Social Experiment

Into the Wilderness (Zeke)

"Where is he!?"

"Careful, Terrance. People might feel regretful about giving you a second chance if you wake everyone up."

"You know where he is! Where all of then are!"

I shrug. "Can't help you."

"Can't or won't?"

"I think you can figure that one out."

Terrance ignores me. "How can seven people sneak in here from Chamber 8 and bring another person with them back to the chamber?"

"Quietly?" I suggest, "How do you know they came here last night anyway? Maybe Westin just left."

"They took mattresses! Out of their beds!"

"What's going on?" Irisha yawns, walking into the Matrix.

"Eight people have escaped, gone to live in Chamber 8."

"Is that a crime?" Irisha questions groggily, "Let it go, Terrance. I didn't arrange for you to leave 18 so you could revert to your old ways. Everyone expects you to change, including me."

He stares at her for a long time, then sighs. "I suppose you're right."

"You suppose, do you?"

"Okay, okay, you are right."

"I'm going back to sleep." Irisha announces, walking out.

Terrance turns to me, pleading quietly. "If you have any information on how to get into that chamber, I suggest you share it."

I chuckle. "You don't intimidate me. I could beat you in a fight any place, any time."

"I'm not threatening you. I really am giving a sincere suggestion. We've been without food for two days. People can't last much longer."

"And what makes you think They locked another cache of food behind that big, black door?" I inquire.

"I think we both know what's inside that vault."

We stand there silently for a moment. "Good night, Terrance."

He looks like he's about to ask about Chamber 8, but thinks better of it. "Night."

After he's left, I tiptoe to Abbi's room. Surely she'll help me get people out of here.

The door opens slowly, creaking. I whisper her name into the darkness. After a bit, her eyes flutter open.

"Who's there?"

"It's Zeke."

She relaxes a bit. "Nice to see you. Though next time it might be more pleasant if you waited until morning."

"This is important."

"Okay, what is it?"

"Last night, one of the people residing in Chamber 8 came to me."

"Who?" Abbi interrupts.

"Ozzie. He told me the combination to the vault, and described what's inside. I think we should go. All of us. It's better than starving here, with no-"

"And what is inside?"

"A forest."

"Ha. A forest? Ozzie really is insane."

I scowl. "I know it sounds fake, but why would he make that up? And there must be some truth to it, if they're all well fed enough to worry about making their beds comfortable!"