No Escape

Chapter 5 (Matt's POV)

I slowly gained consciousness, finding myself resting in a chair in a dark room. All I can remember was Woods passing out directly before I had. But, I distinctly remember passing out on the ground, not in a chair. I looked around, my eyes still adjusting to the darkness. There seemed to be a desk in front of me, along with documents scattered everywhere. The room was definitely different from the previous room, much larger and more heavily guarded.

I suddenly realized that I didn't see Sam or Woods within my field of vision. I started panicking and just as I was about to stand, I was stopped by something, tugging me downard. I was strapped to the chair, my arms and legs strapped together. This...this can't be happening! I have to find them! I hope they're okay...I did it again didn't I? I failed them. I tried tugging at the ropes holding me down, but they wouldn't let up. I thrashed and I swang in multiple directions, trying to get out, but there was no escape.

Just as I was about to make one more attempt to escape, a light flickered on, a blueish-green fluorescent light, one straight out of a horror movie. I stopped my action, my eyes trying to adjust to the harsh lighting. Everything was blurry still, as if the serum had caused long-term damage as well. Even though my vision was blurry I saw the outline of familiar shapes in the corners of the room, Sam and Woods. They were both tied up in chairs, with gags on. As soon as they saw me, they tried to signal to me something, but I wasn't able to decipher it in time.

The sound of a door unlocking alerted me. It seemed as if it were coming from behind, since Sam and Woods both gazed at something behind me. The door clicked shut again and footsteps rang out in the room, coming closer and closer. The figure came into view, a pale-skinned male dressed in a dark gray lab coat along with a bow tie and slicked dark brown hair. The figure automatically looked directly at me, having its back turned to Sam and Woods.

"So, you must be Deb's little minions, correct? I've heard much about you, especially you." The voice was slightly high-pitched and sounded quite enthusiastic, like a radio host, but with a menacing undertone, almost startling. I didn't reply, still in shock as to who it was, or what was happening. As I looked more closely at the figure, I located a name tag, spelling out "Syphus." Nelson? The figure then turned to both Sam and Woods.

"Don't you DARE touch them!" I shouted, once again trying to break free of the ropes holding me back, keeping me in place. Syphus turned back to me, an unnerving glare shot back at me. I returned the glare, trying to make him uncomfortable, but Syphus turned back to the others, as he did before.

"As for you two, I've heard much about you meddling with my plans, stealing documents. Well," He turned back to me, "I've brought you here to bring an end to that, I think that this little game has gone on far too long, don't you think?"

Anxiety shot through me, What is he planning on doing with us? I failed them again, they're paying for my mistakes. Just as I started to panic, the door unlocked once more, signifying someone else's presence. Syphus turned to them, nodding. The person, a shadow figure, clearly one of his phantoms, was carrying something, something metal, and placed it on a table at the edge of the room.

As he placed it down, my blood ran cold. An injection gun? I-no, no, no this can't be happening! I glanced back at Sam and Woods, pure terror painted on their faces. The phantom then stalked over to me, an injection gun filled with serum, ready to inject. I quickly jumped, pulling on the ropes. The phantom quickly tried to pull me into a chokehold. I struggled and struggled, trying to get away. Suddenly I broke free, and I immediately punched the phantom, it stunned him, giving me just enough time to go over to Woods and untie him. Syphus watched this unravel from the corner of the room, seemingly pleased by this, yet also angered. As I untied Woods, I gave him a quick side bump and told him to untie Sam while I dealt with the phantom.

He protested, and quickly, without warning, charged at the phantom and tackled him to the ground. I stood in shock, not knowing what to think of the situation. I have to get Sam! I ran over to where she was and untied her, giving her a warm, but slightly frightened smile. As I looked back up, I saw Syphus standing there, clearly calling for backup.

As Woods was still throwing punches at the phantom, I realized the only way we're going to be able to escape was fighting our way out. I caught a quick glance of objects in one of the corners of the room. Our stuff! I quickly ran over to them, grabbing a bat for myself and throwing one to Sam. I quickly stalked over to where Syphus was, ready to knock the lights out of him. But before I could get there, the door unlocked again to reveal more phantoms, about 10, flooding into the room, each with injection guns.

I looked in horror at Sam and Woods. We're not going to make it, all because of me. I shook the thought away as Woods charged at the phantoms again, this time holding a bat, and flung it straight at their heads, hitting a couple, knocking them out. I quickly followed suit trying to fight our way to the door. I was able to hit many, knocking them off their feet and knocking off some of their masks.

As most of them retreated, I glanced back at Woods, who was bleeding heavily from the repeated punches he wasn't able to dodge. I couldn't bear the sight of it, and looked away. I glanced at Sam, who was still in shock, a terrified look on her face. I glanced at the door, which to my surprise, was left unlocked. I quickly yelled to them, signaling to the door. They both made a run for it while I stayed in place, ready to finish this.

I slowly turned around to look at Syphus, a fierce glare painted on my face. Syphus returned the expression, angered by how they beat him and his minions. I took the first swing, trying to hit him square in the head, but he easily dodged. I heard a screech come from the door. I whirled around, panicking, to see Sam being strangled by a phantom.

I immediately forgot about Syphus and focused on freeing her. I bolted across the room, trying to reach her. I heard her screech, a horrific screech, almost as a warning, and then a deafening sound went off. BANG! Pain shot through me, far worse than anything I had ever experienced. I stumbled forward, pain enveloping me, torturing me. A sticky dark red substance clouded my vision and pooled in my mouth. With what little vision I had left, I could barely make out the figure of Sam running towards me, but before she made it, darkness surrounded me, and the pain was lifted.