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@calidris @emily-waldorf (yep, that’s me!)

CALIX:

“The room’s shrinking!”

The scream scared me so bad my flinch sent me crashing forward and I bumped Val. She stumbled, which yanked me forward as the crowd thickened and squeezed us.

The walls in front rolled back, splitting as everyone left the room. The darkness in the new room as so thick I could practically chew on my breaths.

Val shrank back as people jostled us both. I couldn’t help but press close to her, heartbeat quickening and breath shortening due to all the people.

Then the walls stopped.

All was silent.

All was black.

The murmuring of the crowd echoed off of shadowed walls around us.

“I think we’re in some sort of great hall,” Val whispered to me.

“Well done!” a voice terrifying and awe-filling boomed from the ceiling. “For this next challenge, I’ll be requiring each of you to part with your most prized belonging – and no, money doesn’t count.  Refusal to comply will result in mandatory participation in my upcoming fashion show.”

Prized belonging??

Blinding lights flicked on, illuminating a long runway in the middle of the hall. I squinted and cowered, holding my only available hand over my eyes in the sudden brightness.

Val and I were standing in the middle, with rows and rows of seats lining the hall on either side of us, curving around the runway and disappearing into the shadows beyond.  I felt a squeeze on my hand, and I glanced at Val. She was shaking and looking like she was going to be sick.

I didn’t think she felt it, but I tightened my grip on her hand.

What would I have to give up … I thought nervously. Would the Castle … harm us if we didn’t have any belongings with us?

I mean, I only had a pouch of a bone meal mixture to help with wounds, but that’s about it …

“Christopher Goldenseal, come forth and make your decision.”

“I choose the catwalk!”  The pink-haired man’s voice echoed loud and excited in my ears, and I shivered at the volume. “Please?”

“Very well.  Come up here and stand to the left of the aisle.”

Christopher swaggered up to the front, grinning back at everyone. He gave a smile in my direction, and, glancing at the girl next to me, saw that it was for Val.

I glanced between the interaction, gauging her reaction of uncomfortable smiling.

Huh.

“Is that your boyf–b-brother?”

I flinched at the new voice, turning to find a squat man staring up at me.

I didn’t say anything, but I gave him a slightly glowering look at assuming such a private thing.

Even though I was wondering the same thing.