Episode 2 Group 2

Aaron had no idea what he’d gotten into.  Some psychopath was toying with them, he thought angrily.

            The notes in their pockets told them to “get to know each other”, but Aaron didn't know what good that would do.  What would knowing some random person’s name do?  And why did their captors want them to do it?

            Katie kept close to him.  She had a familiar face, and Aaron tried convincing himself he knew her from somewhere.  He thought she was kind of pretty, too.  She was a personal trainer with long reddish hair and wore a tight athletic jacket with matching yoga pants.  He almost forgot they were in a crisis.

            They had a chick with a blonde Afro as well.  Aly had the curliest hair Aaron had ever seen.  It reminded him of the top of a poodle’s head. She'd been pretty quiet aside from the few sharp comments here and there. This girl wasn't messing around.  Good.

            Andrew and Spencer bought up the rear. They were both slender fellows. Andrew was an inch or two taller and Spencer had thin rimmed glasses. It sounded like they recognized each other from music class in college.

            So far, Aaron concluded that most of them were in college or around the same age.  This could be some underground government project designed to perform cruel and unusual tests.  Or something.

            He was the first to walk through the mysterious black door.  Not to congratulate himself, but he trusted his strength above the others against whatever was waiting on the other side.  His body tensed as he slowly pushed the door open.  It didn't even creak; that enhanced the suspense a bit.

            “So, we are in a basement?” Katie said.

            The room they entered looked like it belonged to an abandoned home.  It was dark for the most part, but luckily the blaring light from the room behind them lit up the place. 

            From top to bottom the basement was crammed with miscellaneous items.  Chairs, rolled up carpets, a piano, bookshelves, and they were all coated in dust and dirt.  A few things seemed out of place and almost medieval, like an old wooden shield and silver gauntlets.  It was a hoarder’s paradise. 

            “I guess so,” Aaron replied, “If I were to kidnap a bunch of kids I’d probably find a sketchy basement too.”

            Katie shivered.  Her fists were clenched tightly and she had a pained look in her eye, like at any moment something awful would appear behind one of the bookshelves.  Aaron didn't blame her one bit.

            Aly brushed her arm against the large piano, coating herself in a thick wad of dust.  Quickly she cleaned it off, whispering “ew” several times. “This place is pretty disgusting.  And no one else seems to be here.”

            “Maybe they’re just letting us go?” Andrew suggested.

            “You think?” Aly said, her voice dripping with satire.

            “I don’t know.  I just want to get out of here.”

            “Me too,” Spencer groaned.

            He wasn't doing too well since waking up.  Not that any of them were in a cheerful mood.

            “Still feel sick?” Aaron asked him.

            “Yeah, it’s fine,” Spencer said, “My stomach didn't like whatever they drugged us with.”

            “I feel ya brother.”

            Aly inhaled, “Anyone think they know what a Thanato Project is?”

            “No idea,” Katie said.

            “Nope.”

            “Not a clue.”

            “No…”

            They quietly explored their surroundings, unsure of what to do or where to go next.  It was so cluttered, but everyone instinctively avoided touching anything as to not make noise.  It was proving to be a very difficult task.

            Suddenly, the door slammed shut behind them, turning the basement into nothing but blackness.  Katie screamed.  Aaron was close enough to her and was able to cover her mouth.  He crouched low to the ground bringing her with him.  They hid behind a bookshelf that was close to them, (at least from what he could remember visually) and he beckoned everyone else to join them.  Andrew let out a surprised “woo!” and almost tripped over Aaron and Katie on the ground.

            “Shh!” Aaron hushed, “Get down.”

            He felt two more people press against his back, following suit and crouching next to him.  That only made four people.

            “Who’s missing?” he asked.

            “I’m Aly.”

            “Andrew.”

            “I have Katie,” Aaron said, “Where’s the kid with the glasses?”

            They all heard someone shuffling around and knocking things over.  Aaron didn't know who had the right idea in this situation; to run or not run.  All he knew is that he didn't want to be surprised by something sinister.

            “Spencer!” Aly hissed.

            “Guys?” Spencer’s breathing was getting uneven, “Guys, w-where are you?”

            The shuffling stopped.

            “Spencer?”

            “Spencer?”

            They all heard Spencer, but he was speaking softly now in a terrified whisper.

            “Which one of you is next to me?” Spencer said.

            Their hearts dropped.  All four of them were still hiding behind the bookshelf, and he had to be at least a few feet or more away from them. 

            “AAHHHHH!”

            Spencer’s scream was inhuman.  Aaron didn't know people could sound like that.  Something or someone had gotten him.

            There was a struggle.  Spencer kept shrieking and from the sound of it he was most likely kicking, because they could hear objects falling in every direction. 

            “Shit!” Aaron grabbed Katie’s hand and ran back towards the black door.  That was the only location he could remember in the thick darkness.  Andrew and Aly followed closely behind them, so closely they were all kicking each others feet.

            “What happened!” Katie breathed.

            After bumping into several edges and walls, Aaron found the door and tried yanking it open.  They could barricade themselves inside, or get the light back at least to see what was happening.

            The door was locked again.

            Aaron cursed, and Spencer’s screaming stopped.

            There was a loud slam, like metal against metal, a loud groan, and then nothing.

            “Spencer…?” Katie whispered, half sobbing.

            “Stay against the walls,” Aaron said, “Keep one hand on someone.  See if we can find a light switch or… anything.”       

            If this place was truly abandoned the luxury of electricity would be lacking.  The room they were in before had light though, so maybe this wasn't what it seemed, Aaron thought.

            It was easier said than done.  The walls of the basement already had everything pressed up against them.  So it was more like doing a maze while blind.  Aaron couldn't imagine what happened to Spencer.  It was impossible to see, but whatever got to Spencer was able to find him just fine.

            Shit. 

            They were all trying to stay quiet. Katie was shaking terribly and her sobs were barely escaping her throat.  Aly was pretty shaky as well, but she tried to soothingly shush Katie.

            Finally, Aaron found something that felt like a switch.  Surprisingly and against all logic, it worked.  A single light bulb hanging in the middle of the large basement that flickered and gave them some exposure.

            Katie’s unsteady hands pointed towards a corner of the room.  There was a black metal coffin, crammed next to a few shelves and a large grandfather clock.

            And it was gushing blood.