Pablo backed away from the ape-creature that had been his roommate, eyes wide. "Fuck, man! You turned into a monkey! Some sort of cave man!"
Although the change seemed to have stopped now, Jose was unable to speak. He made clicks and grunts, and finally grabbed the dice with one coarse, hairy hand and held them out.
"What!?" Theo backed away too. "Ain't no way I'm gonna get into this game! You think I wanna end up lookin' like that?"
Pablo scrambled up and ran for the door. "I'm gettin' outa here!" He yanked the door open and started to bolt out, only to stare at what should have been a dirty, dark hallway. Instead, a wild field spread out before him, full of brush, with woods not far away.
Theo glanced at the board and gasped. "Shit, Pablo! Look!"
The two other pieces had changed to look exactly like Theo and Pablo. And in the middle of the board, wording appeared.
"Three began, and must complete,
or face the penalty of defeat.
Those who finish may be saved,
quit and be by fear enslaved."
Pablo came back and stared. "What does that mean? We have to finish the game or have something else happen to us?"
Theo nodded. "Looks that way. But what's worse than becoming a fucking ape-man?"
Pablo looked at the field and back at the board. Then he...