Amanda
“The answer is the King... From a game of Chess.”
Immediately, the black creatures withdrew, leaving the train empty save for herself and the remaining eggbutts. Squeaky noises emanated from them, though they did not move.
“You did it, you did it!”
“Game win!” They squeaked out in their high-pitched voices, clearly enthused and excited. The riddle had been answered correctly. And now?
One of the carriage doors would open, allowing Amanda to travel to the next room.
Michelle
Michelle had figured out the phrase. But that wasn't the tough part. The tough part was now waiting. And ever increasingly, the footsteps in the darkness became heavier and closer. They shook the very floor, ans caused the lights to quiver.
Mr. Squiggles squirmed uncomfortably in her arm.
“You sure about this? You got a death wish, lady?!” It squeaked in a child-like voice.
The seconds ticked down, the footsteps getting closer, until finally: the door opened in a blinding flash of light, and ushered Michelle in from the monsters of the corridor.
Abel
The Smiler sniffed. It sniffed and sniffed, until it's sick smile increased. It's eyes slowly turned towards Abel.
”...Found you~!”But before the Smiler could take another step forward, a strange sensation overtook Abel. His whole body shivered and quaker, like wind was rushing over him. Until he disappeared. The Smiler stared on in confusion, but it was true. Abel was wholly and utterly gone…
Lucas
The eel's sharp grip held firm, dragging Lucas deep below the surface. No matter how hard Luca kicked or tried to fight back, it was useless. The jaws were simply far too strong, and the eel far too possessive of its prize, of its desire to protect the stuffed animals.
As Lucas’ breath began to fizzle out, and his lung began to burn and scream, something strange would occur. One moment he was there in the eel's jaws, and the next? Completely vanished. The eel's jaws clamped down on nothing but water…
E.Bl.123 - The End
Amanda, Michelle, Abel and Lucas would all find themselves ankle deep in pearlescent water, staring down a long hallway broken up with ribbons of light. And indeed, each could see the other. Everyone could see how soaked Lucas was, and everyone could see the worm stuffed animal in Michelle's arms.
Further down the hallway, a tall, spindly man walked towards them. His feet walked on top of the water, and he was dressed in a suit. Where his face should have been, there was only smoldering black.
He stood in front of them and gave a polite bow. “Friends. Honored guests. I give my congratulations. Two of you have completed the task I gave you.”
His smoldering face seemed to gaze at Amanda and Michelle. “And for you two, there shall be a reward.”
From behind him, there was the soft splish-splashing of little feet as Leila and Nigel ran up to Michelle and Amanda, giggling and smiling. They seemed in perfect health. Perhaps even better, with the warm rosiness of their cheeks.
Beside the suited ‘man’, a door opened. He gazed at Michell and Amanda. “For you two, a door that will lead you back to the daycare, as if nothing ever happened.”
Then, the man turned to Abel and Lucas, staring at them coldly. Before a row of sharp, jagged teeth appeared along where his mouth ought to be.
“You two… You two did not complete my task. For you, is nothing. Nothing except feeding me, and relieving me of my hunger. And oh, how I hunger for humans…”
Over the man's shoulder, Abel and Lucas would be able to see Maria and Isabella wholly enraptured in conversation with all of the stuffed animals: Zuzu, Mr. Mister, Miss Misses, Hazard, Wilbur and Winston, Mr. Squiggles, and Angelica. The stuffies were entirely dotting on the children, sharing sweets with them and playing with them.
The suited man glanced at the children and stuffed animals, before turning back to Abel and Lucas. “Fret not, I will keep your children safe. Forever…”
In a blink, the watery floors opened up beneath Abel and Lucas, and they disappeared.
Shortly after, Maria and Isabella disappeared, along with the stuffed animals. Wormy on Michelle's arm also disappeared. The man regarded Michelle, Amanda, and their reunited family with a look of satisfaction, before he disappeared as well.
And the door was open and waiting, allowing the two women to return to their lives. Perhaps improved, with their collective experiences.
The End.
Irradiant
Sky Blue
Ivar
AtomicEmperor
Audacious
Shin Ghost Note
NoriWasHere
FernStone
LimeTime966
AThousandCurses
