Jack watched as the young mare fled down the darkened hallway. Moonlight shone through the windows, lighting up her form as she passed them. Her features were a twisted mask confusion and fear. She rounded the corner of a nurse’s station, stumbling and falling to her knees. She drunkenly scrambled behind the counter, turning and pressing her back to it.

The Diamond Dog shifted in his seat, rolling his shoulders and scratching his neck. He had dozed off a while ago, exactly how long he wasn’t sure. In some ways he could relate to the poor mare on screen. He had seen her wake up and stumble around, seemingly just as confused as he was.

Taking his eyes off the screen, Jack glanced around the room. The room was dark, lit only by the dim light coming from the television set. It was like a lighthouse, shining into a blackness darker than the space between stars.

Jack shook his head and turned his attention back to the screen. He was slipping back into metaphors. Nothing good ever came of that.

“Laurie? Laurie!” the nurse on screen was calling, clearly terrified.

The movie cut back to the mare, presumably Laurie, crouched down beside a wall. Laurie shifted, still in some kind of daze, and slowly leaned around the corner. Her eyes widened in fright-

The radio in Jack’s pocket squawked.

Jack jerked and clamped a hand down over the bulge in his coat, trying to muffle it. He quickly dug the device from his pocket, feeling Gavrii watching him. He turned the volume down and brought the radio close, hunching over.

“Jack?” Val’s voice came through the speakers, accompanied by a few whispers of static.

He pressed the button on the radio’s side. “I’m here, Val. Is something wrong?”

“Maybe. One of our guests just told me about a, ahem, ‘pair of psychos’ that chased her out of her room. It’s probably nothing, but check with Setter, just to be safe.”

Jack nodded to himself, patting his guns and Kevlar vest to make sure they hadn’t run off.

“Okay, I will,” he pulled the big revolver from his shoulder holster, checking the cylinder out of paranoid habit. “Where are you?”

A low chuckle came over the radio waves. “Ever the eager hero. I don’t need rescuing, Jack. I’m just worried about someone harming our poor guests.”

“And what if there is someone running around that shouldn’t be?”

“Then maybe you’ll finally be able to get your gun off.”

Jack snorted and snapped the cylinder closed, satisfied ghosts hadn’t switched his out bullets with chocolate. Gods, did he hate chocolate.

“It’s a good thing you’re pretty, Val.”

Val laughed again. “So they keep telling me. Happy hunting.”

Jack suppressed a smirk and tucked the radio away. He looked over to Gavrii, the Gryphon already staring at him.

“Is Valerie alright?” Gavrii asked quietly.

Jack nodded. “Val’s fine. I just need to check in with Setter. He cued up on yours?”

Gavrii nodded and pulled her own radio from somewhere inside her fur coat. She handed it over to him, but continued to stare.

Jack ignored her for the moment and pressed the button on the radio’s side. “Setter, are ya there?” Jack released the button and waited for what was probably fifteen seconds but might as well have been an hour.

Finally, the radio let out a fizzle of static along with Setter’s voice. “Jack, what’s the, the matter, buddy?” He sounded like he was out of breath.

“Setter, I need you to check the cameras, Val thinks we might have some uninvited guests.”

An annoyed sigh came over the radio. “All of them?” Setter’s tone was particularly whiny, even for Setter.

“Yes, Setter, all of them.”

Another sigh. “Well, look, I’m, uh, not in front of the, um, cameras right now.”

Jack furrowed his brow. “You’re what?”

Setter chuckled nervously. “I’m kinda… kinda in the middle of something right now.”

Jack sighed. “Setter, you can fuck around with your girlfriend later. Check the fucking cameras.”

“Fuck you too,” Setter muttered before the transmission cut out.

Jack waited maybe a minute before Setter was back on the radio. “I think there’s someone in… uh… block 87C.”

Jack stood up. “Are you sure?”

“Look, I’m seeing something there. Best go check it out there, super cop.”

The transmission cut out again and Jack shook his head, tossing Gavrii her radio. “That Merry must be quite that gal.”

“Maybe she’s just a whore,” Gavrii snorted, eyeing him with a titled head. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Jack shrugged, checking his gun again. “Setter probably just said a block number at random to get me off his ass. Still, better safe than sorry.” Satisfied his gun barrel hadn’t tied itself in a knot; Jack tucked his gun back in its holster and made for the door. “I’ll radio you if I need help.” He paused at the door and jerked his head at the TV. “And tell me what happens with this Laurie chick.”

Gavrii graced him with a rare smirk and waved him off. Jack nodded back and left the room, stalking down the dark hallway beyond.

“And we’re back, even though we never really left. It’s Radio Vinyl and our guest Silver Screen will unfortunately be leaving shortly. But Silver, before you go, I’ve got one question that I’ve always wanted to ask a, uh, horror expert.”

