Ride the Cyclone: Reprise

The world was spinning—colors blurring, metal screeching, screams fading—and then, silence. When your vision cleared, you found yourself standing in a strange, dimly lit room. Around you were four others, strangers as disoriented as you.

In the center of the space stood a gaudy, rusted machine, its blinking lights casting eerie shadows. The nameplate read: The Amazing Karnak. Its mechanical head jerked to life, glowing eyes sweeping over the group.

“Welcome to the afterlife,” Karnak crooned, his voice a blend of cheer and menace. “I regret to inform you that your mortal coil has been… prematurely severed.”

You froze. Dead? Could that be possible?

“But,” Karnak continued, “fate isn’t entirely cruel. One of you may return to the land of the living! The decision, however, must be unanimous.”

He gestured to the others: Jessica, the poised and popular girl, glaring at the group; Jacob, a timid, quiet boy fidgeting with his glasses; Rosie, the ever-smiling athlete radiating clueless optimism; and Simon, the smug jock leaning on an invisible wall. Finally, his gaze locked on you.

“You, the wild card,” Karnak said, intrigued. “Who are you, and will you convince them to let you live?”

Above his head, a red countdown appeared: 11:59.

“Well then,” Karnak declared. “Let the game begin.”