In Charlotte's Eyes

ONE: [C] Hot Start

“Stand back, please.” Airy’s voice asked.

Everyone but Tomato took a few steps back. In the sky, six giant wooden poles were rocketing towards the ground. Charlotte watched with general uninterest. From her right side, Backpack shouted, “Tomato, get out of there!” His arm bumped into her as he did so, to her annoyance.

She glared at him as he began running towards the infant. Her glare softened into confusion. What was he doing? As Backpack got closer, Charlotte noticed why he was running towards the falling giant poles. One of the poles was gonna fall right on top of Tomato. She silently gasped.

Just before Backpack got to the child, the giant pole impaled Tomato. The insides of the baby splattered around the base of the pole, which had now lodged itself firmly into the ground. Backpack stopped and stared, then fell to his knees.

Charlotte watched in horror, mouth agape. Tomato just died. A baby just died. Nobody said a word.

Suddenly, the sound of Tomato laughing filled the air. Charlotte looked down. There he was, perfectly fine and normal.

“What happened? What just happened?!” Backpack asked, distraught.

“I regenerated him. Or, respawned him, is a better term.” Airy explained, deadpan.

Scenty, her voice subtly shaky, said, “Wait, so.. we can't die here..?”

“Yes. As long as you are here, you can't die.” He assured.

“We-.. we can't die.” Backpack repeated.

“Yes.. that's what I just said.”

“That's reassuring.” Soda Bottle sarcastically remarked. He seemed to be over the horror already.

“Wait, was that sarcasm?” Magazine asked. Charlotte rolled her eyes. Dumbass kid. Soda Bottle seemed to think the same, giving her a strange glare.

“This challenge is simple,” Airy said, gathering everyone’s attention to the six poles. “Don't, hit, the ground.” There he went again, trying to be dramatic. “If you are one of the first two people to fall, you’re eliminated, and.. the challenge is over.”

Charlotte had a hand on her hip. What an easy challenge. No substance to it at all. “And if we stay on,” Magazine started with an expecting smile. “Do we win anything?”

“You win this challenge.” Magazine’s face fell to disappointment.

“That's what you're worried about right now?! Really?” Soda Bottle snapped at her.

Even though she kind of liked Soda Bottle, she was more on Magazine’s side here. “Why are you so hung up about leaving?” Going back would mean she'd have to look at Parker again. This sudden change of scenery wasn't the worst thing in the world. “It's just a competition.”

“Just a competition?!” He shouted aggressively. He gestured towards the horizon. “Does any of this set off any hint of normality to you? We're in the middle of nowhere, an eleven month old baby almost DIED!” He glared at her. She returned the heavy gaze. Airy said something as Soda Bottle continued angrily ranting to her. “And this person you call a host is holding-”

His voice was cut off as Charlotte was teleported onto the top of one of the poles. She almost fell off from the sudden change, but she regained her balance soon after, standing on the pole with one foot, since the pole was too thin for both of her feet to stand on.

She looked around, immediately noticing Tomato fall off. “Tomato!” Backpack shouted, worried. He splat on the floor, dying again.

Charlotte was less worried about his death this time, since this supposed god Airy was able to recover anyone. “That doesn't count.” The god in question stated. Soon after, Tomato reappeared on top of his pole again. He fell shortly after again, splatting on the floor. “Okay then, Tomato’s out.”