more than just a game

This was not what I had expected.

I woke up, thinking it was just going to be another normal day. You know, going to school, hanging out with friends, suffering from an overload of homework, and back under the covers to fall under the glissful spell of sleep and to start a new day with the same line of events.

Nope, not today, said the universe.

I racked my brain to figure out a reason as to why it was like this. What happened yesterday? Were there any paranormal clues over the past days, weeks, months, years, that lead up to this event? Did anyone mention any psychic (and probably fake) events that would be happening today? No answers came to mind, so I decided to ask my friends about it. As a part of my daily routine, I reached out to my side table to check my emails, texts, and social media. There wasn’t anything eventful much in the first two, just someone who texted me really early in the morning about the science presentation next week. But oh, word had definitely spread about today’s matter. My DMs had exploded, group and private messages asking everyone what had happened. Posts depicting suspicious damages to rooms. I tried to sit up still, avoiding rustling the blankets to try and hear for my mom or stepsister. Nothing. My stepsister and I had never quite gotten well together, but I texted her anyways, and Mum. jade, mum, what happened?? r u guys ok?

I immediately got a response back from Jade. Not surprised; I’m fairly certain her phone is superglued or molded to her hands or something. But at least she’s alive. ya, im in my room, tho its different than usual. u?

Glad to hear she’s okay, I responded back. in my room 2. have u seen mum?

My heart started racing, wanting to see if my mum was okay. I was actually considering to jump off the safety of my bed to search the house for her when I heard my phone alert me of a new message. It was from Mum. I’m here in my room. Are you two safe? Don’t leave your beds or chairs, wherever you are. Stay on that piece of furniture. Open up the news because they’re telling you what you can do.

Phew. Everyone here was safe.

y do i have to open it myself?? y cant u just tell me

Classic Jade. My mum didn’t reply, but I could imagine her glaring at either her phone or the general direction to her closed room door.

I followed Mum’s instructions, closing out of my messages and opening the app that connects to my other devices. I still haven’t learned the name for it, although I use it many times a day. I selected my TV, and my phone’s screen switched to reflect a remote. I toggled the channel to Channel 5, the local news program, which also often showed global news that has become more common recently.

“Scientists have said that there have been no sign of anything like this happening before,” a female reporter announced, straightening her back and scrolling down a bit on her computer. “There had also been no recent science experiments that could have caused this phenomenon.”

There was a male reporter sitting to her left, nodding in agreement. “Yes. It’s been affecting us since, when was it, Meredith? Oh right, exactly when clocks struck midnight this morning. Suspicious, right? Maybe it has something to do with the date? August sixteenth, two thousand thirty nine, twelve o’clock.”

“That’s eight, sixteen, two, zero, three, nine, twelve. They just seem to be random numbers to me. What about everyone watching? Message us on our pages and tell us what you think!”

“And that concludes today’s program! Stay tuned for any alerts that will be sent.”

The female reporter, Meredith, jumped in before the cameras could end the show. “Before we end it though, we’d like to give some words of advice. We all know that this phenomenon hasn’t happened in the history of Port Emgle, but we hope the number of deaths, which is gladly zero, remains the same. We have some safety precautions that we’d like you to take as you make your way about your day. We recommend that you don’t leave the piece of furniture you are standing on, and if you really need to, try jumping around on other furnitures.”

“That’s right!” the male reporter chimed in. “It does remind me of a game that I’ve read about in history books for kids, but I can’t quite place the name,” he paused, resting his chin on his hand as he pondered. “Anyways,” he continued, lifting his head again. “We don’t know what happens if you do end up touching the floor, but we advise you not.”

Someone from off screen muttered something inaudible. “That finally concludes this broadcast! Stay tuned for any upcoming news, and stay safe!” Meredith finalised, before the commercials started pouring in.

I woke up my phone and turned off the television. I was obviously younger than the reporters, and he mentioned that it might be from a game from a while ago. He didn’t mention how long ago, but I racked my brain for any ideas of the game. We couldn’t touch the floor; we could only walk on other furniture items. Like he said, that really sounded familiar. But what was it?

I opened my messages back up to the group chat with my stepsister and mother, asking them about the game. I felt like Jade might know, since she’s always on her phone, and that might reveal the answer.

jaaaaaaaaaaade
do u know what the game the reporter was just talking abt??
it’s like this game where u cant touch the ground and u can only touch furniture and stuff

I didn’t check to see if Jade responded, because as I was typing it, I got the answer.

The floor is lava.