Roblox Piggy Book 2: H.O.P.E

1.2 - Deal With a Criminal

Lucinda

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.

While I had done hundreds of escape rooms with family and friends, I could never seem to get the gist of it, and that was starting to show. I was currently hiding inside of the laundromat, watching Doggy use his taser on Rash while Rose backed away with pity all over her face. I couldn't help but sigh and shake my head at my sister. Why was she like this? She had empathy for everyone, even the worst of the worst. Obviously she didn't feel bad for criminals such as killers or arsonists, but I still couldn't understand her feelings.

I clutched the scissors I held in my hand tightly, being careful as to not cut myself accidentally. I had already noticed the tape that covered the hotel's entrances, and I knew that I could use the scissors on them, but I had to wait for Rose and Doggy to go away. "Go away please," I thought in a sing-song voice, "Go away so I can get the stupid tape off of the door." My prayers were answered, and soon the two officers disappeared behind a corner.

I let out a relieved sigh before leaving my hiding spot and the laundromat and going over to the hotel. Fortunately, I was able to get the tape off of the first door, and I went to the second door before doing the same thing. Once I was done, I quickly explored the hotel in search for the next item. It had suddenly clicked in my head that my situation was somewhat similar to an escape room, so I treated it as such. Surprisingly, it made things a lot easier.

"Well, well, well...what's a kid doing here in the alleys?"

I flinched as I quickly picked up a blue key, which was sitting on a bench on the second floor of the hotel, and turned around. Rash was standing right behind me, one hand on his hip while the other held his crowbar over his shoulder. I held back a whimper as I took the smallest step away from him. "Aw..." he cooed, "Are you scared?" I tightened my eyes shut and shook my head vigorously. "N-No," I stuttered, much to my dismay, "I'm...I'm not scared of you!"

Rash only put the hand that was once on his hip over his mouth to hide his smile as he laughed. "So, you're the little rascal that Officer Roselia kept going on and on about," he gushed after he removed his hand. I tilted my head in confusion. How did he know about me and my sister? "Maybe he just overheard her and Doggy or something..." I reassured myself. I held back a small yelp as Rash bent down to my height and put his crowbar under my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

"Considering the fact that you've been hiding from her and that other officer, I think it's safe to say that she has no idea you're here," he muttered. "Don't show weakness, Cindy. Don't. Show. Any. Weakness!" I screamed in my head. "Y-You don't have any effect on me," I said to him, "I-I'll tell Rose that you're here and that you're threatening me." My attempt to intimidate him was futile. He only chuckled once more and shook his head.

"And reveal your presence here while she's investigating? You'd be grounded for months!" Rash revealed, and it was then that I realized that he was right. I had no idea about when he had noticed me or why he didn't rat me out sooner, but I knew that if I went up to her and told her about him, she would blow up on me for leaving the house. However, I noticed that he was sweating nervously. I think we both knew that a mere grounding would be way better than serving time in jail.

I managed to regain my confidence soon enough.

"Look, I'm only here just to be a bit mischievous, I'm like a third party in a way," I explained, "So why don't we make a deal? I won't rat you out if you don't rat me out." Proposing a deal with a criminal was probably the worst thing I had done, but it was all I could do to make sure my presence was hidden. Rash seemed interested in my offer before he finally took his crowbar off of my chin. I held back a sigh of relief as he stood up.