my muscles, feeling like I weighed as much as a feather. 

Yeahhhh. 

“Much better...” I exhaled with relief, “Anyways. You said you’re a goddess. So, what do I call you?” 

“Unlike you, Kuro. Us goddesses do not have names. We are only known by what we are. For example, I am the goddess of nature.” 

“So, I just refer to you as the goddess of nature then?” 

She smiled, “Normally you would. But this time around, I’m one of the hosts of this show. So, for now, you can just call me Samantha Jules.” 

Funny....just like the name that messaged me earlier.... 

She sat down and crossed her legs, sipping on a warm cup of coffee. 

“See Kuro, I know you to well. In fact, I know all of our contestants too well. Maybe better than they know themselves. They’re all so desperate, in need, or seeking something that they’ve had no luck finding. What better people to use than people like you. You smoke every day, all day to forget the pain. And you live like a robot, working, paying rent, and smoking. That’s your entire life. But your heart craves to be the person you once were. Confident, many friends, and you even found love. But now, people just don’t like you. And it’s as if you’ve been cursed, that no matter who you meet, they’ll always get bored of you in the end. You have so much anger, rage to let out. But you won’t, because you wanna be a good person. Does this sound about right.” 

  There was nothing I could say. And even if there was, she’d know it before I said it.  everything Samatha said was true. It’s a sad life I live. And it’s why my place in these games were set in stone. This was something I had to do. 

 Samantha smacked her hands together. 

“See. You humans will do anything for your truest desires. Poor thing, you just want a happy life. That’s why you’re so full of that fighting spirit. I can sense it in your soul.” 

That’s where she was wrong.  

“I guess that’s one thing you don’t know.” 

“Hm?” 

“I’m not doing this so I can have a happy life afterward. I’m not doing this for my desires of happiness. I’m cursed with bad luck, so there’s no way I’ll win. But it’s like you said, I have a bunch of pent-up rage that I’ve been dying to let out.” 

  By the look on her face, it became clear that she could no longer read me. She wore the sheer look of “What are you getting at?” 

I continued, “So during my time here. I’m going to let loose. On everything.” 

Eyes wide, mouth open. She was stunned to speak. But all of that swiftly turned into a proud grin. Wide and exited. 

She walked over to my side and put her around me. 

“Then you’ll loveeee thissss. Our contestants are allowed, and sometimes even encouraged to eliminate one another. However, if you die to another contestant, you get sent back to your world. Regardless of your lives.” 

Perfect. I wouldn’t have to worry about them coming back for revenge. 

The goddess walked around to the front of me. Her arms crossed, and her head titled.  

I could see my own reflection in her heavenly blue eyes. 

“You are exactly what these games are looking for. We need entertainment. And I might just say, you're the first contestant to have this much potential in a long time.” 

The conversation was cut short as Samantha seemed to have something urgent to attend to. But she did make sure to tell me. 

“This is your room. Where you’ll stay for now till we send you and the other contestants to the first level of the games. You should be waiting no longer than twenty-four hours.” 

“Twenty-four hours?” what was I supposed to do in this room for that long?

“Don’t worry. This is your personal realm, gifted to you during your stay at the games. Just think of your desired room, or even theme park, then snap your fingers. And if you want to make food or objects appear, you do the same thing. Now, have fun.” 

She vanished into a cloud of fog, that slowly faded away. She didn't leave behind so much as a footprint. 

“Let’s see how it works.” I snapped my fingers. 

And in an instant, I was suddenly standing in the middle of a party, neon lights and ear trembling music.  

“No way...” I muttered. 

I snapped my fingers again and watched as one big fat blunt appeared in my hand. 

“Ahah.” 

As a bonus, I made black shades appear on my face because why the hell not. 

The music shaking the room and the neon lights bringing the vibe, I sat back, and I couldn’t help but smile for once. 

“Now this is going to be fun.”