Escape From Tickle Tower

2

When Rachel woke up, she turned to see Alice standing up. She was looking into the forest, her back turned to the young woman. "Couldn't sleep?" She asked.

"I did, just not for long." Alice replied while picking up her sword locking it onto her waist. "I'll lead you to the staircase down and then leave you from there."

"Awwww. Why don't you come with me?" Rachel asked teasingly.

"I'm heading up. I would assume you would rather head down." Alice said as she made sure to turn away from the teasing younger woman.

"There's a staircase up?" Rachel asked, dropping the teasing tone.

Alice let out an audible sigh before turning towards Rachel. "Yes there is but we are lower in the tower. It would be best for you to head down instead of up."

"And why is that?" Rachel asked while stretching her arms up.

"The higher up you go, the stronger the Laughlers get. Means it gets more dangerous the higher up." Alice explained.

"But what if there's an exit up there? I would rather go up if it means a way out." Rachel argued as she stood up, stumbling a little bit.

"From what I heard, there's no exit up there. Not like there's an exit on the first floor either. However, no one came down to report what is actually up there." Alice responded while turning away. "Why do you wanna get out anyway?" She asked.

"I want to find a way out. A place that we can get away from this tower. And to see the outside world." Rachel responded.

"Not likely. The bottom floor is shut tight and there's no other exit that I've heard about. Not like we would survive up there anyway. I wouldn't be able to kill them and protect you." Alice said with a small chuckle.

"Then teach me! I can use a knife at the very least." Rachel argued.

"Not happening. You don't even know how to look after yourself so it's not worth the time." The older woman said in a condescending tone.

Rachel pouted at the older woman for a few seconds before a smirk formed. "I get it. You want me to tell the other floors about how adorably ticklish you are." She said teasingly.

Alice jumped slightly at the comment, turning with an embarrassed look on her face. "S-shut up." She said softly.

"I'll make sure to tell everyone on the other floors about that sweet spot right under the ball of your foot. Of course, I could only do it behind your back. If you come with me and teach me how to fight, I wouldn't be able to run my mouth." Rachel teased as she slowly walked closer.

"L-lets get going!" Alice mumbled frustratedly as she turned away from Rachel and began walking through the forest. The young woman smirked as she quickly grabbed her belongings before running after her companion.

As they walked through the forest, Rachel took note of how very few creatures were around. "What floor are we on?" She asked.

"We're on the 5th floor of god knows how many. And before you ask, each floor has its own setting, people, culture, and more. Each floor is like its own world." Alice explained in a frustrated tone.

"Then when we hit the 4th floor, it'll be completely different compared to this one?" Rachel asked excitedly.

"Different to a point. I will let you know that there is only one Laughler there, but it is devastatingly large." Alice explained as she began cutting low hanging vines and branches that were in her way.

"I'm hoping that we won't run into it then." Rachel said as she looked ahead, noticing a staircase in the distance. "You think you can take some time teaching me when we get down to the next floor."