Chapter One D: The Mansion No One Should Enter

In a safe room they had found on the second floor, they were ready to turn in for the night. They were sitting around the fireplace and were talking about what their game plan was for the next day. Rei had joined them shortly after locking the door behind her as she came back with some food from the kitchen. Usagi had leaned her head against Mamoru's shoulder, completely exhausted, and worn out. Minako yawned here and there, but was still surprisingly awake, she had helped Rei bring in the food and set it on the table in the middle of the room. Soon, Mamoru and Usagi joined them.

"So, tomorrow we'll look for a way out." Usagi started.

"And when we do find a way out," Paused Minako, "We should contact the others saying that we are safe and heading back to town."

"I agree with that plan." Rei nodded.

They all started to pig out on the food that Rei had found in the kitchen.

"Another thing that we should talk about." She began as she took a bit from the carrot stick in her hand, "We need to figure out what that thing is and what it wants."

Usagi all the sudden became silent.

"Every time we face it, it goes after Usako." Mamoru paused, "Why is that?"

"I wish I knew the answer, Mamoru." Rei replied.

Minako turned to look at Usagi. Usagi had been looking at her hands, hearing the conversation, but she was trying hard to not burst out in tears.

"Usagi?" Minako asked, worriedly.

"Huh?" Usagi answered with a question as she glanced up to see Minako.

"Everything okay?" She asked.

"Just really tired." Replied Usagi with a small smile.

Rei and Mamoru nodded in agreement.

"Wait, shouldn't someone stay up for watch just in case that thing tries to break down the door?" Asked Minako.

"Good thinking, Mina." Mamoru paused, "Who would like to stay up?"

No one volunteered for the position. Mamoru sighed and gave up.

"I have some straws here." Rei paused, "How about the person with the shortest straw gets to take watch?"

"I like this idea!" Usagi giggled a little.

"Alright, Usagi's first." Rei said.

Usagi began playing with her fingers until she drew a straw from Rei's hand.

"Minako, you're up next." Rei turned to Minako.

Minako began thinking, not being able to see which was the smallest of the straws; she shrugged and picked a straw that was in the middle of the other straws.

"Mamoru." Rei glanced at him.

Mamoru began thinking on where he should draw. He didn't really care and pulled a straw out. Rei had grabbed a straw without any thought. She then placed the other straws down on the table and held hers out in front of her.

"Alright, let's now compare." She paused, "Place the straw you chose on the table."

She had placed her straw on the table. Mamoru hesitated a little, but ended up doing it. Usagi gracefully placed her straw down gently on the table as she turned to Minako with a brighter smile. Minako bit her lip a little before she placed hers down on the table.

"Let's see." Rei began examining the length of the straws; she noticed that Mamoru's was a little taller than hers, Usagi's straw was a little shorter than hers, she glanced at Minako's stick and noticed that it was the smallest one out of of all of them, "It looks like Minako will be taking the first watch."

"Okay, this is gonna be fun." Minako sighed a little, "You guys get some rest."

"Get us up if anything happens." Mamoru said as he headed to one of the three beds at the right corner of the room.

"Mamo, wait for me!" Usagi followed suit.

"Be safe, Venus." Rei patted Minako's shoulder.

"I will be." She paused, "Goodnight, Mars."

Rei nodded and headed to the beds and fell asleep when her head hit the pillow. After about ten minutes, Minako glanced at the three who were fast asleep.

"Hehe, it's strange to be the one who has to stay up." She paused, "It's like a new achievement."

Usagi turned to her right side, reaching her hand out for Mamoru's. He took a hold of her hand with his.

"Awe, they are so cute."

Soon there was a pounding sound coming from the door. It put Minako on edge, her heart was racing, sweat began to fall from her face, and she was nervous.

"Oh no! It's that thing!" She paused, "How am I gonna stop it?"

The pounding sound didn't stop. Minako turned to see the others; they were still asleep in their dream lands.

"How can they still be asleep!? Can't they hear this!?"

She stood up and slowly headed towards the door. She had to see what was causing the pounding sound.

"Why am I going towards the door?!"

She stopped at the door and unlocked it, hearing a small growling noise; she headed outside and saw the thing standing out there; but there was someone else standing there as well. She couldn't see who it was. The thing attacked the both of them and carried them away from the second floor.