However, the messages on the game's playing cards quickly become more and more disturbing until, at nine, the group is knocked unconscious by a powerful, unearthly wind. After swearing a required oath that they all believe the game to be real, and that they can be harmed and die from it, Jenny and the others begin. In spite of her misgivings, as Tom and the others insist on playing, Jenny acquiesces. With mounting horror Jenny notices that the piece for the Shadow Man is a perfect image of Julian. There are also the added dangers of the Creeper (an enormous snake), the Lurker (a large wolf) and the Shadow Man, an entity akin to the Sandman, who brings nightmares rather than dreams and sleep. However, the main obstacle to the players will be nightmares each player must face their worst personal nightmare in order to progress. The objective of the game is to have the paper doll pieces representing each player get to a turret at the top of the miniature structure. Upon returning home with the game, against Jenny's better judgment, at the party she, Tom and their friends open and assemble the game, which resembles a small haunted house. As she leaves, in response to Jenny's cordial 'See you later,' Julian ominously states 'At nine'.

Entranced by it and encouraged by Julian, Jenny buys it and departs. Unnerved by him, she seeks to leave, but the boy entices her with his words and soon presents her with a blank, 'glossy' box, stating that this is what Jenny is seeking. Here she is met by Julian, whose striking beauty and aura of menace startles yet enchants Jenny. Luckily, she is able to locate a partially hidden game store, appropriately named 'More Games', in an unsavory part of town. The Hunter introduces Jenny Thornton, a teenager seeking to purchase a game for her boyfriend, Tom Locke's, birthday.

The series takes much influence from world mythology and literature, especially Norse Mythology. He has a particular fascination with Jenny, as Julian has been in love with her since she was a child, and seeks to use his games and schemes to erode Jenny's resistance and make her his own forever. Julian is in fact a supernatural entity a Shadow Man who brings to life the worst nightmares of those he targets. However, the game she buys turns out to be more than anyone expected, as it very soon comes to life at Julian's behest. In need of a game for her boyfriend, Tom Locke's, birthday party, she is enticed by a mysterious young man with 'electric' blue eyes and snow-white hair, Julian, into purchasing an unmarked and un-decorated game from his 'More Games' store. The Forbidden Game focuses on the character of Jenny Thornton, a seventeen-year-old girl living in southern California.

The hunter by lj smith