Chapter 3: Locked In With My Rival

The wood groaned as we pushed, the hinges shrieking loud enough to wake the dead.

As soon as it creaked open, I tripped over the threshold, dragging Savannah down with me. The door slammed shut behind us, cutting off the only light. I clung to her, screaming, “Mom, save me!” My scream echoed in the darkness.

She pushed me off, looking around and muttering, “What’s there to be scared of? There’s nothing here.” Then she nudged me: “Lila, stop grabbing my leg.” She sounded annoyed, but I caught the tremor in her voice.

I shook my head frantically. “I… I didn’t move.” My skin crawled.

My teeth chattered. If I was touching her leg, then who—or what—was touching mine?

Sobbing, I clutched my crosses and silver bat even tighter, scattering a handful of crosses for good measure. Please let this be a prank.

The metal clinked as I tossed them, the sound weirdly comforting in the pitch black.

After that, Savannah didn’t look so good either. With no cameras in here, her confident smile vanished. “There’s no camera now. Stop being ridiculous.” She tried to sound tough, but her hands shook as she gripped the bat.

I almost burst into tears. “I… really didn’t move…” I was losing it.

My voice wobbled, and I felt tears prick my eyes. I’d never wanted to go home so bad in my life.

Just then, the supposedly locked window started shaking violently. Savannah and I looked at each other, then hugged tight. Her bravado vanished in a heartbeat.

“Cr-cross—cross, hurry, give me one!” Finally, she wanted my crosses.

She was shaking, so I quickly handed her a cross and shoved another silver keychain at her: “Sis… sis… remember to protect me.” My hands shook so bad I almost dropped the cross.

I was on the verge of tears. As a lifelong coward, this was more than I could handle. This was too much.

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to breathe. If I made it out of here, I was never watching a horror movie again.

Her words made me freeze in place, legs trembling. She wasn’t much better, clutching her cross and bat, staring at me.

For a second, I thought maybe I’d finally found a kindred spirit. Then the window rattled again, and we both jumped.

“I think… it’s probably just for the show,” I said, voice trembling. Even I didn’t buy it, but I needed to believe it.

But as soon as I finished, I felt something grab my right leg—cold fingers squeezing tight. I jumped up, then slid to the floor, clinging to the doorframe.

My scream bounced off the walls. I was sure the crew could hear me from outside. Let them try to edit that out.

Savannah stared, dumbfounded. Outside, the other two pounded on the door, but it wouldn’t budge—like it was locked from inside. Maybe it was just another trick.

I could hear Blake’s voice, muffled but frantic. I’d never felt so alone.

Lucky me, I’d ended up in this room with Savannah. Great. Just my luck.

I scanned the room, trying to spot the next prop before it got me. My nerves were fried.

Fear washed over me. My teeth chattered. I was falling apart.

I tried to remind myself it was all for show, but my body didn’t get the memo.

Savannah, seeing me like this, seemed less scared herself and couldn’t resist mocking me: “Seriously? It’s just the crew messing with us. You’re seriously too timid.”

She tried to sound tough, but her voice was shaky. She was scared too, just better at hiding it.

I was almost crying, clinging to her leg: “Mom… I’m scared…” No shame left.

If my mom could’ve teleported in right then, I’d have thrown myself into her arms and never let go.

I really was. I missed my mom more than ever. I missed home.

Every scary movie I’d ever seen flashed through my mind. Suddenly, my childhood bedroom and its nightlight seemed like paradise.

Savannah’s face was stiff. She was supposed to be the brave one, always the leader in escape room shows. She didn’t bother hiding her sarcasm now. But all I wanted was someone to cling to.

I could see the cracks in her armor. Maybe I wasn’t the only one barely holding it together.

The chat was dying of laughter:

“America’s sweetheart forced to be a mom?”

“I feel like there’s drama between these two. Savannah’s jabs aren’t landing—why is this so funny?”

“I call for my mom when I’m scared too…”

“Honestly, this is kind of terrifying.”

Some people were laughing, but others admitted they’d be just as scared in my shoes. Misery loves company, I guess.

I clung to her leg, trying to stand up, when I suddenly felt something touch my calf. My scalp tingled. I started swinging my silver bat wildly.

I flailed like a kid fighting off imaginary monsters under the bed. The bat clanged against the floor, echoing through the room.

Suddenly, there was a cracking sound. I stopped mid-howl. The room fell silent.

My heart stopped. Every muscle tensed, waiting for the next jump scare.

Something rolled out from behind the wardrobe. By candlelight, I saw what it was and let out a string of curses—then cursed the director for good measure.

A fake limb, painted to look disturbingly real, spun across the floor. I wanted to chuck it out the window.

Savannah was silent for a long time, then bent down to pick up the fake limb. The prop team really outdid themselves—it felt cold and real, and in this environment, it was enough to scare anyone to death.

She held it up, shaking her head. “Whoever made this has issues.”

I glanced at the red camera light in the dark, and said seriously, “If I die of fright, do I get hazard pay?”

Savannah snorted, almost smiling for the first time. For a second, we both forgot how scared we were.

After the initial scare, both Savannah and I realized there were cameras everywhere, their red lights mingling with the candlelight, making the room even creepier. It only made me feel more trapped.

The earlier window noise turned out to be just the wind. The director had planned it all—shooting at night, during a storm, with thunder and lightning. All for the ratings.

The wind howled outside, rattling the shutters. I tried to convince myself it was all just special effects, but it didn’t help.

But with the livestream ongoing, Savannah couldn’t shake me off. She kept up her persona, but her words were pure sarcasm:

“Lila, weren’t you braver before? You used to go to hotels all the time—why so scared now?”

She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall like she was running a podcast.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say…”

I was too tired to argue. I just wanted to get through the night.

“Or do you think acting weak will make people want to protect you? But girls should be strong and independent.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say…”

I could hear the chat giggling. I just kept nodding, hoping she’d run out of steam soon.

“Even though this is a challenge show, we should still try to complete the tasks. We can’t just coast through, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say…”

If I’d had more energy, I might’ve argued. But I was too busy trying not to faint.

…

Savannah was speechless. I could see her clenching her fists, itching to punch me.

She huffed, turning away. I almost felt bad, but mostly I was just relieved she’d stopped talking.

What could I do? Trapped in a sealed room with her, all those creepy rumors running through my head—I was terrified. She was my only lifeline. Whatever she said, I agreed.

At that point, I’d have agreed to anything if it meant getting out of there faster.

But we still had to finish the tasks. We couldn’t stay trapped forever.

The thought of spending another minute in that room made my skin crawl. I scanned the walls for any sign of an exit.

Every time I looked at the creepy painting above the bed—a beautiful, sinister woman smiling down at me—I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Should’ve taken out my contacts. Maybe there was still time.

Her painted eyes seemed to follow me. I shuddered and looked away, wishing I’d brought sunglasses.

Savannah dragged me around the room, looking for a way out. The door wouldn’t budge, so we searched for another way.

She took charge, poking and prodding every surface. I followed, clutching my bat like a security blanket.

I eyed the huge wardrobe, scared it might be hiding something. Savannah didn’t care—she shoved it open and, seeing me trembling, pushed me inside.

I stumbled, landing in a pile of dust and old coats. My heart raced as I felt along the back wall.