A Collection of Short Stories

Zero Escape: Oxiclean Dilemma

A soaked, chilling floor pressed against Rhett's face. Moist drizzles of water flowed through his cheek, waking him up. Rhett slowly opened his eyes and sat up, surveying the area. It was a dim room made of concrete top to bottom. He would estimate the room to be "medium" sized: it was perhaps enough to fit a hundred people or less. Rhett erected before ambling toward what seemed to be a door. He twisted the knob, but it didn't budge.

"Hey!" a feminine voice echoed from behind.

Rhett swiveled his head back and glanced down. A little girl stood there with an irritated expression and a sassy pose. She had ponytailed brown hair, a denim suspender, and a purple shirt underneath. The girl was about nine or ten years of age.

"You know what's going on here?" she barked.

Rhett blinked, perplexed.

"Um, no? Do you know where we are?" he politely replied.

"You think I know where the heck we are?" she retorted.

Another voice resonated from further in the room. It was a masculine moan. After a brief yawn, a slender figure exposed itself to Rhett and the girl. It was a young adult with royal blue hair, a royal blue vest, and a white t-shirt complemented by a sky blue bow. He held a cup of tea.

"Hello there. I assume you both are in the same predicament as I," he articulated with a posh British accent.

"Hi, I'm Rhett! Junior camp leader!" Rhett reciprocated.

"I'm Lucy or whatever," the girl mumbled.

"Well, hello, Rhett and Lucy. I'm Vincent. Do you happen to know where my sister, Cora is?" the British man spoke.

Rhett and Lucy studied each other before focusing back on Vincent.

"No, but I'll help you find her!" Rhett animatedly roared.

"After we get out of this dump," Lucy interjected, "Also why do you have tea?"

"I always carry tea with me. It's my favorite beverage. One must always be ready for a tea-worthy celebration," Vincent recited.

Rhett sighed before searching the room for others. The trio came across a young boy who seemed to be about Lucy's age. He had blonde, poofy hair and wore a lawn green coat over a black t-shirt and khaki shorts. Rhett nudged the boy, attempting to wake him. He murmured.

"Ants are nutritious though," he mewled in his sleep.

Lucy turned to Rhett, disturbed. As the two stared down at the boy, Vincent kneeled and whispered in the boy's ear.

"Wake up," he soothingly voiced.

The boy did immediately that, whipping up and uppercutting Vincent on his chin and knocking him back on his butt.

"Who's there?!" the boy exploded, "I'm gonna beat you up!"

Vincent wiped the newly-made mark on his chin and clasped his hands together.

"It's okay, we're not here to hurt you," Vincent calmed.

Rhett and Lucy stood in awe.

"Hi! I'm Rhett! Junior camp leader!" Rhett proclaimed.

"Can you shut up with that junior camp stuff?" Lucy blurted.

The blonde-haired boy's bright green eyes glistened at Rhett. He smiled.

"Hi! I'm Oliver!" he called out, before giggling.

"Great, now we have two idiots," Lucy grumbled.