“I don’t know what’s going on here,” Quinn says, his gruff voice momentarily startling me. I turn back towards him. He’s leaning against the metal bars of his cage, facing my own. “But I’m going to figure out how to get us out of here.”
My veins flood with fear as I come to grips with the reality of our precarious situation. I feel momentarily paralyzed before I remember Mr. Pierce likes to play games. Didn’t he say we were in store for more?
“I’m sure this is just another one of Pierce’s mind games,” I say. Flashbacks of the horrible faux-escape room play like a broken film in my mind. “Have you looked for clues or anything in your cage?” I ask Quinn as I start sifting through the dirty, damp hay on the floor of my cage.
Quinn shakes his head. “There’s nothing in mine. Trust me, I’ve looked from top to bottom while waiting for someone other than her to wake up.” He points at Amber, who has wrapped herself in a ball and is sobbing into her hands.
There has to be a catch or escape button in here somewhere. I tug on each bar forcefully while trying to calm the wave of panic rising in my chest. “Maybe we—”
A loud, blaring alarm goes off above us. Quinn and I cover our ears while the other three guests finally wake in their cages.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the next level of the game.”
That voice. It’s the same voice that taunted us in the escape room.
“I do hope you’re all well rested. Because I guarantee you won’t be getting a lick of sleep after today.” The distorted voice lets out a hideous cackle. “Now, Teagan, my dear. I give you a choice.”
Me? Why am I being singled out? I cross my arms across my chest and look nervously at Quinn. He’s staring up at the camera mounted on the ceiling above with such hatred and anger in his eyes.
I clear my throat. “And what choice is that?” I ask hesitantly.
The speaker crackles before the voice returns. “You—and only you—may allow one of your teammates to be released. One teammate. You cannot choose yourself, for I have more plans for you in our near future.”
I look to the rest of the group and see that David, Travis, and Ahmed are now wide awake. Their eyes are wild with fear as they stare at me. Waiting for me to decide their fate.
“I DON’T WANT TO PLAY YOUR STUPID GAMES ANYMORE!” Amber screams. “I JUST WANT TO GO HOME!” She’s completely hysterical as she slams her hands onto the bars of her cage. I stare at her in horror as she starts biting and kicking them, tears stream down her flushed face as she shouts at the ceiling. “JUST LET ME LEAVE!”
“You really don’t want to play, Amber?” the voice asks.
Amber’s hazel eyes bore into mine as she sobs harder against the bars. “No,” she pleads as she shakes her head. “Please just let me go.”
I wish I could wrap her in a hug. Instead, I’m stuck watching her unravel before me.
“What happens to the person I choose?” I finally ask.
The voice’s laugh echoes throughout the room. “I won’t make them play with the rest of us.”
Amber’s eyes are pleading as she gazes at me. I look at Quinn, and he gives me what I hope is an understanding nod. I can’t let Amber fall apart like this when, for some unknown reason, I have the power to end her suffering.
“It’s going to be okay, Amber.” I force a smile at her before I look back at the camera. “Okay, then I choose Amber.” She cries harder as she smiles, her mouth twisted wide in panic, showing off all her teeth between her wobbling lips. I’m too nervous to look at the rest of the group. I know they must hate me right now for not giving them a second thought.
“Wish granted,” the speaker’s voice booms out.
Shots are fired in rapid succession from somewhere outside. Amber is shot three times before I can even scream. Hot, red blood splatters me as she falls to the ground.
“Don’t make a sound,” the voice orders. “Now that I have your attention, I’d like to tell you the rules of the game. Raise your hand if you’re ready to listen. If not, you’ll end up like poor, sweet, dead Amber.”
Quinn raises his hand. Travis is next. Then David. Ahmed stares at Amber’s body as he raises his hand.
I can’t take my eyes off Amber. Her lifeless body is twisted at an unnatural angle. I can’t help but stare into those beautiful hazel eyes. Eyes that will never see life in color again. Because I—I just killed her.
I killed her. I only wanted to help her. I didn’t want this to happen. My body goes numb all over, and I fall to the ground. The hay pokes and prods into my bare legs.
“Must you make me repeat myself, Teagan?” the voice sarcastically drones on from above.
“Teagan, raise your damn hand,” Quinn pleads.
I meet his eyes and raise my hand weakly into the air. I think I might be in shock. My body is shaking against my will as tears stream endlessly down my face.
