Outside the hospital, my phone buzzed again.
This time it wasn't a message.
It was a video.
My hands trembled as I pressed play.
The screen showed a dark room.
Daniel tied to a chair.
Bruised.
Alive.
Then Victor stepped into view.
My heart pounded.
He looked directly at the camera.
"At last," he said calmly.
Then he smiled slightly.
"You're paying attention."
My throat felt dry.
"What do you want?" I whispered at the screen.
Victor answered like he could hear me.
"The truth."
He leaned closer to the camera.
"Meet me tomorrow."
The video ended suddenly.
Another message appeared.
"Come alone."
And just like that…
The game became something far more dangerous.