House of Trap

11 | Hide and Seek (Part 2)

Footsteps pranced louder in the hallway, creaking the maroon carpeted floor as two figures approached from two opposing sides. Damon was heading up the stairs, glancing once at Ethan who was descending. He paid little to no attention to the guy, continuing his way up.

"You're misunderstanding the game," Ethan muttered when the older tried to pass him.

Damon halted, slowly turning to the other. The large painting of the Last Judgement was set behind them, almost creating an illusion that their pathetic nature was a part of the masterpiece itself.

"I take it that you have a complete understanding of the game?" Damon questioned, his tone amused but unconvinced.

"Better than you, at least."

Damon clenched his fist, but soon reminded himself not to be provoked by this little boy's antic—he resembled his brother in many ways. He had more important things to take care of than to entertain Ethan with his speech. So he rolled his eyes and continued taking the next step upwards.

"I'm serious," Ethan called after him. But all he got in response was a lazy arm flick, saluting him without any direct eye contact. He sighed and passed the hallway and the dining room to get to the kitchen.

He swore he heard loud music coming from this place when he was heading to the attic earlier. It was impeccably loud considering he heard it all the way from the second floor. As he approached the kitchen, however, it was filled with dead silence now.

Ethan popped his head inside, looking for signs of any human. The whole place seemed to be empty with Oliver's laptop sitting visibly on the kitchen counter. It was the exact reason for his visitation, so he saw no reason not to borrow it.

"Hey Ethan."

"What the—"

He lost his cool when he jumped aside with his legs pressed together and his arms held out defensively in front of him. His wide eyes stared at Jay and Natasha who were both sitting on the ground, looking at him weirdly. Ethan was so glad Madison did not see his girly jump.

"What are you guys doing there?" He then asked after dusting his embarrassment away. The two were sitting together against the wall right beside the entrance, all the more reason why he couldn't spot them.

"We were just thinking about the game," Jay said with his head hung low. "I have no idea which room has the trap."

That wasn't his primary dilemma. Even if he managed to dismantle the clues, the true question was which room to go to. What if it was all a trick and he could only save one person?

"We're working on solving it," Ethan said, about to ask permission to borrow the laptop when he got interrupted once again.

"What would you do if you were in my place?"

Ethan paused, looking up at the elder who looked like he was having a mental breakdown soon. He realized this wasn't a good timing to request for the laptop.

"If you were the seeker, and you know the room Maddie chose—"

"What's wrong with Maddie's room?" Ethan cut him off, suddenly growing concerned. It did not dawn upon him this was a mere what if scenario.

"If," Jay emphasized. "If you were the seeker and you know the room Maddie chose was safe, would you still go to her?"

Ethan remained still, watching the two who were staring back at him with such sternness as if the fate of their life depended in his hands. "Are you two finally dating?" He asked suspiciously.

"Dude, just answer the darn question!" Jay was losing his patience. He wasn't angry, not at all. He was desperate for an answer—for a sign of some sort that could guide his next move.