“Well, all you have is me, but I’ll do what I can.”

The DJ laughed. “Okay, okay, here’s my question: why not a gun? In just about every horror movie I’ve seen, the killer never uses a gun. I mean, have you ever tried to kill someone with an axe? It’s surprisingly difficult.”

“The short answer is that guns aren’t as scary as machetes or chainsaws are.” there was a brief pause. “I’m sorry, did you say you tried to kill someone with an axe?”

“It’s not as interesting as it sounds.” the DJ said quickly.

“O…kay,” Silver coughed awkwardly.

“Well, Silver, it seems to be that time. I’ll play you off. This is Radio Vinyl with our Dead by Dawn Marathon.” the DJ lowered her voice, whispering her next sentence. “Here’s the music.”

Dark clouds loomed outside the windows, sending sparse droplets of rain to pitter patter against the high glass windows. Among their ranks was an occasional dim flash accompanied by a dull, faraway boom. Heralds of the oncoming storm.

Ember Roundup pressed the tips of her fingers against the glass, staring out into the darkness beyond. It was such a cliché, the whole dark and stormy night thing. The music coming from the radio on the other side of the hall wasn’t helping matters much.

Ember shook her head and turned around. She picked up her camera from a nearby table and fiddled with it, double and triple checking the settings and memory card. Satisfied, she hit the record button and held the camera at arm’s length, positioning herself next to the window.

She pushed her glasses back over her eyes, and gave the camera a smile. Not too big of a smile, though.

“Hello Ponyville-”

Ember grimaced and quickly put her hand over the camera lens. She took a quick breath and pulled away her hand, again giving the camera a smile.

“Hello viewers, this is Ember Roundup reporting to you from Castle Rapture. As you can see-” she shifted the camera properly to the window beside her before turning it back to herself “-it is a dark and stormy night here.” She gave the camera a cheesy grin before grimacing again and once more covering the lens with her hand. She sighed and pulled her hand away.

“As you may notice, the weather outside isn’t particularly friendly. But I am happy to report that that the atmosphere here is.” Ember turned away from the wall and began walking backwards across the room.

She stumbled a bit as she backed into a row of seats that looked like they had been stolen from a movie theater. Her stumbling sent her bumping into the projector, knocking it off center.

“What the hell!?” Scary Story and Double Moon Flare said in near perfect unison, jumping out of their seats and fixing her with accusatory stares.

“Sorry!” Ember squeaked, lowering her camera.

Scary sighed and hopped over the back of her seat, closing in on Ember.

“I didn’t mean to-” the Earth Pony began, but Scary ignored her, bushing past and stopping the projector before pulling it back to its original position.

“What are you doing?” Scary asked as she fiddled with the projector, her tone laced with annoyance.

“Sorry, I was just, uh,” Ember hesitantly brought up her camera a little before quickly lowering it. “Just trying to record some stuff for my, uh, report.”

“And why were you trying to record us?” Flare asked, sounding oddly defensive.

“I wasn’t trying to record you two specifically, uh…” Ember trailed off as Scary turned from the projector to her. “Sorry,” she repeated.

There was a moment of tense silence. Scary had maybe and inch or two on Ember and wasn‘t much wider save in the hips department, but the Thestral’s eyes and teeth made her seem even larger. But the tension faded when Scary cracked a grin.

“‘S all good, Ember.” Scary chuckled, patting Ember on the shoulder. “Accidents happen.”

“Let us finish up the movie and then we’ll do some interviews, yeah?” Flare added as Scary returned to her seat beside the Alicorn.

Ember nodded quickly. “Yeah, sounds perfect.” She coughed. “Ah, sorry about the, uh,”

Flare looked over her shoulder, flashing her perfect smile. “Gosh, Ember. It’s okay, really.”

“Could you hit the button on the side of the projector there? The green one.” Scary added.

Ember nodded and leaned close to the projector, pushing the indicated button. The device started back up and Ember promptly took a few steps back. Once it seemed as though everything was in working order Ember turned and made her way towards Xander and Token at the far end of the hall. She kept the camera pointed ahead of her this time

“Hey guys,” Ember as she approached.

Xander tossed a pair of cards down on the table in front of a smiling Token. The pair looked up from the table, each giving her a friendly smile.

“Hey there, Ember,” Xander said, turning down the volume on the radio as she reached the table. “Want us to deal you in?”

“Alright,” Ember took a seat and placed her camera on the table’s felt top. “What are we playing?”

“Cups,” Token said, pointedly taking a sip from his own.

“Cups?” Ember raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Xander as the Zebra gathered up the cards and began shuffling them.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of cups,” Token said with a chuckle.

