Dare to Fear? [Chapter 1: The Dare]

“Fear, it is very subjective. Something constantly aroused by the human dread of the unknown and unknowable. But why fear the unknown? Isn’t it the fear that makes it so dreadful? What if the unknown is everything you have ever feared? Would you give in or conquer it?

10 Years ago, an unfortunate incident took place in Wetwood at Mr Mikaelson’s villa. He was fifty-two when he was found dead in the master bedroom. Since then, many have purchased the villa and had to resell it within a few days. The cycle of purchasing and reselling continued for the next 3 years since Mr Mikaelson’s death. Every time the customers were asked about the mysterious incidents, they all gave unique descriptions. And each of these descriptions was farfetched from the known land of possibility. But no one with a sane mind dared to explore the unknown realm. However, sanity for children has a very different form. The known is boring to them and unknown is driving.

All the theories were proved to be just the tip of the iceberg when 6 years after the incident a team of six high-schoolers did what all feared to do. It was just a silly dare that led them to their fears. These six were best of friends but were very contrasting to each other.

Sebastian is the integrator of this group. He is the string that holds everyone together. Emma is the charm of the group and her long brunette hair with hazel eyes adds to this tag. She is a sweet girl who is caring and kind to every living being. Arsen is the trouble-seeker of the group, even though he is a soft-hearted guy, he never drops his tough act. He is gifted with the ability to attract trouble, and he believes that he could take on anything and everything. Then comes the brain of the group, Charles. Charles is extremely knowledgeable and had a knack for learning everything.  He is the living version of an encyclopedia and could always be relied upon for solving the maze. Boult is the muscle of the group. He is loved as well as feared by all in the school. He is a confident boy who has excellent athletic skills and a big heart for his peers. And the last member of the group was their most favourite Fabio. Fabio is the heart of the group. He is a short and lean boy who lives with a foster family and hence is the dearest to his friends. He is the sweetest guy one could encounter. Often bullies try to take advantage of the fact that he is extremely feeble, but thanks to Boult, they could never get away with it.

Every group has a goal, and theirs was to take on a dare every summer vacation. But their summer vacation of 2006 differed greatly from usual because this time the dare wasn’t planned upon.”

YEAR 2006; TWO DAYS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF SUMMER VACATION

Arsen has just finished his football practice and is heading to the boys’ locker-room when a bunch of bullies enters his way.

ARSEN: Hey dude, watch out. (Tries to pass by)

SAM: (Thumps Arsen by his shoulder) What would you do, huh? Beat us? (The boys laugh to mock Arsen)

ARSEN: Don’t mess with me Sam, I’m not really best at keeping my patience. (Clenches his fist)

BOY 2: Aww… little puppy is getting angry. Go call your daddy kid to save your ass.

Arsen being the impulsive person he is, places a punch on his face; four against one, not a great situation to be in.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group is enjoying their burger in the cafeteria while deciding upon what dare to take up this summer, just when Derek enters hastily, out of breath.

DEREK: Hey guys! Arsen ran into a fight with Sam. Hurry to the playground!

BOULT: Ugh not again!

SEBASTIAN: Let’s hurry guys!

Just when Sam was about to punch Arsen in his stomach, he felt a firm grip on his shoulder. He turns back and sees Boult standing right behind him with clenched jaws and furrowed brows. He instantly knew that he messed it up.

SAM: Hey bro, chill. It’s just a misund...

Just as Sam was about to complete his sentence, he was served with a heavy blow that made him drop to the floor.

BOULT: Are you alright? How do you manage to create a mess every time you are on your own? (Frowns at Arsen)

ARSEN: Yeah, whatever… (Gasping to take a breath)

Arsen shrugged off the dirt from his shirt and picked up his bag from the ground, getting ready to leave. As the six turn around to leave, Sam chuckles and throws them into the deep end by challenging them with a dare.

SAM: What do you guys think of yourself, eh? That you can take on anything? That you can’t be defeated? (He wipes off the blood from the corner of his lips)

BOULT: Wasn’t the thrash enough for you to keep your mouth shut?

SAM: You are really strong, aren’t you Boult? You are afraid of nothing and no one. So I dare you all to go to Mr Mikaelson’s abandoned villa and spend a night there. You guys are not afraid, are you?

SEBASTIAN: We need not prove anything to you, Sam. It would be better if you mind your own business.

Fabio stood there freaking out as the thought of it crossed his mind. Emma held his hand and nodded to him in reassurance.

ARSEN: We are not afraid you losers! (He shouted at Sam with overconfidence) It’s no big deal.

Emma widens her eyes at Arsen suggesting he better keeps his mouth shut. And Fabio’s legs were becoming weak because he knew what was about to happen.

CHARLES: (whispers to Arsen) Dude shut up! Just drop it.

ARSEN: This is going to be our dare for this vacation. We are not afraid of anything, are we guys? (looks at the other five for response)

There was silence around Arsen. Only disappointed faces surrounded him. He messed it up bad this time.

SAM: Very well, so our famous six are going to be doing the impossible. (He says with a smirk) But we want proof. You must give us sufficient evidence to believe you guys, if you even go there.

