"What?" Rapsheeba cried in shock. "Who was here?!"
Blocky was just as surprised. "He did what?!"
Blocky and Rapsheeba had joined Snap in his living room. They sat down on his couch, while Snap himself was back in his chair, which he had set back up after Bardot had left. Both his zoner friends looked absolutely horrified, and he couldn't blame them. They hadn't expected something this bad to have befallen their two human friends.
Snap hadn't contacted them right away. It had taken some time for him to recover from Bardot's encounter. He was truly terrifying. He reminded him so much of Cosmo, except he was clearly worse. He was still shaken up by how close those venomous fangs were, how close he had been to dying...
He sometimes had bad dreams revolving around what happened to him over a year ago, when he almost lost his life to Mr. Cosmo. He had been close to death before. He had practically tasted it. He didn't want to experience something like that again. He had lived through the nightmare once. He didn't want to do it again.
After he had recovered enough to function properly, he walked over, though still shakingly, to his bedroom, where Bardot claims he had left something there for him. He looked around for the box he mentioned, and he found it under his bed. He knew it was from Bardot because it was colored red and yellow. He pulled it out and set it on his bed. He unhooked the clasps that kept it closed and opened it up and took a look inside.
Inside, he found exactly what Bardot said he would find. There was one card which had a list of rules of how to play the game and what was allowed and not allowed. He looked through the rules, reading each of them to make sure he understood them. The second card was a riddle, which he guessed once he solved, he would know where to go for the first 'game' that Bardot had set up somewhere, presumably without anyone noticing. Snap guessed that he did so when most zoners were asleep.
And of course, there was a radio, the one Bardot told him about. Snap had narrowed his eyes at the radio, since it would be useless to track down this baddie. For him, it was completely useless. He imagined Bardot would use it to taunt him, and perhaps comment on his progress. He wasn't sure if Bardot would even know how he was progressing, unless there were hidden cameras everywhere.
At this thought, he shuddered and had looked around his room. He looked for any signs of cameras, but found nothing. He realized he was just being paranoid, but he didn't know the full capabilities of Bardot yet. He had a feeling he was going to get a taste of that once he starts playing these 'games' of his. He still wasn't sure what they entailed, but, given how cruel Bardot proved himself to be, it wasn't going to be anything fun.
He had a feeling...no he knew, that once the games start, he was going to have to fight for his life. This guy talked about wanting to know how far he could go without dying, so he was going to make this a difficult trip. Snap couldn't relax anymore. He couldn't afford it. These games would be dangerous. He was going to do whatever he could to survive. And that was just to 'win' the 'priviledge' of saving his friends. After he survives the dangers of the games, he would need to survive the inevitable battle against Draow and Bardot. Would he be able to pull it off?
Snap was worried that he might not be able to make it. He was worried that he wasn't strong enough to take on this challenge. Yet, despite that, he was still going to accept Bardot's challenge. There was just too much at stake. He wasn't going to stand idly by while his friends were being tortured. Even if he ended up dying before he got to them, he would rather have tried to save them than not at all.
Snap had contacted Blocky and Rapsheeba and asked them to come over. He mentioned over the phone that he got information on what happened to Rudy and Penny. When they tried to get him to explain over the phone, he said it would be easier to do in person. He waited by the door for them, since he knew it wouldn't take long for them to arrive. When they did, he welcomed them in and took them into the living room.
And from there, he recounted what had happened. He told them about the break in, about Bardot pinning him down. He told them about Bardot wanting to play a game with him and how he had Rudy and Penny trapped somewhere. He informed them about how Bardot was going to kill the two creators if he failed to complete the games, and that even if he did win all the games, he would still need to fight Draow and Bardot before he could get his friends out of there.
And this horrified Blocky and Rapsheeba. They stared at him in shock, looking like they were expecting him to say he was joking, even though they knew Snap would never joke about something like this. They knew Rudy and Penny were in trouble, but they had no idea just how twisted and evil their captor was.