Ember smirked and shook her head. “It’s just something you made up, isn’t it?”

“You’re not accusing a Changeling of lying, are you, Ember?” Token waggled a finger. “Because that would be racist.”

Ember snorted and leaned over to Xander. “How much money did he take from you?”

“Two weeks allowance,” Xander said with laugh. “Which is why we’re not playing poker anymore.”

“You really need to work on your tell, buddy,” Token leaned over the table to Ember. “He rubs his left eyebrow when he’s lying.” The Changeling stage-whispered.

Ember shot Xander an accusatory look. “In the van, when you kept asking about my camera, seeming all interested? You were rubbing your eyebrow, ya striped bastard.”

“Easy there, Ember. Don’t git ya knickers in a twist,” Xander said in an exaggerated Brumbiland accent. “And I was rubbing my right eyebrow.” He straightened up the deck and tossed two cards her way.

“And what does that mean?” Ember asked.

“That means he’s super duper lying,” Token snickered.

Xander laughed and shook his head, dropping a pair of cards down in front of him. “Come on, Ember. Don’t you see what he’s doing?” He tossed two cards to Token. “The Changeling is sowing discord among up equine folk.”

“Shit, they’re onto me.”

The three of them laughed as Xander put the deck in the middle of the table and checked his cards. Seeing Token doing the same, Ember quickly checked her own. The three of clubs and the four of hearts.

“Okay, so how does one play cups?” Ember asked, dropping her cards back onto the table.

Token smiled. “Well, first you look at your cards,” he glanced down at his own cards for a moment before picking up his large, red plastic cup. “And then you take a drink.”

As Token drank from his cup Xander passed Ember a cup of her own, filling it up with a pitcher taken from beneath the table.

“And what are we drinking?” Ember asked, peering suspiciously at the thick red liquid in her cup.

“The blood of virgins,” Xander said ominously, returning the pitcher to the floor.

Token finished his drink with an ‘ah’ sound and smacked his lips. “It’s fruit punch mixed with milk instead of water.”

“Huh,” Ember said, gently pushing the cup away. “I think I’ll pass.”

“Your loss,” Xander said, taking a drink from his own cup.

“Anyway, next you take a pair of dice and put them in your now empty cup.” Token did just that, rattling the dice around in the cup a few times before tossing them onto the table. “And then you roll them and see what they add up to. In this case, seven.”

Ember nodded. “So, the goal is to have your cards add up to the same number as the dice, right?”

“Wrong,” Token said with a smirk. “You actually want you cards to be as far away from the number on the dice as possible.”

“Oh,” Ember pushed her glasses back up her nose. “Are there any more steps?”

“Well-” Token began, but he was cut off by a sudden and loud bang as the door a few dozen paces away suddenly flew open.

A figure stumbled into the hall. The figure, clearly female based on her shape, was carried halfway to the table by her momentum. She staggered to a halt and quickly spun of her heels, charging back to the door. She threw all of her weight behind it, slamming it closed with a thunderous crash.

She turned and leaned her back against the door, slowly sliding down to the floor. She gulped lungfuls of air, her eyes momentarily unfocused. It then clicked in Ember’s head. She knew this mare.

But Xander beat her to the punch.

“Twisty?” he said slowly.

Ember initially had to suppress a grin.

Twisty was sitting on the floor, her back against one of the doors leading out of the hall. She was wearing, of all things, a stereotypical schoolgirl outfit. Knee socks and everything. However, the more Ember looked, the less she felt the urge to laugh. Twisty’s breaths came in deep, ragged gasps, and her eyes were wide and fearful. Her gaze flicked anxiously between Ember, Xander, and Token.

“Scary, Flare,” Twisty said between breaths, her voice hoarse.

As if on cue, the Thestral and the Alicorn came running up. Scary went straight to Twisty’s side, Flare following after a moment’s hesitation. The pair got on either side of Twisty, putting her arms around their shoulders and lifting her.

They brought her over to the table. As Token and Xander cleared out a space, Ember snatched up her camera. It was still recording. Ember’s finger hovered over the button to shut it off, but she hesitated. After a moment, she pulled her finger away and tried to hold the device in an inconspicuous manner.

Twisty was still panting as they sat her down at the table. Xander pushed Ember’s abandoned cup into her hand, which Twisty drank without hesitation. She downed half of it before going into a coughing fit.

As her coughing subsided, Twisty shakily put the cup down and looked to Xander. “What is that?” she asked hoarsely.

“Fruit punch and, uh, milk,” Xander said sheepishly.

Twisty shook her head, coughing a few more times. She wiped her eyes and said, “Has anyone seen Miss Cheerilee?”

The group looked back and forth amongst themselves before collectively shrugging.

