Escape From Tickle Tower

9

The three of them entered the village, noticing many others walking around. The three of them waved to those that noticed them, getting a wave back in return. "How long till we get to your house?" Zac asked as they walked through the village. 

"Should be right here." Rachel said as they walked up to her home. She slowly walked up and into the house, noticing her mom sitting in a chair. "Hey mom. I'm home." She said.

"Oh thank God you're home. Let me make you some tea." Her mom said, holding one hand to her chest while the other held her cane firmly. She slowly made her way to the kitchen and started a fire in the oven. The other three watched as she put fresh water from a bucket into the teapot and set it on the stove. "Now, who are your friends?" She asked as she turned around to greet everyone. 

"I'm Alice. An adventurer that has saved your daughter a couple times." The black haired woman said while bowing her head. 

"Zac is the name. Thank you for letting us into your home." The black haired man said while bowing afterwards. 

"Thank you for being with my daughter and looking after her." Rachel's mother said as she walked up to them. "Have a seat. Anywhere is fine. I may have to ask the neighbors for more chairs." She said with a smile. 

"I can do it." Rachel said as she began to walk out the door. 

"Nonsense. I can do it. Sit down and relax. You must be tired after your long adventure." Her mother said as she sat down in her chair. Zac took the floor while Alice took the second chair that was available. Rachel hesitantly took the floor as well. "What happened while you were away?" The three of them explained what happened as they were away, only withholding the details in which they were tickled or embarrassed about. Once the three of them finished speaking, her mother nodded and closed her eyes. "Five floors have already been explored, and the only way for you all to go is up. I think a rest is necessary." She said as she stood up. "Go on. Go to sleep. You can head off once you're ready to go." She continued as she walked to the door.  

"Where are you going?" Rachel asked as her gaze followed her mom. 

"Out. I need to gather some more food for when you all wake up." She said before leaving. 

When she did, Alice immediately got up. "Let's not waste this opportunity. I think it would be best to get some sleep while we can. I don't mind sleeping out here." The older woman said as she stretched her arms. 

"Take my room. I'll sleep out here. Zac, you can take my mother's room." She said as walked over to the chair that Alice was sitting on.

Both Alice and Zac watched as she sat down and got comfortable. "You sure? Wouldn't you want the bed?" The black haired man asked softly. 

"Nah. I'm good." She said before closing her eyes. Alice and Zac stared at her for a few seconds before heading into their respective rooms. 

A couple hours after the two of them got into bed, Alice opened her eyes and stared out the window. Slowly, she stood up and quietly made her way to the window. Her eyes looked out, watching the forest and all the laughlers slowly traversing it. Their small bodies climbing up the trees and circling around the village. "Damn. Wish it was easier to keep going." She mumbled to herself. She put her head in her hands as she kept watching out the window. "Not like those things will stay away forever either." 

She closed her eyes while taking a deep breath. When she opened them again, she heard the floor behind her creak. Slowly, her head turned around and she saw Zac sitting at the steps to the house. Slowly, she turned around and watched as held his knees up to his head. She stared for a few seconds before walking up to him.