The Ghost In My Machine

Stories of the Strange and Unusual

The Most Dangerous Games: The Apex

by

Previously: The Knockertell.

By request of TGIMM reader Kai: Created by someone going by the name NeveRsLeePwitHme, The Apex is more or less a variation on hide and seek — although the stakes are somewhat higher than they are in games like, say, One-Man Hide and Seek. It’s a long one, and it’s best not attempted unless you are in possession of a certain set of survival skills. I’m unclear on exactly what the Apex is; we know it’s a hunter, and we know it lives in the woods — but given that the definition of an apex is, variously, “the uppermost point,” “the narrowed or pointed end,” or “the highest or culminating point”… well, what exactly is this hunter the apex of?

Although there’s also the whole idea of the apex predator, so, y’know, do with that what you will.

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As for how you win, maybe this will be useful: In game theory, there’s a pursuit-evasion game called the Princess and Monster Game. In the basic set-up, the Princess and the Monster are thrown together into a dark room (meaning they cannot see each other); the object of the game is for the Princess to evade capture for a certain period of time. If the Princess is to survive, her best strategy is to move to a random position in the room, stay there for the optimal period of time, move to another position in the room, and repeat the process until time is up.

The trick, of course, is figuring out what that optimal period of time is — while also remembering that the Monster has a winning strategy up its sleeve, too.

As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

  • At least two participants. Your partner(s) should be people you trust beyond any doubt.

Requirements:

  • A forest as far away from civilization as you can manage.
  • Survival supplies. Bring enough to get you through an entire 24-hour period.

Instructions:

The Challenge:

  1. Begin by entering the forest before dawn with your partner(s).
  2. Form a circle with your partner(s) by holding hands. Say aloud the words, “We are allies! We wish to game a worthy opponent! Will no challenge face us?”
  3. When you hear a crash coming from elsewhere in the forest, run — together. Do NOT get separated from the group. Do NOT leave anyone behind.

The Hunt:

  1. You and your partner(s) are now the Herd. For the next 24 hours — an entire day and night — the Herd will be hunted by the Apex.
  2. Survive however you must, but do NOT get separated, do NOT harm your partner(s), and do NOT beg for mercy.

The Prize:

  1. When the 24 hours are up, leave the forest immediately.
  2. When you emerge from the forest, you will be approached by a park ranger who will ask you, “Are you worthy?”
    • If you answer “Yes”: It is NOT recommended that you choose this answer.
    • If you answer “No”: It is NOT recommended that you choose this answer.
    • If you answer “Am I?”: The ranger will hand you a box. Take it, but do not open it or look inside (yet).
  3. Leave the area.
  4. Once you are on familiar ground, open the box to receive your prize. You will find one of two items inside: An object of value, either monetary or personal, which you or your partner(s) had previously lost; or a sheet of paper with something written on it. Should you find the sheet of paper, you may choose to read it or you may choose not to; either way, though, exercise caution when making your decision.

Survival Tips:

Stick together. A true hunter, the Apex excels in isolating members of the Herd and picking them off one by one. It bears repeating: Do NOT get separated, and do NOT leave anyone behind.

Should you hear the Apex behind you, do NOT turn around and do NOT look at it. To do so may result in memory loss or paralysis.

Do NOT attempt to leave the woods before the end of the hunt. The Apex isn’t confined to the woods, you know — and you certainly don’t want to bring it home with you.

Concerning the Sheet of Paper:

Written on it will be a secret — but think carefully before reading it. Not all secrets were meant to be shared, and what has been learned cannot be unlearned.

Good luck.

The Apex: FAQ.

*** 

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[Photo: Frida J/Flickr]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. The title probably refers to the creature being the ‘apex predator’ in the micro ecosystem between the beast and the players.

    Reply

  4. What if you do leave the woods and totally live in a different city would it track you down ? And what would happen if i told the park ranger yes im worthy or no ?

    Reply

  5. I read in other sites that, if, you say yes your friends are killed and you are left alone to play again. And if you say no you are killed and your friend has to play again…

    Reply

  8. but has anybody tried this one yet? maybe its just me but i’d imagine summoning something usually takes more than just saying one line

    Reply

    • No but, it is advised that you continue moving, think, a moving target is harder to hit… therefor, your easier to catch if you stay in one spot.

      Reply

    • How did you intend to do that? I don’t doubt that you’re in a good physical condition, and I expect your partner(s) to be in a good condition as well, but I still don’t think you can continue to run a full 24 hours. And even if you are capable of doing that, your partner(s) may not be.
      I would suggest to keep walking all the time and to stop only if there is an injury or something else that absolutely forbids you to walk on. But don’t remain there too long.
      I would only use my running capacity, should I hear the Apex behind me. Best to not spill all of your energy when you don’t actually need it.

      Reply

    • Don’t bring along anything unneeded for it could anger him or it would just add onto your already full pack pack… yes I say pack pack

      Reply

    • I guess it’s the park ranger you see
      And he respects
      You for surviving
      Which is why he gives you a gift or something

      Reply

    • The Apex and the ranger are (probably) 2 separate entities. But, the Apex are more like a hunter and the ranger are the reward giver. This game is more like a competition.

      As for where do they come from, probably the depths of hell or other dimension. Nobody knows

      Reply

    • It says:

      Stick together. A true hunter, the Apex excels in isolating members of the Herd and picking them off one by one.

      So if you are alone he can easily kill you

      Reply

      • Me and my friends have starting training to try this (I’m a sceptic but interested) – does anyone have any advice on staying 24 hrs in the woods with no sleep?

