Instinct (English version)

Chapter 3 (A2)

You decide to go in the cellar.

Even if it hurts you to admit it, Alex is right: leaving will drastically increase your chances to meet the killer. The situation is already stressful, there is no need to take unnecessary risks. Thomas tries to reason with Clara, undoubtedly furious, but who eventually decides to stay with you, unwillingly. Anna still does not say a word. You are doubting the fact that this kid has her own free will because of her passiveness.

Alex goes first and you follow him into the passage. You are starting to really appreciate him, as he is not as idiot as he seems to be. You cautiously go down the spiral staircase. The fresh air feels good after the suffocating heat from the island. Except some bottles of wine, there is nothing interesting in the cellar. Clara is about to go back to the kitchen when Thomas interrupts her.

"Wait! Maybe it's like in video games! We have to search for a secret passage!"

"I love your way of thinking bro!" exclaims Alex while giving him a violent pat on the back which almost dislocates his spine.

Okay you immediately change what you just have said: he really is an idiot. They are not going to search for some hidden passages... are they?

Clara lets her anger out.

"Do you seriously think now's the time to play your stupid video games?! You're all gonna die, you hear me?! DIE!"

As she continues scolding them, you nearly jump out of your skin when you can feel a tiny hand grabbing your T-shirt. Anna is staring at you with her big innocent eyes. She is pointing to the corner of the cellar while pulling the piece of cloth. Curious, you follow her and discover a hatch half hidden under a dusty carpet. A... secret passage?! Still shocked, you quickly warn your friends. Clara cannot believe it. Thomas does not seem to either.

"So, who was right miss?"

The tall blond girl glowers at him, as the latter keeps sticking his tongue out. Surviving with those two will not be an easy task. You urge them to enter the secret passage before they start to quarrel again. Like always, Alex goes first.

You are now in a huge tunnel. Some faint neon lights decorating the walls encourage you to move forward. You have the impression of being in the undergrounds of an abandoned warehouse. The game's master really thought about everything while creating this hotel... But why has he put so much effort into this project?

You bravely walk in the tunnel, paying attention to every sound around you. Except some drops of water echoing in the passage, you do not hear anything suspicious. Are you really safe?

Your thoughts are immediately interrupted by an ear-piercing scream on your left. You witness with horror that the group's "hero" has miserably been caught in a trap. His strong arms are maintaining him at the edge of a deep ravine, preventing him from falling. But he will not last long.

Your turn! Do you want to help Alex or not?

You decide to help Alex.

You and Thomas do not hesitate. Even Clara seems to momentarily bury the hatchet. The three of you easily lift him up. The young man apologies, embarrassed.

"I can be so clumsy sometimes... Thanks a lot!"

Even if he is thanking all of you, he particularly looks at Clara. His eyes are full of gratitude and kindness. It is the first time -and probably the last- that you have seen this brave "knight" so vulnerable. The young blond woman quickly looks away, embarrassed, while murmuring a quiet "You're welcome". You can see her cheeks turn pink as she faintly blushes. Seems like everyone has their own weaknesses after all...

Continue your adventure to paragraph Next.

You decide to stay away.

There might be some other traps. You are not going to put yourself in danger just for him. You do not move. Meanwhile Thomas and Clara, who seems to have momentarily buried the hatchet, rushes to Alex in order to lift him up and save him. The latter warmly thanks them with such a softness towards Clara that she quickly looks away, embarrassed. On the contrary, he stares at you with total contempt. If looks could kill, you would certainly already be buried six feet underground.

Continue your adventure to paragraph Next.

Next.

You finally arrive at the end of the tunnel. In front of you, the path divides into three.

"Let's take the middle one."

"No, let's take the one on the right!"

Here we go again... Do they have nothing better to do than quarrelling in a situation like this?

You are really starting to be fed up about their childishness, when suddenly...

"Run!" shouts Thomas.

A strong figure is running towards you. The killer! Without thinking twice, you enter the closest path. Panting, you glance behind you. Looks like you are alone in this passage. The criminal must have been following one of your friends... You are slowing down a little bit when you discern a dark figure chasing you. Really? Only one chance out of three and it had to be you? Well, at least you know today is not a good day to buy a lottery ticket!

You are running at full speed, but the killer is faster, and despair is taking over. Your strength is fading away against your will, when you can see a few meters away a metal gate closing slowly. Here is your exit! You know you can do this. You already saw this scene multiple times in action films. You jump and slide under the gate just before it shuts off. Victory! Oh well, you have your elbows scratched and you cannot feel your legs anymore, but still. You knew all those evenings spent on the sofa in front of the television would be useful one day!

The killer is staying motionless behind the thick steel bars. His hood is covering half of his face therefore you cannot have a single clue about his identity. Anyway, you are not interested in getting to know him... Better leave this place as fast as you can.

You are now wandering through the undergrounds, all alone. Continue your adventure to chapter 4!