𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳 ~ [𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘹 𝘖𝘊]

⇒ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ

"So, who vants to go first?" I swallowed thickly. Daniel's 'purification sauna' looked more like a murder box. It was uninviting with its dark exterior and worrying lack of windows, save a rounded porthole embedded in the door. Not what you wanted from a typically relaxing sauna at all.

"Help me!" A muffled pounding resonated from what seemed like an industrial grade door. Preston was right up next to the window, slamming his fist down repeatedly, eventually sinking as his fingers tracked clear lines in the condensation. I looked to David to see his reaction, but saw he was no longer by my side. He'd vanished into thin air. I guess it's down to me. I subconsciously looped my arms round Neil, Nikki and Max's shoulders, pulling them next to me.

"I'd just like to point out the fucked up implications of specifically you putting specifically me in a gas chamber." The science nerd spoke to Dolf. I creased my eyebrows in confusion before remembering the information form he'd showed up to camp with. The sandy haired boy was Jewish, and just as I remembered that, his sentence struck me. God those are some fucked up implications.

"Ah, zhis is no gas chamber, ve just use high pressured steam and subliminal messaging to deconstruct your psyche, and rebuild you in a form that will please the ancient vuns." The German explained. That was some pretty cult-y stuff.

"And I love it." Preston emerged from the sauna. I could barely make out the ring of his ochre irises, pupils expanded across nearly his whole eye. The boy's expression was a blank smile, advancing towards the four of us with crooked and stiff movements.

"Oh hey guys," Ered snuck up behind the kids, mixing a bowl of purple Koolaid, "You dudes are just in time to help prep for our killer party..."

"Shit!" I realised, looking at the drink she was holding.

"What?" Neil looked up at me in confusion.

"I remember some case from years ago in Jonestown, huge, harrowing story at the time; something about Koolaid and a cult leader. I don't know what happened but it wasn't good!" This was not okay, this was so very far from okay.

"You think he's going to replicate that?" Max was looking afraid now, something I knew from our previous island adventure didn't happen often.

"Daniel says once we have all been cleansed, we must drink this magical elixir and ascend to our final form!" Nerris caught our attention from over by a plastic table, pouring an unmarked liquid into the purple drink. Come on, Avery, think. What happened in Jonestown, remembering might get us out of this. "Isn't that right, Daniel?"

"Right you are!" The blond man had snuck up behind us. I moved back first, trying to drag the three kids with me, but I only managed to snag Max by the hood of his jumper, Nikki and Neil trapped in his clutch.

"Avery, do something!" The yellow sweatered boy yelled as his teal haired friend gave a little scream of surprise. I gave Max a little shove behind me, curling my hands into fists.

"Get away from my kids! You're monster. You brainwashed the entire camp!" I yelled, trying not to let on how afraid I was, taking a step forward. No one hurt the campers. Not on my fucking watch.

"Brainwashed?" Daniel faked looking offended and gave a patronising shake of the head. "No, no, no. I just appealed to their emotions and showed them the light! People don't wanna think, Avery, they just want to feel safe. And feelings beat facts any day!"

"This is your last warning!" I cracked my knuckles.

"Now, don't you and Max wanna feel safe too?" In my rage, I'd failed to notice Nurf and Dolf step closer. Daniel put down Nikki and Neil with a wicked smirk, handing them off to the two boys.