Chapter 2

I cleared my throat. "Don't open it yet."

I wasn't ready to end this farce so quickly.

Marcus and Lucas both breathed a sigh of relief.

Neither of them really wanted to open that coffin anyway.

After all, this escape room was creepy enough. Who knew what might jump out of a coffin?

I slowly walked over to the coffin.

The lid fit perfectly---nothing visible from outside.

But I could imagine what those two inside looked like right now.

Adrian barely daring to breathe, his legs so weak he could barely stand.

Sophia curled up next to him, trembling all over.

They must be praying for us to leave quickly.

I raised my hand and knocked on the coffin lid.

Knock, knock, knock.

A muffled thud suddenly came from inside, like someone had bumped into the coffin wall.

Marcus jumped. "What was that sound?"

I pulled my hand back, looking thoughtful. "I have a feeling there's something not quite right in this coffin. Let's listen to what's going on inside."

The baby laughed hysterically:

[Ha ha ha ha ha Mommy you're so evil!]

[Bastard dad just jerked backward and hit his head on the coffin wall---now he's got a bump!]

[Sophia got knocked sideways and her face smashed right where you knocked!]

"Knock again?" Lucas was eager to try.

I nodded.

Lucas stepped forward and knocked on the coffin lid a few times, mimicking me.

Knock knock knock.

Rustling sounds came from inside the coffin, like someone desperately trying to shrink away.

"There's movement!"

Lucas got excited. "There really is something inside!"

Marcus also leaned in, pressing his ear against the coffin lid.

He lowered his voice. "I think I hear breathing!"

Samuel frowned. "Could it be a prop the production crew set up? One of those moving mannequins?"

I said: "Possibly, but it could be something else."

"What we can confirm is that this room was the last place the bride appeared."

Marcus scratched his head. "But what if there are clues in the other rooms too?"

I nodded. "So I suggest we split into two groups."

"One group searches the remaining eight rooms for clues, one group stays here on guard."

Lucas was eager. "Marcus and I will search! Young people have quick legs!"

Samuel looked at me. "Then we'll stay and watch their progress on the big screen."

Only Samuel and I remained in the room, along with that coffin.

Comments kept scrolling on the big screen:

[They split up, they split up]

[Go Marcus and Lucas]

[Wait, only Vivian and Samuel are left in this room?]

[So where did Adrian and Sophia actually go?]

[Right! Our Sophia baby hasn't had a single shot!]

[Maybe they triggered some hidden storyline!]

[Didn't you see the movie star isn't around either? Must be a side quest]

Samuel walked to the big screen and pulled up Marcus and Lucas's viewpoints.

The screen split into eight small boxes, corresponding to the remaining eight rooms.

Marcus and Lucas were searching through boxes and cabinets looking for clues.

I walked over beside him to watch the screen together.

The baby's voice popped up again, as excited as if watching a soap opera.

[Mommy, mommy! Bastard dad and Sophia are fighting!]

[Sophia's cursing at bastard dad, saying it's all his fault for insisting they hide in the coffin, and now look---people are guarding outside and they can't get out!]

[Bastard dad asked what can we do then, should we go out now? How would we explain it?]

[Sophia said I really feel terrible! This coffin is too small, I really can't breathe!]

[Bastard dad asked what do you want then? Go out now?]

[Sophia said... hold me, if you hold me I won't feel so bad.]

[Then bastard dad hugged her.]

[Mommy, they're kissing again.]

[This time the kissing sounds are really loud, like little pigs eating.]