Chapter One — Alone
Ethan stood in the dark. The smell of mold was
thick in the air, and water dripped steadily from a corner. He spoke quietly to his imaginary friend.
“Hey, buddy… I really messed up this time. Me and my brothers. I was trying to help my little brothers finish their tasks before he came. Didn’t have enough time for my own. So they punished me.”
His fingers brushed the torn cloth covering the lower half of his face.
“They burned it. That’s why I hide it.”
A sharp knock hit the door beside him.
“Hey , dummy.”
Ethan turned his head slightly. “James…?”
“Yeah.”
“Why’d they put you in here?”
“Tried to help Emma. Ran out of time.” A short pause. “Where’s Chris?”
“Probably finished. He’s the smartest of us. He might’ve helped the little ones too.”
James was quiet for a moment. “You really think so?”
“Yeah.”
Another silence stretched between them.
“So what now? How do we get out?”
“We wait,” Ethan said. “There’s nothing else.”
James’s voice changed. “Why do you sound different?”
Ethan didn’t answer right away.
“…If we get out, I’ll tell you. I’m just tired.”
“…Alright.”
The room fell still again. Ethan stayed motionless for a long moment. Then, very softly, he began to cry. His voice was barely a whisper.
“What should I do…?”
