Ib
We found the key to the pink house. Garry is trailing behind, his breathing short and heavy. I give him my shoulder, and support him as we go down the stairs.
"Hey…" Garry mutters. "This is… where we started…" I nod.
"Yeah." I try to smile. "We're almost out!" He sighs.
"Finally."
"Oh!" I glance at his hand. "You're bleeding!" He looks at it tiredly.
"I guess I must've cut myself. It's nothing." I shake my head.
"I don't want it to get infected." I fumble around in my pocket and bring out my handkerchief. "Here." I wrap it carefully around his hand. He smiles slightly.
"Thanks.. Ib. It's too bad it has to… get dirty."
"It's fine."
There's still no one here. The halls are empty, and the lights are out. I brace myself for anything coming out of the paintings, but nothing happens. We come to a stop in front of the big painting like the one I was looking at when all this started.
"Fabricated… World." Garry manages. "This looks like the… gallery."
"Yeah," I mutter. Suddenly, there's a flash of light. I let out a cry, and drop to the floor. Not again, please not again… Then the light fades, and I stand up again. "The frame is gone…" I look at Garry, who had fallen next to me. "Maybe… I think we can go through it!" He grimaces.
"O- okay…" I see the look on his face.
"Here, I'll go first." I place my hand on what should be paint-covered canvas, and feel a strange tingling sensation. I push my arm through, and it's like passing through silk. I swing on leg over, and then the other. "I'm in!" I lean out. "Here, grab my hand. I'll pull you through." Garry tries to grab it, but collapses onto the ground.
"I- I can't-"
"You have to!" Tears are stinging my eyes. "We came this far! We have to make it!" I lean out as far as I can go and grab him under the arms. "Come on. You have to try!" He struggles to stand, and finally does.
"Okay." He smiles weakly at me.
"Come on! We can make it!" I pull his over to my side, grunting under the strain. "There!"
The dark room becomes brighter, and a cool breeze blows through my hair. The light it getting closer… closer… closer…
I'm going back…