ARSEN: Will do. Leave it on us.

THE NEXT DAY AT GAME CHESTER

Game Chester is the most famous game parlour in Wetwood and moreover it is their most favourite spot. Every evening they come here, play for an hour, eat a double cheese sandwich and fries before heading back.

SEBASTIAN: So what are we going to do about this dare?

FABIO: Guys I can’t. You know I’m afraid of ghosts.

ARSEN: Is there anything you are not afraid of? And there are no ghosts, it’s all just a crap to scare people off.

EMMA: You don’t get to mock him Arsen when you are the one who got us into trouble.

ARSEN: Correction! Boult is the one who got us into it. If it wasn’t for the punch…

BOULT: (Interrupts Arsen) Then you would’ve been lying flat on your face.

SEBASTIAN: Guys! Stop blaming each other. We need to come up with a plan. Before going there, we need to know what we are getting ourselves into.

CHARLES: Seb is right. We should start researching about the place and the previous incidents that took place. Let’s go to my house and get to work.

The rest five nod in approval. After an hour or two, they have all the articles regarding the mysterious incidents lying in front of them. They are definitely not in a good shape after seeing them, but a tiny part of them is intrigued as well. But Fabio is in complete denial. However, they somehow talk him through it.

SEBASTIAN: 31st August 2001, Mr Mikaelson found dead in his bedroom at 9:00 a.m. Post Mortem report reveals that he had a cardiac arrest. However, he did not have any history of heart illness, which was brought to light by a month old ECG report.

EMMA: 14th February 2002, one month after the Smith couple moved into Mikaelson villa with their 13 year old son, they reported strange happenings to the police and the house was put on sale once again.

ARSEN: 12th June 2002, a newlywed couple move into the villa but were forced to escape it in the middle of the night. On being interrogated, they reported the presence of a strange animal in the villa. The couple claimed to have severe injuries when they were within the house, but as soon as they reached the police station, the wounds seemed to have vanished.

CHARLES: 13th October 2002, an American bought the villa to turn it into a guesthouse, and started renovating it soon after. Given the uncanny history of the villa, he decided to spend a night himself before opening it to the customers. His fate was no different than the previous buyers. The next morning, the villa was massacred, and he was nowhere to be found.

BOULT: 15th January 2003, the police department declares Mikaelson villa as an archaeological site and hence now it is the government’s property.

FABIO: (Takes a step back and gulps) Is this the same place we are supposed to go? Are you sure guys that this isn’t some other Mikaelson?

ARSEN: (Looking at the articles) How many Mikaelsons have died in a villa in Wetwood Fabio?

SEBASTIAN: Shut up, Arsen! Don’t forget that its you who have drawn us into this mess. We are playing with fire here.

ARSEN: Hey its not just me at fault okay? I couldn’t stand us to lose our pride.

BOULT: Our pride? (Chuckles) More like your pride.

FABIO: Can’t we just bail out on this?

EMMA: There’s no turning back now, Fabio. We’ll be alright. (Keeps her hand on Fabio’s shoulder)

CHARLES: So meet you guys outside Mikaelson’s tomorrow at 5?

FABIO: Tomorrow? A night is all you guys need to get ready for this shit? Don’t make it sound like Game Chester.

SEBASTIAN: I think Fabio has a point. We should not walk into it with no backup and resources. Let’s go to the mart tomorrow to collect a few essentials that we might need on the go.

EMMA: I’ll make the list.

ARSEN: Great! Things are sorted then. I’m super excited about it. (Makes an enthusiastic face)

The others roll their eyes in contrast to his ecstasy. The next morning, they go to the city mart and collect all the things mentioned in the list made by Emma. Emma went heavy with her list, considering just a trillion possibilities. We could only blame a girl’s instincts.

THE NEXT DAY IN FRONT OF MIKAELSON’S VILLA

ARSEN: (Chuckles) Whoa! (Rubs his palm against each other) This is going to be a hell of a night.

FABIO: (With a shaky voice) The vibe is really creepy though, can we take a U-turn?

BOULT: The villa is too elegant to be haunted.

EMMA: Anybody having any second thoughts?

All nod their heads in denial except Fabio.

SEBASTIAN: Let’s head in then. We all have our flashlights on us, right?

FABIO: I don’t.

CHARLES: Yours is with me. Here, take it mate (extends the flashlight to Fabio).

ARSEN: Here goes nothing.

The six take in a deep breath and advance into the premises. They stop in front of the door and wait for one of them to step ahead and open it. Boult is the one to take that step. He looks at Seb for an affirmation and as soon as he gives the nod of approval, Boult gives a strong push to the door. The door opens pretty smoothly with a dark hollowness waiting inside. The six gather every ounce of courage in them and enter the villa.

SEBASTIAN: Guys… (turns his head to the side to find his companions)

EVERYBODY: (Together) What the hell! Why can’t I see you guys?

FABIO: I knew this would be bad! I knew it! We are invisible to each other! We are going to die!

The door closes behind them with a thunderous sound.

To be continued...