“Not since she left with Reuben,” Ember answered.

Twisty squeezed her eyes shut, holding her head in her hands. Slowly, her breathing evened out.

“Twisty,” Scary began, breaking the sudden silence. She approached Twisty’s side, leaning on the table. “Twisty, what’s going on?”

Flare leaned in from the other side, looking Twisty over. “And what are you wearing?”

Twisty inhaled sharply and looked up. Her jaw worked a few times before she seemed to find her voice. “Guys, this is going to sound insane, but…” she took another deep breath, taking the cup and swallowing the rest of the punch. She put down the cup, a bit harder than is seemed she meant to, and began speaking.

“Two psychos in masks attacked me in my room. I had just gotten out of the shower so I was sort of, ah, naked. I got away from them and then I ran into Val.”

Xander tilted his head. “Who?”

“The Lamia,” Twisty said, gesturing vaguely. “The, uh, big, green, snake… lady.”

Scary nodded. “Yeah, I think I remember her.”

Twisty placed her hands on the table and stared at them. “She, uh, found these clothes for me. Then she, uh, she pinned me to a wall and started saying all these things about me. And what she wanted to do to me. And then she said she that she-” Twisty swallowed, a shudder running through her. “She said she… ate Reuben.” Twisty winced and looked up from the table. “And Laser Bright.”

No one said anything for a moment, each of the assembled taking in what Twisty had said. And then Ember broke the silence with a scoff.

“Very funny, Twisty.”

Twisty blinked a few times. “Do you think I’m making this all up?”

Ember nodded. “Uh-huh. You never were any good with pranks.”

“It’s not a prank!”

“Well, if you are telling the truth, shouldn’t we call the cops?”

“Yes!” Twisty shouted, standing up out of her seat. She looked around the table and said in a softer tone. “Who’s got their phone with them?”

Ember looked around, surprised to see Xander, Token, Scary, and even Flare shake their heads.

“I think Laser Bright had her phone,” Flare said, nervously pulling on the hem of her shirt.

Ember shook her head. “Ah, then we can just give her a call. Ask what it feels like to be fitted for a snakeskin bodysuit.” She turned to Twisty. “I don’t have my phone either. It’s in my room, probably where everyone else’s is too.”

Twisty shook her head and moved around the table, heading for the other door on the far side of the hall. Ember started after her, everyone else following after a moment.

“Where are you going?” Ember asked.

“I’m going to the rooms and getting my phone.” Twisty said over her shoulder.

“Alone?” Scary said quickening her pace to get beside Twisty. “But what about, uh, Val?”

“You actually believe her?” Ember asked, pointing her camera at Scary.

Scary glanced down at the camera for a moment and then back up at Ember. “Twisty can’t tell a lie to save her life.” She looked to Twisty. “I believe you and I’m not letting you go alone.”

Twisty shot Scary a grateful smile, but it quickly vanished. “You can’t come with me, Scary.”

Scary stopped in her tracks, grabbing Twisty and forcing her to stop as well. “Why the hell not?”

“Because Val is still roaming around out there. I barely got away from her before and I know for a fact I can run a lot faster than you.” Twisty pulled her hand out of Scary’s and started walking again. “You need to stay here and barricade this place.”

Scary blew out a frustrated breath and followed Twisty. “Fine, I’ll start stacking things, but you can’t just go out there alone.”

Token suddenly jumped in front of them. “Wait, wait, wait, we can’t just board this place up and leave Laser Bright out there.”

Twisty slowed to a halt. “Token…” she began softly.

The Changeling shook his head. “Nonono, she, she wasn’t feeling well and I took her outside, to the gardens right out there. She said she wanted to be alone for a little while.” He laughed nervously. “We can’t just leave her out there.”

Twisty shook her head. “She’s not out there Token.”

Ember moved a few steps back and used her left hand to steady her right, making sure she had both Twisty and Token in the shot together. Token looked like he was about to say something, but Xander stepped in and cut him off.

“Hey, now. I can go with Token, we can go find Laser Bright and be back here in no time.”

Twisty gritted her teeth and rubbed her temples. “Laser Bright is not out there, Xander. Val said she-”

Xander held up his hands defensively. “Look, I believe that some crazy snake lady told you she ate grown mare, but she could have been lying, Twisty.”

“I don’t think she was,” Twisty said flatly. “And we can’t spilt up. It’ll just make it easier for her to pick us off.”

Ember risked drawing attention to herself and spoke up. “So they can’t go find Laser Bright, but you can go looking for a phone all by yourself?”

Twisty shot Ember a glare. “I’m sorry if I want everyone here to keep on breathing, Ember!” She sucked in a breath, blowing it out slowly and turning back to Token. She started to say something, but stopped, her gaze shifting to something behind the Changeling.

