Behind the Reflection
Isla would be left in a few moments of silence before hearing the sound of shattering glass. Footsteps seemed to grew closer as they crunched through the shards. If Isla would look over to what the sound is she would see one of the monsters fumbling about. It was directly facing her, but it didn't come charging, it moved it's head around the sky, slowly getting closer. It was only a few yards away from Isla. It knocked over a few plants as it walked forward. It would most likely reach her in 20 seconds.
Nana would find a small battery radio that could fit in her pocket inside the mostly empty tree house. When she climbed on the roof she would see the entire area covered in trees, but a few small clearings would catch her eye, a green house, a car which seemed to have a person inside trying to use it, and a mansion not too far. It would most likely take a minute to reach. Just as Nana took this in however she would feel the house shake slightly. Upon inspection she would see one of the monster clumsily climbing the tree towards her. It's head emitted a strange ticking sound as it got closer.
Maria now was able to see that the cave stretched out before her was more like a maze. It had many loops and dead ends. In fact they even found a skeleton inside there. As they made their way around it they would hear the echo of heavy footsteps followed by the sound of clicking. It was quickly getting louder, Maria would see two choice ahead of her, right or left.
As Gord would see the car's engine slowly start he would realize the amount of noise it was making. The sound of someone pushing leaves violently out of the way was beginning to be the dominating sound Gord was able to hear. The car was 90% done. It was his choice to run or bet everything on the car.
Berma looked over to Alice for the first time since the game started.
"If what I think of you is true then the things we would both value is easy to provide. Information. I would like to ask a few questions if my wager is correct, but if not you may ask a few questions as well if you'd like to take the bet." She offered. The Butler gave a worried look but sighed when he realized he wouldn't be able to stop her even if he tried.
<b><i>4:30</i></b>
Behind the Reflection
The Butler gazed over the odd people she managed to bring in. He smiled holding his hand up to signal he wanted silence.
"Now now I know you are confused. I acknowledge that, so to ease your stress I will no longer surprise you. It's going to become more confusing." As he talked the girl on the throne seemed to smile. Both Nana and Gord would find their weapons replaced with odd objects.
The girl on the throne tilted her head up slightly in response to Isla's questions. The butler looked over to her, in which she nodded in response.
"She is indeed adorable. You will refer to her as Berma. My master, as for me you may call me simply The Butler. I have no name."
The girl stared at Alice, pausing for a while before turning the other way as if deeming it unnecessary of anymore thought.
Gord would not be able to find any of his weapons. However his pockets were filled with... candy? An assortment of sweets that somehow didn't clump together were the only thing Gord would be able to find on his person. If he looked towards the Butler he would see him wearing a devious smile.
Nana felt the handle of her blade press against her palm. But she would notice something off with it. If she checked to see what was wrong she would see that her blade had been replaced with a thin wooden plank the width of her sword.
"Ah-haha. I couldn't resist. Besides, you came here yourself... or do you not remember?" The Butler said with a grin as if he knew the answer already.
Maria would find that the Butler appreciated her silence and listening abilities. Berma also seemed interested with her cub.
Berma adjusted herself on the throne making the Butler climb the steps to reach her, and then hold his hands up.
"It seems everyone here is willing to participate in the activity! The rules are simple! A simple game of tag! Now I'm sure you all know the rules yes? Now allow me to tell you a few changes to said rules. First, there will be more than one 'it'. Second, if you become 'it' you lose breathing privileges. Forever. Last five minutes and Berma will grant you a wish! Afterwards, you may return home. Any questions?"
Behind the Reflection
The monster's head shot upwards in the direction of Isla as soon as she made a movement. Its clicking became more louder. Isla would make it half-way to the exit when she heard the monster in the center of the green house begin to growl. Its head twitched violently still facing her direction. It's neck emitted a cracking sound as it reeled its arms back. And shot them forward. Isla would see the arms fly in front of her, missing by just a few inches.
Maria would hear the footsteps stop when she yelled. The clumsy uncertain sound of whatever was producing those footsteps disappeared, replaced with the unsettling canopy of running towards a certain direction. A blood curling screech was let out as the footsteps grew louder. Maria would see the monster reach the branch in the path and immediately shoot its arms to the left. Its arms stretched into the black void in front of it. The sound of it smashing into a dead end echoed through the cave. It paused before clicking again, its body turning slowly to the right as its arms retracted.
The circle Nana placed would be produced with no problem. However, the abomination below her didn't stop, it dug its fingers into to wood reaching closer and closer. It reached the base of the tree house in seconds, crawling inside of it like a spider. Nana's ears would now be chained to the sound of the monster's heavy footsteps and clicking directly below her.
The vehicle's engine began to match in volume to the sound of the rusting leaves behind Gord. Then, finally, the screen in front of Gord flashed a welcoming green. However, if Gord was to turn around he would see a not very welcoming sight. The source of the second sound would be clear to see. A humanoid figure hurling itself towards him on all fours. It let a almost glass shattering screech as it quickly began closing the distance between Gord and itself. Once it reached the beginning of the opening in the woods, it began to stand up straight, and reel its arms back.
Behind the Reflection
As Isla crouched under the monster's arms, she would be able to see it move its head side to side. It began clicking again as if it lost interest and seemed like it was going to begin searching again. However, it pulled its arms out of the wall, Isla was unfortunately right under them as it do so. She would see its head snap towards her and its claws begin to wrap around her shoulder and wrist. It stopped clicking.
