Mind Games (FIRST DRAFT)
Chapter 6

Mason had won, which meant Florence would have to deal with a punishment, and a win was finally put down for ’Red Light, Green Light.” After the burn treatment, Mei cradled her left, bandaged hand and tried to read an old book she had found hidden in her blankets.

It was called “The Mermaid Queen” and showed a character similar to Mother, but more happy, and friendly looking. Not scary. She had large brown eyes, a pink seashell bra, and a lavender tail. She opened the book and read the rhythmic poetry.

Once, there was a girl in the sea

Her name was Maria, and she was looking

For her son, because long ago

He traveled into the sea below

-

She used to live above the ocean

Her husband left her without any notion

She walked with her son along the seaside

Her son was swallowed by the tide

-

It was not an accident nor on purpose

But she pushed him roughly under the currents

She dove in to try and save him

But lost were both lives all the same

-

Now they say that she’s a demon

Looking for her son and feeding

On those who don’t have a soul like his

Which is the soul of a kids

-

She chose a child called “The Memory Keeper”

They hold memories while kids play with her

To find her son she must play games

The duration of fun has made her go insane

-

Playing tag and hide-and-go seek

The Quiet Game; don’t make a peep!

Red Light Green Light, go and stop

And Hot Potata (drop it like it’s hot)

-

The thing to keep the mermaid away

Is wildeberries, they cause her pain

So keep this info in your head

Cuz she only kills once you go to bed.

…

The book ended here, but Mei’s questions didn’t. Had Ray seen the book? Is that why they knew about the wildeberries? And what’s it with this “son”? How’d he die so quickly? And where is he now?

Mei’s mind wandered, but as she tried to figure out the puzzle, Mike came in. “Bathtime, Mei.” Mei looked up at him, confused. She hadn’t had a bath since she got to Mother’s house, and wasn’t expecting on the ability to have one. She got up and followed Mike to two doors.

“Left one’s the girls, Right one’s the boys.” Mei nodded to Mike’s information. She walked into the bath and chose a shower. She stripped, then began to wash herself. As she showered, she thought of her new friends and the book. She had zoned out until…

“O-OH GOSH- I- i’m so sorry I thought you were in the other shower.” Mei turned quickly enough to see Florence’s dark face, her eyelids low.

“Its alright-“ Mei said. Her muscles relaxed under the hot water, and once she had finished shower she took a graying towel that hung outside the bath, wrapping it around herself. Her wet feet slapped across the bathroom floor, the steam from Florence’s shower making her face wet. She grabbed an extra towel from a shelf and wrapped it around her hair. She didn’t remember how nice clean hair felt.

“Hey Mei, mind passing me that blue towel?” asked Florence, her soaked arm sticking out the curtain. She pointed to a baby blue towel, which was a bit frayed at the edges. Mei grabbed it and passed it to Florence, who in turn thanked her.

As Mei walked toward a changing room with a provided outfit from Mother (The same outfit she had worn getting to Mother’s, which was… some time ago, probably) she thought of Florence. Earlier she had learned that Florence played basketball, and her teammates had called her “Furious Flo”. She reminisced at this, smiling to herself. Maybe, Florence (or Flo) had said, once we escape Mother, she could show Mei some moves. “Its a date.” Mei said, smiling. Maybe Mike could wait.

…

“Children!” Mother said, the clap in her voice instead of her hands. Her palms held the “Birthday Boy”, which in fact was an oddly large rock, found at the pond in front of the Mansion. Mei looked at Ray, then turned away.

…

“I got it for her, yeah.” Ray told her the night before. They had been going on nightly strolls, up and down the halls. “It would give her something to replace- something.” They looked down, then back up again.

“How long have we being doing this?” Mei asked. Ray looked up, confused. Unfortunately, they can’t act to save their ass.

“I’ve been here for two years. You, around 3 months.” Ray said, contemplating. “Every month feels like a day. So it feels like you’ve been here for only 3 days-,”

“But I’ve been here longer.” Mei interjected. She wondered how her mother was doing. Her real mother, not the satanic beast she had been living with.

After an awkward silence, Mei asked, “Do you remember my parents?” Ray took a moment, then nodded, eyes on his hands, which were fumbling with each other.

With that she turned, going back to the room.

…

Mother gave out party favors, played music (which was the same song she had played at Musical Chairs and Hot Potato), and made cake. The cake was red and had an apple-like taste. They had to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the rock (Named Trevor) and after that, they went inside.

“Tomorrow, we will play a teamwork game! Trevor looks forward to seeing the losing team, my dears~” Mother trilled.

And with that, Ray’s face dropped. They had now an idea on what harm Trevor could do.

End of Chapter Six.

Word Count: 966

Character Count: 6

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