“The windows,” she said quietly and then said, louder now, “The garden, it’s right out there, right?”

Token looked over his shoulder and then back at Twisty, nodding.

Twisty did a nod of her own. “Okay, then go check the windows. If you see Laser Bright out there, then by all means get her in here. Otherwise, you stay in here with everyone else, alright?”

Token nodded and ran off towards the windows without another word.

Twisty shot Ember another look. “Happy?”

“Pardon me for pointing out the hypocrisy,” Ember replied.

“She’s right, Twisty,” Xander said, drawing the pink mare’s attention away from Ember. “Why don’t I go with you? Yeah, there’s no way I could outrun you, but can probably fight Val off if-”

“You don’t remember how big she is,” Twisty said, cutting him off. “She’d kill you.”

“Damnit Twisty, what do you think she’s going to do to you?” Flare demanded.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Ember rolled her eyes and raised her voice. “I’ll go with her!”

The others quieted down and as one turned to her. Ember gave them her best reporter smile, lowering her camera, but still keeping it pointed forward.

“I might not be as able to beat you in the hundred meter dash, but I think I can bloody well keep pace.”

Twisty raised an eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t believe me.”

Ember chuckled. “I don’t, but, given the circumstances, I think it best if there was someone to watch your back.” Ember held up her camera. “And get the whole event on video, too.”

Twisty gave Ember something akin to a glare for a moment, but her expression softened and she nodded. “Okay, that sounds, reasonable.” She moved out of the circle the group had formed around her and went to stand next to Ember. “Alright, start on the barricades while we’re gone.”

The others nodded and began wandering off, likely trying to puzzle out just how they were going to erect any sort of barricade. All save for Flare, who lingered for just a moment.

“Twisty?” she said slowly.

“Yeah?” Twisty replied, her tone noticeably soft.

“What if…” Flare grimaced. “What if you don’t come back? What are we supposed to do?”

Twisty inhaled sharply. “If we’re not back in ten minutes, you do whatever you think is best.”

“…Okay,” Flare said, sounding disappointed as she walked away.

Twisty sighed and began walking towards the door leading back to the room, rubbing her eyes. “This is all so messed up.”

“So you keep saying,” Ember remarked, falling into step beside her.

“You really don’t believe me?” Twisty asked.

Ember scoffed. “I’m not skeptical just to be a dick, Twisty. This could all be some elaborate prank. I mean, are you really asking me to believe that there’s some big fucking snake running around eating ponies?”

They reached the door leading back to the rooms. Xander was pulling one of the wooden benches over. He gave Twisty a questioning look, one she answered with a slight nod. Twisty opened the door, holding it for Ember.

Ember hesitated, wary that they were going to try to lock her out. She shook off the feeling and passed through the doorway, giving Twisty a smile as she passed. Twisty followed close behind her, pulling the door close. Behind them Ember could hear the sound of the bench scraping along the floor.

Ember and Twisty started down the corridor, side by side. They moved down to the trophy room, entering it without saying a word. Here they slowed, Twisty moving cautiously, head cocked to one side.

Ember stared at Twisty for a moment, a small smirk of amusement on her lips. She certainly was committed to this whole prank. Ember then glanced over at the stuffed heads that adorned the walls, eyes angry and teeth exposed. She suppressed a shudder and followed Twisty, trying to tiptoe.

Thankfully, they were soon out of the trophy room and in the hallway beyond. Twisty slunk up against one of the walls, almost pressing herself against it. She began sidling along it. Ember again stared, but she felt significantly less amused now. She quickly mimicked Twisty’s actions, following closely behind her.

They reached a corner. If Ember remembered correctly, the rooms were just around the bend. She watched as Twisty peeked around the corner. The air was still, almost unnaturally so.

After what seemed like an eternity, Twisty moved around the corner, motioning for Ember to follow. They crept forward now, walking as if they were on eggshells. They passed a few closed doors before coming to one that was still open. Twisty slipped inside the room, Ember right on her heels.

Once they were both in the room, Twisty leaned against the door. She gritted her teeth as she tried to quietly ease it close, the hinges making one or two diminutive squeaks. After a few moments, the door was shut, the lock clicking softly as Twisty turned it.

Ember released a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding while Twisty rubbed her eyes, letting out a breathy chuckle. Twisty pulled her hands away and drew in a deep breath, moving to the bed.

Ember followed Twisty with her eyes and camera. The bed was strewn with clothes and various items. Twisty made a beeline for the cell phone lying amongst the mess.

Ember dared to break the silence. “Don’t you want to change?”

“There’s no time,” Twisty said quietly, flipping open her phone and hastily hitting the buttons. She hit dial and held the phone to her ear, fingers drumming anxiously on the bed. A few seconds ticked by and Twisty’s expression became confused. She pulled the phone away, staring at it.

