The Most Dangerous Games: Mr. Eyes

Previously: Deadman’s Tag.

I had a hell of a time trying to find the original source for the game known as Mr. Eyes; it’s basically been scrubbed from the English language internet. I initially found it on an Indonesian site — and, indeed, as I attempted to dig up more information about it, I mostly found it on Indonesian sites, even though it’s allegedly a Russian game — but it turns out there’s a reason it doesn’t seem to exist in English anymore: It’s, uh… not very good.

I mean, the ritual itself is interesting — it has rather a lot in common with Daruma-san — but, like the Dead’s Poet’s Game and Lady Spades, what I believe to be its original form is just a mediocre creepypasta. From what I can tell, this story was originally published on the Creepypasta Wikia sometime during or prior to 2014; the only screenshot of it accessible via the Wayback Machine is from July 19, 2014. It was later deleted on July 5, 2015, with the reason for its deletion listed as “Housekeeping.” What becomes apparent when you actually read the pasta is that in this case, “Housekeeping” is code for “Quality assurance— bad writing.” I’ve tried to clean up the ritual a bit here so that it has more of a throughline to it.

[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]

For what it’s worth, though, the “evil eye”(дурной глаз) does loom large in Russian folklore. Essentially a curse, the evil eye is a human facial expression believed to have a great deal of power; one who has had the evil eye put on them may befall a terrible fate, suffering anything from physical injury or death to severe mental or emotional anguish. It can be warded off by any number of means; according to Russian superstition, removing your coat and putting it back on with your non-dominant hand, pinning a French pin inside your clothing, or making a “figa” with your fist might all help.

It’s not known whether the figure of Mr. Eyes is meant to play off of superstitions surrounding the evil eye… but it couldn’t hurt to have a few of these failsafes in your back pocket if you choose to summon him.

I also feel obligated at this point to tell you that depriving yourself of sleep is not recommended and can cause great harm to your health, your safety, and the safety of others.

As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

• One principal.

Requirements:

• A mirror.
• A timekeeping device equipped with a timer function.
• A bathroom equipped with a bathtub.
• A pin or other sharp object capable of drawing blood.

Instructions:

The Summoning:

1. Begin shortly before 2am. Bring your supplies to your chosen bathroom.
2. At precisely 2am, set the timer for two minutes; then stare into the mirror, keeping your eyes open as widely as possible the entire time. Do not blink.
3. When the timer goes off, set the mirror aside. You may blink now.
4. Fill the bathtub with as much water as it will hold.
5. Using the pin or other sharp object, prick your finger until blood appears. Hold your hand over the tub and allow the blood to drip into the water. Do NOT allow your hand to touch the surface of the water.
6. Set the timer for two more minutes and stare into the water in the tub. Again, keep your eyes open as widely as possible for the entire time. Do not blink. When the timer goes off, one of two things may occur:
   • If the water remains still: The summoning has failed. Do not proceed. Leave the premises immediately and do not return until daylight. When the sun has risen, you may drain the tub.
   • If the water begins to bubble: Look away from the water immediately. The summoning has succeeded, and you may proceed — but you must act quickly. Do not look back at the water while it is bubbling. You may blink now, but keep your gaze averted.
7. When the water has ceased bubbling, you may look back at the water.
   • If you see nothing: Mr. Eyes has decided not to play with you. Leave the premises immediately and do not return until daylight. When the sun has risen, you may drain the tub.
   • If you see the image of a man: Mr. Eyes has accepted your invitation to play. You may proceed.
8. Drain the tub and break the mirror. Dispose of the pieces.

The Main Event:

1. Go about your daily life. As you do so, you will notice a constant… presence nearby. You might see him directly in your field of vision; however, you might also just sense him hovering just of out of sight — in the corner of your eye, for example, or lurking in the shadows. You’ll know it’s him by his eyes… or, perhaps more accurately, by his lack of eyes. But do NOT allow your gaze to linger on him for too long.
2. He’ll follow you wherever you go. Let him; that’s his goal in the game.
3. Your goal in the game is to outlast him — to survive until he’s given up and gone home.
4. Do NOT fall asleep. That’s how you survive: You stay awake for as long as possible. You may do so by any means necessary.

The Ending:

1. The game is over when one of two things occurs: Either Mr. Eyes decides it’s over, or when you fall asleep.
   1. If Mr. Eyes decides to end the game: He will fade from view. You will no longer sense his presence; he will cease hovering in your field of vision. Congratulations — you have survived.
   2. If you fall asleep: When you awaken, you will see nothing but darkness.
      • Well… I say “see,” but really, what I mean is that you won’t see.
      • You fell asleep.
      • You allowed him to take his prize.
      • But take what comfort you can in this one fact: He’ll take good care of your eyes for you.
      • It would be unthinkable for him not to. After all, he finds them so very, very beautiful.

Additional Notes:

This game may be played with multiple players by making the following adjustments:

• Each player must have their own mirror and their own pin.
• During the Summoning:
  • In Step 2, all players should stare into their own mirror for two minutes.
  • In Step 5, all players should prick their fingers and allow the blood to fall into the tub of water.
  • In Steps 6 and 7, all players should stare into the water for two minutes, avert their gaze if the water begins bubbling, and look back together when the water ceases bubbling.
  • In Step 7, if Mr. Eyes decides to play, he will only appear in the water to the players whom he has opted to challenge.
  • In Step 8, all players must break their mirrors.
• During the Main Event:
  • Only players with whom Mr. Eyes has decided to play will sense his presence.
• The goal in this version is both to survive Mr. Eyes, and to outlast your fellow players. Do not be the first to fall asleep.

Avoid going near water for the duration of the game. Do not get in any boats; do not go swimming or take a bath; do not get caught outside in the rain.

Do NOT, under ANY circumstances, stare at Mr. Eyes at ANY point throughout the game.

A Note For Winners:

Be careful in the dark from here on out. Those who have one have described hearing footsteps echoing from the blackness, even when no is there — and have also reported seeing the outline of a man in the shadows from time to time. He never approaches — but try not to fall asleep until he leaves again.

Mr. Eyes doesn’t like losing.

And if he loses, he might find a way to take his prize from you anyway.

Mr. Eyes: FAQ.

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[Photo via PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay]