No Way Out

Chapter 17: Locked

Chapter 17: Locked

French’s P.O.V.

"Reixel? Ally?" I called out their names, my voice echoing in the sterile silence.

I had just emerged from room 13, the memory of dropping the photo into the box is still a burning ache in my chest. I was so sorry. Sorry to whoever's picture it was, and sorry that this game had forced me to choose. I had no idea where we were, not really. Each room was a puzzle, a test, a cruel game designed by that… Master.

I pushed open door 20. Empty. Just like the room I’d left behind. The only thing present was a speaker mounted high on the wall.

Where were they? Has that Master separated us?

The thought sent a shiver of fear down my spine.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rising panic, and considered my options. Door 21. Okay. I approached it cautiously and stepped inside.

A searing pain shot through my legs the second my feet hit the ground. I cried out, a strangled gasp escaping my lips. A trap! It had snapped shut around my ankles, teeth of cold metal biting into my flesh and bone. I could feel the pressure, the sharp, unbearable sting of being caught.

Panic seized me. I scrambled to retreat back to room 20, but the door was locked. Shemas! This was it. This was where I messed up. The light in the room pulsed with a harsh, crimson glow, making it impossible to see clearly. I couldn’t tell if my feet were already bleeding, everything was already bathed in red.

I forced myself to take a breath, then tried to take a step. A moan escaped my lips as the weight of the trap dragged against the floor, the grating sound of metal on stone a deafening counterpoint to my pain.

I needed to get out of this room. Desperate, fuelled by adrenaline despite the agony, I dragged my legs towards door 22, each movement a torment. Then, another trap sprung. My other foot was caught. I screamed, a primal sound wrenched from the depths of my being. It felt like my bones were shattering. The world swam.

"Reixel! Ally! Celestria!" I sobbed, my voice hoarse and cracking. "Nasaan kayo?! I need you right now!"

I pulled myself up from the floor, my limbs trembling. I sat heavily, staring at my legs. No. I couldn't walk anymore. Tears streamed down my face, hot and unwelcome. I wiped them away roughly.

"Shhh… be strong, French. Don't cry. Crying won't help you," I whispered, trying to soothe my fraying nerves.

Another deep breath. I had to get out of here. I started to crawl, inching my way towards door 21. It felt like an eternity. Finally, I reached it, my fingers fumbling with the knob. I yanked it open and dragged myself inside, the door slamming shut behind me.

I slumped against the wall, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I looked at my legs. Blood was seeping through my jeans, staining the fabric a dark, horrifying crimson. The pain was a constant, throbbing ache, radiating from the deep, jagged wounds. I felt faint, nauseous.

My gaze swept around the room. Keys. Hundreds of keys, of all shapes and sizes, hung from the ceiling on thin chains. Antique keys, modern keys, tarnished keys, gleaming keys. A dizzying collection.