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49. Only your reflection really screamed, and never you.

  Ace and Nuri.

  The mannequins are attacking them for a while. Not all of them, 1 on Ace, and second on Nuri, all of them has different colour. Every colour represented feeling or some term that was written on the mannequins (mnq – shorter). Mix of Dark grey and blue attacking Ace (aggressiveness).

  Dark green attacking Nuri (fear), dark orange (shame).

  Ace fights with katana, Nuri with fists.

  Nuri: This is all your fault!

  Ace: Mine! How is this my fault?!

  She speaks upset.

  Nuri: Are you kidding me?! If you didn't get in a fight with that weird voice guy, we would actually know the rules!

  They are still fighting mnq, but they can’t die.

  Ace: It's not my fault that dude started talking shit. If he didn't treat us like some rats maybe I would listen to him. And then this thing started to fight me out of nowhere!

  She talked while fighting, not struggling, Nuri looked like he struggled more.

  Nuri: You could be nicer!

  Ace: Excuse me? What about you? It looks like you annoyed him more.

  Nuri is being attacked by two of mnq.

  Nuri: I am sure that has nothing to do with this, he was mentioning some rules.

  Ace: Rules? What rules?

  Nuri: Rules that he was talking about few minutes ago!

  Ace: Well I wasn't listening, I was busy!

  She fights.

  Nuri: Oh don't say.

  He said sarcastic, avoiding 2 of them.

  Ace: Well I bet we will figure this out.

  She broke her mnq, she cut it in pieces, and she stabbed green and orange for him.

  Ace: You know what we should do?

  Nuri breathe heavily.

  Nuri: What?

  Ace: You could just burn them all.

  Nuri: Well I could but...

  Green started to move again.

  Ace: But what?

  Nuri: I am scared if I do that, I will somehow hurt the both of us...

  The green attacked him again, it looked like it turned back to life. Nuri jumps back, Ace quickly grab it and slice it trough (there is no blood, they are not alive they are mnq).

  Ace: So... you don't know how to control your powers very well?

  Nuri looks down.

  Nuri: Yeah..

  2 mnq started to move ( sadness, and embarrassment).

  Nuri: It rarely ends up well...

  2 mnq attacks. Ace starts to attack and he also fights back.

  Ace: Listen man, you don't have to do it if you don't think you can, and that is okay. But you need to start working on it.

  Nuri: I don't know how.

  He fights like he is in a fear. But not from mnq.

  Ace: Well first...

  Ace attacks both of them and ends them.

  Ace: You need to learn how to fight without using your powers. Then you can learn to fight with them.

  Nuri: I know how to fight....

  Ace: Yes, you do, but you always can do better.

  Nuri: You are right.

  Ace nods.

  Ace: Now, let's try to figure it out what are we supposed to do here...

  Nuri: Well if you didn't get so angry we would know by now you know...

  He muttered.

  Ace: Yeah yeah, anger issues, get it.

  Ace looked at mnq.

  Ace: Look at this, all of them has something written on their backs.

  They read it.

  Nuri: Fear, aggression... do you think we have been awaking those mnq this whole time?

  Ace: Well it is possible... but I still don't get it what we should do. If we could only call Rho again.

  Nuri: Or Rin, he would know too.

  Ace: Who needs them? We can figure this out ourselves right?

  Another mnq attacks her. Nuri defends. Nuri reads the word on them.

  Nuri: Denial...

  Ace: Oh shut up...

  The angry mnq starts to wake.

  Nuri: Okay, okay just don't get so mad , otherwise we will never get out of here.

  She starts to be more mad.

  Nuri: I am just saying, there is no control in you, so if we want to win we should remain calm and nice... are you capable of doing that?

  The angry mnq attacks but not her, it attacks Nuri this time.

  Ace: I can be, you just need to shut up.

  Nuri: Noted.

  Rikka and Rho.

  They are sitting at the table pretending to drink tea, they talk, Rho calm but cold, Rikka nervous, her leg can’t stop shaking.

  Rho: How was your day?

  Rikka confused but plays.

  Rikka: Why do you care?

  Rho: I care because... you are the part of the family.

  Rikka: And if I wasn't?

  Rho sighs.

  Rho: You will be always part of the family.

