Escape From Tickle Tower

22

Alice and Rachel were dragged into the captain's quarters. They were breathing heavily as the two muscular men brought their chairs in. Once they were set down, Alice and Rachel sat back in the chairs they were bound to. They took in deep breaths as the two men walked out of the room. "H-holding up there?" Rachel asked the older woman while weakly turning her head in her direction.

"Y-yeah. Yourself?" Alice responded as she hung her head. Her eyes stared tiredly at the floor, breathing heavily as she curled her tingly toes.

"I can handle it. I don't even feel that tired." Rachel answered, lying through her teeth as she wiggled her toes. Her tired eyes tried to look around the room. "Any idea why we were taken into the captain's quarters?" The redhead asked.

"No idea. I'm just grateful that he's not here." Alice said softly as she tried to remove the tingly feeling all over the bottom of her feet.

Rachel turned her head to Alice, staring at her. Her gaze slowly went to the floor after a few seconds. "I agree with you. I'm glad they're not here. I wouldn't want to see them go through this." Rachel said.

Alice's head picked up when she heard the village woman's response. She looked over to the redhead, surprised by her response. Slowly, the smile on her face grew. "So, you still feeling like you're causing problems?" Alice asked.

"A little. Then again, this I didn't cause so I don't feel it this time." Rachel responded as she shook her feet back and forth.

"I'd be worried if you did think you caused this. But I'm glad you're feeling better. So, why do you want to reach the top?" Alice asked as she sat up, regaining a bit of her strength.

"I want to see more of what this tower offers. And once I reach the top, I'll leave the tower and see what the rest of this world entails. I want to see what else is in store. And don't worry, I plan on going with all of you." Rachel responded while giving Alice a heartwarming smile.

Alice couldn't help but smile back. Her body relaxed a bit as she turned her head to look out the nearby window. "Don't worry, as long as the people we love don't get hurt, we'll be fine."

"I promise we will protect Zac. You don't have to worry about him at all." Rachel said in a half joking tone.

"We'll protect Perrine, too. Don't worry." Alice responded as she turned her head back. The response caused Rachel to blush slightly. Her head turned away from the older woman's as she took a deep breath.

It was then that the door opened again. Slowly, the two of them watched three men enter the room. Two were typical muscular pirates while the third wore a black hat with a skull mark on the front. "Ladies." The black hat wearing man said with a smile.

"Who are you?" Rachel asked as she watched the three of them get close to them. The door closed behind the pirates, leaving them alone.

"I'm the captain of this vessel. The name is Pordio." The man said while bowing to them. After a couple seconds, he immediately stood straight up and walked up to them. "I heard from some of my men that you weren't from this floor."

"And? Why do you care?" Rachel asked while Alice struggled in her bonds.

"I find those from other floors to be so agreeable. They always tend to lend a helping hand." Pordio responded as he walked in between the two women. "Now, shall you join me?"

"HA! That's rich! Sorry but no." Alice answered in a mocking tone. A smile was on her face from his offer.

The answer the older woman gave put a frown on his face. Slowly, he got up and walked over to the other two muscular men guarding the door. "Tell me the best spots." He ordered the others.