I stared at my bright computer screen, my eyes felt heavy, and my fingers trembled nervously

with each key press. We'd already been awake for more than five days, during which time 28

players had died. I don't want to die, who was typed into the chat. I'm not so sure you will.

There's only the two of us left. I can't keep this up much longer. The game seemed so simple.

A competition to see who could stay awake the longest, and the winner would receive enough money

to last a lifetime. For someone like myself, without a social life, nor a job to attend,

it was the perfect opportunity. Thirty players had received an invitation, all active participants

of an international dark web forum. We were just required to fill in some necessary information,

including a bitcoin wallet to where the money would be sent. After clicking submit,

I was given a time, and a list of simple rules to follow.

Number one, both your web camera and microphone must be activated for the entire duration of the

competition. Number two, there won't be any bathroom breaks planned accordingly. Number three,

you're not allowed to seek out the physical location of the other contestants. Number four,

there can only be one winner. As I eagerly awaited for the first bit of excitement I'd seen in months,

I stocked up on the necessary supplies, mostly energy drinks, snacks, and a bucket. Once the time

of the competition started, I clicked the provided link. I was faced with a black screen,

consisting of 30 names and a chat box. I could gain access to each of the competitors' camera feed

by clicking on their username, but the chat itself was global. I guess no one here speaks English,

and Somnian 90 said. A few of the participants responded with broken sentences. It seemed that out

of the 30 members of the chat, only myself and in Somnian 90 were native speakers. Two days went

by in the blink of an eye, and seven players had already left the game in silence. I spent most

of my time watching movies and chatting to Somnian 90, who I'd come to know as Lewis. He was a Canadian

...