Absent Riddle

The Chamber was atramentous. Only one bright light sheened inside the room through the doorway.

Erembour marched through the hallway, nearing that gloomy door. His footsteps reverberated through the hollowed aperture with every step he took.

Despite walking toward the dim room, he did it mildly and looked more assured and optimistic than scared or worried. He seemed convinced that nothing could go amiss now that he had attained his target, Katherine Mitchell.

He unlocked the door by pulling out the crimson key and turned it inside the lock, gradually pushing the metal open. As the ray of light from the corridor illuminated the room, it revealed Aurora's body, crucified at the end of the giant cell.

The stab wound she suffered got treated with the bandages below her jacket. But her consciousness wasn't as superb as it should have been. She was unconscious, hibernating like a chipmunk. She breathed and remained infected, having little to no energy to wake up any time soon.

Erembour trodded before her, folding his arms behind his rear with a broad smirk glued to his face. "I have finally caught you, my dear. Katherine, it's my honor to finally meet you in person. It's been so long since the last time anyone experimented on your ill physique. But now, you're trapped in my domain, hopeless, helpless, and "defeated." I might have left you to waltz around the city a little longer, but I'm afraid you've heard too much. I wouldn't want you ruining my "game" by revealing too much data regarding my plans. It'd be burdensome."

He pocketed his hand, drawing out the syringe and examining it with enthusiasm and appreciation, "You heard about the stimulant's true intention, and yes... I deceived your "friends" in making them believe this stimulant would cure your infection. However, I'm afraid it was invented to hasten the blood pressure in your body and leave you with a fateful wound; death."

By spinning the syringe among his fingers, he shaped a malicious grin upon his mask, "But, there's one thing preventing me from implanting the toxin into your body. It's my own resolution. I intend to make your friends watch you die before their eyes. It's more "entertaining" that way, and I'm an expert in having "fun." It's the only reason I inherited my father's powers and developed this virtual world with his long-lost powers. Or, if you wish to know the truth, I "upgraded" my father's creation and produced a new habitat."

He laughed with his stentorian voice, keeping his eyes locked on Aurora, piercing her soul like a blade, "Of course, I can't execute you directly due to the lack of my physical body, but I certainly can poison you. All I can do is construct a digitalized version of various items, but those cannot award you with lethal wounds." He laughed in a soft-spoken tone, proud and courageous with his experimental game, "You must be brimming with sorrow and want to canvass me to set you free."

Then, his loud, penetrating, and shrill laugh resounded throughout the room's entirety as if he was losing his serenity and revealing his true psychopathic nature. It echoed repetitively, reflecting without a moment to stop.

-

Sitting outside the operation room, Timothy waited to hear about Trinity's condition. It passed thirty minutes since Aurora left him on his own, and her long disappearance slightly concerned him.

"Tim! Sorry, I just needed some time to think!" Aurora's voice stretched out and approached Timothy's ears, "Kate. You were gone for a while. Sorry if I came out wrong. I hope you're feeling better." He rose to his feet, letting Aurora near him, "Don't worry," she leaned her palm on her bosom, smiling kindheartedly, "I overreacted. How's your sister? Is she alright?"

He crossed his arms, tilting his head aside, and sighed anxiously, "I don't know. The doctor hasn't said a word since she got in."

At the instant he spoke, the door opened, letting Trinity exit the room with the doctor. Timothy and Aurora glimpsed her in the face, "There you are. Are you feeling any better?" Timothy inquired, darting closer to his sister, "I'm okay."

Doctor Denton Reese delivered good news, "Your sister should be fine. She was blessed that no vital organs were penetrated by the bullet. Although her breastbone was shattered by the gunshot, I managed to stop the bleeding, treat the wound, and remove the bullet from her chest. She refused my request to acquire portions of her bones substituted with robotic hardware. And because she declined, she should ensure rest and avoid pushing her body."

Timothy smiled in relief, "Oh, thank goodness. I couldn't be more relieved." Timothy embraced Trinity for them to cherish the fortunate event, "Please, don't do anything crazy. If something goes off course, let me deal with it." He pleaded with an earnest request as he looked down into Trinity's eyes, "Yeah... I will." She smiled and then turned in Aurora's direction, "I hope you recover. And I'm sorry. Thank you for saving my life."

-

Timothy, his sister, and Aurora strolled through the streets, "Virtual world... That's why the air feels so unsteady." Timothy became thoughtful, reasoning within his mind to come up with a solution to find a way, "When I first woke up in that random room, I received a strange chip that the game master claimed was the first hint in figuring out who the infected one is. Do you think the others have the same chip as well?"

Trinity peered at him from the side, hushed as much as possible but hearable, "Aurora and I haven't gotten one chip. Maybe we were spread out into groups because everyone got a hint, and all we must do is meet and exchange the chips to decipher the code." Timothy, with annoyance, pulled out the chip and inspected it, "I fly when I'm born — That's all I have."

Trinity placed her hands in her pockets, shrugging with her shoulders, "If I were to assume. I bet it's some sort of a riddle that describes the infected person — most likely their talent. We probably have to gather all the clues, and build the "riddle" ourselves." Timothy rubbed his chin, seeing the number one on the chip's upper left corner, "And I guess the number on the paper indicates the order in which the riddle should be. Since I have number one, that means it's the first part of the riddle." Timothy and Trinity exchanged eyes with a simultaneous nod while Aurora listened in silence.

"There you are, guys." The abrupt voice called out to them, and they glanced at each other, "Chiaki!" They darted in front of Chiaki, "You're on your own? Do you know where the others are?"

Chiaki threw down her look, unfortunately denying it by shaking her head, "Sorry, I don't. But I might have found someone that can help us figure out who the "victim" is. It's not too far from here. I was lucky I managed to find you via soul link."

Befuddled on the spot, Timothy, Trinity, and Aurora shared the same muddled view until he hurled his look back onto Chiaki, "Lead the way."

To be continued...