Zill's POV

Jack and I eventually found ourselves in the Smoking Area Hallway. I heard a voice behind me.

Sahara: Hey... Zill?

Jack and I turned in surprise.

Zill: Woah Sahara?!

Jack: H-hey, is it okay for you to be up right now?

Sahara: I... um... I

I look in her arms and see my jacket. She looks down.

Sahara: Hu-huh. Right. Here.

Sahara handed me my jacket before returning to hug herself.

Zill: Thank you.

She stared at me for a second and sighed.

Zill: Did something happen?

Sahara: It's not... I wanted... to ask you two about... Quintin.

Oh no! I looked at Jack and he was just as tense as I was.

Sahara: Please... be honest with me... Did you guys have the same first trial? Ours had... a bed... and restraints.

Zill: Uh... yeeeaaahhh.

Please don't ask.

Sahara: Could... I have saved Quintin?

She was on the verge of tears. I look at Jack. Shit! What should I say?!

Sahara: Please! T-TELL ME!

I sighed...

Zill: Um... Sahara.

Gustav: You were unlucky, Sahara.

I turned to see Gustav who exited the bar. He had a look of concern shone on his face.

Sahara: Huh?

Gustav: Addison and I also had ze same trial too. I'm sorry I didn't answer you before.

Sahara:... Please tell me... Did I-

Gustav: There was only one key Sahara... We had to remove ze other restraints by force.

IS HE?!

Sahara: H-huh?

Gustav: Addison had me and Jack had Zill. Because we are both strong, with or without magic, we barely managed to survive.

Sahara was in disbelief.

Sahara: N-no! That- Is that a lie?!

Jack: Th- that is not is not a lie, Sahara! It's the truth!

JACK!

Gustav: I believe our first trials were both of accessing the situation... And might! You and your brother aren't exactly... ze most physically active. You're both more adept with magic. Your chances of success were very low.

Sahara's voice and posture turned to that of anger.

Sahara: WHY?! I-I DON'T! YOU'RE LYING!

Zill: Sahara...

I sighed. She looked straight at me. Am I seriously about to do this?

Zill: It's true.

Sahara: Z-Zill?

Zill: I know it sounds like a lie... but it's true. These kidnapers... they want us to lose hope! To make us betray one another! They rigged your trail against you and your brother.

She looked like she was in disbelief.

Gustav: Sahara... You regret it, ja?

Sahara hugged herself.

Sahara: I- I killed Quintin! He... my brother... he was trying to help me! But I panicked! I- I didn't listen! I... should've listened.

Tears began streaming down her face.

Sahara: Now... he's gone...

I put a hand on her shoulder.

Zill: What was Quintin like? I... never got to meet him.

Sahara: He... was kind... and shy... and a big dork... He... always helped the film club whenever he can and was good with computers and stuff... we were going to be the greatest witch and wizard in the world... I...wish I gave him the key instead.

Gustav: Did you two enjoy each other's company?

Sahara chuckled.

Sahara: Of course...

Gustav smiled and looked around.

Gustav: I can tell you two were very close. I can sense it in ze air. Despite your circumstance, you two were very close. I'm sure he was ze best brother anyone could ask for... and I'm sure he thinks you were ze best sister.

Sahara continued hugging herself.

Gustav: Jack? You are much like Quintin, ja? What would you say to her?

Jack looked like he was a deer in headlights.

Jack: U-umm...

He looked toward Sahara in contemplation.

Jack: Sahara... You being there... helped me to be strong, even in hard times. I'm sure... even when we're apart... I'll always be there with you... for you! Please don't give in! Follow through with our dream!

Sahara looked at Jack and cried... these weren't tears of sandness... but of joy! She brought Jack and I into a hug.

Sahara: Thank you. Thank you so much!

Gustav:Now stop blaming yourself! Quintin is watching you from a better place, ja?!

Sahara let go of a hug. Her face shined with determination.

Sahara: I'll do it! You hear that Quintin?! I'll achieve our dream!

Vinny: Sahara!

We looked to see a concerned Vincent, panting from what I assume was running.

Sahara: V-Vinny!

Vinny facepalmed.

Vinny: God Dammit, Gustav! What happen to "shout when you find her"?!

Gustav: Oops... my mistake. Haha.

He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

Sahara: H-hey Vinny? I'll explain everything. Just come with me, okay?

Vinny looked toward Sahara with concern.

Vinny: Hm? R-really...? I- okay.

They went deeper into the hallway.

Gustav: Well, I'm off to continue searching.

He turned to leave. I sighed a breath of relief.

Zill: Hey, Gustav... Thank you.

Gustav: No, no. Thank you. I know it's hard to lie but thank you two for helping.

Jack: I... didn't really do too much.

Gustav sighed.

Gustav: Jack... can you do me a favor?

Jack: Hm... sure. What is it?

Gustav: Please... be like Quintin. Be like a brother to her.

Jack looked caught off guard.

Jack: Eh...?

Gustav: You resemble Quintin. That's why I asked you what you think Quintin would say.

Jack: Do I really?

Gustav: Until we leave this place... Please be like Quintin for Sahara's sake.

Jack looked scared for a second. He sighed before putting on his best brave face.

Jack: Okay.

Zill: What about me?

Gustav: Oh... I forgot you were here.

Zill: Seriously?!

Jack and Gustav began laughing.

Zill: Ugh!

I groaned... but then joined in on the laugh.