  Rikka looks at her. Rikka has ticks a bit and her leg still shaking a bit, tap tap tap.

  Rikka: I have no idea what are you supposed to be, but I will tell you, not you! That is for sure.

  Rho talks cold and looks cold.

  Rho: I can assure you, you are right about that.

  Rho looks at her.

  Rho: And what about you, you are not even trying.

  Rikka wanted to say something but the voice interrupted.

  Voice: Time is running...

  They got serious.

  Rho: How are you feeling today?

  She talked still cold. Rikka looked away.

  Rikka: I feel... lost.

  Rho raises an eyebrow.

  Rho: What do you mean?

  Rikka still taps with her leg. And having arms crossed.

  Rikka: I don't know... I don't know what am I supposed to do here, I don't know how this works okay!

  She started to panic. Rho s eyes soften a bit, but she remains calm. But worried.

  Rho: Relax...

  Rho slowly reaches with her hand and hesitates because she doesn’t like human touch, but she put her arm on hers. Rikka’s leg stopped to shake.

  Rho: You can do this, just try to put yourself in someone else’s shoe. Stick to your role.

  Rikka nods and looks down.

  Rho: Now, why don’t you tell me something more about yourself?

  Rikka looked at her.

  Rikka: What are you, a shrink?

  Beep noise as wrong.

  Voice: Your guess was wrong, you have only one more shot.

  Rikka: Oh, c'mon man, I was being sarcastic!

  Rho: Great...

  Rho looks disappointed. Rikka hurt by that .

  Rikka: It was an honest mistake, can you give me some slack?

  She looks away.

  Rho: Why do you always have to be so..

  Rikka angry.

  Rikka: What? C'mon say it!

  Rho calms down..

  Rho: No, I won’t, the time is running, we should focus on our roles...

  Rikka: I am sticking to mine role, trust me...

  She started to have ticks again, nervous.

  Rikka: And if you can't see it, well maybe you are not so smart after all.

  Rho studies her.

  Rho: Why are you acting like this?

  Rho studies her.

  Rikka: Because... because...

  She hesitates, Rho waits.

  Rikka: Because I don't know the other way! I don't know how to talk if it is not sarcastic, I don't know how to attack because I was always at defence mode, I am weak... and for some reason you remind me of that the most....

  Rho doesn’t change expression but she does feel something, guilt.

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  Rikka: You only see the flaws... and sometimes I get tired of hearing only nagging... I don't like myself either anyway so... yeah, I am doing some things to make me feel better, and I don't know any other way!

  She didn’t look her in the eyes, not once, she looked like she couldn’t take it anymore.

  Rho: Why do you sound like...

  She looks at her noticing shaking, nervousness, crossed arms, her eyes, pupils, tired eyes… It was not first time she noticed that about her, and she knew, now she was sure, but she wanted to keep playing, to take this game in advantage. Rho sighs.

  Rho: You are saying you feel weak, did you always felt that way?

  Rikka finally looked at her.

  Rikka: Not always but most of the time, yes…

  Rho: And when did you started to… feel most weak?

  Rikka: When I was left alone, truly alone.

  She said honest and quiet, looking away. Rho remained calm, but she cared.

  Rho: Then why do you feel weak now?

  Rikka looks at her bit confused, Rho looks at her calm.

  Rho: I mean you are not alone anymore.

  Rikka looks down.

  Rikka: Then why do you make me feel like I am, like I am worthless.

  Rho’s eyes widen a bit, and she looks down too, but after few seconds she looks at Rikka.

  Rho: Because I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did. I am not trying to make you worthless, I am trying to teach you everything I wished I knew when I was your age. But, just because I can correct your mistakes that doesn’t mean I know how to correct mine. I am also new to this, and unfortunately I never had anyone to explain it to me how it works or to even show me… and I know you didn’t have anyone either but now you do.

  Rikka was surprised and she stayed silent for a bit, forgetting about the game for a second.

  Rin and Kaya.

  Kaya walks trough the labyrinth, seeing only her reflections in mirrors.

  Kaya: This is so spooky, good thing I didn’t drink my tea…

  She walked around.

  Kaya: What is this deal with mirrors…

  She looked around, then she stood in front of one of the mirrors.

