In a dimly lit underground basement, the light flickered for a few moments–then it died completely. Only the thunder from outside filled the silence.
Nine teenagers sat on a wooden table, all wearing black cloaks. Everything gulped in darkness. A girl forward her hand and placed a candle in the center of the table. The flames rose slowly and cut through the darkness. Their shadows stretched to the walls.
Then–
Ahhh…
A scream.
Everyone flinched violently. Chairs scraped. Hearts jumped.
"WHAT THE— do you want us to die, Jenny?!" A red–haired boy snapped, clenching his chest. "I almost died before that illness kills me…"
Jenny smirked. "Relax, Zeck. At least you will die looking at a beautiful face."
Zack glared at her.
"Quite down." said a sharp–eyed girl holding a thick book. "At least don't do it in front of new member."
She turned around the newcomer.
"So introduce yourself."
A boy with brown hair and hazel eyes stood slowly. Hesitation lingering in his posture.
A girl slightly older than the others spoke to him gently. "It's fine, just say whatever you want."
He swallowed. "Hello everyone… I am Roy. Seventeen." he paused. "And I have Huntington's disease."
The room doesn't react strongly.
It was normal here.
Jenny leaned back. "Why was he so scared to say that? Should I pity him?"
She waved her hand casually.
"Everyone here is dying anyway. Look."
She pointed around the table.
"Zeck—bone cancer."
Zeck clicked his tongue.
"That girl—ALS."
Miraa didn't react.
"That one—cystic fibrosis."
A weak boy barely lifted his head.
"She—brain tumor."
A younger girl blinked slowly.
"And him—liver failure."
The boy beside her groaned in sleep.
"Wake up, bastard."
He jolted up. "Is it starting?"
Jenny raised his fist as if to hit him, but Miraa stopped him.
"Enough…" Miraa said calmly. "He had brain cancer too…"
Jenny clicked her tongue.
"And me?" she pointed at herself. "Amnesia. Or whatever you want to call it."
All eyes slowly shifted to the girl with the book. Ninna.
"The 'throne lady' has blood cancer," Jenny added quickly, then turned away as if pretending to cry.
Ninna's expression darkened. "…Did you finish?" she asked.
Jenny froze. "Yes, my lady."
Ninna's eyes narrowed. "Sit down before one of us dies."
Jenny immediately straightened up. "Yes–NInna dii."
Ninna exhaled slowly, then looked at the group.
"I hope the warden doesn't come here."
Her gaze stopped on Roy.
"Everyone's glass has filled. Juice for younger ones. Wherever we can manage for the rest."
A pause. "Welcome Roy in the club."
Cheers…