_Beeep…. Beeeep …Beee—_

The phone picked up erupting with uproarious laughter and inaudible chatter, making Alex almost jump. He felt a twinge of envy and a mix of gloominess as he closed the door behind him.

"'**_Sup Alex?_**" Avery perked up.

“My life…” he tossed his phone on the bed.

“**_What?_**”

“Nothing... ” he plopped down, the mattress gently sinking.

"**_Hold on a sec. I'll head ...

_“Hello?” _

__

Will called out into the vast emptiness that surrounded him. His voice bounced back from the unseen walls.

_Where was he?_

The question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. Darkness enveloped him like a thick fog, and a slight uneasiness slowly crept up his spine.

“Is anybody ther—“

**_Swoop!_**

A gust of wind whooshed passed him. He spun, his heart racing. Inaudible wh...

“**NO STOP**!” Alex shrieked as he fell back, pinned against the floor.

“Nobody’s listening, Alex.” His uncle said calmly, grasping his fumbling hands and yanking them above his head.

Alex screamed and flailed against his grip, “DON’T—“

_WHAM!_

The knife plunged into his chest and blood gushed out, cutting off his scream midway....

“Where are we…”

“I don’t kn— OUCH!”

Something hit against his head. The sound of rattling cans filled the pitch black space.

“Alex, are you okay?” Avery hissed.

Judging by the sound of her voice, she must’ve been somewhere behind him.

“Yeah…” He rubbed the back of his head.

Bright, narrow light streaked through the shutters of what Alex assumed was a door. More things came into view as...

“Dude, did you hear that?”

Will’s vision was blurry. But he could manage to make out the silhouette of his friend bolted upright.

“Hear wha…” he yawned. He forced his eyes to open and pushed himself up. He looked up at the clock on the bedside table.

**_1:30 AM

_**

“I don’t hear anything…” He mumbled, sleep still clinging on to him. His warm sheets invited him back in. “What are you talking a...

“C’mon man! Take the knight and kill her Queen already!”

“mmm… Hol’ on…. Lemme think…”

“You’re supposed to be on _my side_, Will!

“Alright. Alright.” Will raised his hands, “I speak no more.”

He fell back into the bed.

Surrounded by an audience of stacked cardboard boxes, Avery waited for Alex’s next move. What started out as _Unpacking Boxes after moving_ was now evolved into a Chess match...

“…and you _totally_ wouldn’t believe it when I said—“

…

That’s when Will’s world went silent.

He gazed at the people around the table. Mr. Tee with his fancy moustache, throwing his head back into a laugh. Plumpy Mrs. Howl, parting her red lips, baring her teethy smile. An inaudible warm laughter, under the warm lights. Delectable food served in golden platter. The clinging and clanging of for...

“What are you—“

“SHHH SHHH!” The blond kid placed a finger on his lips. Don’t. say. a. Word.”

Milo gulped. He inched back in his chair.

“Okay…” whispered the short-haired brunette, who had carefully drawn the curtains. “I think it’s safe to talk.”

“TALK? WHO _ARE_ YOU KIDS? WHERE AM I?”

“_Dude! Take a chill pill. _Do you want her looking for you?” Kid number 3 near the door hissed.

“Who...

“Hold up! I see something, gimme a minute."

"What are you— WOAH AVERY, NO—"

The maniac proceeded to step on my shoulder. Does she even realize she’s like what? A hundred pounds? Why did I think it was a good idea to clean the attic together?

"Relax, Alex. I’ll be fine" She put her another foot, squatting on my shoulders.

"But I’m not!" I squirmed, "You know you’re quite heavy, don’t you?"

"...

_______________________________

James was just a few minutes away from asking the most important question in his life.

He checked his phone:

3:25 pm

For him, the day had been longer than usual. His heart hammered against his chest.

Christine was there in front of him.

Her beautiful blond curls falling over her shoulders. The yellow muffler wrapped around her neck. The muffler he had gift...