Snap looked at them sadly as they expressed utter disbelief and horror at what had transpired. They had asked him if he was okay, and he said he was. He didn't tell them about how Bardot almost bit him just to freak him out. Though he did tell him about how he scraped his claw against his chest. There was no hiding the blood that formed there. Luckily, it wasn't too deep so the bleeding didn't really last too long. It still hurt quite a bit, though, despite it not being a bad cut, and it made Snap morbidly wonder how much it would hurt if the claws struck deeper.
Blocky straightened himself up, looking like he was prepared to jump off the couch. "We should go after them!"
Snap nodded his head. "I agree with you, Blocky. But sadly...the only way we can go after them is by playing these...games." He winced as he said the last word. Games were supposed to be fun. They weren't supposed to involve jeopardizing lives.
"But what if he's lying?" Rapsheeba asked. "He might just be wanting you to waste your time so you don't get there before it's too late."
Snap understood that Rapsheeba did have a point. He had considered that himself. There was a chance that these games were solely designed to keep him away from Rudy and Penny, to ensure he didn't find them. And if that were the case, they were better off trying to make the straightest beeline they could manage all the way to where they were being held.
But Snap wasn't so sure if Bardot was trying to waste his time. If this was all merely a distraction...he put a little too much work into it. Being half red chalk, he would have thought that if Bardot didn't want him finding his friends in time, he could have just killed him, or not contact him at all. It seemed like all such a huge waste if he only wanted to use up his time.
For that reason, he thought that Bardot was being quite serious. He set up these 'games' because he really was giving Snap the opportunity to save his friends. That was about the only generous quality Snap could say Bardot had, and it wasn't really that much. Bardot hadn't even sounded worried if he lost, which would explain why he was allowing Snap a chance to save his friends. He must really enjoy the thrill and excitement of what he considers to be a game.
Snap shook his head. "With all the trouble he want through, I don't think it would make much sense if this was just to stall time." He explained. "Bardot doesn't care if he's caught. He sounded so..casual about it. He would take risks like this, just because he gets a kick out of it. If he really didn't want me to find Rudy and Penny, then I don't think he would have tried contacting me."
Rapsheeba nodded her head. "True, but what if he already..." She flinched. "...took care of them?"
Snap felt his heart clench at that. There was no real way to tell if Bardot did keep Rudy and Penny alive or not. It sounded like he did, given that he is allowing him a chance to save them. But what if he had been lying? Bardot says he doesn't lie, but there was still a chance that he did. Maybe he just said that as an attempt to make him more willing to believe anything he says. Maybe he was just doing this to mess with him, so he could laugh in his face when he found out his friends were dead...
But even so, even if Bardot was lying about that, he still had to try. What if they were still alive? What if they needed his help? He still felt like he had to do something. It was better to take the chance and go save them than just sit around doing nothing. If they were still alive, he would feel awful if he didn't try to save them. And he knew Blocky and Rapsheeba felt the same way.
"We still have to try." Blocky said.
"I agree. We should do something." Rapsheeba said. She got off the couch. "I'll contact some zoners to see if any of them can help us."
Before she could take a step, Snap swiftly held up his hand. Rapsheeba stared at him with a confused expression as Snap shook his head. "Sorry, Rapsheeba... You can't do that."
"But...but why...?" Rapsheeba asked, her eyes wide. "It's our best chance to..."
Snap shook his head again. "No. It's..against the rules."
"What?" Rapsheeba asked.
Snap pulled out the card with the list of the rules on it. "Yeah, it says here I am only allowed the help of two zoners. That's it. If anyone else tries to help, Rudy and Penny would be...killed."
"But how would Bardot know if someone else is helping?" Blocky asked. "It doesn't make any sense."
"I know..." Snap nodded his head in agreement. "I'm not sure either but..." He paused for a moment, his eyes downcast. He closed them and shook his head once. "I don't want to take the chance. If Rudy and Penny could...die...if I break any of these rules, it is best I follow them exactly."
"So..what are the rules?" Rapsheeba asked hesitantly.
Snap stared down at the card. "They are as followed." Then he started to read the list.
"1. Only bring two friends with. Bring a third friend and your friends will perish.
