Olivia (Ollie) Cross's Story

Ollie Cross
Room 306

Ollie pushed into her apartment, kicking off her black shoes, throwing her keys on the table, and peeling off her coat. "Morning Vince," She called, obvious exhaustion in her voice.

She worked for an IT company, and was technically a customer assistance rep, but she was often asked to come in for an overnight shift to upgrade all forms of technology. And fix things that have been causing problems. After an eight hour shift, Ollie was almost too ready to sleep. But her need for food outweighed her need for sleep.

She spotted her roommate Vincent, gearing up for his five mile run. She thought he was crazy. He thought he was healthy. "I thought you would be gone by now." Ollie remarked digging through the cupboards. Vincent laughed and said said something back before finally leaving the apartment.

Ollie stared into the pantry before finally grabbing a snack cake. She was too tired to take the time to make something, so peeling off the plastic wrap, Ollie stuffed the chocolate treat into her mouth. She dragged herself to her room, peeling off her work clothes. She changed into her Star Wars pajama bottoms and pulled on a white t-shirt.

She loved her pajamas, and was so happy to be out of the tight clothing. She crawled into bed, so happy to finally sleep, when she heard someone knock on the door. She groaned running a hand through her brown hair. "Dammit," She cursed climbing out of bed. "This better be good," She called.

She pulled open the door, ready to yell at whomever was waiting, only to find nobody there. She looked down the hall before finally looking down at her feet. A small teddy bear sat on the doorstep. The small creature had a purple ribbon around his neck. Ollie picked it up, smiling at the small thing.

She took it with her into her room and climbed back into bed. Ready for sleep.

Vincent Chess
Room 306

Vincent smiled at Ollie as she slumped into the apartment. She looked ready to pass out, which wasn't surprising. She had been staying up with him until at least 4 in the morning helping him get through a new video game. Now throw in an overnight shift, and Ollie has probably been awake for more than 24 hours. She looked about ready to kill.

"I thought you would be gone by now."

Vincent simply laughed, not wanting to say anything to set her off. In this state, she was vulnerable to sudden mood changes, and Vincent often suffered the blunt of it. He left her alone in the apartment as he left the apartment building. He waved hello to his neighbors, as he pushed the buds of his headphones into his ears, turning on his music.

The city was still waking up, the quiet songs of birds echoing throughout the town. He took in a deep breath, before beginning his jog down the street. Five miles later, Vincent was back at his apartment building, covered in sweat. He took in deep gulps as he climbed up the stairs. He took down gulps of water from his water bottle as he climbed up to her floor.

He dug through his pockets for his keys, when he spotted something sitting in front of the door. Staring at it confused, Vincent picked it up. Tilting his head to the side he realized it was a jar of jelly. "What?" He questioned out loud.

He stepped in the apartment, kicking off his shoes. He was about to yell for Ollie, to see if she knew anything about the substance, but figured she was sleeping. Opening the jar, Vincent dipped his finger inside and licked the substance off. It was grape. And delicious.

Promising to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with it later, Vincent screwed the top back on and went to his room to shower.

Ollie Cross
Room 306

Ollie sat on the couch, hugging the small teddy bear to her chest. She couldn't keep her eyes off the storm raging outside their window. The lights had long since gone out, and Vincent was in the process of finding candles or flashlights to help light everything. She kept the small toy clutched to her chest as if it was the one thing that could save her from the storm.

She was terrified. Absolutely horrified as to what could happen. "Vincent, can you hurry. I'm really scared." She called not wanting to be alone for too long. She was about to get up and find him, when the small teddy bear starting glowing. She stared down at it, her eyes widening.

"Wha-?"

And just like that, she was gone.

Vincent Chess
Room 306

Vincent stumbled through the small storage room, digging for their flashlights. Why they didn't keep them out in the kitchen was a complete mystery to him. He cursed as he smacked his leg against something hard. Finally, he grabbed hold of one of the flashlights he needed. He could her Ollie out in the living room, calling for him to hurry.

She was terrified of storms. Always had been. Now, with the aid of the flashlight he had just found, Vincent would be able to find the others quicker. He turned it on and let the light light up the entire space. He found the last one easily, standing on top of the top shelf.

