Game-Lock

Chapter 9: Level Four -- Office Space

I couldn't sleep, no matter how many times I closed my eyes. It was always those yellow eyes. It repeated over and over in my head like a broken record. Austin had passed out himself now, his head still against the side of the couch. Everyone was quiet, and everyone was sleeping. I sighed as I slowly stood up, making sure not to shift the couch too much and wake Austin up. I slowly entered the corridor of 100 doors. I hoped, prayed desperately that Thalia had seen me disappear before she started playing the game. That she didn't suffer the same fate as me. I wasn't even sure if I was live — could my viewers see me? I wasn't sure.

And it didn't matter too much right now. I had to survive and had to get out, and I would deal with everything else later. I slowly walked past every door, with the glowing red numbers – each one an ominous threat. Every door looked exactly the same. Then there it was – door 100. I wasn't sure when we would reach this door, and how many of us would actually reach this door.

What Austin had said rang true to me though. We weren't going out without a fight. I wanted to get out of here and have one hell of a story to tell by the end of the day. And we were a surprisingly good team.

I heard shuffling behind me and spun around.

"Woah, hey, chill, just me," Rey said. "Not some spooky ghost or werewolf, or whatever occurs in horror games."

I laughed a little. "Still planning on playing horror games after this?"

Rey pursed his lips and shook his head. "I think I'm going to stick to shooter games. Fantasy or whatever won't kill me if I get sucked into the game. You?"

"I kinda still have to, my job is streaming horror games. If I just stop, it will cost me dearly."

"You could transition slowly?"

"Not really, I like horror games, I just don't like being in one."

Rey nodded and sighed.

"So, you're pretty nifty. You can canoe, and hell you can run. You do sports?"

"Well, maybe a little," Rey scratched the back of his head. "I don't think I'm too bad."

"Well, it's definitely helping out with your survival skills," I said as I stared at the doors. "You stand a better chance than what I do."

"I don't know, if I was in the water I would have been – probably not as calm."

"Hmm, until the thing grabbed me." I shook my head.

"You make for good monster bait."

"Excuse you."

Rey chuckled a little and I shook my head.

"I might've overhead your conversation with Austin though, and are you ok?"

I grimaced slightly. "I don't know. I got my leg bitten so— I'm struggling to cope with that."

"You're strong, I'm sure we'll get through this, no matter what gets thrown at us."

"I hope so," Rey." I said, staring at Rey.

"You guys awake? Good, I think it's time we head to Level 4," Austin pointed to the door. Hayden and Blake peaked their heads past the corridors.

"Might as well," I said. I didn't want to put too much thought over the fact that we were heading right back into danger. But Austin was right. We were a solid team. Perhaps we might make it out of it after all.

Austin reached for the door. He swallowed and opened it, before stepping inside. I followed behind him. I blinked and suddenly we were in a dark, musty office with a green tinge and flickering lights. The musty wallpaper was peeling, and every single cubicle looked the same with the cracked monitors. Ahead of us was an elevator, with a red light glowing inside.

Austin turned to look at me. "What you thinking?"

"Clear every level on the elevator and survive? Possibly..."

"Seriously? More levels?" Rey complained.

"This place is scary." Blake whispered.

"No kidding, this place gives me the heebie jeebies. Shivers," Hayden said casually.

I turned to look at Hayden who winked at me, and I rolled my eyes.

"Any sort of elevator games is a lot more psychological – but there could be something lurking," I said. "Finding out what it is, will be important, and finding out where it is too."

"And looking for any kind of weapon." Austin muttered.

"You're awfully chirpy," Rey said to Hayden.

"Call it my coping mechanism." Hayden muttered. "Gotta stay positive or I might actually – lose it."

Austin shook his head slightly. "Alright, we stick together, take it one room at a time. If this is psychological, it is especially important for us to stay calm. Got it?"

I nodded as we slowly walked to the elevator. Austin slowly stepped in first placing his hand against the side and it creaked. I quickly followed behind him.

I barely blinked when the elevator door slammed shut, the force shoving me down on the ground, and I could hear the crack of Austin's hand, along with a haunting yell.