The watchers always watch. They don't act, nor do they interfere in the course of events. They just watch. Forever.
Riley's father told her that. That she was a watcher. The knower but not the doer. As she traversed through the burned corridors with a tail on her back, she didn't feel like it was something a watcher would do.
She took a deep breathe and looked at Keith with a wronged look. The latter looked back innocently wondering what he did wrong.
Riley shook her head and pushed the door that led up from the basement and outside the colosseum. However, the door wouldn't budge. Riley frowned. Why wasn't it opening? She came through it tonight.
"What's wrong?" Keith asked.
"Can you help me push this open?"
Keith nodded and they both put all their weight on the door but it still would not open. They kept pushing until they got tired and sat down.
"It's not opening," Keith panted, "Is there any other way?"
"Too risky," Riley shook her head. "I think...we have to wait till daylight. When my father wakes up, he'll know I'm not around and will come looking for me."
"Do you think he'll know you're here?"
"...I can't be certain about that."
Keith went silent.
"Well, it isn't the first time I'm stuck in this place. We'll manage," He shrugged.
Riley smiled bitterly. "You're in the mood to make jokes?"
"The time and place is perfect. We are in a theatre and I've got a comedy sketch ready. It can be my night time live show. Want to be my audience? The rats wouldn't mind having a plus one."'
Riley couldn't help but laugh at that. "You're bad at jokes."
"But you still laughed," Keith said proudly.
Riley stopped laughing and looked at him seriously, "I've got an elite sense of humour."
"Hard to see," Keith smirked, "Pun intended."
Riley mouth twitched. She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the corner of her lips from curving up.
Keith who couldn't feel her inner struggle, was amused.
"You know what-" Before he could complete his words, there was loud thud. It came from the floor above them. Riley widened her eyes and made and placed a finger on her lips.
"Quiet"
Keith listened carefully and heard another thud. It was as if someone was walking with heavy steps. The footsteps were random and seemed to go from place to place. Sometimes there was a sound of door opening and then closing. Then the pattern repeated.
Who was up there and what was he doing?
Keith narrowed his eyes. It kind of seemed like someone was going through the doors to look for something.
Or rather...someone. Keith grabbed Riley and whispered in her ear.
"It is looking for us."
Riley looked at him with wide eyes. She nodded, telling him that she understood.
"We need to find a place to hide. This is too open," She whispered. They both got up and took slow and light steps in order to not garner attention from whoever looking for them.
As they passed through corridors, Keith felt his shirt being grabbed, making him freeze. He slowly looked down and saw a pale face looking up at him. It belonged to a child around five years of age. Blood was drained out of the face and it almost seemed transparent.
Riley saw him too. She pulled Keith away and stood in front of him, keeping her guard up in front of the little boy. She didn't trust anything in this colosseum.
The little boy didn't mind. He waved at them, telling them to follow him. Riley was reluctant to but Keith frowned and took a step.
"What are you doing?!" Riley whispered.
"Taking a bet," Keith gave her a loop sided smile and started to follow the little boy. Riley stomped her foot and decided to follow them.
The little boy remained silent as they walked. He took glances at them as if making sure they were following him, but didn't initiate a conversation.
As Keith walked, he stumbled on a rod, which fell and made a loud cluttering noise. Everyone froze, even the little boy.
Riley and the little boy both looked at Keith like he was a fool.
Keith gulped and then they all heard it.
The footsteps paused and then fastened.
Thud...thud...Thud THUD THUDTHUD!!!
Clearly, the person above had figured out their location.
