THE SECOND GAME
"Are you quite sure you're OK?" Sarah asked Tom, who was brushing sand of his suit. "I'm alright. I'm just still in shock. It was pretty terrifying back in there."
"I can imagine," Sarah said as she thought of the cleaners chasing her through a tunnel much like the one they presently were in.
"Twelve games to go!" Jessica squealed excitedly and clapped her hands.
The group stopped in front of a huge door and Jareth asked Kate once more, who she thought should enter the room. "Umm… John?"
John shrugged and went closer to the 7 foot tall door made of steel. John snorted at the look of the door and eyed Jareth in a funny way. Sarah noticed John's onceover of the Goblin King, the widening of the brunette's eyes and another snort as he eyed Jareth's tight pants. Sarah found it hilarious, but bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. She judged her decision to be wise as she noticed the fire in Jareth's cold eyes. "Be careful not to hurt yourself in there," Jareth narrowed his eyes and added coldly, "You have three minutes. Starting now."
On Jareth's command the door opened by retreating into the ceiling slowly. Unfortunately for John and the other contestants the game room was filled with water and it streamed out from underneath the door. When the gap between the floor and the ascending metal door was sufficiently big John crawled in. The door slammed shut behind him.
PRESENT – THE UNITED STATES
The man in a baggy orange suit struggles for air. He kicks his feet and waves with his arms in order to float to the surface, but eventually he reaches the 5 inches of air between the water and the ceiling. When his breathe normally once more, he takes in a big breath and goes underwater – He's here to find the crystal, and he will find it! The thoughts and his determination are plain to read on his face. With clumsy strokes he dives to the bottom. The floor is sandy with realistic seaweed swaying rhythmically and small shells scattered all over. A green trout swims by John and slaps his astonished face with its sticky tail. John looks after the strange fish, but merely shrugs and continues his strokes.
Just as a school of small fishes gently caresses his left foot he notices a gigantic open seashell with a shiny, glassy pearl in the middle. It takes him a couple of seconds to realize that it must be the crystal. He swims towards it quickly – he seems almost hypnotically drawn towards it. He sees a flash of orange in the crystalline pearl, but believes it to be his own reflection. Seaweed wraps possessively around his feet and ankles and a big bubble of air leaves his mouth in surprise.
Toby had laughed loudly when the trout had slapped John's face, but was now sitting glued to the spot in surprise. "Come on, John!" he cheered bravely, even though he reached out for Karen's hand.
"You have one minute left," the by now familiar voice rings out. John kicks the seaweed off in panic, as it tightens its grip. Another bubble of air leaves his mouth, as he yells out in pain. It looks as if he has swallowed some water and struggles to breathe. The brick-walled room suddenly begins to shake, as if the room is able to feel his pain. The shaking enables him to free his feet and he swims with violent strokes toward the door, forfeiting the crystal pearl. As his lungs run out of air he manages to knock on the steel door.
Karen clutched Toby's hand and drew his head to her side, effectively covering his eyes. "Did he die?" Toby asked quietly, while turning his head.
The orange-clad man slips through the door in an unconscious state. His team surrounds him and gets him to cough up the water he swallowed. Eventually he opens his eyes and gasps for air. When he once again is fully conscious, the only thing he says is: "huh."
After some time the man stands on his feet, supported by the two other men. The dark haired girl glares openly at the host, but does not say anything.