"Is this for real?"

Abby stared wide eyed as the others - including a cute blond boy she hadn't seen before - crossed through a pit of fire. It was all she could do to wave silently at Cam as she watched the crossing. Though the blond was carrying Cam on his back, the girl was being subjected to the series of barbed wires blocking the path. Abby stepped backward. No way could she do that!

"A-are you sure there isn't another way around?" she called, creeping up to the edge of the pit. She moved to take a step forward, her stockinged toes dangling just about the coals, but the heat was overwhelming; she rapidly pulled back, rubbing her arms nervously. "I don't think I can do this..." Of course, here, all her wounds would heal. Once she reached the other side, she would be in perfect condition, all cuts closed and burns faded away. But it would hurt. A lot. 

She looked around, biting her lip hard. There was a door leading off in another direction; if she wanted to, she could just leave. But she would be [i]alone[/i] if she did that! Sure, there were other people around... but they were [i]too[/i] nice, almost artificial, like NPCs in a video game. They didn't feel real!

Abby took a deep breath and leapt forward. Pain seared through the soles of her feet as she landed; she cursed, her momentum propelling her into the barbs. She brushed them aside frantically, watching as the gashes in her hands healed. The temptation to retreat washed over her, but she set her jaw stubbornly and pushed onward, writhing in agony. Whoever was behind all this was going to [i]pay![/i]