  Kaya: At least I look good.

  She poses a bit, but then something changes. Her reflection stopped smiling, it was just standing there, looking at her with tired eyes, and broken soul.

  Kaya: What…

  She was confused, her heart started to beat faster. She reached towards mirror, then her hand started to disappear right trough it. She quickly pulled it back.

  Kaya: What the…

  Reflection of her, was looking at her and started to turn around to leave but then it turned one more time to look at her, giving her look of truth. Reflection putt a hood over and walked away. Kaya was freaked out and she took a few steps back, not sure what was happening. Then she looked at other mirror, and she saw herself but different her. Her hair didn’t have purple highlights like she had now, and her reflection didn’t even looked at her, it was just facing down, sitting on the floor…

  Kaya: How is this possible…?

  She walked backwords, not seeing another reflection behind her. She walked backwords until she touched mirror with her back, she tripped and fell backwords, slipping inside of the mirror, and her reflection caught her, rotated her, and now her reflection was outside while the real Kaya was inside of the mirror. Kaya fell on the floor, she started to breath faster while she looked at her reflection walking outside of the mirror. That reflection now was looking at her, smiling and being positive like Kaya was few moments ago, while the real Kaya was freaked out just like her reflection was before leaving the mirror.

  Reflection started to walk towards the mirror, and she stopped in front of it, looking at real Kaya, still smiling.

  Reflection Kaya: You are living a lie.

  Kaya’s eyes widen, and she stood up, trying to go back to the original side but she was stuck, se couldn’t pass trough the mirror again.

  Reflection: Oh and now you want to get out? What an irony. Do you think they will even noticed I am not you? I mean, we both know how to hide, that’s for sure, and maybe it would be nice for a change that they see the real you.

  Reflection’s eyes and mouth stopped smiling. Her eyes were full of anger and pain. Real kaya shook her head.

  Kaya: I want out… Get me out!

  Reflection looked at her.

  Reflection: Then do it… get out and show yourself. Can you do it?

  Kaya was still for a few seconds then she started to punch the mirror from inside. She started to scream.

  Reflection: Only your reflection really screamed, and never you. What a shame… Maybe now you will truly feel what I felt.

  Kaya continued to punch the mirror, mirror was slowly cracking, but not to much…

  3 minutes passed, and Rin started to search for her… Game was on.

  Ace and Nuri

  Ace: Okay, So what are we realized so far?

  Nuri: Well, every time you got angry that mnq over there starts to move, so I guess they are connected with our emotions.

  Ace: But they still keep coming up, I mean how do we get rid of that?

  Nuri shrugs.

  Nuri: I don't know, maybe we are supposed to kill those negative emotions in us.

  Ace: Yeah, but how, I mean, they are just keep coming back, and even if we don't feel any negative emotion we are still not free from tis place.

  Nuri walks around.

  Nuri: Wait a minute, how did I not see this sooner...

  Ace: See what?

  She walks towards him.

  Nuri: Look, not every word written on them is something negative.

  Ace reads: Bravery, loyalty, friendship... you are right, we probably didn't notice that because we only managed to wake up those negative emotions.

  Nuri: What do you think this means?

  She thinks.

  Ace: What if... somehow we need to wake up those good ones, and make them fight bad ones? Or some bullshit like that, and maybe after that we are free?

  Nuri thinks.

  Nuri: Yeah, that actually could work... but how are we supposed to wake up good ones?

  Ace shrugs.

  Ace: Beats me.

  Nuri: Well, let's think, if our negative emotions managed to wake up those mnq, we just need some good emotions I guess.

  Ace: And how are we supposed to do that?

  Nuri looks at her stating obvious.

  Nuri: By being simply nice, you can be nice right?

  Ace gives him the look don't test me.

  Nuri: It would be way easier if Kaya drugged you again, or if she was here… she would not wake up a single negative emotion.

  Ace: Probably.

  Nuri looks at mnq that has “friendship” written over.

  Nuri: Well we are friends right, we should not have problems awaking this one.

  Ace: You are right... but what are we supposed to do?

  Nuri: Well, we could talk, share some stuff.

  Ace: Share? I don't think so.

  One mnq started to move, it was insecurity. Nuri noticed.