"I'll be right there Ollie," He called turning on the other flashlight to check the batteries. Worked great.

He made his way back to the living room to find the space completely empty. He called her name, searching for her through their entire apartment. "Ollie!" He called again.

Suddenly, his stomach started glowing.

He dropped the flashlights, shocked by the sudden light. "What?" He cried lifting up his shirt. He glanced around his apartment trying to see if there was something shining on his stomach, but there was nothing. The light was definitely coming from within.

He cried out, but he was already gone.

Harrison Aiken
Room 302

Harrison was too engrossed in his piano music to notice when the lights went out. Too focused on the beautiful sounds mixed with the thundering storm, to notice the charm around his neck.

The purple gem had glowed gently, almost pulsing with the music. He was at the very crescendo of his piece when the charm glowed bright than ever, engulfing Harrison in a pool of light.

The music stopped, no sound except for the raging storm. The apartment, for the first time since Harrison had moved in, was completely silent.

Stacey Cann
???

Smiling from the dream she was having concerning a certain yoga instructor and no clothes, Stacey turned over where she lay, gripping what she thought was her blanket. But it proved stringy, cold, a bit damp. Eyebrows coming together, she blinked her eyes a few times, trying to focus on the green and gold colors around her.

When she concentrated, she sniffed and smelled soil. Then she squinted to the brown hues. Tree trunks. Gasping, she leapt up, her duffel bag still wrapped around her arm and making her lose her balance. Stumbling into a tree, she found her feet and then her stare widened on the wood beneath her fingers. It was warm. And pulsing. As if alive.

She shrank away, looking around the clearing, spine disturbed with shivers. It was a forest, dark yet illuminated slightly from tiny moving lights here and there, the number enough for her to see by. Fireflies? Seemed like. How had she gotten here?

Noticing another body, she hurried over and dropped to her knees, yelping as he knee caught a stick, but her adreneline took care of the pain for now. She recognized the girl. They lived in the same building.

"Hey," she said, shaking the girl's arm. "Wake up! We're in trouble."

Ollie
???

Ollie was awoken by someone shaking her arm. She jolted up, glancing around. She didn't recognize anything. Her mind wondering. Dancing lights bounced in front of her face and it took her a while to finally focus on the girl who was shaking her.

"Stacey?" She questioned recognizing the blonde. "We...we live in the same apartment building, right?" She added. "What? Where are we?"

Harrison
???

Harrison had awoke to the sounds of screams. Screams that echoed in his mind, creating an image of tortured slaves. People screaming out. Calling for someone to help them. When he finally opened his eyes, he was greeted by dark, dank surroundings. Bars around him, dirt and grime on the floors.

A girl was shaking at the iron bars, her clothes surprisingly normal. She turned, her brown eyes boring into his. "Wh-what happened?" She started questioning.

She looked panicked. Crazed even. She ran her hands through her black hair, the strings catching on her fingers. Harrison stood from his spot crouched on the ground and stepped over to her. He placed his hands on her pale shoulders and looked deep into her almond eyes.

"Relax," He said quietly. "Panicking will not help us get out of here."

Stacey
???

"How the hell would I know?" Stacey breathed, stepping away and gripping her duffel bag tight. "There was a storm...and I fell asleep...We're probably kidnapped or something." She was trying to be reasonable, but her lungs were tight, as if on the verge of hyperventilation. Being kidnapped so wasn't cool.

She glanced around again, brain a bit clearer and knowing that this other chick wasn't going to be of much help. Stacey would have to get them out of this. The moss on the ground caught the golden lights buzzing about, greens and gold shimmering together. She gently touched the bark of the tree again, pulling away and squirming in disgust as she felt the same bulbous pulsing.

"We should start walking, see if we can find a path." There was nothing around them that helped, only the tiny lights. She then noticed their direction in their movements. It wasn't random like fireflies. They were flowing a single path to the left, out between two trees. Perhaps these bugs, or whatever they were, could lead them out of this strange, almost breathing, forest scene.

"Follow me," she instructed of the other girl, leading on and not caring to glance back to her.