“That was quick.”, said Betty. “Those fields seem shorter than they- Ugh! You’re supposed to still be in field 2! You’re ahead of me with these lines. Hmm... let’s see...” the room changed into the first room. “Oh come on!” Shouted Hammie. “This is the exact same one!” He was dropped through yet another portal, this time to an uncertain but different place. “Yes it is! See?” The walls slowly vanished along with the floor to reveal a sunny sky filled with clouds and rainbows. A classic platformer track was ahead filled with scaleable rainbows and giant palm trees, but mostly clouds. A golden door waited at the end with no apparent room behind it, but it glowed brightly. Zoe looked down to notice that she was standing on a cloud. She waited for the intro. “Betty, shouldn’t you give us the whole thing about what you’re teaching us?” No answer ensued. Zoe proceeded to jump across clouds. It was when she was 4 or 5 steps across when she looked back to see if everyone was okay. Everyone but Sue was gone. Sue appeared to be shouting something like “Chew Redo Ball Crown” but it was inaudible. Zoe tried to listen the next five times but it still didn’t get across. Sue got a frustrated look on her face, took a deep breath, and dove off the cloud. Zoe was terrified. For a split second, she thought she could save her and jumped down too. The sky turned grey and foggy and rainy until she was laying down on a cushion, though the fall was so great it would take a while to get up. Zoe looked to her left, right, and all possible angles but couldn’t find Sue. “Sue! I’m here!” She shouted before a tap on her shoulder made her jump in her mind but not in her body, again because of the fall. “I’m not this person who you need to save. I figured out the puzzle.” Zoe felt jealous. “She had already created this room. The first room was a hint because she’s already mentioned the lesson. Remember? Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.” Zoe felt stupid and inferior. “You think you’re the smartest here but you never take the time to consider things. The lesson was literally in your face and yet you had to depend on Betty to help you. You get so used to doing things certain ways that any change in the method is unknown to you.” Zoe had to pause to collect herself before saying, “I thought you were in trouble. You know I would sacrifice myself if it meant I might save you.” “I can handle myself, thank you.” Zoe was about to burst into anger or tears or both, she was so uncertain about what was happening in her head. Then she felt a ticking sensation that felt like she was gaining back energy. A static-like voice was heard in their heads. “You were so insistent my words meant something that you never even truly got to feel unhappy. Please don’t tell anyone yet, but you passed the test.” It was Betty. “Just stay quiet and listen to the telepathic messages I send you while the others catch up to your progress. For now, it’s time you all went to sleep.” They slowly got up and saw a luxurious hotel- like building in front of them. “Don’t tell, but I gave you the best rooms. I’m going to sleep tonight too.(anime yawn)” ********** Alex looked around. They turned on the earpiece. -no sign of her.- -okay. Meet me at the balcony.- Alex pushed back the curtains. Alex saw Watson outside the window. -don’t open it, I’ll tell you why later.- -okay. But how do you know?- -if she didn’t sleep, she would have seen me from a mile away.- -okay. It’s going well so far. But what’s the new plan?- -they have to trust you to believe in me. So gain their trust first, and then we’ll talk about field 7.-
