That feeling of being watched never leaves. It sinks into my spine, right at my nape, where it stays as Lenny and I are forcefully dragged down the hall and through a door that… isn’t a freaking door because it’s just awall.
Just as I’m shoved through the opening, I glance back to find a pair of white eyes pinned on me and even whiter, sharp teeth splayed wide, black lips stretched, and that god-awful, wicked tongue flicking outward.
I shiver, then whimper as I’m cast into darkness.
Collin,Brianne, and Kane all sit in metal chairs in equal states of undress and disarray. When Lenny and I step into the room, light suddenly blooming around us, everyone’s heads crank toward our entrance.
“Damn! Thought y’all were murdered or something,” Collin says as we shuffle toward our own chairs. Lenny plops down next to Collin, leaving me to take a chair next to Kane. He eyes me warily. I keep my head down.
Can we not talk about murder right now…
A bottle of water enters my peripheral. I take it with a mumbled thanks and upend the entire thing, trying to wash the taste of acid out of my mouth—and the taste of Static’stongue…
“You lasted a long time,” Kane tells me when I finally finish, capping the bottle with a crinkle. I blink warily at him, noticing the sweat still clinging to his forehead. His hair’s in clumpy knots, and he has no shirt and only one shoe.
He’s covered in some sort of…
“What’s all over you?” I croak, wrinkling my nose. My voice is long gone.
“I have no idea, but whatever it is fucking stinks.” I lean forward to take a whiff, but it slithers right up my nose, nearly making me gag. My eyes roll back as my stomach protests, and I scoot back.
“Yeah, I know. I was… drowned in the stuff.”
“Like… in a tub?”
He nods shakily. He runs a hand through his gooped hair, making it clump even worse. His hand trembles as he brings it back into his lap.
“You guys lasted for nearly an hour. Practically no one else has done that.”
I don’t feel very accomplished.
“Can we go?” I ask. Lenny’s still silent, which I don’t think is very normal for him from the way I’ve seen him act since I moved in earlier, but I think we all have the right to be a little messed up right now.
I know I am.
Brianne and Collin both look absolutely wrecked, clothes hanging off their bodies. They’re glistening with various liquids. I think Collin’s even bleeding, coupled with some bruises.
“Yeah, let's.” Kane stands on wobbly legs and walks across the small, dark room to rap his knuckles on the wall. The door jolts open, making me cry out in surprise. No one even bats an eye, which I’m grateful for.
“If you all would follow me.”
We file behind, each step haggard and slow. My entire body aches, and each press of my feet against the floor makes my spine pulsate and throb, sending live wires of pain radiating outward.
We’re brought to another room that looks nearly identical to the front office, where we signed our freaking souls away. Dark, ominous.Hollowed.
Our IDs are handed back to us quickly, which we all clutch in our hands awkwardly without any proper clothes. Which makes me glance down at myself. I’m the only one in this obvious state of undress.
“Um, can I get my clothes back?” I ask hesitantly, forcing myself to look up. Their eyes light up in amusement as they track over my naked body. Their gaze locks on the collar still donning my neck.
I don’t know why I haven’t taken it off yet.
I should take it off now.
I trace the sharp edge of my license as I wait.
“No, sorry. It’s all in the waiver.” They flutter their hand around to enunciate their words. My jaw drops open slightly, though I’m not really all that surprised.
That creepy clown probably kept them for himself.