2. No food or water. If you need to eat or drink, you may do so at the games' locations.
3. No cheating or your friends will die.
4. Once you start a game, there will be a time limit to complete it.
5. If circumstances force you to leave a helper behind, you are denied the right to get a replacement.
6. No telling anyone else what you are doing, or I will kill your friends.
7. When you complete a game, a card will tell you where to go next.
8. Be wary. Nothing is as it seems.
9. There will be no second chances. Screw up and that's it.
10. Above all, stay alive."
When Snap finished, he set the card down and stared at this two friends. Their eyes were wide in shock, just like he expected them to. These rules were dark and sinister, especially the last one. Stay alive... That was what tipped Snap off to the fact that he will be fighting for his very life. These weren't going to be fun games. They were going to be utter torture.
Blocky and Rapsheeba kept quiet for a few minutes. They weren't sure what to say to this. They looked at each other, their eyes wide in shock and worry. They looked back at Snap, almost like they were expecting him to say more. When Snap didn't say anything, neither did they. There was nothing but silence for a few minutes, no one saying anything. The only sound that could be heard was breathing.
After the two fully comprehended these...rules, Rapsheeba slowly sat back down on the couch. Her eyes were downcast, looking at the ground. Her expression was that of worry. Blocky turned to her and placed a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. Although no words were said, Snap could tell that the two were fully understanding just how dangerous this was going to be. He felt bad for dragging them into this. He didn't want to endanger more friends.
Yet, he had confidence in them. He had chosen them out of all zoners because he trusted them the most. They were his closest zoner friends and he knew how capable they could be. And he knew how much they cared for Rudy and Penny. They would still want to take the risk and try to save them, even if it meant putting themselves in danger.
Snap looked at the second card, the one with the riddle. He wasn't able to make heads or tails of it. He thinks that either Blocky or Rapsheeba would be able to figure it out for him. One of them might be able to tell him.
Before he asked them about the riddle, he took a moment to contemplate what was going on. A terrible realization slowly dawned on him. It was nice that he was allowed help. He was certainly going to need it. But if Bardot set up the rules so that he would be accompanied by two people, and that rule about not being allowed replacements...it made him wonder if Bardot purposely set up these 'games' so that he would have a hard time without help. It made him start to worry about just how difficult they were going to be...to survive...
He feared for Blocky and Rapsheeba. Was Bardot going to kill them if they were forced to be left behind? He hadn't mentioned that in the rules. There was nothing stating they would be killed, but...he didn't really want it to get to the point where he would find out. He thought briefly of maybe convincing them to stay behind, but he couldn't do that, not after he already told them what was going on. They were going to go with him even if he tried to stop them. And again, he needed their help. They had little time to waste. They had to find Rudy and Penny, and the only way to do it was by playing these most sinister games...
"Where to first, Snap?" Blocky asked, forcing Snap out of his thoughts. "Did this...Bardot guy tell you where the first game is?"
Snap shook his head. "He gave me a riddle I had to solve." He looked at the card. "Once it's solved, we will know where to begin the first game."
"You haven't solved it yet?" Rapsheeba asked.
Snap said, "No. I haven't been able to figure it out." He stared at his two friends. "I was hoping you guys could help me."
"Well sure, we'll help." Blocky said, giving the best smile he could despite the circumstances. "Read us the riddle."
Before Snap could say anything, he heard a beeping sound. He looked around, trying to find it. He told his friends to wait. He looked around his home, trying to find the source of the sound. He soon found it was coming from his bedroom. And that is when he saw it.
He could see a flashing red light. It blinked everytime there was a beep. It was coming from the box, which he had left on his bed. He looked down and saw it was the radio that was given to him by Bardot. The small light on the side was flashing red. He picked it up and stared at it. He wondered if it was Bardot trying to contact him. He narrowed his eyes. Right now, the last person he wanted to talk to was Bardot. But, although it wasn't listed as a rule, he had a feeling Bardot would do something drastic if he did not answer him.
He headed back into the living room, holding the radio in his hands. He sat back down on his chair. Blocky and Rapsheeba looked at him expectantly. They glanced down at the radio, and, judging from their expressions, they also seemed to suspect that it was Bardot trying to say something to them.
