CHAPTER 056: Midnight rendezvous, pt. 1

LATER THAT NIGHT...

The golden bus parked in front of an abandoned hospital. Out stepped 4 teenagers, 2 freshman heroes, 2 all stars, and 3 heroes turned musician.

"Why did I let you talk me into this?"

Cosmo patted the John's slumped shoulders.

"Relax, buddy! This sounds fun! It's one of those, how you say, tests of courage!"

"Test of sanity, more like..."

"You can always go find a helicopter if you'd prefer to go bowling, after all."

Weighing his options, the John couldn't tell which was worse. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, Juniper's timely interruption made the decision for him.

"Alright, gather around everyone! I'll be going over what we know of the place."

La Tejóna, still in the cat uniform, gripped Mistress Stunlock's arm tighter.

"Are you afraid of ghosts," she asked, still in sadistic butler mode.

"Of course! Their punches go right through you, how am I supposed to regenerate from that?"

"Ahem!"

Juniper coughed to silence the many side conversations similar to the freshman heroes' one.

"This was formerly the Imbroglio Medical Center. It closed half a decade ago, and has since become a haunted house."

"Why did it close," Octo-vine asked with a raised hand.

"I bet they were using the patients for some weird experiments," Mexican Candy commented.

"Nah! I reckon the place was built on a sacred burial ground," Truckzilla added.

"You're both wrong. It was closed after someone on the hospital board of directors was caught embezzling funds. Now, listen carefully to this next part, I am about to go over the known ghosts in here."

The Mystery Drummer creeped up beside Dusty, communicating in a whispered tone.

"Taking bets on who pushes the button."

"Hm... I bet mister undercover hero will press it!"

"A daring choice," he said while writing down the choice in a small notebook.

"Psst!"

He turned to see the John waving in a discrete manner.

"What are you doing," he asked.

"I suppose you can play, too. We take bets on who will push the self destruct button."

"Oh, that doesn't sound fun at all... What do you bet?"

"I allow cash, favors, or items. I think you know I am good for the winnings, regardless of what you hand me."

"... I'll place $500 on mister oxygen tank there," He said, pointing to Cosmo.

"Okay, that about covers my presentation. Since the signal is good here, We'll be live streaming the event. Each group of two will have one camera a piece. Now, go ahead and separate so mister Whiskers here can pass out the equipment!"

The John, distracted by a bet, chose Cosmo for his partner. Mistress Stunlock, distracted by the pleasant feeling gained from torture, chose La Tejóna for her partner.

Dusty and Sandra, as fiancés, naturally coupled up. Juniper, technically being two people, chose no partner. The Mystery Drummer, having volunteered to monitor the stream, likewise took no partner.

"Excuse me, there's only three of us. Can we partner together?"

Juniper thought about it for a moment, before eventually agreeing.

"You need to get to know each other better, anyway. Mister Whiskers, who do you want to go with?"

BLEET!

Jeff, formerly the Calendar creature, volunteered.

"Perfect, then! Now remember, try to explore as much as you can before the 15 minute mark. And, if you see a nurse holding a bell, run!"

One by one, the groups entered the abandoned hospital. Given the interior layout, it didn't take long for them to completely split up.

For a perfect example, Mistress Stunlock and La Tejóna chose to search an ICU wing. It was directly to the right of the entrance, according to the map. But, in trying to get there, the two could not find a single hallway going right.

"Ah! Maybe this place is alive! It must not want us to find this place, we should leave!"

"Fu, fu, fu... It can't be that bad. Don't slightly exaggerate things!"

"I'm only slightly exaggerating!?!"

La Tejóna shivered further, as if she were an autumn leaf. Worst still, her tree that was Mistress Stunlock seemed to enjoy seeing her shake. Finally, a right turn appeared.

"Why are you stopped? Continue!"

"Can't we go back to the club? I promise I'll be a good worker!"

"What kind of worker can't even properly address her superior?"

"... Boss, please! I'll even let you get handsy, just let me outta this creepy place!"

SPANK!

"How's that for handsy?"

Surprisingly, the electric sting on her rear calmed La Tejóna's nerves.

"Okay, okay! I'll go... Just promise to do that again if things get spooky!"

"Clearly, you haven't read the HR portion of the handbook. Get moving!"

"Ah, yes mistress!"

Since the slip of the tongue sounded pleasant to the ears, Mistress Stunlock did not correct her. The right turn was not as simple as it seemed, curving gently until it too was a left facing passage.

"Hrm... Maybe you were right about this place."

"Please, don't tease me like that! My heart can't take the fright!"

RING! DING! RING-A-LING DING!

Jumping into Stunlock's arms, La Tejóna couldn't help but exclaim,

"What was that!?! What was that!?!"

"Relax, it is probably just a ghost..."

"AH! Don't say that!"

The ringing grew louder as the source of the sound approached their position. Nearby doors shook in their frames, and the rusted gurneys left strewn about the hall squeaked in unison. La Tejóna wanted to shout 'RUN,' but found Mistress Stunlock already hoofing it.

"Don't tell me... Are you afraid of ghosts, too?"

"Want to go run on your own two feet?"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"