Plastic Roses

Chapter 4 - Ashley

Ashley found herself in another room. This one was slightly more decorated than the last. The walls were covered with some green and yellow flower print wallpaper. It was beginning to tear, revealing the stained cement. Water dripped from the ceiling, splashing onto the wooden floor. The only lighting came from a glass dome fixture that was clouded with dew and moss, allowing only a small amount of light to pass through. However, there was enough to illuminate the room and reveal the collapsed furniture and scattered belongings. A single rose rested in the center of the room, surrounded by rotting pieces of bug-infested wood. The putrid smell of mold wafted through the air.

Warily, she entered the room looking around carefully in hopes that she wouldn't trigger a trap of some sort. Behind her, the door slammed shut, a loud bang echoing throughout the room.

"I hope to can swim" a childish voice giggled over the speakers, ones that she had not noticed before despite the large, bulky figure.

Static shot through the air as the speakers shut off. She stared at them, the dark mesh was cleaned and cared for. It was dusted and the neatly placed, the area surrounding it swept and cleaned unlike the rest of the room, which was neglected and left uncleaned or cared for. Metal clanked and shifted beneath her feet and small vents opened. Slowly, water seeped in from the bottom.

Ashley began to panic, she hadn't swum in a long time and wasn't all that good at it anyway. Her breathing became quick and heavy as the water began to soak through her clothes. She pushed through the water, scanning the room for a door, but saw nothing. Her eyes widened as she continued to search for a way out. The old wood drifted to the surface of the water.

Red petals began to drop off the rose, drifting across the surface. It moved towards the sides, sticking to driftwood. Small waves rippled across the water, shoving the objects against her and the walls. Ashley sucked in a breath of air before diving down into the water. She came up again, hair in her face, water dripping down her nose and lips.

Again, she dove down into the water, hesitantly prying her eyes open in order to search for an exit. The water stung her eyes as they scanned the ground and walls. On the ground was a small trap door that was latched tightly to keep any water from escaping the room. It had been buried beneath the rubble that once littered the floor.

Ashley pushed back up to the surface, lungs begging for air. Only a small gap remained between the water and the ceiling. Quickly, she dove back down, pushing off the wall to propel herself closer to the door. Her hands wrapped around the rusted handle. She tugged at it but the gate was latched in place, unmoving. Her fingertips groped at the floor, searching for the door's lock. She skimmed the top of a cold metal.

Her chest screamed and burned for air, begging to be let out of its cage. A small smile crept up, onto her lips. She clenched the lock tightly in her fist, pulling and tugging on it. The rust had weakened the metal, allowing her to break it apart. As she felt it tear apart in her grasp, Ashley tore open the trap door.

Water rushed through the opening, almost pulling her in with it. However, she had her grip on the gate's handle so that she wouldn't be pulled in to the opening.

Ashley gasped for air, the burning in her chest settled as it received what it had been asking for. "Puzzle number two," she mumbled quietly.

She curled over, hands on her knees. Vomit rose in her throat before splattering onto the ground. The stench mixed with the mold creating another horrid smell. Shakily, she slapped one hand over her mouth as an attempt to keep any more vomit from coming up. Unfortunately, her attempts were ignored as more of the substance burst from her mouth. Ashley staggered away from the door, legs shaking at even the slightest of movements. The door she entered through swung open revealing an old man.

Flabs of wrinkled skin hung from his arms. One hand was outstretched to grip a carved, wooden cane. His eyes were a pale blue, one half closed, and the other eyeing her closely. The man's breathing was loud and heavy and his body shook with every shaky breath he took. He was hunched over leaning against his cane. A quavering hand reached towards her, causing Ashley to let out a yip and back away.

"Come," the man's voice was deep and raspy, he took a step forward and latched onto Ashley's arm.

Her breathing stopped for a second. She looked down at the old man before her vision went black.

***823 Words*