Zill's POV

Ngh! What the?! What is this room? Am I looking at the ceiling? Why am I here? What happened?... I was walking home with Jack. We came across the stalker. I stayed at Jack's instead. Then... Jack's mom!

Zill: MRS. WELLS!

I quickly tried to sit up, but I couldn't. Am I? I shakily checked my head... and felt some sort of belt... or was it... a machine. I'm being restrained!

Zill: What- what is- HEY!

I realized my tail was restrained too. It tried to escape but it remained tied down. I tried to summon some fire but I couldn't. Why can't I summon my fire?!

Zill: SOMEONE! IS ANYONE THERE?!

Everything but my right arm was restrained. That stalker must've jumped me... wait.

Zill: JACK!

I desperately called for my friend. Did the stalker to get him too?

?: Zill! Is that you?!

That voice!

Zill: Jack! Are you okay?!

Jack: I'm fine, but I can't move! Can't you do something?!

He's tied down too?!

Zill: I can't summon my fire!

Jack: WHAT?!

What's going on? Why are we ev-

*RING RING*

Huh?

Zill: A phone?

Instinctually, I checked my pocket. I found nothing.

*RING RING*

Zill: Jack! Is that yours ringing?!

Jack: Eh?...

I heard Jack shuffle through his pocket.

Jack: You're right! There's something here! Wha- this isn't mine.

The ringing stopped.

Jack: Hello?! Is there someone the-

?: ...Beginning voiced guidance.

Jack: What?!

Zill: Huh?

?: The First Trial will now begin. Zillion, and Jackson. Find the key hidden in this room. Then, remove your restraints. If you cannot do so before the time limit expires, the device on the beds will activate... And your bodies will be crushed with a thud. By all means, please enjoy this experience with all your being. The time limit is a healthy 5 minutes. And please note that there is only one key, so please discuss who will use it.

The fuck?! First Trial? We'll die ... in 5 minutes? My blood ran cold and my spine shivered.

Jack: Ga- GAAAAAHHH! What do we do?!

My heartbeat boomed in my ears. I got to calm down!

Zill: Jack! Check your pockets again!

Jack: I- I think when I took the phone from my pocket... I DROPPED IT! THE KEY!

NO!

Zill: See if you can reach it!

Jack: Ngh... I got it.

Zill: Alright! Use it Jack!

Jack: Huh?! What about you? If I use it... you'll... I can't. I'll toss it to you!

I heard the desperation in his voice. If that voice on the phone was telling the truth, I might die...

Zill: No Jack! Use it! If you try to throw it to me, you might miss. Use it and we can figure it out from there!

Jack: But I... Okay...

I heard an audible click and shuffling. At least, Jack won't get hurt now...

Jack's POV

I quickly glanced around the room and noticed a timer counting down from three minutes. I HAVE TO SAVE ZILL! I glanced over to Zill to see him restrained by green belts.

Zill: This isn't the time to be staring! See if there is something you can use!

I immediately grabbed Zill's restraints and pulled on them with all my might!

Jack: Ngh!

All that did was make my fingers hurt. Why do I have to be so weeeaaaak?! My breathing hastened. I saw an iron door but I can't just leave Zill here! I noticed that sandpaper hung from the ceiling... WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT?! I checked the key I used to unlock my restraints... It was red. Do I have to find a green key? I then noticed the numbers "3141" in the corner of the room. What are these numbers four? Then it hit me! I saw a dial with a 4-digit number. I put the combination in and I found a green lock. I tried my red key.

Jack: Damn it!

It's too big! I struggled with the lock more and more to no avail. Huh? Did the lock shave off the end of the key... it's green!

?: One minute remains...

Jack: The sandpaper!

Zill: The what?!

I sprint toward the hanging sandpaper and rubbed the key against it. A green key. I sprint back to to Zill's lock and-

Jack: It's unlocked!

Zill shot up from the bed, his tail wrapping around him. The beds suddenly closed in on themselves. We looked at them in shock. My breathing continued to speed up. I felt myself begin curl up into a ball. I fell to my to my knees and my vision blurred.

Zill's POV

That was close one. I heard Jack fall.

Zill: JACK!

I looked over to Jack who was beginning to cry a bit. I noticed that he was back in his work uniform. I looked at myself and realized that I had my jacket back on. Huh? I shook my head. No, that doesn't matter right now!

Zill: Hey...

Jack looked toward me. I held out my hand and helped him up.

Zill: Thanks man! I'd be dead if you weren't here.

Jack looked toward his feet, tears beginning to fall down his face. I wrapped my arm around him.

Zill: J-man! I'm okay.

Jack: You could've been crushed!

He smacked my arm off and my tail unfurled.

Jack: It's my fault! My curse always brings suffering to anyone around me! I thought you'd be safe at my house but... My mom...

He continued to cry. I pulled him into a hug and comforted him. He returned the gesture.

Zill: It's not your fault... It's that damn stalker!

I looked toward the iron door and threw all caution to the wind. I stormed out of the room, dragging Jack with me by the hand.

Jack: Zill! Wait!

As soon as we entered the hall, it was pitch black.

Zill: Crap.

I felt Jack try to reenter the room.

Jack: There's no door knob.

Zill: Let's go along the wall.

Jack: It's not like we have a choice anymore.

We continued down the hall, using the wall to lead the way. I felt Jack's grip around my hand tighten.

Jack: Don't let go. I don't want to lose you.

Zill: Got it.

We kept going straight ahead... But as far as we walked, we didn't see any light. It seemed to be a very... very long hallway. Or maybe we weren't making much distance at all. Then it hit me.

Zill: Hey Jack, do you still have that phone from earlier. We can use it for light.

Jack: Good idea!... I think I left it back in the room. Sorry.

I sighed.

Zill: No, it's my fault. I wasn't thinking straight and rushed us.

Jack:...

Zill: At least, it can't get any- huh?!

Jack: Waaah?!

I felt someone push me from behind. Where did this wind from underneath come fro- why are my feet not on the ground?

Jack: WE'RE FALLING!

The floor gave way. I tried to summon my wings but it failed.

Zill: MY WINGS! I-I can't summon them!

Jack: NOOOOOOOO!

How long...? How high...? How far are we falling...? I feel... my senses are growing distant... Is this how I die?