Chapter 119: A Response

Scar’s POV

It wasn’t anything personal. She was simply an obstacle in the way of me completing my mission. If I’m going to pass these trials and make it back to Racafi, steps must be taken.

I ensured it was quick… and that she wouldn’t suffer.

‘We are all human, and when I think of humanity, I think of our individuality. Which is why I believe we deserve to live a life of freedom.’

Recalling those words from Faith, Scar’s usual straight-faced expression vexed slightly more for just a moment or two.

Freedom… hmph, such an optimistic mindset is simply immature. Nobody is free in this world, nobody. Everyone is just a slave to their own existence. And the fact Faith was ignorant of the outside world and saying all that stuff… I oddly envy her hopeful view of humanity.

That thought weighed on my mind as I entered a large area. Looking around, I found myself in a vastly different place from what I’d grown used to. Several other hallways stemmed out of this large room, and at the room’s center is a spiral staircase going upwards.

As I advanced toward the staircase, another detail caught my eye. Just before the first step of the stairs, a large number, ‘1’, was painted on the ground in black.

Hmmm…

Mounting the staircase, metallic echoes of my footsteps rummaged quietly off the walls below me as I climbed through a gap in the ceiling and entered a much chillier environment. Everything was dark, and the only light available was peeking out from the opening I had just come through, where the light just barely illuminated a black number ‘2’ on a wall in front of me. That was all. Putting a hand on the wall, I slide my fingertips along its cool surface.

This must be level two, then. Looks like I'll be treading into unknown and unseeable territory from here on out. This could be trickier than the previous level…

Taking out the map model, I place it on the ground and flip it to check beacon three’s location. The blue light was still moving and getting very close to my location.

Excellent, they aren’t far behind. I don’t know how level two will operate, and having their location at all times will be very useful. But just in case, I should grab and unknowingly attach beacon two to somebody new as they enter this level.

Activating rift flow, I jump off the staircase and sprint down the route of hallways I just came from to seize the beacon from Faith’s body. Along the way, though, I pass by Ember, who is only a turn or two away from the staircase.

Ember… she’s tricky, but it’s not like I have much of a choice. If she came from the same direction I did, she definitely saw Faith’s body, and knowing Ember, she’s already narrowed down the list of suspects who could’ve killed Faith. And my name is definitely at the top.

Without revealing myself, I ignore Ember and go straight for Faith. Finding her in the same spot where I left her, I exited the rift flow and grasped the beacon in her hands.

Now, the question is… do I reveal myself to Ember as she reaches level two? Or do I continue to keep my location secret? Revealing myself would at least inform Ember that I am on the same level as her, which could be highly beneficial for me as a scare tactic or as a way to build trust. The latter is probably highly unlikely now, but different approaches can be made here… screw it, let’s just plant it on her on the way back.

Whooshing by Ember once more with rift flow, I quickly snuggle the beacon into a small open compartment on her backpack. I then returned to where I was on level two and drank some water.

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I doubt she checks there for a while. Just now, when I planted the beacon, nothing else was in that pocket. Additionally, I tucked the beacon in on the left and slightly closed the zipper on that side to cover most of it up. This way, I kept the pocket almost entirely open like how it already was, which means it wouldn't attract any unwanted attention. And unlike Faith, Ember won’t be scared to take action, so she’ll give me more information. If she’s useless, I’ll just dispose of her and use somebody else.

Reaching into my backpack, I seize a pair of goggles and put them on.

Just as I thought, these are night vision goggles. I used goggles similar to these a few times in the past…

Doing a 360, I detect outlines of bright green in a particular direction and quickly recognize that I’m looking at a hallway similar to the ones on level one.

No point in waiting around…

And with that, I advance onward into level two of the maze.

Ember’s POV

The same warm, fuzzy feeling suddenly brushed by me for a second time.

What was that…?

Looking around me, I ensured it wasn’t the shadow cursing me or something bizarre. But I became more confused when I noticed the shadow wasn’t following me.

Okay… this is weird.

Checking my vitals on my watch, I see that I’m slightly dehydrated, and my body temperature is a little above average.

Maybe it’s just dehydration? I still have plenty of food and water… should I take a break?

Exiting the end of the hallway, I enter a large area.

Or maybe… it just had to do with this place.

Sky’s POV

“We should at least try it!” I implore, holding a radio transceiver in my hand.

“It’s not worth the risk. Sky, come on, you’re smarter than this,” replies Hazel, clearly against my proposal of using the radio transceivers to try and make contact with the others.

“We don’t even know who has theirs on or off; it could really help us!” I urge once more, practically shoving the radio transceiver in Hazel’s face as we round a corner.

Hazel then came to a stop, causing me to do the same.

“What if Scar hears us? You told me he killed Cliff, right? What makes you think he won’t do the same to us? And what if using this reveals our location to Zeris or something like that? It’s far too risky!” counters Hazel.

“That’s true…” I say before taking a heavy gulp. “But there are far more people that could and would help us! Ember, Faith, Forest, Hunter… those guys!”

“Sky… I like the little team we have here, and sometimes, it’s best to keep the group small. Working together, we’ve made a lot of progress. Why do you want to change things up now?”

Putting both hands on the back of my neck, I walk over and slide down one of the walls.

Staring at the ground, I took a deep breath, “You’re right… you’re right. I’m sorry for yelling. I just want to know if they’re okay.”

Hazel sits beside me, “So do I, but we’ll know if they’re okay once we get out of here. What if we’re the last ones still stuck here, and they’re all waiting for us at the exit?”

“Not all of them… two people have died. And the timer hasn’t stopped yet. This is far from over, and not knowing who is still alive is… it’s not easy,” I say.

Hazel puts a hand on my shoulder, “And that’s okay. Sky, you must understand that right now… we just need to worry about ourselves. We might be the only team in here... which can put a target on our backs if certain people find out. If the others also believe that two people have died, that means everyone is definitely on edge with their guards up.”

“Which is why we should reach out! Safety in numbers might be the key! I don’t understand why nobody else has tried using the radio transceivers! Maybe we need to- maybe…”

Taking another deep breath and rubbing my hands down my greasy face, I get back on my feet and walk down the hall.

“If you’re this adamant on trying this out… I won’t stop you. You can do it; just know that I’m not promoting this decision,” says Hazel. “It’s your call, and I’ll support whatever you choose.”

“Then we’re doing it,” I say after some thought, turning back to Hazel and bringing the radio transceiver to my mouth.

Pushing the ‘speak’ button, I say, “Hello, can anybody hear me? This is Sky.”

After waiting ten seconds, nobody answered. Locking eyes with Hazel, she slowly nods, and we start walking down the hallway.

But then… a static voice responded.

“Sky! It’s you! Oh, I’m so happy to hear your voice! By the way, this is Hunter!"