Chapter 3

Roxie ran down the black carpeted hallway which seemed to twist on endlessly. Her heart slammed against her chest as she realized she was lost. With a small cry she stopped and fell against the deep maroon colored wall breathing hard as her eyes raced up and down the door riddled hall. She slumped down to the soft carpet and leaned her head against the wall.

"Calm down Roxie just stop and think." She told herself clenching her eyes tight and rubbing her hands up and down her arms.

Slowly she stood and looked down the way she had run. She began walking letting her eyes follow along the walls and floors. Roxie walked passed a door that seemed to just mimic all the others and suddenly she felt pulled to it, drawn to it as if an invisible string tugged at her being. Her hand gripped at the knob and, as her heart slammed against her breast, she pulled the door open to reveal…A room.

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As Kristy awoke the brightness of the room hurt her eyes. She stood immediately and clenched her head when the pain struck through it. As the pain subsided the room came into clear view. It was huge, much larger than the front room, with a white domed ceiling and marble pillars holding it up. The floor was clean and tiled perfectly white. Her mind quickly wondered as to why the room was white while the whole castle seemed black and red. One person stood in the room with her, a kind smile on his face.

Behind him on the wall imprinted in silver was the same emblem on the carpet of the front room. Now, in the light of the colossus room it came into view. On the wall behind Vayn sat a picture of a man, teeth sharpened to points and ram horns spiraling in tight coils on the side of his head. Kristy let out a small cry as she realized she was staring into the eyes of a demon.

"Good morning." Vayn said good naturedly yet the undertones still lay in danger.

"Where am I? What have you done to me?" Kristy asked her eyes wild.

"Calm down. This is just my little game area." Vayn said and for some reason the panic in her heart calmed.

"Why am I here?" Kristy asked her voice a little high with panic.

"I'm going to kill you." Vayn said his voice now honest the undertones caring.

"Kill me?!" Kristy screeched her panic spiking.

"Yes. You see I have to." Vayn said taking a step to the side.

On the wall behind him sat a rack and on the rack hung all manner of weapons. A machete, shotgun, pistols, a hand grenade, and a semi automatic machine gun all hung on the rack ready to be used. Vayn smiled as he gestured to the wall.

"You may pick any weapon you see in front of you to kill me." Vayn said his whole tone being that of a riddle.

Kristy's panic and fear broke making her run past Vayn who stayed still. Her hands gripped a hold of the shotgun eagerly as Vayn slowly stepped back moving farther away from her. She turned and stared at him wild-eyed the shotgun shaking a bit in her hands.

"Let me out of here!" She ordered raising the gun. "Along with my friends!"

"I promise to make your death quick and painless." Vayn said disappointed.

Kristy pulled the trigger and stumbled backwards as the slug shot from the silver barrel. Vayn shook his head as his hand shot up faster than the bullet to catch it. Kristy squeaked as she realized her death was upon her. With a sigh and a flick of the wrist the slug shot out the back of her head, her eyes wide with fear.

"You picked the wrong weapon." Vayn said as he walked over, his eyes looking hungrily at the body.

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It was a simple room, the gray walls and floor empty of furniture and only holding one window. The glass of the window was dry and as she traversed across the room, the invisible string pulling her to the window, she noticed the outside sat dry. Roxie placed her hand against the cold window and stared down at the trees outside. They seemed dry as if it hadn't been raining in some time.

What? How? She thought turning and putting her face in her hands. It was storming.

"Roxie is that you?" Vayn's voice sounded from outside the room.

She looked up and bolted from the room shutting the door quickly and stepping out into the middle of the hallway. Vayn appeared from around the corner to lock his smiling eyes on her fearful ones. Roxie immediately looked down at the dark carpet.

"Yes?" She muttered her hands clasped in nervousness.

"Why are you here? You could get lost." Vayn said caringly.

"I did. Where is Kristy?" Roxie asked fearing the answer.

"Oh I've already taking her to the dinning room." Vayn said with a smile, her fear subsiding.

Roxie glanced up at him to see his kind smile and his caring eyes and for a moment her fear completely disappeared. Her cheeks reddened making her look away and back down at the floor.

Why am I not afraid? She asked herself, looking back up to see him closer to her.

"Shall we go back down? Meet up with the others and send you on your way?" Vayn asked his eyes holding hers.

Can I stay? A small voice in the back of her mind asked making her shake her head a moment.

"Umm sure lead the way." Roxie said looking back down.

Vayn smiled putting his arm on the back of her waist and pushing her forward. At his touch her cheeks burned red as her heart beat against her chest.

Something is wrong! She suddenly realized making her fear grow to a quiet panic. Why am I acting this way?