'Relax.'
Evalynn sat back in the chair, taking a break from pressing buttons and flipping switches under the SQUIP's direction.
'What exactly have I been doing all this time?'
'Don't worry about that. Everything will be clear with time.'
'But-'
A shock ran down her spine and she flinched. It was one of dozens that had been given since she first started their project. She heard Jason walk up to her chair and felt the bindings around her wrist be tightened once more.
'Does this mean I'm done?'
'For now. Sit tight. I have to go report your progress.'
The human SQUIP retreated from the room, Evalynn hearing the sound of a door opening and closing behind her. Then everything was silent.
"Seriously, what are we going to do?" Michael repeated.
"I don't know. I can't see a thing," Connor replied.
Michael sighed, ceding to Connor's point. They were standing in a pitch-black room with no hope of ever finding a way out.
"What do you think happened to the others?"
"No idea. But I swear, if they hurt any of them, I'm going to kill them."
"Connor?"
"Yeah?"
"If we don't get out of this alive, I'm glad I knew you."
"Don't talk like that."
"It's true, though. I-"
Michael was cut off as both boys were blinded by a light directly in front of them.
'Time for round two.'
'We're not done?'
'You wish.'
Jason approached the chair, loosening the bonds ever so slightly once more.
'What did she tell you?'
'You'll find out. Now press that button there.'
Evalynn obeyed the command, and they continued the pattern until the door opened behind her.
"You can have her stop now," the Creator's voice rang out.
'Relax.'
Evalynn sat back and the binding on her wrists were tightened once more.
"My, you really are making some good progress with her. I'm impressed."
"Yes, I think it's all going splendidly."
"Excellent. You may untie her now. We're done in here."
A cloth was placed over her eyes and she felt the cords fall away from her wrists and ankles. Then she was lifted up out of the chair and dragged along.
'Is the blindfold really necessary?'
'With where we are and where we're going? Absolutely.'
Evalynn swallowed at her SQUIP's words, becoming more and more nervous the longer they walked. She could feel her anxiety causing her chest to constrict as the onset of a panic attack settled in.
'Breathe, Evalynn. Five seconds in, three seconds out.'
Listening to the command, Evalynn made her breathing slow and even until the threatening panic attack went away. A few minutes later, she was sat down in a chair and the blindfold was removed. They were in a room similar to the one in red and black, but this one was in all different shades of blue.
"Evalynn!"
Looking to her left, she saw Connor and Michael sitting beside her.
"Guys? Where are-"
"Ahem," the Creator cleared her throat, interrupting Evalynn's question.
She turned to address Jason who stood loyally at her shoulder, awaiting his instructions.
"Jason, dear, would you get those items I asked you to gather for me?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
Jason left the room, leaving the three friends alone with the Creator.
"What items?" Connor inquired.
"You'll find out soon enough. Any other questions while we're waiting?"
"Yeah, where's everyone else?" Michael asked.
"Your friends were sent home a long time ago."
"Home? They're not here?"
"Not anymore. Sorry to disappoint you. To be fair, they were of no use to us, not like the three of you, so there was really no reason why we would keep them around."
"Wait. If I can see them, who did I optic nerve block?" Evalynn spoke up.
"What?" Connor and Michael asked in unison.
"The other four, of course."
"Here," Jason said, walking in with two glasses in hand filled with a bubbly liquid.
"Ah, perfect. Thank you, Jason."
"Is that Mountain Dew?" Michael asked.
"It is. And you and Connor are the ones who will be drinking them."
"No way!" both boys said in unison.
"Oh, you don't have to cooperate. Evalynn here will be helping us anyway."
"I am?"
"She is?"
"Mm-hm. Jason?"
'Come here.'
Evalynn stood up, walking over to where Jason still stood holding the two glasses.
'Get Connor to drink it first by any means necessary. Then we'll work on Michael.'
She took one of the cups from his hand and walked around the table, stopping beside Connor and taking a seat.
"Lynn? What's going on?"
"Drink it, Connor," she whispered putting the glass in front of him.
"What? No."
"Connor," she said softly, leaning in closer to him.
"Evalynn-"
"Sh," she hushed him, bringing their lips together.
When she pulled back, her lips were replaced by the cup, forcing the liquid down his throat. Connor choked on the soda, but it was too late. A moment later, he clutched at his head, screaming as his SQUIP reactivated.
'Up-up-down-down-left-right-A.'
Jason synced with Connor's SQUIP as soon as he stopped screaming.
'Time for Michael.'
Evalynn stood, getting the other cup of soda from her SQUIP. Both she and Connor rounded up on Michael, who had gotten up from his chair and backed away from the table as soon as she had started to force Connor to drink the Mountain Dew.
"Guys. Guys, listen, you don't have to do this. You don't have to listen to the SQUIPs. You can fight back. Seriously, guys, stop. I'm not going to drink that…" he started ranting as he backed into the wall.
"It's okay, Michael. You don't have to resist. Just drink it. Everything will be better when you do," Connor said as Evalynn took a step forward with the cup.
"No. No, I won't. Leave me alone. Get that away from me."
"Michael, everything about you is so terrible. Everything about you makes me wanna die. But if you drink this, everything about you will be wonderful," Evalynn told him.
"No. That's your SQUIP talking. I don't have to listen to you."
Behind the two SQUIPed teens, Jason and the Creator walked up, observing the whole exchange.
"Listen to them, Michael. They're your friends. They know what's best for you," the Creator said.
"No. Shut up. I don't have to listen to any of you. I'm not drinking that soda!"
Michael ducked away from the group gaining up on him, running out the door into the winding halls. He didn't know where he was going, but he didn't care. He just wanted to put as much distance between him and that drink as possible.
"Michael," Evalynn's voice sang out.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Michael shouted back.
"Let us improve your life," Connor's voice joined Evalynn's.
"I'M GOOD, THANKS!"
"You will drink the soda, Michael. Through any means necessary!"