Chapter One: The Invitation
The first time I saw the message, I ignored it. I was lying on my bed staring at my bank account, trying to figure out how I was going to survive the rest of the month. I had $47 left, my rent was due in eleven days and my fridge was basically empty. My phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number: Congratulations. You’ve been selected. I stared at the message for a few seconds before typing, “Selected for what?” The reply came almost immediately. You have been invited to play The Game. I almost blocked the number. Then another message came through. Complete today’s task and receive $100.
That got my attention.
There was a link underneath it. I clicked it and a black screen opened. There was no logo, no company name, nothing that made it look legitimate. Just a question in the middle of the screen.
DO YOU WANT TO PLAY?
There were two buttons underneath.
YES
NO
I should have pressed no. Instead, I pressed yes. The screen changed.
Welcome. You have 30 days. One task every day. Complete the task and get paid. Miss a task and you’re out. Do not tell anyone about The Game. I laughed quietly. “Okay, what kind of nonsense is this?”
Another message appeared.
TASK ONE
Go to Bell Street Coffee at 7:30 p.m. Sit at table 17. A woman wearing a red coat will arrive at 7:45. She will give you an envelope. Take it. Do not open it. Payment: $100.
I checked the time. 7:02 p.m.
I looked back at my bank balance.
$47.
“Fine,” I said to myself, already getting off the bed. It was probably some stupid internet scam, but if somebody was willing to pay me $100 to sit in a coffee shop and take an envelope, I wasn’t going to complain.
I grabbed my jacket and left.
At the time, I honestly thought the worst thing that could happen was losing an hour of my evening.
I had no idea what I was walking into.
