Chapter Nine - Game on ~Aeroden

     I just shrugged at the gaping mouthed guys staring at me as I waved them to continue forward.  After a few seconds I heard their footsteps trail me. This tunnel inclined softly upwards as we walked but I didn't think much of it. As we kept walking, though, I began to feel weird.

     "Does this tunnel seem strange to you?"

     "What do you mean?" Toby's voice floated in the cavern.

     "I mean does it seem to be getting… smaller?"

     "I think you're just being paranoid, bro." I decided Felix was right about that and continued on. Minutes passed and I felt myself slouching as the walls closed in slowly. It was an eerie feeling that washed over me the more we progressed. Eventually it got to the point I could no longer stand straight and I paused. I spun on the other two.

     "I'm not the only one doing this right?" They shook their heads at me.

     "Okay maybe you're not paranoid." Felix admitted. Just then I felt the ground beneath my feet start to vibrate. It would now and again pulse stronger as I heard echoes of crumbling rock. All three of us called cave in but unfortunately we couldn't get moving fast enough. The cramped running morphed to crawling which morphed to worming our way through the exit. It turned out to be an air duct shaft of the castle that we squeezed out of. The only one left was Toby. We began to pull him out by his hands but stopped short as he cried out in pain. He gripped his leg as he groaned.

     "It's crushing my leg. Get it off."

     "I… what-"

     "Get it off of me!" I jumped then rushed to reach into the duct and push as hard as I could. It was inching backwards but it didn't have much room to move. I attempted to slide it in any direction I could as long as it wasn't on Toby's leg. At the same time Felix was pulling him by his arms. Without really knowing how we released Toby's leg from under the rubble and helped him to sit up against the nearest wall. He wasn't saying anything except the occasional random obscenity or pain filled wails.

     "Toby, I know it hurts but you have to be quiet. They'll come after us if you don't and then we're screwed." He nodded. Biting his lip he began to get up. Felix let him lean his weight against him as we began a search for health potions. It was a slow pace which had my worrying more than I normally did. I busted into a room with a jammed lock as I noticed my nervousness rising. Wiping the sweat from my brow I hurried over to a desk and opened all possible containers. There was one laudanum which I passed to Toby. He gulped it down, quickly showing signs of improvement but he still couldn't keep up with the speed of the game. Of course with our usual bad timing the chase music started blaring over our heads. Thinking as fast as I could I placed Toby in the wardrobe along with Felix. As I ducked behind the bed I thought that this seemed to be coated in déjà vu. I just prayed to everything I could think of that Piggeh wasn't back.

     "Guess who's back?... Back again."

     "Fuck!" My hand clamped over my own mouth as I sunk lower behind the bed. I did not mean to say that out loud. Pig squealing broke the sound barrier, forcing me to cover my ears as I tried to slide underneath the metal framing.

     "Piggeh's baaaaack~~" His voice sounded like he was taunting us. He knew we were there. I managed to worm my way to the other side just in time to see his hoofed feet trudge up to the bed. Without realizing it I held my breath in hopes he would turn away. Instead one foot lifted and pushed the bed backwards, revealing my upper half. A second passed as I tried to process what had just happened before I was on my feet against the wall. Piggeh locked on to me with a wicked smile to that large snouted face. The wardrobe was open slightly and I noticed Felix peering out. I tried to subtly wave him to get Toby out while I distracted Piggeh. I didn't think it worked but I couldn't do anything about it because then I was ducking around a clawed hand. Backing to the other corner I climbed on the previously moved bed. I glanced over in time to see the other two ducking out the door. With a smile of satisfaction I bounced on the fluffy bed a couple times. Piggeh snorted at me as he stepped closer. When he was within reach I bounced extra hard, practically flying right over the monster, kicked the door closed and bolted.

     I quickly caught up with the other two and helped carry Toby a short distance until we came to a green door. All hands were placed on it. On the other side of the door we sighed as we set Toby in a chair and searched the wide living quarters. There was nothing of use there, or so I thought, until my shoulder caught on to one of the paintings. Accidently knocking it down revealed a hidden stash of supplies and a note. The very first words struck me as familiar and as I continued to read it out loud, I gave the items to Toby for safe use and keeping.

      Hey you,
          I don't know if you'll find this but I'll try to game hack it somehow. You just might need these. I don't know what state you'll be in but I already know I'm not there with you. Be safe and help whoever you can. Play hard, I know you can make it through this. Remember, Toby, I love you. Fight for me okay? Tell who ever got us sucked into this game on ~Aeroden.