  Nuri: We don't have to talk about things you don't want, you can share anything.

  Ace: I have my way of being a friend, and it always comes to me listening, other person talking.

  Nuri: Why is that?

  Ace: What do you mean?

  Nuri: Well, I noticed how you are always there for everyone, and you are easy to talk to, but why is so hard for you to, you know, let someone in too, like ask for help?

  Ace: I don't need help, I am fine with dealing with things on my own.

  Another mnq waking – denial. Nuri notice.

  Nuri: Tell that to him.

  He looks at mnq of denial, then back at her.

  Nuri: I know you are strong, I know you can do things on your own... but right now, you are not alone, we are in this together you know?

  Ace sights.

  Ace: You are right...

  She thinks, she looks at him, he looks at her.

  Nuri: You do consider me your friend, right?

  Ace: Of course I do.

  Nuri: Do you trust me?

  She stayed silent a bit but then she nodded.

  Ace: I do.

  Positive mnq woke up – trust. And she walked towards the mnq who was also awake – insecurity, and trust beats the insecurity. They watched, surprised.

  Ace: Wow...

  Nuri smiles.

  Nuri: See? We got this.

  She smiled too.

  Ace: Yeah, I think we do.

  Rikka and Rho.

  They kept talking but Rikka started to pull back again, like she had a hard time talking.

  Rho: I understand that it is not easy to talk about everything, especially about your fears or the problems you are struggling with but you are in the safe space…

  Rikka: Yeah right… in the space where some lunatic is playing with us. And let’s be real, we wouldn’t even have this conversation if you weren’t forced to have it.

  Rho: Maybe, and maybe you are wrong. Maybe this is the perfect time to open up.

  Rikka laughs sarcastic.

  Rikka: You are so perfect aren’t you? Not smoking, not drinking, a perfect girl following perfect rules. You are always the smartest, nothing affects you, you always know what to do… You are flowless, you can’t possibly make a mistake, I mean god forbid you do something that you shouldn’t.

  She talked rude and sarcastic while Rho remained cold and calm.

  Rikka: I mean even now you are just following rules, knowing what to do, knowing what to say… while looking down at me.

  Rho: Why do you think I look down at you?

  Rikka: Oh please… I know how you see me… I know how all of you sees me… I am just a mistake, unwanted pet, stupid little girl that doesn’t know anything in life, well guess what? I survived on my own! In my own imperfect ways. So sue me if sometimes I need something that can help me to stay sane! I am not born perfect like you, or strong like you. I was born as… imperfect, I guess that’s why my own parents didn’t want me.

  Rho stayed silent a bit but then she talked.

  Rho: And what helps you to stay sane?

  Rikka didn’t want to answer, she just looked like she was loosing it.

  Rho: Let me guess, you need that thing now too? Am I right?

  Rikka just looked away.

  Rho: You can ignore me and look away as much as you like but I still see you.

  Rikka: Oh yeah? Then what am I? If you are so smart and you see all, what is my role? Why don’t you just say it so we can be done with this.

  Rho: I know what your role is, and I knew it even before we started this game.

  Rikka looked at her, hint of fear in her eyes.

  Rho: But, your role is only a part of you, it is not you. I can tell you what was written on the card you pulled out, but if you ever want to hear a real answer, I will gladly give you that too.

  Rikka: I need to hear it from you, even if this is just a game, I need to hear it… What am I?

  Rikka waited for her answer, and she knew she needed someone else to tell her the truth she didn’t want to hear… and she was ready.

  Rho: An addict.

  Rho looks at her, Rikka looks her in the eyes, not saying anything.

  Voice: And that is correct! You acted so good that even I almost believed you. but, you still have one thing left to do, now you need to make a guess little one and the time is running.

  Rikka silent.

  Rho: Tell me... when did it started?

  She talked calm.

  Rikka: 13...

  Rho: That is so young. I...

  She knew she needs to stick to her role.

  Rho: I am sorry I didn't notice that before, but I need you to know I am not judging you.

  Rikka surprised but stays calm.

  Rho: And everything I said or did... I did it to help you in the way I know how. You know, even I have some ways that are wrong, that’s why is important to share.

  Rikka looks at her, Rho smiles a bit, and Rikka surprised and smiles too.