        Reply

  16. It says get far away from other people as possible but im guessing if other people are in the woods then they die. If they leave before you chant then u think they will be ok, but if they dont leave before the loud bang went off to indicate the game started then the stranger is probably dead meat. Lol

    Reply

    • I’m not sure. They didn’t participate in the summoning, although it is stated in many other rituals that once you’re in the premisses during at the start, you’re in the game, whether you like it or not.

      Reply

    • As Dr. Lecter stated, it can either way. But judging on the fact that you are dealing with an entity and not just your neighbour, let’s assume it is the worst alternative – which is : everyone in the forest is fair game for the Apex.

      Reply

      • well, to answer the second person’s question, they’re either just curious or they’re someone who speaks English as a second language. as for the first question, i’m not sure. it doesn’t specify whether or not you have to speak English for it to work, and idk if anyone’s tried this game and spoke in a different language besides English

        Reply

    • Well, I guess. On the upside, that just means it’ll take more time for the apex to kill all of your friends. On the downside, you’re putting many of friends in danger.

      Reply

    • It is easier for you to survive when many others are there to be hunted, but it is also easier to have people seperated from the group without others noticing. If the comment I read earlier is right, you are responsible for the deaths of many partners if you claim to be worthy. But yes, the odds of you getting caught are smaller.

      Reply

    • If you mean that it is a possibility, I agree. But with that, you wouldn’t just endanger this other person, but also yourself. The Apex is good at hunting down people who decide to go solo. Also: the instructions tell you to pick someone (or several people) you actually trust. I quote: “Your partner(s) should be people you trust beyond any doubt.”

      Reply

    • I kind of imagined it to look like a very tall and thin man wearing a suit with pale skin and no face. Basically Slenderman without the strange tentacle thingies. The Apex is Slenderman to me.

      Reply

      • Because the Apex is so good at hunting its prey, i.e., us.
        Just think about it. How good are you at running from a supernatural entity much stronger than you for hours and hours? That too, with a group of your friends.

        Reply

        • Someone has to have won, otherwise how would the writer know about the ranger, the way to answer the ranger, and the prize they give you? Someone had to win to know these things.

          Reply

    • Hi! I got that reference! I watch Matpat’s YouTube channel aka ‘The Game Theorists’ too! Do you watch his second channel ‘The Film Theorists’? In that channel’s videos he says, “it’s just a theory, just a film theory!”

      Reply

  25. I hear that if you say “no” to the ranger, you will get shot. And if you say “yes” to the ranger, your partner will get shot. But if you say “Am I” you both will survive, then you’ll get the box.

    Reply

    • If you flee the forest before 24 hours are up, there are high chances that the Apex will follow you.

      However, if you have managed to survive the full 24 hours and then flee, it says that a park ranger will come up to you and your partners asking a question.

      If answered correctly, then he will offer you a box.

      And no, the Apex will not follow you if you survive.

      Reply

    • They will more likely die. The instructions specifically say to stick together. It also says that the Apex is skilled at separating and killing off one by one. Do you really want let go of your partner’s hand and have an unclean conscience if something happens to them?

      Reply

    • After the 24 hours have passed, the survivers win and the game ends. But still: get out of there as soon as you can. Who says the Apex will accept its loss.

      Reply

    • Depends on the Apex’s sense of honesty. After 24 hours you have “officially” won, but you never know whether or not the Apex decides to take his chances anyway.

      Reply

  31. Someone I know recently had a creepy experience with something in the woods. How long does the apex remain after the 24 hours are up? And where does it go when it does leave?

    Reply

  32. I enjoy playing these games as long as they dont have any side effect. The problem is all my friends think everything is a joke. And I don’t want them looking back thinking its funny. Welp. I guess all games aren’t made for everybody ):

    Reply

  33. No entities are ‘mean’ they all accept their loss. And if they dont’.. then why do people dare to play? Ok, there are entities that are mean but none of them are nice. And after all, you invited them, saying that you wanted to die

    Reply

  34. okay so this game has left with a lot of questions (me, being the curious rawenclaw i am). so, here we go!

    1- can the apex swim? if it can’t, can we hide in a lake in the forest?
    2- how does the apex track the herd? of their scents, the trails the herd leave behind etc.
    2b- if it tracks us with scent, can we kill an animal (i know it’s cruel) to hide our scent?
    3- can a scenario of we-see-the-apex-but-it-doesn’t-see-us can appear? what are the odds?
    3b- can we take a picture of it and will it be seen in the picture?
    4- can the apex fly or climb? can we hide by climbing up trees?
    5- if we’re lucky/ talented enough to shoot the apex, will it die or get injured? or will we have aggravated it even more?
    6- it says that we should
    run, but can we travel by something else (bike, hover board etc.)?
    7- how can we know the apex is close? do we feel it, do we hear footsteps of some sort, or simply we don’t?
    8- if there are any other bystanders/animals in the forest are present, will the apex attack them?
    8b- if some of the borders
    guarding the forest (if there is) are damaged/torn down etc. can/will the apex escape?
    9- how does the apex kill? by venomous fangs, claws/teeth, suffocating etc.
    10- when is it the safest to play the game? on a rainy day, a day with an odd number etc.
    11- can we outrun the apex (i mean we probably can’t but maybe usain bolt can)?

    okay these are my questions!

    Reply

    • 12- is the more people the merrier?
      13- how can we cheat in this game? are there any ways of cheating (not that people will actually
      do it)?

      Reply

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