4-2

4-2

"What are these? Shapes? A PS4 controller?" Johnny said,

Everyone stared at the four new papers. Like the previous pair of papers, one of each is just random scribbles and lines while the other has shapes drawn on it. The first one has a triangle on the top right and a circle on the bottom left while the other one has a square on the top left and an X at the bottom right, both having a rectangular shape in the center and yes, it does look like symbols in a Playstation controller.

"There is some kind of a pattern, don't you think?" Jane said,

"Yeah… Like the first paper is just scribbles while the second could be a map which means that this rectangle could be the compounds while the other shapes could represent something entirely." Gregory said,

"That makes sense. We didn't see anything when we ventured out, right? It's because we just walked in a straight line that ended with us going back to the other end of the wall opening." Jasmine said,

"True. True." Everyone agreed,

"If ever we do need to investigate these shapes, we need to try to deduce what they may mean. We can't just go out there without being cautious. We may have already lost Kevin and others and have… Venus and Claire trapped because we keep underestimating everything." Gregory said as he hesitated,

"I'm not going back out, okay?! It's creepy." Jasmine said,

"Me either but if these may help in securing our escape then I might muster the courage to go as well." Jefferson added,

"Well. Anyone has any idea what they may be are?" Jane asked in the open,

"I'm one hundred percent sure that the triangle is a cave." I said,

"Yeah. It is in most games, right? Every cave in RPG maps are always in a triangular shape. So if that is a cave which means all the faceless are hiding in it. So we better stay away from that." Jefferson said,

"How can you be so sure?" Kristen,

"Intuition… We can always check whether we are right but that would be too risky. Though if we do see a cave from a very safe distance then we can immediately confirm that. We don't need to confirm whether those faceless do hide there but its common sense that they would since caves are naturally dark." I explained,

"What about the other three?" Nadia asked,

"That I don't know." I said,

"It could be anything really. The only way we will know is to find it out ourselves." Jefferson said,

"Hmm… X could be the exit too you know. 'X marks the spot'?" Steph added,

"That is also a possibility. So do we check those three?" Johnny said,

"We… We have to?" Gregory hesitated,

Looking at the faces of everyone, fear is likely the primary emotion that is oozing. We don't want to go out and venture in the forest. It's scary out there. But there is no other way to go.

"What about these three papers? Do they even have any meaning? They are just lines." Jasmine said, trying to change the subject,

"They should have any. But we don't know for sure what they mean for now, unless we collect them completely then we can deduce what they mean." Gregory replied.

"They are very thin. Maybe if we stack them and lit below it, it may show a cryptic line that will help us out." Nadia said,

"Yeah. It could be that." Jane agreed,

"It could be. But It still can't be deciphered yet, maybe if we do complete this then the message will be clear." Jasmine said as she did what Nadia said.

"Okay guys. We… We need to get out there and know what the shapes are." Gregory firmly said after a few moment of doubt,

"But…" Someone uttered,

"No buts! I have decided. I don't want to stay idle and hope that the exit will show itself. There has to be a reason why there are basement doors appearing and giving us clues. We have to find the exit ourselves than to wait our chances to get slim and be eaten by those pesky faceless or be played more and more by this place. Besides, its morning, the faceless are hiding from the sunlight, we should take advantage of that fact." Gregory said,

"Greg is right. Let's try figuring out these shapes as fast as possible and return immediately once we confirm it. Let's just bring our spears and phones for safety precautions." Jane said.

Everyone looked at each other before doing a confident nod of agreement. True. We will never be getting out of this place if we hope for a miracle to happen. This place may be nightmare fueled unfairness but somehow it is still trying to give us hopes of escape; just forcing myself to look at the silverlining. Though for sure, this place is toying on us.