  Rho: When I say share I don't mean drugs…

  She said calm and cold as always, Rikka laughs.

  Rikka: I didn't know you had a sense of humor in you.

  Rho: Neither did I.

  Voice: Time is running... you better hurry up with your guess.

  Rikka nervous.

  Rikka: I am sorry Red, I am still not sure what your role is... I just don't want to make a mistake...

  Rho: No, I am sorry, I guess I don't know how to do this role right because to be honest it scares the shit out of me.

  Rikka raises an eyebrow.

  Rikka: You? Scared?

  Voice: Stick to your role Red.

  Rho sighs.

  Rho: It doesn't matter what I feel right now, the only thing what matters is to make you feel better. So... you need to stop doing your drugs or whatever is that your role is addicted to.

  Rikka: It is not that easy...

  Rho: I know, but you can't go on like that.

  Rikka: And what do you know? It's not like you know how it feels like.

  Rho looks at her.

  Rho: Don't talk to me like that young lady, after everything I did for you.

  Rikka raises an eyebrow.

  Rikka: You sound like...

  She stopped herself. She didn’t want to guess yet.

  Rho: I know you think I don't understand, but I do, trust me.

  She gave her the look that tells she is serious.

  Rho: I know it is not easy, I know you feel like you need it, like that is the only thing that will keep you sane but... it is killing you, slowly. And if you don't do something about it, you will end up dead.

  Rikka laughs hysterically a bit.

  Rikka: Don't act like you understand, someone as perfect as you could never...

  Rho: Perfect?

  Rikka looked away, Rho got serious.

  Rho: Red or blue?

  Rikka surprised and looked at her.

  Rikka: How do you...

  Rho: Red... or blue?

  Rikka silent then answers.

  Rikka: Blue.

  Rho thinks.

  Rho: Once we are out of here, you will throw everything you have, and you won’t go anywhere alone for a while, do you understand?

  Rikka: You can't tell me what to do!

  Rho: I can, and I will, I am raising you after all.

  Voice: Few more seconds to go.

  Rikka: Don't...

  Rho: No excuses.

  Voice: Tick tack...

  Rikka: Stop acting like you are my mother!

  Zero.

  Voice: And your answer is correct.

  Rikka: What?

  Rho sights relived

  Rho: Finally.

  Rikka stays silent.

  Rho: Now what?

  The doors sudanly open.

  Voice: Now you can move forward and wait for your next challenge.

  Rho stands up.

  Rho: Let's go.

  Rikka doesn't say anything she stands up and follows her.

  Rin and Kaya.

  Rin was walking through the labyrinth, he was walking for a while. but he couldn’t see her. Rin looks for her, but he only sees his figure in the mirrors, and everywhere he looks is a mirror.

  Rin: Kaya! Can you hear me?

  No sound. He walks, tries to figure it out, but then he starts to see a different faces in mirrors. He starts to feel confused and annoyed.

  Rin: Damn it, which way I should go...

  Suddenly all mirrors turn black, everything in dark for a second.

  Rin: What the hell was that?

  Silence.

  Suddenly he saw his reflections changing. Some reflections of him cried, some were scared and some were really angry. He looked a bit confused but remained calm.

  Rin: I won’t be bothered with this.

  He continued to walk. Then the lights turns off again, darkness around him, but only for a second. Lights turned on. He didn’t see himself in the mirror again, he started to see his friends instead. In one mirror he saw Nuri, in another he saw Rho, then Nigel, Rikka, then Ace. He stayed calm, as the reflections of them.

  Rin: You are not real…

  Then he heard knocking behind him, when he turned around he saw kaya in the mirror. His eyes widen. He started to walk towards her, but lights went off again, and when they finally turned on, she was no where to be seen.

  Rin: Kaya?!

  Reflection behind him showed that he was getting worried… even though the real him stayed calm. He thought about the possibility of her actually being inside one of these mirrors

  Kaya: Rin?!

  Her voice was heard only a little bit, he could sense that she was scared.

  Rin: Kaya?

  She called his name but he heard her voice everywhere, not sure where to go.

  Rin: Damn it.

  He looks around.

  Rin: Where would she go... let's see, she would probably try to make it easier for me well at least for the beginning so she probably walked just... forward.

