Disclaimer: I don't know Seaquest!
Note: ok even though I still don't know what im gonna do to Lucas, heres chapter 7 just to keep me from going insane x.x
Fear Factor
Chapter 7 - Snap, Crackle, Pop
By Faith Childrey
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Keith Daniels sat watching the motionless teens that lay upon the tables. They had been strapped into the simulator since arrival to the base. His job had become dull and pointless. Not only was there no action, the teens were basically sleeping. They weren't going anywhere. He signed, leaning against the desk. This job sucked.
It was 6:30 in the morning and Tippy was wide awake. The hard mattresses weren't helping any. She decided she might as well get up and try to figure out what might happen next. She sat on her bed, her chin resting in her hand. Balloons really shouldn't be that big a deal, but for some reason she wasn't looking forward to the new room.
She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't see Lucas walk over to the bed. She startled slightly as he sat down next to her.
"You ok?" He whispered, trying not to disturb the others. She nodded, turning her gaze back to the floor. "Can I ask you something?" He spoke after a short moment. Again she nodded. "What's Tippy stand for?"
She had to suppress a giggle at his question, but turned and whispered, "Tiffany."
"Oh. Thought so." He gave her a smile. "So, how'd they get you, if you don't mind me askin'…"
"I was on vacation with my parents. My dad works with a UEO pharmaceutical company and as his bonus, we got a trip to the beach."
"Sounds familiar. I was on leave with Captain Bridger." Lucas paused. She was hiding her fear pretty well. If not for that fact that she wouldn't look at him, he wouldn't have noticed. "Ya know what," he started, "If I know the captain, he's probably ripping things apart trying to rind us."
"Really?" Came her whispered reply.
"Yeah, he's got the Seaquest, there's no way these guys can stay hidden forever."
She gave him a small smile and was about to say something else when the intercom buzzed on. "Rise and shine kiddies! Its time to start a brand new day!"
Tippy let out a groan at the too familiar voice. The others had awoken, sitting up in their beds, trying to rub the sleep out of their eyes. The lights flickered on, and everyone could see the door that stood in the far right hand corner of the room.
"Lets get moving everyone. You're almost through!" His cheery voice was anything but encouraging. "Have fun!" And he was gone.
Adam sighed as he stood and stretched. His and Tippy's shoes were still damp, squishing as the put them on. "I hate wet shoes." He grumbled, joining the group in front of the door. They were all looking to him for instructions. "Ok Tippy and Lucas should stay in the middle since they are the next two phobias. Amanda and I will lead. David, you cover the back. Lets try to think ahead of this guy." Everyone nodded. He turned to the door, turning the handle and pulling it open. It was another hallway leading straight. From where they stood, they could see no doors, only a turn to the left up ahead.
Adam went first, followed by Amanda. The hallway was pretty skinny, forcing them to walk single file into the dimly lit hall. She was alert, searching for anything that might move or come crashing down on someone. They had made it past the first turn into another hallway that ended at a right turn.
They were half way down the hall went Tippy felt small hands grab her arm. The attack was so fast that she only had time to let out a yelp as she was pulled from the hallway and into another room. Six small hands were now attached to each arm, pulling her backwards, farther into the bright room. She collapse backwards when the backs of her legs were knocked out by the edge of a chair. She now sat in a large rocking chair, wrists locked down on each of the arm rests by metal bands, and around her stood six children about the age of five.
"H-hi…"
The others stood outside in the hall, unsure what had just happened. Tippy had been walking in front of David and then been sucked through a wall on the left. They had tried finding the doorway, but the only thing there was a rock solid wall.
"Tippy!" Adam called, hoping she could hear him through the wall. There was a long pause before they all heard her reply.
"STOP IT!!!!"
She sat there silently, looking at the three boys and three girls that stood in front of her. They all wore the same outfits, boys wearing blue overalls with yellow shirts, and girls wearing purple dresses with bows in their hair. They were silent as if waiting for something to happen when, above her a large hole opened up and out fell inflated balloons of all different colors. Her breathing quickened as she saw one of the boys step forward and pick up a large red balloon. He came and stood in front of her, arms out stretched and balloon in hand, and he began to squeeze.
"Please stop that!" She begged hoping it would work and the boy would drop the balloon. She knew he wouldn't of course. Involuntarily, she pulled her legs up into the chair, unable to cover her ears. She tried to curl up into a ball as the boys fingers grew tighter around the balloon. She jumped as it popped in his hands. Letting out a breath she looked up. The others had still not moved. Over head she heard the intercom turn on. "Hello, Ms. Johnston! Here's the little game I've made up just for you. Now these children with grab balloons and pop them for you. Inside one of the balloons is a piece of paper. On the paper is a word, or a password you might say. When you find the password, just yell it out and your friends will be let in!" She sat shivering in the chair, her hole form quaking with fear. "Good Luck!" the voice called and was gone.
Suddenly, all the children were in action, grabbing balloons and standing in front of her ready to pop them. "STOP IT!!!!!!"
All around her there were explosions as the children's tiny fingers dug into the rubber. She wanted to close her eyes and just curl into a ball and ignore it all, but none of this would stop if she didn't try to find the password. Seven balloons were gone and six more were coming. She couldn't help the tears that started to run down her face as the children again began squeezing the rubber balloons. They all popped, the noise piercing her mind. Another six gone and six more coming. Her eyes darted around the piles of dead balloons searching for the password. Six more popped and the children were going back for more.
She had lost count somewhere along the way, but if she guessed she say about 60 balloons were gone and still no password. Her face glistened with tears as the children returned again with new balloons in hand. Her eyes followed each child and their balloon. Six more gone. As she watched the exploded pieces fall she caught sight of white floating down. Her heart almost burst when she saw it, but as it hit the ground, her hopes sank. It had been turned upside down and she couldn't see the word. The children were returning with their balloons. Quickly she stuck her foot out kicking at the paper and trying to turn it over. The children were squeezing the balloons now, the forms distorting in their hands. The loud pop rang through her ears and she yelp as she kicked at the paper again. To her amazement, the sheet had flip itself only to be covered with the shreds of a busted balloon. She let out a frustrated cry as she again kicked at it, hanging out of the wooden rocker. With one last kick before the children returned, the paper was uncovered. She read the word quickly and turned her gaze to the ceiling.
"FEAR! THE PASSWORD IS FEAR!" Suddenly, the children stopped, dropping their balloons and fading away. She collapsed into the chair, breathing heavily, tear streaks running down her face. A panel in the wall slid up, revealing the hall her friends stood in.
They ran in, kick aside balloons as they came. Tippy had her face buried in the bend of her elbow. Her whole body was shaking as they came over and removed the metal restraints.
Lucas bent down in front of her, placing a hand on her arm, "Are you ok?"
She was silent for a few moments, her breathing evening out. Finally she spoke, "And to think, I'm gonna be a teacher." They all gave a sympathetic smile as she began to laugh soft, raising her head and wiping away the silvery streaks. "Lets get out of here." And with that said they all turned and headed back into the hallway.
"Only one more to go!" the doctor cooed. There was now only one fifth of the tank that needed to be filled, and that would be graciously donated by Mr. Wolenczak. He grinned and watched as they headed down the dim hallway.
Tbc…
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Okay that may be it for a little while or until I can figure out what to do with Lucas. So if yall have ideas PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
Thanks for reading!!!
