“Greetings, contestants, welcome to the second to last game. You three find yourselves in identical chambers, shaped as the colorful casinos of Las Vegas. Slot machines, lights, entertainers, bars, anything you can think of. You will have 20 minutes to interact with the characters around the casino, find the clues, solve the mystery and escape. If you fail to escape within the given time allotted, you will be eliminated.”

The voice got quiet, the timer started. This was the second to last game before the finale, and I wasn’t gonna come this far just to get eliminated, that would be a sheer embarrassment! Okay, it’s time to get to business.

I first looked down the long line of slot machines lining the corridor for anything out of the ordinary. All of them said “RedHot Volcano.” But something was wrong with one of the graphics. When it showed the volcano exploding, the fifth slot machine’s lava looked yellow, not orange. Using the tokens given at the entrance to the casino, I put one into the slot, sitting down to play. I pulled the lever, three sevens. A trapdoor under the machine opened, along with a basketball rolling out. I grabbed it, 17 minutes to go.

I remembered seeing a section with basketball hoops that was to the left. So, I hurried over, almost tripping on the stairs as I stumbled up. A carnival worker waited for me. He gave me a strange look, as if I did something wrong. Then he said “You get three shots in the basket, you get it in, you’ll get a prize.” I missed two shots, so close to getting in, it hit the rim twice. But the last time I got it in. I was then handed a card which said “Great Things Come In Smoll Packages.” 12 minutes to go.

I noticed the error in the word “Small.” I decided to run for the exit since there were no other options. The security guard at the other end asked “Password?” I said “A”, he let me out. I have escaped.

Joshua then made his way out 5 minutes later. The final casino’s airways and doors slammed shut, then the third contestant, Randy, suffocated to death. A voice played once again.

“Congratulations you two, you’ve made it to the finals. You’ll be enduring Silence.. next time.”