Team Blue

5 ; HORROR

     The lobby fell apart and became a dark forest. My confusion for Alene faded as I was taken over by my survival instincts. I needed to get ready for what was to come.

     "What about Alene? Where is she?!" Kian yelled to the sky.

     "Look, let's not question it. We need to start trying to beat this trial. Echo, Kian, Renzo, do any of you recognize this place?" Anakin said.

     "I do. This looks like Blood Lake... and if it is, we're in for the heart attack of a lifetime," Kian responded.

     "Okay, then what do we have to look out for? What's the objective?" Renzo asked.

     "We need to find a treasure at the bottom of the lake while avoiding the monster, Jason."

     "Wow, Jason. I'm so terrified," Renzo remarked sarcastically.

     "No, it's the monster the little girl named... He's a shapeshifter, so you'll see different things... Uh... What are some of them? It's been a while since I played... Oh! He can turn into a girl with black hair and a white dress, the classic... He can turn into this really tall guy in a suit, which is freaky, because his body waves around all creepily. Scarred me. Um..."

     "Alright, he's a shapeshifter. What do we do?" Ekon butted in.

     "We should probably split off into groups. We all have backpacks; there should be flashlights in there along with some other supplies," Kian answered.

     Anakin threw his arm around Ekon and Renzo and I instantly looked at each other. Kian looked around awkwardly, and his eyebrows furrowed with sadness. There was a pause.

     "You can come with us," I said to Kian, smiling.

     Kian's eyes lit up and he smiled. He nodded.

     "Well then, Anakin and Ekon should probably head over to that cabin over there," he said, pointing to a log house that could faintly be seen through the trees. "If I remember correctly, there should be battery rechargers in there and some other stuff. Make sure you get the rechargers. The rest of us can go to the big tree over there."

     He pointed to what looked like a clearing off in the distance.

     "Then let's get going. We've got no time to waste," Renzo decided, taking a flashlight out of her backpack and heading towards the clearing. We all hastily took out ours before going our separate directions.

     "So, you talked about the little girl. Who is she?" I asked Kian.

     "Her name is never revealed, but you'll find her diary entries around here talking about Jason. She's supposed to be around six."

     "Ohhh, no. That's so creepy. I can't stand little kids and their drawings and the things they say. It's scary," Renzo said.

     I giggled.

     "I like kids. I think the things they say are funny. One time I went to a zoo and when I saw a hog, I said 'Oh, look, it's my cousin'. A little boy asked me if it really was. He was precious," I replied.

     "I don't really like kids..." Kian muttered.

     Our conversation died down as we continued to walk to the tree. I took the silence and calm to think for what seemed like the first time since I was thrown into this simulation.

     I wondered how many people were watching us right now. Were we even on a livestream? Or did the hologram lie? I wanted to go back to my apartment. I wanted to flop onto my bed and fall asleep and forget this ever happened. I wanted to call my dad and hear his voice. What if I died in this simulation? What if I never got to see him again?