Intergalactic Mind Games

By Ronald Singh

Many life forms, including those from Earth, are being abducted and taken to a foreign planet called Syvopia. The planet is run and controlled by the Family of Royalty. Life forms are abducted strictly for the purpose of battling it out in the Intergalactic Team Games, where the winners are returned back to their home planet, and the losers are banished to the bone chilling Corpse Jungle.

Exploitation, deception and abuse of power take over as teams strive for freedom. In these high-stakes games of survival, the mind games are limitless!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Nov 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9780228830399

Ronald Singh

Ronald Singh is a husband and father of three. He enjoys exploring his creative side by sharing his stories with his wife and kids. Ronald enjoyed Adventure, Fantasy and Sci-Fi stories as a child and still does to this day. His ambition is to publish stories to share with others.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It All Begins

Seven bodies lay on the ground motionless.

The body of a man starts to move.

Oh, wow, what a headache, the man mumbles before looking at his surroundings with bewildered ocean blue eyes.

A pungent odour fills the air as the man finds himself surrounded in darkness.

Where am I? he wonders as he uses his hand to comb his long blond hair away from his face. His hair, typically tied up in a ponytail, has unravelled, and he is not sure why or how that happened.

As he slowly gets to his feet, he stumbles and falls against a wall. He shakes his head, trying to regain his composure, and through the darkness, he sees a light switch. The man hits the switch, turning several bright fluorescent lights on, which temporarily blind him. Once his eyes adjust, he looks straight ahead and sees a white wall with five dark grey metal doors.

The man creeps over to the doors and slowly turns the lever to open them one by one. Each door leads to a small white room containing two single beds with white pillows and sheets. A white curtain hangs in front of what looks to be a small storage closet in each room. However, the last door leads to a small white bathroom that contains a white toilet, sink, and stand-up shower with a matching white shower curtain.

Confused by what he sees, the man turns around and realizes there are no windows. He then looks down and sees six bodies lying on the charcoal concrete floor.

He looks forward and sees a stainless-steel triangular door horizontally laced with black bars. Outside the door, the man sees a tall, slim individual standing with their back toward it.

He walks toward the door while looking down at the bodies beneath him.

Hey, you! Where am I? the man shouts in a deep voice at the figure standing on the other side.

Turning around, the figure looks at the man. To his disbelief, the figure looks non-human. In fact, it does not have a face at all.

The figure wears a solid black helmet resembling a motorcycle helmet, while a dark red visor covers the figure’s facial features. The helmet’s only opening is at the top, where the figure’s hair is visible. A black plated bodysuit covers the rest of the figure’s body from neck to toe.

Around the figure’s chest and shoulders is an emblem in the shape of a blood-red triangle with three black horizontal lines running across.

A weapon that looks like a stun gun with a triangular muzzle hangs from the figure’s waist, and a long metallic blue staff with a small triangular spear at the tip rests in the figure’s hand.

What are you? Where am I? the man asks, taking a few steps back from the door.

Suddenly, the imposing figure speaks in a monotone voice. Your questions will be answered shortly. I am simply here to stand guard.

Before the man can respond or comprehend what is going on, he sees one of the bodies, another man, starting to gain consciousness and rushes to his side.

Oh, my goodness, my head feels like it’s gonna explode! The man on the floor shouts in his high-pitched southern accent. What the heck is goin’ on?

The man on the floor opens his eyes but has a hard time focusing. He sees someone standing next to him, but his sight is hazy. He looks over, and as his vision clears, he sees a man in a white T-shirt, black track pants, and black sneakers standing next to him.

The first man who regained consciousness introduces himself while nervously rubbing his goatee. I’m Anderson, Anderson Ryker.

Anderson works as a bodyguard for several high-profile clients. He is a hulking six feet, six inches tall and weighs well over two hundred pounds. Aside from being as strong as an ox, Anderson possesses natural leadership skills. He speaks with a purpose that others find inspirational and encouraging. Anderson is a man of his word, the type of person who will keep his promises.

I wish I knew what was going on, man, but I don’t. I think we’ve been captured by something; I just wish I knew what, Anderson responds while helping the man on the floor to his feet.

I’m Billy Bob, Billy Bob Reeves, the man says, introducing himself. Billy Bob is a tough country boy who is built like a tank and stands at six feet, four inches tall.

Billy Bob notices that his red and blue plaid flannel shirt is untucked. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s an untucked shirt. It just don’t look proper, he says as he tucks his shirt back into his light blue jeans. Billy Bob notices a smudge on one of his brown boots and bends down to wipe it off. Getting back up, he sees a scratch on his black belt buckle.

