Mario the Music Box

Chapter 7: Everybody Dies

___________ Kathryn's Point of View _____________

Leah silently trodged on ahead. I followed behind her, shrinking in her shadows as I clung to her shirt. I was very aware of my surroundings. One movement could make me turn my head around easily. Very soon, Leah was tired of my jumpiness.

"Kat", she sat the flashlight down and looked at me "are you sure you're fine with us proceeding? The whole time we go down the halls, you were shivering and your hands are cold as ice. We could take a break here if you want?"

I nodded. A much needed a break is what I could appreciate at this very moment as I feel like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Leah took off the jacket she had on her and wrapped it around my shoulders. I was about to object, but she quickly shut me up.

"No, you're cold. You needed that jacket more than I do. Besides, I've been walking around and warming up. I'll be fine. Just relax okay sis?"

I swallowed and nodded. The two of us sat in silence and darkness for a while until I heard someone's familiar footstep approaching us. Leah however, perked up in alert as she grabbed the flashlight in a flash and shines it in the direction of whatever that was coming toward her. I stood up and stopped her in her tracks." Relax sis," I said. " It's only Luigi. He found us."

___________________ Luigi's Point of View ____________________

"Leah! Kathryn!" I shouted and rushed at the girls.

The girls were quite happy and surprised to see me. But the relief on their face soon vanished as panic begin to take over them. I followed their gazes and saw what they were looking at. Then I chuckled. " Oh I see you noticed Riba. Don't worry, he mean no harm. He's here to help us look for Mario." I explained.

Leah was first to make a move. "nice to meet you sir. My name is Leah. I'm the wife of Mario and I'm here looking for him and to bring him back home."

Riba shook his head sadly. "looks like you fell for the trap too. I suppose you didn't know that once you stepped foot in this place, it'll be a game of no return."

Now it was Kathryn's turn to freak out." See!? I told you Leah! You shouldn't jump into conclusion like that. Now you got us trapped. It was your idea to come in the first place! "

"Okay that's enough." I said, stopping Leah from defending herself. "I think it's obvious that we're all trapped in here. Instead of arguing and blaming each other for the fault, we might as well move on and see what happened to Mario."

"Speaking of which, have you seen Mario? Riba and I heard a pretty terrible scream from that end of the hall" I pointed. The girls shook their heads, and I noticed that Leah's expression was gravely.

"Nothing happened to Mario right....?" She looked at me with fear and concern written in her eyes. I shook my head. "No, I only heard him screaming in pain. Other than that, nothing."

Her face fell. Kathryn tried to put her arms around Leah, but it didn't seem to be helping. "I'll be back. I'm just going to take a breather." She said before taking the flashlight and leaving.

"Don't wander too far!" I warned her as she slowly disappeared into the darkness. Her only response was her fading footsteps.

________________ Leah's Point of View _____________

Tap, tap, tap, tap came my footsteps on the creaky wooden floor as it echoed down the hall. Mario..... Where are you? Please... Please be okay...... I prayed as I walked, unaware that I was wandering further and further from my group. Soon, I found myself in front of a closed door. The coldness eminated from it was icy. I knew I shouldn't open the door, but I did anyways. It welcomed me with a loud protest as I stepped through. The hinges were rusty as it lacked maintenance.

I wonder how long since it had been since there was anyone that last lived here......  I thought as my feet took me further and further in the room. Suddenly, I saw a familiar figure standing in front of me. It consisted of a red hat, blue overalls and a stout stature.

"Mario! Finally! I-" I ran up to him joyously, but by the time he turned around, I was horrified. The entity didn't have a facial expression and he looked as if he was dead. His usual ocean blue eyes now looked lifeless and stoic. I stepped back, shaking my head.

" N-no, you're not Mario! Get away from me!"

I whipped around and ran across to the room behind him. Before slamming the door behind me, I could still feel his dead fish eyes looking at me, drilling a hole through my soul.

No....... Mario.... Please be okay.....

_________________ Luigi's Point of View _______________

5 minutes passed, 10 minutes passed, 15 minutes passed. Leah still haven't returned. Kathryn begin to look worried, Riba was starting to nag us to get a move on. But I suggested us to go find Leah first before we proceed on with our search for Mario.

"But don't you see Luigi?" Riba reasoned. "It's been 20 minutes, and she still haven't returned. I think she may have been lost. Right now, if we want to find Mario, we have to start looking now, or who knows what will happen to him."

But Kathryn objected. "I don't believe that she's lost. The Princess gave her a map. I'm sure she'll be fine. But still..... Moving on without her..... I don't think she'll be safe out there alone."

Slowly, the two engaged in a heated argument. I stepped in and broke them apart. But I noticed that Riba had a very apathetic look on his face.

"Fine, if you must wait for that girl, then do it yourself. I don't have much time to waste with you anyways."

With that, he left, leaving me and Kathryn behind with a single flicker of my lantern dancing in the dead silence of darkness.