Leo, who had just finished vomiting for some strange reason, stood there in shock—his hands trembling slightly. The sound of him retching caught the attention of Rudo and the three receptionists.
"You alright?" Rudo asked, still worried about his situation.
Leo tried to gather his thoughts before replying with a faint nod.
What the hell was that just now? It felt like I experienced something… horrible. Like I just died.
"Listen, ladies, if you could just let me go for a—"Rudo replied, trying to break away from the ladies holding him hostage.
"You're not going anywhere," one of them interrupted with a smirk. "You wouldn't abandon us poor, pretty little ladies, would you?"
Rudo blinked. Okay, I don't mean to be rude, but there's nothing little or pretty about you three, he thought before forcing a nervous smile. "Listen, I don't know what I could help you with, but maybe we could use a little help ourselves?"
While Rudo stalled them, Leo's eyes darted around the room, searching for something—anything—that could help them escape. Then he saw it: faint red lines glimmering near the sink.
What's that supposed to be?
He shook his head, pushing down the unease, and walked toward the sink. Surprisingly, the three women didn't even glance at him—their eyes stayed locked onto Rudo. As Leo reached the sink, his hands moved almost on instinct. He opened a cabinet, pulled out a small paper cup, turned on the sink, and poured some soap into it.
Is it just me… or does this feel like déjà vu?
Rudo, noticing the running water, almost lifted his hand to use his water ability again—but stopped and ultimately decided to trust Leo.
Leo quietly mixed the soapy water, then filled two more cups just in case. Opening the cabinet again, his fingers brushed against something sharp. He flinched, then pulled out a pair of scissors and slipped them into his pocket. The women still hadn't noticed; their faintly glowing eyes only grew brighter, their lips twisting into eerie smiles.
Whatever's about to happen, it's gonna be bad. I can feel it.
"Hey, ladies," Leo said, trying to sound casual despite the tremor in his voice. "Would you like a drink? Something to… cool off maybe?"
They didn't answer. Which was perfect in Leo's case.
Leo seized the moment. He threw one cup of soapy water straight into the face of the woman gripping Rudo.
"AHH!" she screamed, reeling back as her eyes burned.
He immediately splashed the second woman on her left.
"Ahh!" she cried, clawing at her face.
Rudo stumbled back, free from their grip, as Leo turned to the last one and hurled the final cup at her eyes.
"Ahh!" she shrieked, covering her face.
" Go break down the door!" Leo shouted.
He pulled the scissors from his pocket, and without hesitation, stabbed one of the women directly in the eye.
"AHHH! YOU DAMN BRAT!" she roared, her voice so sharp it could shatter glass.
Leo then pulled the scissors from her eye.As he then yanked Rudo by the sleeve, and they both bolted down the dim hallway.
"Thanks for saving me back there," Rudo said between gasps.
"It was nothing," Leo muttered, his mind racing. Why does this feel so familiar?
As they ran, Leo noticed something on the scissors—dark purple blood, thick and faintly smoking. That's not human blood. Instinct screamed at him. He threw the scissors away immediately. If that stuff touches me… I'd probably be melted down like cheese.
The hallway ahead twisted in a way that felt too familiar. He froze. Red lines flickered faintly along the floor and walls, leading down one path.
"So where exactly is the exit?" Rudo asked, panting.
Leo hesitated. If we go this way… it feels dangerous. But those old ladies should be down for a while, right? It should be safe enough.
"AHHH!!!"
A monstrous roar echoed from behind them, shaking the walls.
Leo's blood ran cold. Never mind.
He grabbed Rudo's arm and pulled him down to the right-side of the hallway.
"So, uh, where exactly are we going?!" Rudo shouted as they sprinted.
"To a safe place!" Leo yelled back. Hopefully, we can still get inside the classroom. If we can reach the mist realm, we'll be safe.
The roar came again—louder this time—followed by the sound of lockers smashing and metal screeching.
"Seriously, what the heck is going on?!" Rudo yelled.
"I think that's supposed to be my line!But whatever, let's just try to get to safety for now!"
Then the hydra burst through a wall—three serpent heads, one of them bleeding from its eye, all hissing with poisonous breath.
"What the heck is THAT thing?!" Rudo screamed.
"Hell if I know! A hydra maybe?!"
"Like from those video games?!"
"Technically Greek mythology—but sure, yeah!"
"Where'd it come from?!"
"I think from those three ladies that holding you captive."
"Seriously how?!I mean how did they go from slightly ugly to extremely butt-ugly!Is it because of me?Man, I've been attracting nothing but the uglies today."
Leo rolled his eyes, too busy trying not to die to answer that one. They reached a classroom door.
"Room 302—Mr. Kay's classroom!" Leo jiggled the knob. It didn't budge. "Come on! Are you serious?!"
"So, I hate to rush you," Rudo said, "but we're being hunted by a hydra-thingy!"
Leo gave him a deadpan stare. "…Really?"
"AHH!" the hydra roared, slamming another locker down the hallway.
"Think you can help out since you apparently have super strength apparently."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
On the third hit, the lock finally gave way. The two stumbled inside, crashing into a desk.
Crash!
"Ow!" Rudo groaned.
"What's with all the noise?" a familiar voice said.
Leo froze. "Mr. Kay—we need your help!"
"Leo?" Mr. Kay blinked.
"Listen, I know."Leo stopped and caught himself for a moment,"Long story short and not really hard to believe since you're half goat,but there's a hydra monster out there."
"A hydra?"
"Yes! And apparently it wants Rudo! Oh—this is Rudo, by the way."Leo said pointing at Rudo who was rubbing his face in a slight pain.
Rudo gave a weak wave. "Hi. We're about to die."
Mr. Kay scratched his chin. "Why is a hydra here, out of all things?"
"I don't know what the hel—I mean heck is going on!" Leo said, trying not to panic. "I just want my normal life back!"
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Three massive hits struck the door. The sound made the walls shake. Leo and Rudo both knew—it had found them.
"Mr. Kay, we have to hide in that mist realm—now!" Leo pleaded, tugging his sleeve.
Before Mr. Kay could answer, the door exploded off its hinges, flying across the room.
"Damn it," Mr. Kay muttered, pulling a folded paper from his pocket. He handed it to Leo.
"What's this?" Leo asked.
"Listen you know that place we talked about earlier to get to that place go to this address on the paper."
"What about you?"
Mr. Kay's eyes softened. He turned to face the creature as it slithered closer, its golden eyes glowing through the smoke. "I'll buy you time."
"Why can't you come with us?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he took a piece of chalk and drew a glowing line along the wall. The air rippled, and a pale blue mist poured through the cracks like liquid light.
"Mr. Kay!" Leo shouted as the man pushed him through the mist. Rudo stumbled in right after.
The last thing Leo saw was Mr. Kay's faint smile.
"I'm sorry, kid."He muttered under his breath.
As the portal sealed shut.