No Escape

There’s no way to run, no place to hide… 

 Chapter 1

Felix walked onto the bridge at Ember lake. This small but elegant space was the final destination for many sailors. Many sailors had attempted the journey to the small island in the middle of Blaze Lake but none had ever come back. Twelve gravestones lined the middle of the island, with one, dotted red with blood, in the center.

Felix was the most skilled sailor in the world, having braved Niagara Falls and countless others. So when someone told him that this course had a 0% chance of success, he had to try it. How bad could it be?

Felix jumped into the motorized boat he designated for the trip. Small but mighty, this was the best motorized in the market. Hundreds of people watched as Felix saluted and rode off into Blaze Lake.

It was the worst decision of his life.

Chapter 2

As Felix rode into the water, a fog rose up in the lake. “Nothing big, just a fog.”  He said to himself. 

Deep in the crowd, people gasped as Felix vanished from their sight. The fog was gone. But the motorboat was gone with it.

From Felix’s perspective, he could no longer see the shore. He only saw the sea. And up ahead were the 13 gravestones of Ember Lake. He thought to himself: “This has a zero percent chance of success? That was the easiest ride of my life. He could not have been more wrong.

Chapter 3

As he approached the island, he suddenly felt something wrong. A purple fog enclosed the island as a large man rose from the fog. Felix’s eyes went wide in fear as the man took out a club and swung it down. Felix rolled across the grass of the island. More fog appeared as many more people, all wearing military uniforms and coated with purple, rose from all twelve graves.

Felix gasped, grasping for air. He yelled: “Who are you!?” No response. He gasped and ran for the rowboat… but it was no longer there.

He pulled out his phone and called 911. The soldiers laughed- a deep, rumbling chuckle- as his phone, instead of dialing 911, dialed 913-819-6789. He tried to correct it but no response. Felix finally gave up and cried: “HELP!” To the responder of this number. The soldiers all pulled out guns and laughed. His phone pinged.

“Welcome, Felix! We’re gonna have a great time here in Valiant Island!” 913-819-6789, aka Lt. Samuel

Chapter 4

Felix looked at the soldier in front of him. SAMUEL was etched into his back.

He texted back:

‘Who are you? What’s going on?”

New Notification: New User Messaged You: Private Ramon

”We are the 12 soldiers of Valiant Island.”

”We want you to fill the 13th grave- originally belonged to the soldier who betrayed us .We killed him and tossed him into the lake. Others who came haven’t been enough- we had to toss ‘em in the lake- but you are.” -Lance Corporal Twayla

Felix gasped, reading the initials on the grave. “Felix Horton: Feb 10 2015 to Jan 13 2026.” Today was January 13, at 11:58 pm. According to the grave, Felix had 2 minutes to live.

Chapter 5

11:58:10 Felix looked up at Samuel. “No. No no no. You’re not real. This isn’t real.” A new message pinged up on his phone. “That’s what everyone says.” 

11:58:20 Felix thought: “If I can’t stay on the island, I have to go into the lake. Felix started running. Samuel shot a flare into the air and clutched Felix’s left leg. “No no no. It can’t end like this.” Felix, with every last morsel of strength he had, slipped out of Samuel’s grasp.

11:58:45 Felix saw a small ripple out of one pocket of the lake. A cave? Samuel had to try. Dodging the bullets around him, Felix started running and leapt into the water.

 11:59:00 Felix started swimming for shore. The soldiers, gazing at him, pulled out a rowboat and rowed after him. As strong as Felix was, Samuel and the other had a boat and had biceps as thick as watermelons. Felix cried. He was going to be caught before he got to shore.

11:59:20 Felix curled up in a small ball, treading water and holding his breath as he dove down into the water where the ripples were. Above him, the soldiers dove in after him, suddenly materializing scuba gear and diving in after him.

11:59:55 Felix hit sand. He looked around and saw. That he was at the mouth of the cave. But it was no use. He knew he would die here, all alone…

4 Seconds Left.

3 Seconds Left.

2 Seconds Left.

1 Second Left.

Midnight.

Chapter 6

When Felix opened his eyes, he saw sand. He saw the sky outside from a hole in the cave. The water on top looped around the hole, seemingly defying the laws of gravity. Felix looked around and saw someone in the distance, standing on the other side of the cave. He asked the figure: “Who are you?”

The man looked back and gave out a sigh. “I have been looking for you, Felix. As soon as I heard the commotion on the lake, I sent those ripples. This whole time, Samuel and the others had been looking for a 13th to put their spirits to rest. I was supposed to be the 13th- back in the original war. This place is almost impossible to escape. The reason the shore disappeared behind you is that this island itself was trying to trap you here. The Island feeds on souls the soldiers reject. It simply tricked you. Valiant Island, in the real world, is still there. You’re just gone. The second you fell into the boat, you disappeared to everyone else. They can’t see you, you can’t see them.”

