Playing Nice | Episode 3
Episode 3: Be Careful
Playing Nice is a short serial fiction series.
Logline: After being snowed in during a birthday party, devastating secrets cause the relationships of lifelong friends to unravel.
Trigger warning: alcohol abuse
Episode 2 Recap
Mahogany looked over at Cherish. Her face was flat — emotionless. “So, I’m stuck in a house with a bunch of two-faced snakes…huh?”
She smiled. “Well — since you guys have been playing me it’s only right I get to play too. We’re going to have some fun tonight. Don’t you worry.” Cherish twirled around and walked back to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Episode 3: Be Careful
11:30 PM
“Scoot over, snitch.” Mahogany sat down next to Ahmad and leaned back into the couch, staring at the jeweled chandelier on the ceiling. “Damn, I can’t believe this.”
“I can.” Marcus chuckled. The whole group turned to look at him.
“Of course you can. You’re the reason we’re in this messed up situation.” Mahogany said, “I never knew what she saw in you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
She sat up and moved forward in her chair, “What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve been Cherish’s friend for over a decade. You’ve only been around for what…a year? Your opinion doesn’t mean anything to me.”
Outside, the wind howled like a coyote. Mahogany looked out a nearby window and saw that the snowstorm was picking up speed.
“If you and Cherish are such good friends, then why is this the first time I’ve met you in person? When you went to college, you forgot about her.” Marcus said.
“You’re talking a lot of BS for someone who has the self-control of a toddler.”
“Okay, yes, I cheated on her. Everyone in this room knows that. But, I’ve always been there for her. I was in the front row of her fashion shows. I was there when her parents got divorced. Me!” Marcus beat his chest, “So, you can miss me with that ‘I’m the worst person in the world’ bullshit. I was burnt out. I needed an outlet.”
“An outlet?” Raven whimpered, “Like filling out an adult c-c-coloring book?” She reached out to grab a Solo cup sitting on the coffee table in front of her.
“Oh no, no, no…you’ve had enough.” Will took the cup from the table and walked over to the kitchen to pour it into the kitchen sink.
“Being there for her is your job. You’re her boyfriend. I’m not going to apologize for leaving this godforsaken town and living my life. You can’t pin this on me, Marcus. I’m not going to let you do that to me!”
Suddenly, all the lights went out. Most of the group let out surprised gasps. Raven screamed.
“Hey — guys…” Mahogany sat down next to Raven and put her arm around her, “We’ve all got cell phones, right? Don’t they have flashlights?”
The faces of everyone in the group were revealed one by one as each person turned their phone’s flashlight on.
“Well, since you and Cherish are so tight.” Mahogany looked to Marcus, “You must know this place like the back of your ashy-ass hand. How do we turn the lights back on?”
“I know where to go.” Marcus got up.
“Going alone is a bad idea. Take your friend. Ahmad and I will stay here to comfort Raven.”
Raven was curled up in the fetal position on the couch, rocking back and forth.
Marcus looked at Raven. A sad look appeared on his face, “Everything will be okay.” He gestured towards Will, “Come on bro.”
The two boys walked down the hallway on the right side of the cabin. Mahogany soon heard a door opening, footsteps leading downstairs, and a door closing.
“You alright, Ray?” Ahmad said.
Raven sniffled and wiped tears from her eyes, “I’m sorry guys. Really. I just got so tired of living in Cherish’s shadow. When Marcus approached me…I just couldn’t say no…I’m so sorry…” Raven put her head down on a pillow and cried.
Mahogany reached over and held her hand, “Look at me, Raven.”
Raven looked up. Mahogany continued, “I know how you feel. I get it, okay?”
Raven nodded her head and smiled weakly.
“Let me get you some water. Don’t want to wake up with a killer hangover.” Mahogany walked over to the kitchen. She pulled a glass from the cabinet and got water from the fridge’s filtered water dispenser.
She heard Raven scream — again. This time felt different.
“What is going o-” She pointed her phone’s flashlight towards Raven. Her mouth dropped when she realized what was going on. Someone in an all-black outfit was carrying Raven on their back. Ahmad was fighting another person in a similar outfit.
Mahogany’s hands began to tremble, causing her to drop the glass of water on the ground. She tried to think of a way out, but her thoughts were too frantic to catch. Shock overwhelmed her when she felt a piece of fabric being put over her mouth. Within a minute or so, she fainted into endless darkness.
2:15 AM
Mahogany woke up to a similar darkness — confusing her. She became aware of her senses again one by one.
First: touch. She knew that she was sitting in a chair with her hands behind her. She couldn’t move them. Something was tied over her eyes…a blindfold?
Second: smell. Some kind of lemony disinfectant was in the air.
Mahogany heard Cherish’s voice, “Oh, she’s up. Finally.”
“Took her long enough.” An unfamiliar voice said, “She’s the last one.”
“Take their blindfolds off. It’s time.”
After a few seconds, Mahogany felt someone unraveling the blindfold from her eyes and taking it off.
The once lively living room now felt eerie, entirely lit with candles. Cherish, standing in front of her, was in a pink ball gown, diamond-encrusted tiara, and full face of makeup. A table was sitting off to the side covered in a black cloth. Standing behind her was a group of five or so people in black clothes and ski masks.
Looking to her left, Mahogany saw everyone sitting in a line. They were sitting in dining room chairs with their hands tied behind their backs.
“Cherish…w-what…” Mahogany said.
“Silence! I’m the birthday princess, like, clearly.” Cherish said, motioning towards her dress, “It’s my time to talk.”
Cherish began to stroll down the line, staring down everyone, “You all ruined my 21st birthday. My boyfriend slept with my cousin. My best friend betrayed me. And…you know what? There are other things that you all are keeping from me. In fact, I know it. So — ”
She dramatically pulled the fabric off of the table. Lying on the table were tools you’d find at a dental office: an electric drill, syringes, pilers…
“We are going to play one of my faves: Truth or Dare. If you don’t tell the truth and trust me I’ll know — ” She picked up the drill and turned it on, causing the entire room to groan. “We’ll get it out of you.”
“So,” Cherish smirked, “Who wants to play?”
Soundtrack: Cardi B — Be Careful
What did you think of the third episode of Playing Nice? Is Cherish doing the most right now? LMAO, I think she might be. Tell me your thoughts in the comments!
Nia Simone McLeod is a writer, content creator, and pop culture enthusiast from Richmond, Virginia. She’s the creator and editor of the Medium publications oh, write and coiled. In her newsletter, she shares a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process.