Instinct (English version)

Chapter 12

Johan goes first. You follow him, climbing cautiously the ladder, FF2/N on your heels. What an ace trio!

You arrive in front of a huge locked metal door with no handle. The mechanical ladder folds away with a grinding noise after your passage. Once again, it is impossible to retrace your steps. But it does not matter. You know that you are close to the aim.

"Welcome to "The Den of the Evil Manly Prodigious and Sensational and Incredibly Hottie Master"! Before you access it, please leave the weapon in your possession in the lower floor..."

Johan winces as he is throwing the gun through the opening you came from. Given the noise made by the fall of the object, you are doubting it is still in one piece. You sigh, exasperated. The master is already safe behind these heavy doors, and he wants on top of that to stack all the odds in his favour by not taking the risk to have you armed. Pathetic.

The metal doors finally open in front of you. You cannot wait. You finally have the opportunity to make that pig pay for all evil he has done. Without wasting your time, you rush into the den, determined to put an end to that game.

You are now finally in the master's headquarters. A big word to describe what is actually looking like... an amusement park for kids. Famous cartoon characters are decorating the walls lightened by rainbow lamps. In a corner, a canary yellow slide leads to a little ball pool. A red trampoline takes centre stage in the middle of the room with pride, with an apple-green bumper car parked next to it. There is a bathroom on your right, as well as a kitchen containing an adorable porcelain doll's tea set in a marble sink, waiting for someone to do the dishes. You need several minutes to get used to this singular environment. The bureau against the wall at the back of the room -equipped with a mic and crowned by several monitors in which you can see all the rooms and corridors you crossed- is the only sign of professionalism you can see in this room.

You get closer to the surveillance area with Johan, while FF2/N is jumping on a huge fuchsia pouffe, delighted. At the same time, a door slamming makes you all jump. You turn around, facing a weird person who just came out of the bathroom. You are quite... confused. The person -extremely pale and thin- seems to be anaemic. He is standing in front of you, wearing a sky-blue dressing gown, with a steaming cup of coffee in his hands. Is he really the game's master? You actually have the impression to face the housekeeper.

The man is walking up to you, the noise of his black flip-flops against the parquet echoing in the whole room.

"I must admit I didn't expect you to come so soon! Luckily, I had the time to take a shower before your arrival. You'll take a cup of coffee, won't you? With or without cyanide?"

You and your friends glance at each other, panicked. The game's master is staring at you, disappointed by your lack of responsiveness. He sighs.

"You really have to improve your sense of humour, kiddos..."

He sits on a bright orange pouffe, right in front of FF2/N. The latter, terrified, squeals while pressing her legs against her chest. The master is sipping his coffee, completely serene, despite the fact that you are all staring at him. Johan breaks the silence.

"Now that we're here, wha- "

The master raises his index to silence him.

"Johan sweetie, you've had all your life to be unbearable, why don't you have a break?"

Johan frowns, ready to retort, but you stop him. Unfortunately, that person is the only one that can get you out of here. You had better give way to his demands. Even though deep inside you, you are restraining yourself from laughing because of the comment your friend received.