“What is it?” Ember asked after a moment.

Twisty looked up from the phone. “It says I don’t have a signal.”

Ember could not help the smirk that curled her lip. “Really?”

Twisty narrowed her eyes. “Ember-”

Ember held up a hand. “Hey now, let’s just go try my phone, okay? I know I had a signal earlier.”

Twisty just nodded, tucking her phone into a pocket on her skirt. She moved around the bed and to the door, gingerly opening it. Again, the hinges squeaked as Twisty fully opened it. She peeked out, looking one way then the other before turning back to Ember and nodding.

They moved out into the hall, crossing it and moving a door down. Twisty gripped the doorknob, turning it and slowly easing the door open. To Ember’s surprise, the hinges didn’t make a sound. They slipped inside in silence, Twisty again securing the door.

Ember’s room was considerably tidier than Twisty’s, nary a sheet or pillow out of place. Ember moved around the bed and picked up her bag from the floor. She set it down on the bed, rummaging through it with one hand while the other held her camera.

She quickly found her phone, pulling the little device out with a sound a triumph.

“Aha, here we are,” she smiled at Twisty and held up the phone, waggling it back and forth. “Shall I do the honors?”

“Be my guest,” Twisty said, sounding distracted, her head cocked to the side.

Ember smirked and shook her head, quickly dialing the police and hitting the call button. To her surprise, her phone beeped that there was no signal before dumping the call.

“The fuck?” Ember said under her breath as she redialed, only to have her phone again dump the call.

“I can’t get through,” Ember said, looking from her phone to Twisty. “I’m sure I had a signal before. I don’t underst-”

“Shh,” Twisty hushed her suddenly, holding up a hand.

Ember quieted down as Twisty slowly crept back towards the door. She pressed her ear against it, closing her eyes in concentration. After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked to Ember.

Twisty mouthed something. Ember blinked and shook her head. Twisty did it again, slower this time. It took Ember a moment, but she put it together.

‘Someone out there.’

‘Who?’ Ember mouthed back.

Twisty merely shrugged in response. Ember sighed silently, pushing her glasses back over her eyes. Of course she wouldn’t know. Not unless whoever it was said something.

Twisty continued to listen at the door as Ember again tried to call the police. For the third time her phone refused, beeping in her ear and dropping the call. Swearing soundlessly, Ember moved over to Twisty, tapping her on the arm.

‘Nothing.’ she mimed.

Twisty’s brow furrowed, her eyes closing in what seemed like defeat. Her eyes opened again and she leaned further against the door. Before Ember could ask Twisty what she heard, she got her answer.

“Guys?” a voice called out. A familiar voice.

“Laser Bright?” Ember said softly, hand reaching towards the doorknob.

Before her fingers could touch it, they were suddenly crushed together in a vise-like grip. Ember gasped in pain and jerked her hand out of Twisty’s.

“Why-?” Ember started, only to stop when Twisty met her gaze.

Somewhere on the other side of the door, Laser Bright called out again.

“Guys, are you here? I, well, I got locked outside. I found another door, but it’s not like I know this place.” Laser Bright audibly shivered. “It st-started raining before I g-got back ins-side. I’m really c-cold guys a-and I lost my key. Please…”

“That’s not Laser Bright,” Twisty whispered darkly.

“You don’t know that,” Ember hissed back.

Twisty frowned for a moment, and then her eyes flicked to the camera in Ember’s hand.

“Can you use that to peek around the corner?” Twisty asked quietly.

Ember nodded. “Yeah,”

Twisty jerked her head to the door, moving so Ember could stand next to it. The Brumbilander rolled her eyes as she got into position. Twisty was either jerking her around or off her fucking rocker. Sure, her phone not working was odd, but it wasn’t like she had full bars to begin with and the storm that was bearing down on them certainly wouldn’t be helping. And now she was supposed to believe that the big pony-eating snake lady could also imitate voices?

Ember considered just bolting out the door then and there. But she hesitated. She remembered Scary talking about one of her stories or a movie or something. The guy that didn’t believe a word the hero said always ended up doing something stupid and dying horribly.

Ember sighed softly and slowly turned the doorknob. Just as before, the hinges were completely silent. She angled the camera and eased the door open just enough that lens could see out into the hall. She fiddled with the view screen on the side, adjusting it so she could see what the camera saw.

As the fuzzy image on the tiny screen focused, Laser Bright was talking again. “Hello? Twisty…?” her voice took on a singsong quality as she said the name, the pitch of her voice lowering.

The screen resolved itself, revealing the creature outside. The Lamia had her back to the camera. She was big and covered in green scales. She turned to the side as she approached the door to Twisty’s room, revealing her serpentine visage and her nakedness.

