Rudolph, Sunnyside, 2067
Now, standing in the open space between the room and the maze. A weak light barely makes up for the space they are standing in. Just a couple of candles make up the light. The room is cold, and the ground is wet because water is leaking from the ceiling through the crevices.
Everyone surrounds William Frances except for the exception of Rudolph, of course.
Rudolph, holding his right shoulder, looks around the area. He notices there are about five entrances into the maze. Each entrance is lit differently, with one completely dark.
William Frances clears his throat and bends to the kids' level.
"Okay, guys, this is your final test. You have two main objectives for this test."
William holds up a finger to signify the first objective.
"The first objective is going to be escaping this maze. As you can see, there are five entrances into the maze. Each entrance connects to the others, so it doesn't matter where you start. They all lead to an exit."
Rudolph shoots William a doubtful glare.
"What are you pulling?"
William smiles.
"I guess I could tell you, but it would be more fun for you guys to figure it out as you try to escape."
Of course, Rudolph knew that William was up to something, but he just couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was. I mean, after all, this guy was seeming more and more like a monster.
William then puts up finger number two.
"For the second objective, this is more optional but is slightly encouraged. There are more of you trapped here. I would like to see if you guys can save them if you so choose to."
Rudolph raises his eyebrows in fear.
'He's trapped more kids down here?' Rudolph's face began to break out in a cold sweat.
William stands up and claps his hands together.
"That's it for the objectives. Do you guys have any questions?"
All the kids look at each other for a second, then finally Robert raises his hand.
"So we don't have to save the children, correct?"
William puts his glasses back in place.
"Yes, that's true, but that means you would be leaving them here to die."
Robert nods his head, understanding.
William then begins to point at the entrances.
"How about one person to each entrance, with one pair at another."
William walks up to Cynthia, who is now holding Robert's hand.
"You are going to have to partner up with someone? Okay?"
Cynthia then tightens her grip around Robert's hand in the hope that he will partner with her. But instead, Robert gives her a slight smile and lets go of her hand.
"I'm sorry, Cynthia, but in the end it's about survival, and you will just hold me back."
It's almost as if Robert knew something was off about the maze and wasn't willing to take the risk with Cynthia.
Rudolph, with an astonished look, decides to walk to Cynthia limply.
"I'll be her partner," Rudolph says, putting his hand on her shoulder.
Rudolph looks down at her face and sees her eyes, which seem to gaze into nothingness. Her eyes seem dead. Rudolph realizes that Cynthia is seemingly blind.
William claps again.
"Great! Now that we are all ready, everyone choose a path."
Of course, within seconds, everyone goes to a path that's not the dark one. Which just leaves Cynthia and Rudolph to path three.
The paths are chosen by such.
Robert- path 1
Harris- path 2
Clark, Rudolph, and Cynthia- path 3
Willow- path 4
Claire- path 5
Clark walks up to Rudolph and Cynthia.
"I'll be joining you guys."
Rudolph pats his head.
"Sure."
William gives an enormous smile.
"Well then, let's begin!"
Everyone darts down their path, just leaving Rudolph, Clark, and Cynthia, who are just standing at the entrance to path three.
Rudolph grabs a hold of Cynthia's hand and grabs Clark's hand tightly.
"You guys stay close to me at all times. Got it!"
Cynthia and Clark nod their heads.
"I wouldn't want you guys getting lost in the darkness."
Cythia then looks up at Rudolph.
"But sir, I've been lost in the darkness my whole life."
Rudolph, not knowing what to say, just gives a gentle smile.
"Alright, are you guys ready?"
The two kids nod their heads.
"Okay, then let's go."
Rudolph and the two kids walk into the dark path.
Upon entering the path, Rudolph notices the path isn't completely dark. About every 100 or so meters, there is a candle on the walls. The light is faint, but it will do, Rudolph knows it's better than having no light at all.
After walking straight for a bit, they finally arrive at the first intersection.
There is a choice between going left and going right.
Rudolph looks at the kids.
"Which way should we go?"
Cynthia doesn't answer, knowing that it doesn't matter to her. Clark points to the right path.
"Got it, right it is."
Not really thinking much about the choice, Rudolph and the kids continue down the path until they are prompted to go right. They again arrive at another intersection.
This time, Rudolph makes the choice and chooses to go left. Then again, they met with another intersection.
Rudolph grunts with anger.
"Just how many intersections are there?"
This time, the choices are either to keep going straight or go left.
Rudolph, struggling to decide on which path to take, begins to hear something in front of him.
It sounds like multiple large pieces of metal are clamping the ground hard and quickly.
Rudolph and the kids just stand there, frozen. Shivers go down Rudoplhs's back. Then, for a moment, time slowed down.
Rudolph and the kids watch as a large clump of metal slowly passes them. It has a circular body with three pointy legs on each side—a triangular head with three dark eyes, each with a small white light. The head has no mouth and no ears.
Without notice, the cyborg stops. Its eyes begin to scan.
Rudolph quickly grabs the kids and runs into a dark spot on the path, hoping not to be seen.
The cyborg sits there for what feels like forever scanning, before finally deciding to leave.
Rudolph takes a sigh of relief.
"That was a close one."
Now that the cyborg is gone, there are two choices: which path to choose, and that fate lies with Rudolph.
'Which path should we go down? The logical answer is to go left, right? To get away from whatever we just saw.'
Rudolph continues to sit there contemplating which path to choose.
'Of course, we should go left. It's the only choice that seems right.'
Rudolph, who is still holding Cynthia's and Clark's hands, leads them down the left path until they reach an open space.
Then a sudden realization hit Rudolph: the path going straight and the one going left met at the same destination—the open space.
Suddenly, the same sounds Rudolph had heard earlier returned. The Three-eyed cyborg enters the open space.
Rudolph's face becomes a ghost.
'I have a feeling that if these things are walking the paths, then not everyone is going to make it out alive.'