"Do you hear that?" Eve asked as they walked into a cavern looking location where they were between two large cliffs of rocks.
Mouse listened and shook his head, "You are hearing things. The game is getting to you," he replied before shrugging off her concerns.
Sheldon, on the other hand, nodded, "It sounds like a helicopter which could mean our other team is nearby," he stated, before reaching out his hand to her in hopes she'd hold it while they walked.
Eve beamed as she laced her fingers into his and began their journey, keeping their ears peeled for the sound of the chopper to appear again. "Professor Oberon?" Eve began, grabbing his attention.
"Why did you address me so formally?" he asked in reply, "You haven't called me that since our very first introduction," he added in confusion.
She smiled, shyly, before speaking, "I like the way it sounds, to be honest, and this question seems more formal then what we've been discussing so far," she paused allowing him the chance to decline to answer, but he didn't. "Would you come back with me, if you were allowed after we finished?" she asked, feeling vulnerable as she said each word before looking away.
Sheldon smiled softly as he nudged her with his elbow, "Look at me," he requested in just above a whisper waiting until she did. Eve turned her head, hesitantly, until her eyes were locked in his, then he continued, "The chances of Nigel allowing any of us to leave Jumanji are slim, at best, however, even though I barely know you, if he granted us freedom, I would absolutely go with you," he revealed, his lips curling into a small smile as he finished while watching Eve's face light up at his reply.
Before either could continue their conversation, Mouse came running back toward them, "We need to take cover now!" he shouted.
Behind him, they could see a pack of rhinos bounding in their direction as the helicopter they'd heard barreled down toward the animals.
"I guess it's a good thing he goes ahead to avoid our affections," Eve joked gaining a grin from Sheldon before they raced to the side of the cavern, slipping into a cave to wait out the stampede.
"Our team was flying above them," Mouse said once they all caught their breath, "That means they're almost done with their game mission."
Sheldon nodded, "But, they are in the version where the gem gets dropped because the helicopter was hit which gives us a slightly larger time frame but we're almost there," he added, "According to my map, our goal is just at the other end of this large abyss."
Eve looked at Mouse and Sheldon before speaking, "There's just a large group of angry rhinoceros in our way, so, no big deal."
Sheldon smirked at her, "You've been the most positive this whole time and I know you can keep that up just a little bit longer," he urged before moving toward her and leaning down to place a small kiss onto her forehead.
"Can you guys just now?" Mouse yelled in frustration, "It's bad enough I'm trapped in this tiny cave with you two! Can the rhinos hurry up and finish running across this area?"
Eve shook her head at Mouse's outburst as a thought occurred to her, "What do you guys do when the game isn't being played? Do you sit at the beginning and wait or are you brought there once it starts?" she asked far more questions then she'd intended but that hadn't come to her yet as a concern regarding the game.
Sheldon nodded, preparing to answer her multiple inquiries, "When we're not playing the game, the five of us hang out at Alan Parrish's hut where Seaplane makes margaritas and we stay entertained in any way we can think of. Every once in a while, the game gives us mini missions but that's all."
Eve acknowledged his explanation, "That's better then what I had in my mind," she continued, "I had this visual of the five of you just sitting where I fell into the game, stuck, until the game was started. I could never do that but margaritas sound ok."
Mouse cleared his throat, "Sorry to break this up but the rhinos are gone so we need to make a break for it and clear this cavern as quickly as possible."
"Agreed," Sheldon replied as he looked at Eve, wondering about her curiosities regarding what they do when they're stuck, and offered his hand, "Are you ready to finish this thing?"
Eve's lips curled into a smile as she took his hand, "Take me to the finish line," she replied before leaning in closer and whispering, "Maybe you can do that in a different way later on," she stated softly before moving out of the cave, almost pulling him with her as he was processing what she said.
Mouse led them to the end of the cavern where they began the climb out, Mouse in the lead, Eve in the middle and Sheldon bringing up the rear. By some miracle, they hadn't run into any rhinos.
"Ok," Eve said, out of breath as she reached the top and smiled at the sight of grass again, "Where do we go next and what's left before the end of this game?" she asked, her heart beating so fast, she thought she could hear it through her chest.
Sheldon pulled the map from his vest and looked it over for a moment before answering, "We just have to walk through that small patch of trees and the end is on the other side."
Mouse shook his head, "It can't be that easy," he argued, his tone indignant, "Tell me what we might face in that 'small' patch of trees and then maybe I'll believe you and go in."
Eve couldn't suppress her laughter at Mouse's outburst that time as she sat down on the ground, in hysterics.
Mouse shook his head, hands on his hips, "Oh, this is funny to you? The challenges and the danger? You just can't stop laughing about it?" Real professional for someone trying to get their PHd," he commented, his frustration coming through loud and clear.
Eve shook her head as she gathered herself, "I'm not laughing at the danger," she choked out, trying to stop before she spoke again. "I'm laughing at your outbursts because they are so frequent but so funny, at the same time!" she almost let out a roar of hysterics but she was able to contain it, not knowing what might be around to hear her. She looked at Sheldon, "So, what are we going to face in there?" she asked, sobering up as she saw Mouse looking at her, unamused but Sheldon was struggling to keep his composure and not join her in laughter.
"Well, it depends as always by which version we're playing," Sheldon began, catching a nasty glance from Mouse, "But, most often, there is a hunter awaiting us. His name is Van Pelt and he is angry at us for interfering with his shot at the rhinos below."
Eve nodded, completely sober, "So, is he going to be hunting us now?" Mouse nodded before Sheldon could say a word. "Sounds great," she said with a sarcastic tone, "Let's get this thing done," she said before beginning the walk to the wooded area hiding a crazed lunatic. Sheldon and Mouse followed behind, hoping for the first time since they'd broken into teams that they had Bravestone.