It took Ember a moment to realize she wasn’t breathing. She gasped, clasping her hand over her mouth once she realized what she had done.

Slowly, the Lamia’s head turned to look towards the camera. Ember hastily pulled the camera away from the crack in the door, backing away from it as well.

“Fuck, I think she saw me,” Ember said in a barely audible whisper.

“What?” Twisty said as she moved to close the door.

“Don’t!” Ember hissed, grabbing Twisty’s hand. “Don’t, she’s looking this way.”

Suddenly, another familiar voice began speaking, at an almost painful volume.

“Hey there, listeners. It’s Radio Vinyl and at the moment I’m here all alone in the studio. Our next guest is running a bit late it seems. Just between you and me, I think it’s all for the best. I had a whole mess of tacos for lunch and they’re starting to repeat on me.” There was a brief pause. “Whoo, be thankful they got me one of those cough buttons. Especially if you’re wearing headphones.”

The Lamia had turned on a radio, it seemed.

The DJ coughed. “Anyway, this is Radio Vinyl with our Dead by Dawn Marathon. And if any of you out there are feeling a little stressed right about now, this next one’s for you.”

“Guys, are you there?” The Lamia called out above the sound of the radio. She was still using Laser Bright’s voice, slipping into that sing-song tone. “Guys…”

“What do we do?” Ember asked in a panicked whisper.

Twisty looked around the room, eyes frantically flicking from one hiding spot to the next. They soon settled on the window. Twisty made her way over to it and slid it open. A blast of cold air shot into the room, raising goose bumps over Ember’s arms. Twisty turned from the window to Ember and beckoned her forward.

“Are you fucking crazy?” Ember hissed through clenched teeth.

“You have a better idea?” Twisty replied, holding out her hand.

“Fuck,” Ember muttered, moving over to the window and taking Twisty’s hand. She peered out it, seeing nothing but blackness. “What the fuck now?”

“There’s a ledge just outside, big enough for your feet,” Twisty said, sounding out of breath, her eyes fixed on the still partially open door.

Ember swallowed dryly. She could see the ledge now, just three feet or so below the bottom of the window. She tried to focus on it and not think about the few hundred foot drop into the crashing waves and jagged rocks below. Tried.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Ember mumbled, putting the camera’s longer strap around her neck to free up a hand. Holding tightly onto Twisty, she swung a leg out the window, her foot finding purchase on the ledge. Gripping the windowsill, she brought her other leg out.

Ember reluctantly let go of Twisty’s hand and shuffled farther along the ledge. The walls outside were anything but smooth, large cracks and gaps marring the stone. And thankfully providing helpful handholds. She pulled her hand from the windowsill and moved just out of view of the window itself. She found a rather convenient flagpole to latch onto, wrapping one of her arms around it. The wind blew across her. It was more a breeze than anything, but still cold enough to make her shiver.

Twisty soon followed her out the window. The cheerleader shuffled in the opposite direction, moving with a bit more confidence than Ember had.

Once Twisty had found a proper handhold, she and Ember locked eyes. Ember took a shuddering breath, looking desperately at Twisty for some kind of reassurance that they wouldn’t be hanging off the side of a castle for the rest of their lives. However short that time may be.

A shadow fell across the windowsill and Ember’s breath caught in her throat. The shadow shifted as its owner moved about. Soon, a green hand gripped the sill, and the tip of a green snout pocked out beyond the window’s edge. They remained there for what felt like an eternity, before suddenly vanishing.

Ember breathed a sigh of relief, the cold air burning her lungs.

After a few heartbeats, she slowly edged along the wall to the window. She maintained a white-knuckle grip on the wall with her right hand while her left brought up her camera. She used it to peer past the open window and into the room, the view screen showing her it was empty.

Ember allowed her camera to hang around her neck and shot Twisty a relieved smile. She thought she saw Twisty start to say something, but was too eager to get back inside to pay it mind.

Ember hauled herself inside the room. Her foot caught the edge of the window and she fell forward. Her hands shot out and caught the edge of the bed. It wasn’t enough to stop her fall, but it did turn her so she fell on her side, rather than her front and her camera. Ember grunted and scrambled to her feet at Twisty appeared at the window.

“She’s gone,” Ember said with an excited titter, offering a hand to Twisty.

Twisty hesitated for a moment before taking Ember’s hand and allowing herself to be pulled into the room.

As Twisty brushed herself off, Ember turned towards the door. It stood wide open now, showing the hallway beyond. Ember padded over to the door, again using her camera to peek out into the hallway. Amazingly, both left and right were clear.

Ember looked over her shoulder. “She’s gone,” she repeated, a bit louder than she probably should have.

