Two

The Quarters: Part 3

"TWO!" I desperately cried, looking over the sea of monsters as all those people trampled over one another, chasing after you and Mario. "TWO, TWENTY! COME BACK!" 

My voice was shaky and frantic. I couldn't see what was happening from the vent. I had no idea if you and Mario were dead or alive. I was half tempted to jump in after you. Actually, that's exactly what I would have done if it weren't for Ben.

But, I couldn't leave him alone, and I couldn't take him with me into danger. I had to stay behind.

All I could do was hope with all my might that you weren't dead.

You couldn't be dead, right? 

We had been through so much together. You couldn't just be taken away so quickly like that. It wasn't fair!

"H-He's okay," I whispered, my voice quaking. I wasn't sure if I was talking to myself or Ben. Either way, I had to believe my words. It was the only way I could move forward. 

I took a shaky breath, then felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I turned my head to see Ben. 

He offered me a smile.

He reminded me that I still wasn't alone.

I felt for my mask, grazing my fingers on it, reminding myself that I was never alone. 

I never had to be alone again.

"You're right," I told him, even though he didn't say anything. "Let's go. Nothing will be accomplished if we just sit here."

I crawled past him so I could lead the way. I debated keeping him in front so I could watch him, but I decided not to since I was afraid he'd get anxious if he was forced to lead. Besides, the vents seemed safe.

We soon fell out of the other end of the vent, into a small room that seemed to glow. Inside, about three boos were floating. The contained space seemed to reflect the soft glow they emitted. It almost looked eerie.

Things were awfully quiet.

I helped Ben down, then grabbed his hand and led him towards a small crack in the wall. He watched the boos with wide eyes as we walked past them.

He didn't look afraid of them, unlike you. He instead looked more fascinated, as if their existence was puzzling but interesting at the same time.

It was quite dark, so I used my spare hand to flick the lighter you gave me on. It took a few tries for me to get the flame to actually spark, but I eventually got it. At the same time, Ben turned his flashlight on. Our shadows danced against the walls, looking much taller and more distorted than we really were.

I always liked how my shadow followed me. Even before I met Six, I always felt like I could find a friend in my own shadow. When I was really little I would occasionally talk to it. Sometimes I could convince myself that it could understand me. Of course, I knew better now.

Sometimes I wish I didn't know better so I could still find comfort in stuff like that.

Once we slipped through the crack, Ben and I flicked our lights off. Yes, the room was dark, but there were skylights that allowed the glow of the moon to shine through. Plus, there were a few Boos floating around, which gave off their own glow.

We snuck our way into what looked to be a small living room. There was a fireplace in the middle, the flames seeming to have just been extinguished since there were still glowing embers resting at the bottom. There was a small rocking chair by the fireplace and a bookshelf. Everything was neatly organized. There was a rug in the middle of the room and the floorboards looked strong. They didn't creak as we walked on them.