Hunger Pains

Indie (Beyond Reality - present)

We decided that the best option is to avoid any form of consumption for now. While it isn’t clear what kind of sick spell or supernatural power is at play, it is clear we don’t know to what extent the rules apply - nor the final consequences. We didn't want to take any chances.

It is hard to know how much time goes by but every second feels longer than the last. I feel my resolve weakening and my mind grows hazier. I conclude this in large part due to the dehydration and serious hunger pains. Group morale takes a significant hit as we continuously reset the day anytime someone gives in and consumes something. We’ve restarted at least fourteen times now. It’s exhausting to say the least.

“There has got to be something we’re missing here,” Lee says, after our most recent restart, fuming at his fresh new scar. “I mean seriously. We’re just withering away here.”

“It should be obvious,” Rêve says. “Why nothing is happening." Lee gives him a look but Rêve is seemingly unbothered. "We need to solve the riddle," Rêve continues. "It’s not simply a command to follow.”

"Don't be ridiculous," Sean says. "That's stupid."

"What's stupid is that you didn't come up with it before, Sean," Rêve says. 

"Alright Mr. Know-It-All," Sean says. "Then what have you come up with for figuring out the riddle?"

Sean shoves Rêve and Rêve is about to reciprocate when Scalene stops them.

"Cut it out," Scalene says, standing in between the two of them. "Rêve is probably on to something. One of the rules said we have to solve the riddle."

“Oh not that again,” Sean says.

“Didn’t it also say we have to reveal someone who betrayed the group?” I say.

“Something like that.”

Scalene pulls out the yellow note from her pocket and points to a picture on the other side. My heart skips a beat. 

“That’s the bakery,” I say. “I own that bakery.”

It’s faint but I can picture my days working and managing this bakery. I recall the many days cleaning, baking, and providing customer support and so much more eventually transitioning into a manager role.

“What the-“ Rêve says, snatching the note from Scalene. “Why didn’t you show this to us before?”

“I-I didn’t think it was important?”

Rêve gives Scalene a death glare and Scalene does her best to pretend she’s unbothered.

“What do you think this means exactly?” I say.

We all ponder this but nobody seems to know exactly what to say. 

“It’s probably a clue,” Rêve says. “Maybe if we go there we’ll start to get some answers of what exactly is going on.”

We travel as a group to the bakery. Luckily the memory of how to get there came back to me to as I guide us down walking paths in the middle of the city. It’s eerily quiet as I notice that there are no signs of people around. Street lights are functioning as normal and common city animals are simply going about their days like nothing is wrong. I wonder what has happened to the civilians. 

I gaze at the quaint looking store on main street in a prime foot traffic location. The mere sight of it plagues my amnesia with familiarity. The decor inspired by gold fleck patterns on the walls and chairs, white-coloured furnishings filling the interior, and the overall cute cafe vibe. The aroma of fresh bread hits my senses and I get lost in the query of what recipe is used. I can picture each ingredient as memories of sifting, mixing, and kneading come to mind. This only makes the ordeal of not eating even harder.

“I think I use to spend many days and afternoons here,” Ilya says, smiling. “It feels so familiar.”

Rêve makes his way to the second table that is in the line against the windows and smirks. He picks up one of the chair cushions.

"It's definitely a place we've been to before," Rêve says.

"What makes you say that?" Ilya asks.

"The coffee stain I left after one visit is still here." I see the stain on the bottom side of the cushion. I'm visibly annoyed as I know it was placed like that to sneakily hide it from me.

"Hey," I say, smacking Rêve's shoulder. "How am I only finding out about this now?”

Rêve grins bigger and I shoot him another annoyed look.

“Whatever, it's not important," I say. "So what do we do now that we're here?" 

“Look for clues to solve the riddle,” Scalene says.

Everyone who eats are punished. Two eat to conceal truths.

Well it’s safe to say that the first half of the riddle applies to what we have already been experiencing. The second half is a mystery still.

I walk over to the tables that are set out for customers. Pan wanders from table to table, inspecting the cups and plates by turning them over. He has a curious look on his face.

“What?” He says, making eye-contact with me. 

“Nothing,” I say. “Just not too sure if dishware will help solve the riddle.”

“Apologies but last time I checked you also have no idea what the hell we’re looking for either.”

“True.”

I search the tables with Pan and turn over the cutlery carefully searching for any clues. I admire the beauty of the set up but nothing of note seems to appear. 

I make my way over to the front counter. There’s a register, some binders, and a notepad. I pick up the largest binder that is labelled "Cakes" and skim through it. Many of the designs are quite exquisite and the recipe contains very detailed step-by-step instructions. Whoever created this book seems to have been very thorough. 

I put the binder back and pick up the notepad which has a full customer order list. I flip through the pages and get lost in the numerous pastry requests - most of which were only for this week. I'm slightly surprised that this business I supposedly own is quite successful. 

Ilya walks to my side.

“Find anything interesting?” Ilya says.

“Not really.”

My eyes fixate on an order number that’s circled in red ink. Beside it are the words “wedding” and three gold stars. The order is for a three-tier cake and I see a list of details scribbled down hastily, followed by a pickup name and date. I freeze.

"Everyone," I say. "Look at this."

The eight of us crowd around the front counter. I feel Ilya's breath on my neck and take a step away. 

"Look, Pan is the pick-up contact for this wedding cake order."

"What?" Lee says. "Pan are you getting married?"

"Uh- I don't remember," Pan says. "Maybe?"

"It just says he's the pick-up person," Sean says. "That doesn't necessarily make him the one actually getting married."

"I guess that's true," I say. "But I feel like this might be one of the things we're meant to find. It's literally has one of our names and lists a food item."

"But what does that have to do with punishment?" Scalene says.

"Maybe he was punished by having to pick up this cake order?"

Scalene sighs.

"That seems a little odd don't you think?"

"Maybe he was being punished by having to attend a wedding he really didn't want to attend," Lee says. "Maybe his ex-lover's."

"What?" Pan says. "Don't go making up stories now."

"No, that's not it," Ilya says. “I know what this is.”

“What do you mean?” I say but Ilya has already left my side.

Ilya takes the order list and makes his way to the back room. We all follow suite. Ilya stands in the back room for a moment before turning back to us.

“I know the answer to the riddle,” Ilya says.