“Where did she go?” Twisty whispered, moving up behind Ember.

Ember just shrugged. “I dunno,” she grinned as she moved out into the hallway.

Twisty again hesitated, but followed her none the less. They soon stood side by side, looking down the hallway that eventually led back to the hall where the others were. Twisty cricked her neck and took a few steps forward, head cocked to the side as she looked at another one of the doors.

Ember inhaled deeply and slowly let the breath out. They had escaped, for the moment anyway. And her phone still didn’t work. And there was still a giant pony-eating snake lady after them. Ember deflated a little.

She took another breath and straightened up, opening her mouth to ask Twisty what they should do next. The words died in her throat as something warm and slimy slid across the back of her neck and up to her ear.

“Twi-Twisty,” Ember said shakily as warm breath ruffled her mane.

“Yeah?” Twisty said, not turning around.

Ember gulped. “I think I know where Val is.”

Twisty turned around and suddenly went ridged, the color draining from her face. Ember felt the Lamia’s breath roll across her nape again, making her fur stand on end. Ember heard her speak, in her own, ear-tickling voice.

“I’ll give you a head start.”

Twisty bolted, faster than Ember had ever seen her move. And Ember was suddenly aware that she was running as well. It seemed her fight or flight instinct had kicked in. She barely managed to avoid crashing into the wall at the bend in the hallway. She turned, her legs scrambling to find traction.

She was moving again just as she heard the Lamia sliding her bulk across the floor. Twisty was ahead of her, by what seemed like miles. The cheerleader reached the trophy room door, stopping to hold it open. Ember flew past her, bounding the length of the room in an instant. She wrenched the other door open just as Twisty wedged an ornate-looking chair against the first door.

The primal parts of her brain screamed at Ember to run, but she stubbornly stood still, holding the heavy door open for Twisty. The other mare turned and sprinted through the doorway, Ember following suit just as something heavy slammed into the first door, cracking the wooden chair.

Ember shoved the door closed and followed after Twisty in a dead run. Ahead of her, Twisty was yelling for the others to open the doors. Behind her, Ember could swear she heard the door to the trophy room smash open.

Twisty slammed into the doors to the hall, frantically pounding her fists against the wood. Beyond the door, Ember could hear the scraping of wood on stone along with shouting. The doors opened inwards like they were moving through molasses. Twisty squeezed herself inside, grabbing hold of Ember’s arm as she tried to follow. Twisty pulled, but Ember felt herself get stuck, her camera wedged between her and the doorjamb.

The wood creaked as it was pushed open another couple of inches, allowing Ember to lurch forward and collapse inside. She turned her body, catching sight of the Lamia racing towards her as the others were pushing to door close. Ember scrambled to her feet, lending her strength.

The door closed with an echoing thud. Barely a second passed before a resounding bang sounded as the Lamia slammed herself against the door. Ember felt herself jolted away by the force of the impact, but she quickly shoved herself back against the door, leaning into it with all her might.

One of the others dragged a heavy wooden bench over, pushing it against the door just the Lamia again slammed into it. Another bench was brought and a third, chairs soon adding to the disorganized pile against the door.

The Lamia hit the door a third time as Ember moved away to allow a fourth bench to be leaned against the door. She stumbled back, falling into a chair that had been ignored. She was panting, sweat dripping from her forehead as her heart threatened to burst from her ribcage.

Aside from the sound of labored breath, quietness stretched out. It seemed as through the Lamia had given up, for the time being. Ember rubbed her eyes and straightened her glasses. Looking around, she locked eyes with Twisty, who was leaning against a wall, in a similar state to Ember.

“Twisty?” Ember said after a moment.

“Yeah, Ember?” Twisty replied, slowly sinking to the floor.

Ember shakily took a breath. “I think I believe you now.”

Author's Note

References! Intrigue! Talking!

This one took a while to write, mostly because I scrapped the start of Ember's segment, restarted it, scrapped it again, and then finally got the ball rolling on it. Then I chopped in it half at one point to splice in another scene, then I sewed both halves back together and moved the other scene to after this.

Also, I bet you couldn't help but notice a lack of sex and murder in this chapter as well.
But Wraith, you promised the three people reading this that there would be sex, violence, and sexy violence!
And there will be. Soon. Ish.

~~(Honestly I started writing way too much character stuff because I liked the characters, and then I remembered I was going to murder them all horribly. And then I was sad. But then I started writing death scenes and I was, like, 'Wow, this is tons of fun too!' And then I was sad because I realized what a sick fuck I was for enjoying it. And then I kept going.)~~

Are you still reading this? Oh my fuck, stop typing, no one cares! Just get to the murder! Yeah, there's like an eighty percent chance of murder over the next three chapters.