Oh, no! This ain’t good. I gotta scratch on my here belt buckle! Billy Bob exclaims. His buckle has the letters BBR engraved on it, showcasing his initials. Fortunately for Billy Bob, the scratch is below the lettering. Billy Bob is very particular about his clothing; however, he is very casual about his physical appearance. He has long messy brown curly hair, bushy eyebrows, and a long curly beard that goes down to his chest. He is loyal, reliable, and has a sarcastic sense of humour.

Do ya at least know where we is? Billy Bob asks.

I’m not sure, Anderson answers, looking around the room with a spooked look on his face. What’s the last thing you remember? Anderson asks.

Hmmm, well, let’s see now, Billy Bob says. I was at my cousin’s home and was sittin’ outside on her patio havin’ a drink. Next thing I know, I’m wakin’ up with this here darn headache. Not sure what was in that drink, but goodness gracious, it packed a punch. Feels like I was kicked by a mule, I tell ya!

Billy Bob pauses for a moment as he looks around the room in confusion. He then yells, My baby brother, he was with me! He starts looking around the room, shouting frantically, Elmer! Where ya at?

Billy Bob looks around the room, trying to make sense of his surroundings but he cannot. He sees the white walls, white ceiling, grey doors, the stainless-steel triangular door, charcoal concrete floor and five bodies lying on the ground. Billy Bob stands there in shock before noticing his brother among them. He rushes to his brother’s side and tries to wake him.

Elmer opens his eyes and sees Billy Bob and Anderson standing over him. He sits up and looks around while fighting off his terrible headache. Elmer looks at Anderson before looking back at Billy Bob. Then, with a look of distress and in his croaky voice with southern accent, he asks, Who this?

Elmer’s full name is Elmer Charles Reeves. He and Billy Bob are brothers but are very different. Like his brother, Elmer has a southern accent and messy brown curly hair, but the resemblance stops there. Elmer is five feet, eight inches tall and weighs around two hundred and forty pounds. Unlike Billy Bob, Elmer does not believe in a healthy lifestyle or anything labour-intensive. Elmer is compassionate, kind, and fearful of the unknown.

He sports a Van Dyke beard and wears a yellow T-shirt under his navy-blue overalls. Elmer reaches for the top of his head and notices his hat is missing. He momentarily panics until he finds his green trucker hat on the ground next to him. Elmer has a bald spot and is very insecure about it. He puts the hat on, hiding his hair loss before looking down and seeing his bare feet. An agitated Elmer looks around nervously for brown sandals that look to have fallen off his feet. Just when he thought he lost them, he reaches back and finds the footwear behind him. Elmer smiles and gives his sandals a euphoric hug before putting them on.

Billy Bob helps his brother to his feet while Anderson introduces himself. Elmer sees the door and starts to freak out. He then sees the bodies on the floor and becomes even more hysterical. Anderson and Billy Bob eventually calm him down, but Elmer is left momentarily speechless.

Excuse my little brother, Billy Bob says. He’s easily excited and has a hard time controllin’ his emotions.

Elmer, what was the last thing you remember? Anderson asks.

I remember bein’ on cousin Sally’s patio. Elmer, closing his eyes in deep thought, tries to piece the night’s events together. I think I had a drink in my hand, he adds, extending his right arm as if to be holding a drink.

Yeah, last thing I remember is us sittin’ on Sally’s patio with a drink too. After that, everythin’ is blank, Billy Bob reminisces. I reckon we not at cousin Sally’s anymore.

Billy Bob then turns to Anderson and asks, What’s ya story?

I live just outside Seattle, Washington with my son. The last thing I remember is walking to the strip mall, and the next thing I know, I’m here, Anderson responds.

We was just outside Seattle too, that’s where our cousin lives, says Billy Bob. We was there for her weddin’, but we originally from Little Rock, Arkansas. Dang, Sally must be worried sick, wonderin’ where we is. I wonder how long we been out for.

Anderson looks at his watch and sees that it is not working. He then pulls out his smartphone, and that too is not functioning. I don’t know how long we’ve been out. My phone and watch aren’t working, Anderson says. I hope my son isn’t too worried.

How old’s ya son? Billy Bob asks.

Nine.

Is he with his momma, ya wife? Billy Bob then asks.

My wife passed away two years ago, Anderson explains. I dropped my son, Bray, off at my mom’s place before going to the strip mall. I hope they’re not worried. They might not even know something’s wrong yet.

We don’t got any kinfolk waitin’ back in Arkansas for us, Billy Bob says. Our parents passed away years ago, and we both single with no children. The only ones who would miss us is our animals on the farm and our farm hand Albert.

As Anderson, Billy Bob, and Elmer speak, another man named Darm Dhillon starts to gain consciousness.

Darm works as a bouncer and is a giant of a man. He is an intimidating seven feet, three inches tall and weighs well over three hundred pounds. Darm has thick black curly afro hair with thick mutton chop sideburns that come down to his chin.

