Escape From Tickle Tower

26

Slowly, Rachel's vision began to come back. Her eyes struggled to focus as she noticed that a green light illuminated the area around yer. Her body felt like it was floating in water as she tried to look through the glass that kept her in. Despite her eyes focusing slightly, she could only see the silhouette of a tall woman walking up to her. Her ears could hear the sound of the heels against the tiled floor. The two of them looked at each other, with Rachel attempting to move her hand. However, she was unable to move any limbs. It was then that something rang in her ears. "A failure. Dump her." The silhouette said. Rachel's eyes widened as she tried desperately to move. However, her body immediately began to fall. 

Suddenly, Rachel sat up. She gasped for air as she opened her eyes. Her head quickly looked around, noticing the stone walls of the 8th floor around her. "I thought you said it was supposed to knock humans out for a while?" She faintly heard a guy ask from nearby. 

"Did you guys hit her or something?" A woman asked in response to the guy's question. 

"Doesn't matter. Wind. Take her out." Another woman barked in a low tone. 

A sigh came from the first woman as Rachel turned her gaze towards them. It was then that she saw three people wearing what looked like leather armor. A blonde woman was walking up to her, looking at her with cheery, red eyes. She quickly looked at the other two, noticing that one was a guy with short brown hair, looking comfortable in his leather armor. Meanwhile, the other woman had short black hair and a frustrated expression. 

Before the red haired woman could do anything, she was being grabbed by who she presumed was Wind. "Hey!" Rachel yelled as she was brought to her feet. It was then that she saw the blonde woman raising her hand. Without thinking, the village woman took out her knife and swiped at her arm. 

Suddenly, a small scream escaped her lips while the red haired woman was put down. Before Wind had a chance to recover, Rachel tackled her to the ground before wrapping her arms and legs around her. Within seconds, the woman grappled onto the blonde woman, holding her arms above her head and wrapping her legs around the red eyed woman's torso. "Got you now." She said with a frustrated look as she looked at the other two. 

It was then that she saw the man and woman holding onto Alice and Perrine. "HEY! LET THEM GO!" Rachel yelled as she tightened her grip on Wind, causing a small yelp to escape her lips. "OR ELSE SHE GETS IT!" She said as she attempted to get out her knife. 

However, the man and woman looked at each other before sighing. They both dropped Perrine and Alice to the ground, letting them hit the stone floor under them. "Well, I guess we should rescue our ally." The black haired woman said in frustration. 

"YOU GUESS!" Wind shouted in frustration as she struggled in Rachel's grasp. "YOU DON'T MEAN THAT, DO YOU CLEAVE?!" 

"I doubt it. C'mon, let's help her out." The brown haired man said as he began to walk up to them. The black haired woman sighed as she followed behind him, heading towards the two women. 

Slowly, the two of them squated next to Rachel. The woman who she assumed was Cleave was by her feet while the man was behind her. "You better do your best, Shade." Cleave said with an annoyed tone. 

"No worries." He said as he moved his fingers into Rachel's view. As soon as he did, Rachel noticed a set of metallic claws appear on his fingertips. Her eyes widened when she realized what they were going to do. Her eyes quickly darted to Cleave, noticing feathers appearing in her hands. "I'm sure she'll let Wind out soon enough. If not, we could always tickle Wind as punishment for getting caught." 

"DON'T YOU DARE!" The blonde woman yelled as she watched her companions move their tools closer to Rachel's pits and feet. 

"H-hey. Why don't we try to make a deal?" Rachel asked nervously as she felt her flip flops being removed, leaving her bare feet exposed.