I stared at the dagger lying at my feet.
This must be a cruel joke, I thought.
But something inside me knew it wasn't.
Something deep in me screamed to run - but where? There were only two exits: one was blocked, and the other was where the creatures had come from... and the world outside. The image of what I saw earlier, when Jayden opened the door, still made me nauseous.
"Jayden..."
I snapped out of my thoughts, finally registering the offer - the choice - before me. I tried to back away, but my back was already pressed against the wall.
"So... what will it be?" Marcus spoke. His voice alone demanded attention.
I wanted to protest - to scream - but I couldn't. Why couldn't I speak? I didn't understand.
I tried with all my might, the strain building in my throat, veins bulging at the side of my head... but still, no sound came out.
Marcus stood still, watching me. His face was blank - no emotion, no mercy. That made him even more terrifying.
I tried to scream, to fight it, until my knees gave out beneath me. I collapsed, tears streaming down my face.
I didn't understand what was happening.
Now I'm being forced to choose - kill myself or someone else.
I just wanted to go home.
"What is it, girl?" Marcus asked, irritation creeping into his tone.
I felt like I had to speak, but still... nothing.
"You know, after all these years, you're still as weak as ever," he said coldly. "She was wrong to choose trash like you."
"Speak, damn it!" he barked. And with those words, something erupted out of me - not mine, but full of fury.
"I'M NOT TALEAH!!" I screamed, air blasting from my lungs so hard I had to gasp.
"I don't know what this is! I just... I just want to go home!"
"Home?" Marcus growled. For a split second, his eyes flared a deep, demonic red. I saw something materialize behind him - a shape, a shadow - but it vanished just as fast.
Then he calmed himself, as if nothing happened.
"Okay. I believe you," he said smoothly, voice now calm and charismatic. "But you see, I don't like leaving business unfinished."
"Pick it up."
My hand - without protest - reached down and picked up the dagger, as if it had a mind of its own.
"Now choose. Them or you."
I found myself turning toward Jayden, who was still suspended in the air.
No.
I wanted to scream again, to stop, but my body kept moving. I tried to resist, but it was useless.
"No use," Marcus said. "You've already made your choice. Can't say I'm surprised. You were always a coward."
"No," I whispered in my head. I didn't want to hurt Jayden. I was scared. I wanted to go home. But I didn't want to hurt anyone.
Maybe I did.
No! I shoved the thought away.
But my body wouldn't stop. All I could do was cry.
"Can you hurry it up?" Marcus said impatiently.
Then - suddenly - I sprinted toward Jayden, dagger outstretched.
"No, please..." I begged silently, as I lunged from the stage.
I closed my eyes.
CLANG!
The blade collided with something hard.
"Hahaha! Hahaa!" Marcus's laughter echoed.
"Look at me," he said.
But I couldn't. I didn't want to.
"I said LOOK AT ME!"
My eyes were forced open.
I was frozen in the air - suspended - the dagger's tip barely a centimeter from Marcus's face.
"I'm impressed," he said, stepping closer, voice darkly amused. "Didn't think you could break my compulsion. But you know what that means."
He leaned in, whispering in my ear:
"You chose yourself as the sacrifice."
I felt my strength drain away. My body was yanked backward, toward the stage. Time slowed.
Is this how I'm going to die?
I always told Laura school would be the death of me.
Guess I was right.
I wonder if she'll be okay without me.
I wonder if... she's searching for me.
I let my eyes close - ready to accept my fate.
"Laura..."
Just before they shut completely, a blur struck me from the side, sending me crashing in the opposite direction.
The landing was harsh... but soft?
I didn't understand what had happened until I heard a muffled voice.
"You can get off me now."
Nkosi.
He quickly stood, turning to face Marcus. His white shirt was now stained with blood, soaking down from his collar.
"Well, look at that," Marcus said. "I was afraid I'd killed you. But it looks like you're already halfway there."
Nkosi's voice cut through:
"Listen to me."
He raised his voice slightly, still low but commanding.
"Alex. When I tell you... get to the door. No matter what, don't stop moving. Do you understand?"
Before I could answer, Marcus interrupted, curiosity lacing his tone.
"What are you planning, little children?" He grinned wider.
Nkosi took a step forward, silently fixing his gaze on Marcus.
"Oh? You ready for round two?" Marcus said, delighted. "Crothsalv. Bring me the girl."
The hunchbacked creature turned. First it walked, then galloped - its clawed limbs pounding the floor, the sound echoing through the auditorium.
It was halfway to me when - CRACK!
A fist collided with its side, launching it into Jayden's suspended form.
It was Nkosi.
I didn't even see him move.
"NOW!" he shouted.
I didn't wait. I dashed between the benches, racing for the door. But before I could get far - WHAM!
I was flung backward, slamming into the wall. My lungs emptied.
"No. You stay," Marcus said coldly.
Seconds later, Nkosi was also thrown - but he didn't hit the wall.
"Alex, don't stop. Get to the door!" he repeated.
"Do you hear me?"
I nodded weakly, breathless. Defeated.
"Everything will be over soon," he said. "Just make it to the door."
Then he charged.
With inhuman speed, he aimed a punch at Marcus - who didn't even flinch. Nkosi used the stage's edge to flip, landing behind Marcus on all fours - forming a ramp.
Jayden shot forward, using Nkosi's back as a launch pad, knees-first - but an invisible force stopped him cold mid-air.
Marcus grinned.
Nkosi rushed forward, using the energy barrier as footing, pulling Jayden away from the force.
"Well done!" Marcus clapped mockingly. "It's been years since I met insects that refuse to die! You'll make perfect playthings... after a few modifications, of course."
Nkosi gave me a look.
Right - MOVE!
I dropped to my knees and crawled between the benches. The fight raged behind me. I was nearly at the walkway. I could see the faint red glow of the door.
Almost there-
THUD!
Something flew overhead toward the door - then was flung back.
Jayden.
His eyes glowed faintly. I didn't have time to look closer.
I was so close...
Just a few feet now. But blocking the path - the box. The one those things had brought in.
I felt relief for a second... until it turned to dread.
A familiar growl.
I slowly raised my eyes.
The hunchback.
It crouched atop the box on all fours. Eyes locked on me. It raised a hand...
Ready to pounce.