He is usually quiet and disengaged. However, when faced with adversity, he can be stubborn and temperamental, often quick to blame others for his troubles.

He stands up quickly but stumbles and falls to his knees, causing a rip in the knees of his tan trousers. Anderson, Elmer, and Billy Bob see this and try to help him back to his feet. Darm, unable to open his eyes due to his piercing headache, pushes them away. He then manages to open his eyes and is stunned by his surroundings.

Darm sees the door and, with a grunt, removes his black sports jacket and charges toward it. He tries his hardest to break through the door but cannot, ripping the back of his teal polo shirt in the process. He sees the guard and tries reaching through the bars only to find himself falling to his knees and screaming in agony while clutching his head. The guard is telepathically torturing him.

Anderson, Elmer, and Billy Bob scream for the guard to release the telepathic hold, which the guard finally does. An exhausted Darm crawls to a corner of the room where he sits, scared and confused. Anderson starts to walk toward Darm only to have Darm throw one of his tan loafers at him, rejecting Anderson’s attempt to help. Darm stares at Anderson with piercing black eyes. He does not trust anyone and wants to be left alone.

Just then, the remaining three people start to wake up. The first man, Ace Avecchi, works as a professional wrestler in the Oregon area. Ace is lean, agile, and around six feet tall.

As he wakes, clutching his head from the headache he feels, he does not say a word. He sits up and looks around the room with his wary sapphire blue eyes but does not believe what he sees. He thinks he is dreaming.

Ace notices that his black bandana is draped around his right shoulder instead of covering his head. He smooths back his stringy black hair before folding the bandana and putting it on his head. Ace itches his thin short beard before realizing he is wearing his workout clothes, consisting of a tie-dye purple T-shirt, zebra style sweatpants, and white sneakers.

He is now convinced this must be a dream as this is not something he would ever wear out in public, but not because it is too outrageous; quite the opposite. Ace likes wearing extravagant outfits and accessories; he considers himself macho and a true fashionista. He loves the attention. His colourful ensemble helps him stick out from the other wrestlers at shows, helping him sell T-shirts, posters, and other merchandise.

Ace often struggles with mood swings. He is a supportive and caring person. However, he is overcome with hostility at times, which brings out his loose-cannon tendencies.

Next to him is his wife, Isabella Avecchi. She is a petite woman who stands five feet tall.

Isabella has a reserved personality but can be outspoken when need be. She has a determined nature with a drive to accomplish whatever goal she sets her mind to. Isabella lies on the ground motionless, her straight auburn brown hair strewn about her head and floor. Her cheeks start to twitch, as do the pink sneakers on her feet.

As she opens her eyes, she cannot help but succumb to the colossal headache she is experiencing. Isabella screams in excruciating pain.

Her screams of pain soon become screams of fear as she looks around the unfamiliar room with terror-stricken sky-blue eyes.

The last person to come to is Dean Baracus, also a professional wrestler in the Oregon area. He, Ace, and Isabella work together in the wrestling business.

Dean is just under six feet tall and is more muscular than Ace but similar in body type. He wears a single thick silver hoop earring on his left ear and a large diamond stud earring on his right.

Growing up, he bounced around from one foster home to another. Dean has a strong personality and fights for what he believes in but struggles with his own identity. This is due to heart-breaking situations he endured during his upbringing, which have made him vulnerable.

Dean instantly opens his eyes and gazes anxiously around the room. His concerning brown eyes start to widen with trepidation as he jumps to his feet. Sweat starts to pour from his shaved head as he fights off his immense headache.

Dean, wearing an all-grey tracksuit with black lines on the sleeves and pants, brings his arms up as though he is ready for a fight. He is flustered and going into self-defence mode.

Anderson, Billy Bob, and Elmer try their best to calm Dean and Isabella down.

On the other hand, Ace stays calm. Still not saying a word, he rises to his feet, lifts his wife, and holds her. It’s just a dream. We’ll be awake soon, he says in his raspy voice as she starts to calm down.

Dean overhears Ace and grabs him, saying, This isn’t a dream, Ace. This is real! He then pins Ace against the wall. We have to work together; we need to figure things out! Snap out of it!

He’s right, you know. We need to work together, Anderson reasons.

I wasn’t talking to you! I don’t know who you guys are, Dean says before pointing toward Ace and Isabella, but the three of us, we got history. We trust each other!

Well, ya better look around, pal, ‘cause all we got right now is each other! Billy Bob exclaims.

Dream or no dream, no one tells us what to do, dude! Ace shouts back.

As Ace and Dean stand face to face with Billy Bob, Isabella interjects.

What are you doing? Look around us, Ace, we’re in some kind of cell! Isabella pleads. I’m begging you both, please, let’s figure out what’s going on here!

Dean looks over at Ace, and Ace