Although Snap really didn't want to, he slowly pressed the button below the red dot, which he assumed would answer Bardot's 'call', or whatever this could be considered. As soon as he pressed it, the beeping stopped. And for a while there was just silence. But when Snap listened more closely, he could hear something on the other line. Breathing...
Then a dark chuckle. Although a little faded and staticy from the radio, it still chilled Snap, Rapsheeba, and Blocky, filling the room with dread. In the background, Snap could have sworn he heard crying. Rudy and Penny...? Just what had those monsters done to them?
"Ah...good. You answered. I needed to make sure this thing worked." Bardot's voice came. He sounded even creepier with the imperfections of the radio. "I take it you have chosen two zoners to be your companions during the games."
Snap snarled. "Yes...I have..." It took a lot of willpower not to chew the guy out.
Bardot said, "Good, good. You know what to do then, Snap White." Snap flinched as he mentioned his last name again. He had to wonder...how did this guy know it? "Get started soon. And as for your human friends...they are still alive. You might have heard some crying before. That was them, in case you were wondering if I killed them already. Oh how I would love to...And how easy it would be, too..."
At this, Blocky and Rapsheeba looked utterly horrified. They just got a taste of just how cruel this guy really was. Snap glared towards the radio. He knew Bardot probably couldn't see him, but he didn't care. He just glared hatefully at the device, wishing that he could track the bastard down and make him regret everything he's done.
"You will not get a chance, Bardot." Snap said bravely. "I will make sure of that."
Bardot laughed. "I still admire your willpower, Snap. I do wonder if you will actually be a challenge for me. A real opponent..." He paused for a moment. "I do hope you make it through the games, Snap. I would...just love to see just what you are capable of. When you do find me...give me your best shot and don't hold back."
Snap growled, "You can bet I am going to give it my all..."
Bardot was not intimidated by the way Snap said that. If anything, it just made him more excited. This sickened Snap. No matter what he said to this guy, it just seemed to make him happier. There was nothing he could say to make this guy feel afraid. Everything, he just shrugs off. This was a lot like...Cosmo...
Snap recalled how Mr. Cosmo also took insults in stride. He hardly seemed offended by anything said to him. He just smiled and let it roll down his back like it was nothing. It wasn't until the end did Mr. Cosmo start to react more emotionally, more negatively to what was said to him. And that frightened Snap. He knew how Mr. Cosmo reacted when everything fell apart. And Bardot..he was worse. What was he going to be like if he eventually lost his cool...?
"I mustn't keep you waiting. Time is ticking." Bardot said. "Solve the first riddle quickly. After you complete each game, I will contact you, and give you an update on...your friends' condition." Snap's eyes widened at this. "I will also inform them on how well you are performing. I'm sure they would love to know."
Rapsheeba swallowed and asked, "How will you know when a game is completed?"
Cold laughter emitted from the radio. "Oh my dear...Rapsheeba I believe your name is..."
"How did you know my name?" Rapsheeba asked, horrified.
Snap was just as startled. "How did you know who I..."
"Well that's a secret. A secret isn't a secret if I tell, now is it?" Bardot said tauntingly. "If you survive multiple games...maybe I will tell you a little more. For now, I think I will just enjoy the fun of listening to you squirm as you try to figure out how I know these things..." He chortled darkly. "Oh yes. This shall be quite entertaining."
"You...!" Snap tried to say, but Bardot cut him off.
"I bid you farewell." Bardot said.
There was a click, then the light went out. All noise from the radio stopped immediately.
Snap, Rapsheeba, and Blocky just stared at the radio. Slowly, they looked at each other. For a few minutes, silence filled the room. Bardot's contact was unexpected. And what he said didn't help the mood either. Snap felt anger rise up inside of him. Bardot really did see this all as a game. The way he talked...it was despicable.
His body shaking in anger, Snap jumped out of his chair. Rapsheeba and Blocky stared at him. Snap looked over at the door, then back down on the radio. He then turned his head towards Rapsheeba and Blocky.
"Come on. Let's get started."