The Most Dangerous Games: Blue Baby, Baby Blue

Previously: Satoru-kun.

The origins of the game Blue Baby, Baby Blue — or Blue Baby; Blue Baby Blue; Baby Blue; or Baby Blue, Blue Baby, as it’s variously known — are difficult to untangle; I’ve been hearing about it for years, but honestly, I couldn’t tell you when the first time I recall it being mentioned was. I’ve got a theory, though — and that’s that this particular game evolved out of another one: Bloody Mary.

My reasoning is this: One variation of Bloody Mary involves summoning the titular spirit by chanting, “Bloody Mary! I killed your baby!” One version of Baby Blue, meanwhile, has a losing condition in which a woman bursts through a mirror while screaming at the player to give her back her baby. It’s such a short jump from Point A to Point B here that I can’t help but wonder if the first led directly to the second — a thought which, I think, is strengthened by the fact that both Bloody Mary and Baby Blue serve one purpose and one purpose only: To tempt fate. They’re challenges, not rituals meant to provide luck or good fortune or a glimpse into the future or what have you. The winning condition is simply surviving.

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If my theory is right, by the way, that also gives us an idea of when the Baby Blue story might first have appeared: Around or shortly prior to the 1970s. Folklorist Janet Langlois’ essay “Mary Whales, I Believe In You,” which was originally published in 1978 and republished in Indiana Folklore: A Reader in 1980, details some of the earliest research we have on the myth; as such, it’s thought that Bloody Mary in its current form may have originated sometime around then.

It’s also interesting to me that, as is the case with The Raven Man, there’s more than one version of Baby Blue floating around out there. I’ve included the instructions for two variations below; there might be more, though. Who knows how many ways to summon Baby Blue there might be?

As always… well, you know how it goes.

Variation 1:

Players:

• One principal.

Requirements:

• A bathroom.
• The bathroom must have the following:
  • A toilet.
  • A mirror.
  • A door that locks.

Instructions:

1. Begin at night.
2. Enter the bathroom.
3. Turn off the lights.
4. Lock the door.
5. Face the mirror.
6. Position your arms as though you are cradling a baby.
7. Gentle rock your arms back and forth.
8. While rocking your arms, chant the phrase, “Blue baby, baby blue” a total of 13 times.
9. During Step 8, you may begin to feel a weight in your arms. Do not be alarmed, but stay alert.
10. This weight may begin to grow heavier. Stay alert.
11. You may begin to feel a scratching on your arms. Stay alert. It is time.
12. When you feel the scratching, move quickly: Drop the weight into the toilet, flush the toilet, unlock the door, and exit the bathroom.
13. If you make it out of the bathroom unscathed, congratulations — you’ve won.

Additional Notes:

The following chants may be used as alternatives to the “Blue baby, baby blue” chant presented here:

• “Blue baby”;
• Or, “Baby blue.”

Regardless as to which option is used, the chant should be repeated a total of 13 times.

Do NOT hold the weight for too long. Do NOT fail to flush the toilet. Do NOT fail to exit the bathroom as quickly as possible. Failure to complete these actions in time may result in one of two situations: A woman may appear in the mirror and demand the return of her baby; or, the scratching on your arms may become unbearable. If either of these situations occur, a losing condition has been achieved.

***

Variation 2:

Players:

• At least two principals.

Requirements:

• A bathroom.
• The bathroom must have the following:
  • A mirror.
  • A door that locks.

Instructions:

1. Begin at night.
2. Enter the bathroom.
3. Turn off the lights.
4. Lock the door.
5. Fog up the mirror.
6. In the fog on the mirror, use your fingertip to write the following words: “Baby Blue.”
7. Position your arms as though you are cradling a baby.
8. During Step 7, you may begin to feel a weight in your arms. Do not be alarmed, but stay alert.
9. After a short time, pass the weight to the next principal.
   • If you do not drop the weight:
     • You may proceed.
   • If you drop the weight:
     • You will receive a small scratch. You have two chances left. You may proceed.
10. After a short time, pass the weight to the next principal.
    • If you do not drop the weight:
      • You may proceed.
    • If you drop the weight:
      • You will receive a small scratch. You have one chance left. You may proceed.
11. After a short time, pass the weight to the next principal.
    • If you do not drop the weight:
      • You may proceed, continuing to pass the weight back and forth between all principals for as long as you wish.
      • To end the game: While holding the weight, erase the words from the mirror.
      • You will feel the weight begin to lift.
      • When the weight is gone, unlock the door and exit the bathroom.
      • Congratulations — you’ve won.
    • If you drop the weight:
      • You are out of chances. Run.

Additional Notes:

In Step 5, you may use any method you wish to fog up the mirror. Recommended options including breathing on it or turning the shower on. Should you choose to do so by turning the shower on, turn the shower off once the mirror is completely fogged over.

Do NOT drop the weight more than twice. Should it be dropped three times, the mirror before you will shatter. If this situation occurs, a losing condition has been achieved.

***

General Notes:

“Blue baby syndrome” is a colloquial term for cyanosis in infants. Cyanosis — a blueish tint to the skin — occurs due to poorly oxygenated blood. Blue baby syndrome can be fatal in some cases.

It is unknown whether blue baby syndrome has any connection to the game presented here.

Concerning Losing Conditions:

Achieving a losing condition has only one possible outcome.

Do not achieve a losing condition.

***

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[Photo via pgbsimon/Pixabay]