The hall was unrecognizable now.
Dozens of skulls hung gracefully from the ceiling along with red streamers. Bunches of black, orange and other helium balloons of different colors floated gently around the room like miniature clouds. Misery had been tangled in the wires at least twice but it was worth it, as the walls were strung with hundreds of tiny white lights. Finally, a carved pumpkin sat in the middle of the dining table, surrounded by delicious treats.
"Wow, you're right Skull Boy. The food's superb. My favorite has to be the Steaming Witches' Brew Ice-cream punch." Ruby chirped.
"Oh, that was prepared by the most fantastic chef in the world. Monsieur Buns may have used up everything in the the supermarket though." Skull Boy admitted sheepishly.
"Why didn't he go to cabinets in the kitchen?" Misery asked, trying to blow a balloon. It popped right in her face but she didn't flinch.
"No idea. All I did was call and request for his most delicious dish in ze world. He did say something about a plant." Skull Boy shuddered, trying not to stare at Misery in horror.
...
"Hey, where's Iris?" Len suddenly asked.
"That's a good question. I have no idea. She said she had to deal with something and would be back soon. After five minutes, if she isn't here, we have to find her. But I don't think we have to worry. This is Iris, adventuress and explorer." Ruby declared with a small smile.
Iris was now standing in the maze, beneath ominous red clouds, the ground plunged into depths masked by layers of shifting, sinister mists. A rotting hedge, so thick, so high, surrounded them. Not a bird or insect could be heard.
The cyclops thought that she was in heaven.
"Woah! This place is scary! I mean, check out the dying leaves!" Iris gasped.
"Good, cus' the challenge is getting a book." Terra announced from behind her.
"That's it?" Iris' eyebrow arched.
"Ah, but nobody knows where it is. Don't worry, if you get lost and suddenly become a scaredy cat, we can get the janitor to help you find ya way." The mud creature chuckled.
"No way! Sides', if I am easily frightened, then you have to call me a Scaredy bat. Cats aren't frightened that easily. Look at Doom Kitty!" Iris huffed, turning around... to see nobody.
They were gone. And ahead was an archway cutting into the hedge.
"Well, they're going to miss a lot of fun. I bet I'm gonna be with that book in five minutes."
Five minutes later...
"Ok, so I found the book but I didn't find my way out!" Iris gasped.
She had no idea what to do. Her mind was a blank. She stood rooted to the ground, book in hand. It didn't help that she needed a drink to quench her thirst.
Explorers need water, ya know?
She gulped. What if she died out of dehydration?!
She did not know where to go but she did try to calm herself down.
She walked briskly down a path, only to have her hopes dashed when she met a looming wall. She raced to her left but no such luck. Finally, she jumped as high as she could but nearly broke down there and then when she saw that there was no way out.
Still, she could not feel sorry for herself though. In fact, she refused to wallow in self-pity. She must be like the greatest detective in the world, searching for clues that could lead her to the exit. She was born for this adventure!
With that steely resolve, she turned around... to bang her head against the pole. As she began to rub the sore spot, she noticed a door.
"Cool! That must be my way out!" Iris exclaimed, approaching the huge, unfriendly door. Turning the brass knob, she swung it open and stepped through... to face more foliage.
"What? You gotta be joking me!" She screamed, hoping to just go back. Somehow, however, the door had locked behind her.
"Huh?" Iris echoed blankly. She jiggled it but the knob wouldn't budge.
Ruby checked her watch.
Five minutes was up.
And Iris wasn't here.
"Where could she be?" Ruby sighed.
"Maybe we better check on her. We'll ask some people if they had seen her." Skull Boy said, placing a bony hand on her tense shoulders. Immediately, they relaxed.
"That's a great idea. Come on, let's go."