  He walks. And stops.

  Rin: But here she should have made a turn... but which way would she go...

  He looks around and looks right, he sees mirror in a bit of different shape of colours and light.

  Rin walks that way. Next turn, he noticed that she was leaving small pearls behind her, from her bracelet. He followed. He starts to hear her voice.

  Rin: Kaya?

  Kaya: Rin?

  He starts to run but suddenly the mirrors go black again, dark. Rin stops.

  Rin: What the hell is this?

  Light turns on, and on every mirror he sees Kaya. She looks scared.

  Kaya: Rin?

  Every reflection of her is banging the mirror from inside, scared. And he didn’t know which was the real her, or was any of them the real her.

  Rin: Kaya?

  Every reflection of her looked at him, all of them spoke the same.

  Kaya: It is me! Get me out of here!

  He tried to figure it out which one is her, or is any of them really her, or he was just wasting his time, this could take forever. Suddenly her reflections started to be a bit different… It was still her but now he saw Kaya that was scared, then Kaya that was angry, then Kaya that was sad and so on…

  Voice: Don't you guys forget about the time.

  Rin: What is this? What is going on?

  Voice: I don’t know what you mean, you just need to find your friend and if you know her well, you will.

  Kaya1: Help me!

  Kaya2: I can’t take this anymore!

  Kaya3: Rin! Do something!

  He couldn’t take it anymore…

  Rin: Screw this.

  He uses his power, freezes the floor so he could sense her, only a little of ice, snow. He figures and runs towards her. Rin finds her, sitting in front of the broken mirror.

  Rin: Got you!

  Kaya smiles, but she is hiding the pain.

  Kaya: You see, I told you would find me.

  Voice: Unfortunately, that doesn't count.

  Rin: What do you mean it doesn't count?

  Voice: I mean, you broke the rule.

  Rin: What rule?

  Voice: You are not allowed to use your powers if you have one.

  Kaya worried.

  Rin: You didn't mention that...

  He was serious.

  Voice: No, I didn't, but the man in the beginning did.

  Kaya: Oh now, we didn't listen those rules...

  She looked worried.

  Rin: And what now.

  Voice: Well, what do you think it happens when you broke the rules?

  Rin stands in front of Kaya.

  Rin: Stay close...

  Kaya nods.

  Kaya: What the hell is happening?!

  Everything starts to shake around them, mirrors disappearing.

  Rin: Everything is going to be...

  The floor beneath them opened again and they fell again, even more underground…

  Rin: Not this again!

  They fell on different floor. Now they were at different place, darker and colder.

  Voice: Because you broke the rule, you don't get to go forward, instead you will need to work harder to make your way out, and every time you broke the rule, you will go deeper and deeper, and the chances of you getting out of here will be smaller and smaller.

  Rin got more annoyed.

  Rin: What gives you right to do this?!

  Voice: Wow, don't blame me, you were the one who decided to come here and now you have to deal with consequences.

  Kaya: I am so sorry Rin, this is all my fault... I shouldn't have...

  Rin stops her.

  Rin: It doesn't matter, that kind of thinking won't help us now.

  Kaya: What now?

  Voice: Now you are going to be here for a while, unless I see a reason to let you guys out...

  Rin: And what are we supposed to do?

  Voice: Think about your mistakes and where did it lead you. Now, you can either point finger at each other, or find a way out, it is up to you. I'm signing off.

  Rin: Wait! You can't just leave us here! Hello!?

  No one answered. Kaya looks down… While they were trapped, Nuri and Ace were fighting the mnqs, and Rho and Rikka were about to face a second challenge...

  Roger was walking, still outside in the nature. He was trying to find a way inside, by sniffing.

  Roger: Why am I doing this? I could just go back at the cabin, and having that place all for myself...

  He thought.

  Roger: Let's see... Eating and relaxing or helping those stupid humans...

  He shrugged then he started to walk away.

  Roger: Oh how I am going to enjoy this...

  He walked confident but then he stopped, and he hesitated. He looked behind him.

  Roger: Damn it...

  He turns back, decides to help them out.

  Roger: They are my humans after all. And they will owe me a big time for this.

  He continued to find a way in.

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