“To Elias,” it began. His heart skipped. “The file you downloaded isn't a game. It’s a backup. You’ve deleted yourself three times this week. Stop looking for the monster. The monster is the one holding the mouse.”
The flickering fluorescent lights of the internet café hummed in sync with the throbbing in Elias’s temples. On the screen, a cursor hovered over a cryptic link: AMNESIA Download PC Game
The "Game Over" text didn't appear on the screen. It whispered in his ear. “To Elias,” it began
He didn't remember how he’d found the site. His browsing history was a blank slate, much like the last three hours of his life. He clicked. It’s a backup
A note sat on a wooden table in the game. He clicked to read it.
He moved the mouse. The character’s hand reached out to touch a rusted door handle. As the metal creaked on screen, Elias felt a cold, physical chill graze his own palm. He tried to let go of the mouse, but his fingers were locked tight.