Nana's explosion caused the entire tree house to burst into flames, a shriek from inside the blaze was easily heard. It was inhuman, yet it was unmistakably a man or woman, somewhere in between. Nana would see a figure engulfed in flames burst out, howling from pain. As it leap off the charred and collapsing tree house the flames died down. It disappeared in the forest. Nana's enchantment would go well. She could already begin to see the gates surrounding the mansion.
A war cry echoed throughout the cave as Maria screamed. She would go through turns at every corner, yet so matter how many different direction she went the footsteps only grew. That was until she reached an opening. Light shone from the end of it. The footsteps were getting louder, no doubt it would be on her any moment.
Gord would decide that standing still was the best way to confuse the monster, while he was in front of a running engine. The monster shot its arms forward, its claws breaking the windows and cleaning seperating Gord's head from his torso.
<i><span class="underline">Gord is dead due to inactivity.</span></i>
<b><i>3:30</i></b>
Behind the Reflection
The Butler enjoyed the discord that happened from the people below him. Berma also seemed to enjoy what the Butler has planned.
The Butler's grin grew twice as large when he heard Nana's question as if he was hoping she would ask it.
"Please believe me when I say they won't be needing to breathe..." He answered cryptically.
Berma looked interseted in Maria 's idea. She turned to Butler who nodded towards her.
"I can promise that if everyone get's caught only those who are 'it' will remain standing." He told Maria, who would see Berma focus on her fox again.
Isla would see the Butler glance over to her happy that she was ready.
The Butler opened his mouth clearly annoyed at Alice's attitude and response.
"The whole reason I have arranged this activity was to relieve my master's boredom, if you assume that you simply watching will entertain even a dog it's better that you leave-"
"No" Berma said flatly. The Butler froze in place.
"Master?"
"It's fine. I would like someone to bet with. During the match I would like to bet on who survives." Berma told the Butler. He sighed walking over to the steps mumbling to himself.
While Gord was seemly having a meltdown the Butler walked by him.
"Now now, I can't make this too easy for you can I?" He whispered "If you win, maybe you should ask for them back"
The Butler then stepped onto the steps once again. He looked over everyone he has participating.
"Now, to address some questions, in which you will find the answer to quickly, none of you are going to start out as 'it'. To answer what I am saying visually..." He snapped his fingers, making the ground under everyone except Berma, the Butler, and Alice disappear. Everyone now found themselves inside a jungle filled with emerald green leaves. It looked as though it was the Amazon, however besides plants you couldn't find any other signs of life. Suddenly the feeling of being watched overcame every one of your senses. Monster. The first thing that came to mind when seeing what came from the forest. Five eight foot tall figures reveled themselves. They had arms that stretched to their heels equipped with claws. They all had bags covering their faces which only showed the outline of their heads. "<b>They</b> are going to start out as 'it' As you can see, they aren't breathing. And into to becoming 'it' they are going to make sure you won't be breathing. I'll give you all a ten second head start!"
<b><span class="underline">5:10</span></b>
Behind the Reflection
Maria attempted to pry the hand off the definitely not dead Kyu, but it twisted as she got close wrapping around her instead. Its claws quickly pulled Maria back to the exit of the cave, there she would hear from the cracks of darkness of the cave in, a faint yet steady beat of clicking. Another hand slithered out of the gaps of the debris and coiled to grab Maria's waist, its fingers aiming to her waist.
Nana would barely threw the second stone before the sound of a door crashing down filled her ears. It was obvious the cellar door had been broken. The sound of clicking rang from inside the mansion, along with the crashes of furniture, glass, and wood. Nana would see that one of the sources began to run to the rock she threw to the right, however after the noise of whatever the thing that came out of the cellar made, it resumed its path to the mansion. All there sources picked up their speed.
Behind the Reflection
Kyu's shots managed to make the ceiling of the cave crumble, causing boulders and debris to rain down. Maria would get outside safely, however as she ran, a claw shot out from the void of the cave. It grazed her hip before coming to a sudden stop. The cave in caught the arm before it could do more damage, making it go limp. Its fingers still twitched.
Isla would feel its fingers curl firmly then stop. No noise came from it. No... no noise came from anywhere. Time had stopped for that exact moment. Yet, one sound became louder and louder. The monster was clicking again. Except this time Isla realized something. It was to the tune of her heartbeat. Its grip locked as it lifted its arms along with Isla in the air before slamming her down. It erupted another scream as it did once more. Isla would feel the wind knock out of her. The monster then began to walk closer to her, it no longer clicked. Once it reached Isla, it froze. Then, in one quick motion, it released Isla's head from being tied to her torso.
<i><span class="underline">Isla is dead due to thinking pretending to be a statue would work when someone grabs you.</span></i>
The mansion didn't provide anything truly useful to Nana. Old family photos decorated the walls and shelfs, some of them contained the girl on the throne from the beginning. However none of them contained the Butler. As she made down each floor she would notice a clicking sound begin to grow in noise. As she walked around it only grew louder. It would become clear that it was coming from one spot. A door to the cellar is what produced the noise. Nana would also however begin to hear the same noise coming from the outside. A mental note should be made that fire doesn't kill the monster, but they do wonders to their tempers.