Zill: Haha... you guys.

We then entered the bar.

Jack and I noticed that the sliding door on the side of the counter was open.

Zill: Woah! Who opened that?

Gustav: I did. It was surprisingly easy.

Zill: Really? Venganza struggled with it. Was it really THAT easy to open?

Gustav: Ja... really.

I sighed. Was Venganza really that weak?

Gustav: By the way, I found this in there. It appears to be a cigar cutter.

Gustav pulled a cigar cutter from his pocket.

Zill: Yeah. I saw one online once. That's definitely a cigar cutter.

Jack gasped.

Jack: Zill, why were you looking that up online?! Don't smoke!

Mackenzie: Oh Zill! If you do smoke, do you make a flame on your pinky to light it? I feel like that would be classy.

Gustav: Oh, Ja! That would be very classy indeed.

I sighed.

Zill: Do I really look like the kind of person that smokes?

Everyone looked at each other.

Mackenzie: Do... you want us to be honest?

Zill: S-seriously?! No,I don't. Don't worry.

Mackenzie: Oh! I also found this!

We turned to Mackenzie, who tripped on her long hair. She dropped a doll's right leg.

Jack: AAAHHHHH!

Gustav looked concerned.

Gustav: Are you okay Mackenzie?

Mackenzie: S-sorry. My bad.

Gustav: Please... cut your hair a little bit when you get home.

The two of them were at each other's throats before, glad to see them get over whatever made them hate each other.

Zill: Oh, yeah. We found a doll torso at the back of the cafeteria earlier. It's in a bright pink room. You should take that there later.

Gustav: Right.

Then it hit me. I took out the cigar and lighter and handed them to Gustav. He grinned wildly and lost his composure.

Gustav: Oh my! Is zat a cigar and lighter?! A highschool student shouldn't have zat! Thanks for giving me this!

Jack: W-why do you have that Zill?! Are you really a smoker?!

I facepalmed. He really should be asking Gustav.

Zill: You seem pretty excited.

Gustav realized what his smile and posture looked like.

Gustav: O-oh! W-w-what are you speaking of?! There is nothing to worry about ja?!

Mackenzie: You seem preeeeettty happy about that cigar.

He groaned.

Gustav: Sorry, I lost my composure there for a second.

Zill: I was thinking more along the lines of using the Cigar Cutter to cut the Cigar. I doubt these kidnappers would give us any luxury items.

Jack: That's right! Let's try it!

Gustav cut the cigar with a practiced hand.

Gustav: Hmmm, what is this?

He pulled out a $10 dollar bill from the cigar. Gustav looked disappointed.

Gustav: Ah... it wasn't a real cigar. Thank goodness. Haha. Smoking IS bad for you after all.

He must've really wanted to smoke it.

Zill: Can I get the lighter back? Also, I think I have an idea of what to use the bill for.

Gustav handed the items over with a dejected look.

Zill: Let's meet back up in the pink room, okay?

Mackenzie and Gustav nodded before waving goodbye. Jack and I left the bar and walked over to the green vending machine in the hallway.

Jack: S-seriously?! 10 dollars for water?! Just my luck!

He sighed.

Zill: Let's try it.

I slid the 10 dollar bill into the slot. A rumbling came from the vending machine. Suddenly, a left arm fell into a dispenser.

Jack: WAAAAHH! Another doll arm? Why did they have to make them so realistic?

Zill: Don't worry Jack. I'll carry it.

I calmly picked up the arm.

Jack: Why are you so nonchalant about it?

Zill: I... think I'm getting used to this place.

I sighed and awkwardly scratched the back of my neck. I look at my cross necklace... I have to get back to her.

Jack: I hope we get out of here soon.

I look at Jack to see him hugging himself. I pat his shoulder.

Zill: I hope so too.

We entered the central hallway to see Addison, Vinny, and Sahara chatting.

Vinny: I'm glad to see your... okay.

Sahara: Thanks Vin. Sorry to make you guys worry.

Addison: I-it's fine. It's... good to see you smile a little bit. Please... talk to us if you need anything.

Sahara: Of course!

They took notice of me.

Vinny: Oh! Hey Zill! Hey Jack! What's up?

Jack: Let's go to the back of the cafeteria together. We think we found something.

Addison: Really?

Zill: Yeah. I think it has to do with the doll head and other pieces we've been finding here.

Sahara: T-then what are waiting for! Let's go!

She's trying to be more like her old self... but I can tell that she is still sad. Gustav and Mackenzie met up with us and we began walking our way to the pink room. I notice Gustav get closer to me.

Gustav: Psst, Zill. Sorry to bother you but I have to tell you something.

I turn to look at him. It sounded serious.

Zill: Sure what is it?

He scratched his chin.

Gustav: I wish to apologize for earlier. Saying you didn't look like a drama student.

Zill: Really? Why do you feel bad about it. It's not that big of a deal.

Gustav: I know. I know, I just wanted to say that. I misjudged you like how I misjudged Mackenzie.

Zill: You misjudged her... how?

Gustav: She's... a really talented singer and I didn't allow her to perform at ze talent show. Sure her appearance was... strange but... I regret what I have done now. She's just clumsy is all.

I rubbed my neck awkwardly.

Zill: Gustav, don't worry. I'm not bothered really. I forgive you. Is that what you need to hear?

He sighed.

Gustav: Thank you, Zill. You really are someone special, ja?

Zill: Thanks, Gustav.