Athena had settled into a routine, blending seamlessly into the mundane life of an ordinary person.
She lived in quiet luxury, dividing her time between her secret villa in the suburbs and a modern apartment in the city center.
The villa was secluded, hidden from prying eyes, with high-tech security that she had no memory of installing.
It was a place that felt both foreign and familiar, a contradiction that often left her uneasy.
The apartment, on the other hand, was a comfortable place where she could observe city life and feel like she belonged among the crowd.
Despite her wealth, she had no recollection of how she had amassed such a fortune.
Her bank accounts were overflowing, enough that she never had to work again, yet no record of a past job existed.
Every attempt to trace her transactions led to dead ends. It was as if someone had deliberately erased her history.
Instead of dwelling on it, she found a peculiar passion, writing.
She became a horror novelist under a pseudonym, weaving tales of the unknown, the supernatural, and the eerie feeling of déjà vu.
Her books gained traction online, drawing a cult following, though she never revealed her true identity.
The stories came to her naturally, as if she were simply remembering them rather than creating them.
Still, there were odd moments in her daily life. Like the time she caught a glass before it hit the ground, moving faster than she should have.
Or when she leaped over a two-meter-high fence to retrieve her fallen hat without breaking a sweat. Or the way she could run for miles without feeling tired.
It was unsettling. There was no logical explanation for her abilities, and every time she tried to think about them, her head ached.
It was as if something in her mind actively rejected the idea of digging deeper. Then, one afternoon, everything changed.
Athena was sitting in a quiet café in the city, sipping her coffee while reading through the latest horror forums.
The scent of roasted beans and cinnamon filled the air, a pleasant backdrop to her thoughts. That was when a woman sat across from her without invitation.
Athena looked up, startled. The woman had sharp eyes, dressed in a crisp black suit, exuding an air of authority.
"Athena."
Her voice was firm, leaving no room for refusal. Athena’s grip on her cup tightened. How does she know my name?
She was careful about her identity, always moving, never using her real name in public.
"Do I know you?" Athena asked, keeping her expression neutral.
The woman leaned forward, sliding a sleek business card across the table. Agent Divina. No last name, no organization, just the title.
"I’d like to invite you to a variety show," Agent Divina said, watching Athena closely.
Athena frowned. A variety show? That was the last thing she expected.
Divina continued, "It’s an exclusive survival-themed program, filmed on a wild island. A real test of intelligence and endurance."
Athena almost laughed. "I’m a novelist. Why would I join a survival show?"
Something flickered in Divina’s gaze. "Because I believe you’ll find it... interesting."
Athena had no reason to agree. Yet, something in her stirred. A thrill, a longing.
The thought of stepping into a dangerous environment, testing her skills, seeing what she was truly capable of, it excited her.
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For reasons she couldn’t explain. Before she could think twice, she found herself asking, "When does it start?"
Agent Divina’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "Tomorrow."
The next day, Athena found herself on a private jet.
The other participants were already gathered, a mix of celebrities, survival experts, and a few unknown figures like herself.
The air buzzed with excitement, cameras already rolling as they introduced themselves. Athena kept a low profile, observing the others.
A famous actor. A professional athlete. A social media influencer. All eager to prove their worth. But something felt off.
She could feel eyes on her. Not just from the cameras, but from somewhere else. As if she was being watched more closely than the others.
The plane landed on a remote island, surrounded by endless blue waters and dense jungles. The contestants were divided into groups and given minimal supplies.
The challenge? Survive for two weeks.
It was supposed to be entertainment. A game.
But Athena couldn’t shake the feeling that for her…
It was something else entirely.
The first night was uneventful. Athena’s group built a makeshift shelter near a river, relying on their strongest members to take the lead.
She played along, pretending to struggle like a normal person. She hesitated when handling a knife, moved cautiously when gathering supplies, deliberately held back in every action.
Yet, as the days passed, her instincts screamed. She could navigate the jungle too easily. She could hear too well.
She could sense danger before it came. And then, on the fourth night, it happened.
A violent storm swept across the island, forcing the participants to take cover. The cameras were disabled due to the intense rain, leaving the crew scrambling to fix them.
And that was when Athena saw it.
A shadow, lurking just beyond the trees.
Something… or someone was watching them.
She turned to warn the others, but when she looked back...
The shadow was gone.
Her heart pounded. What the hell was going on?
She had joined this show out of curiosity, but now…
Now, she felt like she had walked into a trap. One meant specifically for her. And deep inside, something long buried within her whispered.
This isn’t just a show.
This is a test.
Athena’s pulse quickened as she scanned the dark jungle, the storm raging around her.
The others were too busy securing their shelter to notice the shadow that had vanished into the trees.
A test.
The thought wouldn’t leave her mind. It wasn’t paranoia, she knew when she was being hunted.
Lightning flashed, illuminating the dense foliage, and for a split second, she saw a figure watching her.
A chill ran down her spine. Whoever they were, they weren’t part of the show. She took a slow breath. If they wanted to play, she would make sure they regretted it.