Written for https://melissalemay.wordpress.com/2026/09/07/melissas-fandango-flash-fiction-challenge-393/
Sally stared at her screen, waiting for the ping that showed a new notification. Tic Toc shorts flashed. She scrolled through each funny cat video, cooking lesson, and her peers doing silly stunts.
Nothing lasted anything more than a minute.
‘Sally! Dinner is ready,’ her dad said.
‘Be there in a minute!’
Her legs dangled over her floral duvet. As she swiped across, another video caught her attention. It was a challenge to wrap a scarf around your neck until you choked. It was nothing more than a stupid challenge. She pulled the phone back; it was her friend. When she rang, Beth didn’t answer.
‘Dad!’
He opened the door and rushed over. ‘What’s up, love?’
‘This is my friend, and I don’t know whether it is happening in real time, or she filmed it earlier. I’ve tried calling, but it goes to voicemail.’
‘Does it look like she is at home?’
‘I think so. It looks like her bedroom.’
‘Tell me where she lives. I will speak with her parents to put your mind at ease. I’ve told you before, social media is dangerous. All these stupid challenges. What are you all thinking?’
‘Please, can I go with you? Beth is my friend.’
‘No, I am going to call the police. They will need to see it. I don’t want you looking at it again. Do you hear me? Just keep the screen open. Now, where does she live?’
Sally wrote it down on a piece of lined paper.
She felt guilty about watching strangers do the same thing. It was gruesome, but nothing more than a normal day.
‘It is more than likely that your friend is fine.’
Her life felt like a train wreck, and the brakes were in danger of failing. Her stomach churned at the aroma of dinner cooking. She wouldn’t be able to eat until she was told Beth was safe.
‘Come on, love, let’s go downstairs … I want someone with you.’
Writer Ravenclaw 
I have heard about this social media trend which is known as the “Scarf Game”. It is a highly dangerous variation of the “Blackout Challenge” (also called the “Choking Game” or “Pass-Out Challenge”). This viral stunt involves individuals intentionally restricting their oxygen supply by fastening an item of clothing, like a scarf, tightly around their neck until they lose consciousness. The activity is performed to achieve a brief, temporary sensation of euphoria or a “high” caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain. The medical and physical risks associated with this challenge are immediate and extreme, as it can lead to brain damage from asphyxiation which can interrupt basic brain function and cause permanent brain injury in as little as four minutes. The sudden lack of oxygen frequently triggers severe neurological reactions. Because it is impossible to predict when permanent damage or complete system failure will occur, numerous children and teenagers globally have died while attempting this stunt alone in their rooms. I am glad that I stay off of social media, and I did enjoy your story, Diana.
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Its really so sad 😢
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