”How do I escape?’

The old soldier handed him three things. A key, a book, and a stack of 3000 Archigobucks. He exclaimed: “The key unlocks the boat you saw at the mouth of the cave. If you navigate into the right place, you will reach the coastal land of Archigo. There, you will find a big castle. Use the Archigobucks to buy a small apartment and some food. Ten days from now, a portal will appear in the castle. Fight the guards then jump in the portal. Then you will be back at the shore.” However, the soldiers will chase and try to stop you multiple times. Are you going to take this risk?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

With that, Felix got into his boat and set off for Archigo. A couple minutes later, Samuel arrived in the mouth of the cave. “You did it again, Horowitz?” “Yes. I did.” “I want to kill you. How could you? “Did you forget? You can’t kill someone who's already dead.”

“Whatever. Ramon, set a course for Archigo. Also, buy some matches, dart guns, and small bombs, will you, Ramon? We’re going on a manhunt!

Chapter 7

9 days until portal

Port Skyway, Archigo, 100 miles away from Arroyoton Castle

2100 ArchigoBucks left

Felix stared at the sky as his boat docked in Port Skyway. He immediately bought lunch at a nearby restaurant. He smiled and thought to himself: "Arroyoton Castle is only 2 day’s drive away. I can get there soon enough, right?” But then he saw something extremely worrying.

Samuel’s goon Private Ramon. How could he have found him so quickly? As fast as he could, Felix leapt into his rented motorcycle, Ramon’s dart whizzing past his face. As he started the motor, he saw Ramon grab a knife from the nearest table. As Ramon prepared to throw it, Felix ducked, a perfect maneuver-

But Ramon wasn’t aiming for him. With a pop and a hiss, The knife stuck in one of the wheels, poking an air hole in the tire. Felix was about to be caught by Ramon, but he had one last trick up his sleeve. He committed a perfect one tire flip and navigated straight into the parking lot of a mall- near the outskirts of major city Gravine and ran inside.

Ramon plunged off the cliff on his ATV as he went too fast to stop after Felix’s emergency maneuver, shouting curses all the way. One down, 11 to go, thought Felix.

Chapter 8

8 days until portal

West Gravine, Archigo, 80 miles from Arroyoton Castle

1900 ArchigoBucks left

Felix, on his feet, trudged to the Gravine used car lot, bought a car, and went back to his hotel. Gravine was a 15 mile wide town, meaning it would be extremely hard for Samuel’s goons to find him, right? Wrong. As soon as he returned to his hotel room and his lunch arrived, the maid was knocked unconscious and two people entered the room. 

Samuel’s goons Private Twaney and Lance Corporal Twayla were twins, brother and sister, both much stronger than Ramon, instantly ripping Felix’s navigation book to shreds. As Felix faked left and right, trying to escape from Twayla’s lasso, Twaney launched a bone-jarring tackle into Felix’s gut. Twayla tied him up and grabbed a dart gun, preparing to launch-

But Felix barely pulled off a leg sweep to get out of Twaney’s grasp as the dart slammed into Twaney’s back. Enraged, Twayla fired another dart, but Felix executed a slipstream move to get Twayla’s gun loose, then knock her unconscious with her own gun. Even though that was extremely hard, there would be only stronger and smarter goons, and not all of the encounters would go Felix’s way.

Chapter 9

6 days until portal

Outskirts of Boardentown, Archigo, 40 miles from Arroyoton Castle

1200 ArchigoBucks left

Felix was exhausted. After the encounter with the T & T twins, Felix had not gotten a break as two of the Torpedo triplets- Corporal Chuck and Private Lance, two of Samuel’s goons- came over to give him an attempted smackdown beatdown. Now, he had driven 30 miles here, Chuck pursuing him the whole way. Only a mountain range stood between him and Broadentown, the third-to-final town before Arroyoton Castle. But as he zoomed in the peak with his binoculars, he saw the third Torpedo Triplet- Sergeant Xavier- with a RPG grenade launcher. Chuck was closing in on him from behind. He was trapped.

As he climbed up to a small hole in the mountain, Chuck rubbed his own RPG and shot at the mouth, missing Felix by a few feet. With each shot, the triplets were getting closer and closer. He was doomed. 

But then, a hospital airplane arrived in the sky! Felix ran up and the plane noticed him flagging it down, swooped down low, but that was the last thing he saw as a grenade from Lance swooped in and hit Felix in the neck.

Chapter 10

3 days until portal

Descartes hospital, Archigo, 25 miles from Arroyoton Castle 

500 Archigobucks left

Felix sipped a coffee with his leg held up by a supporting cast.  Thankfully, the hospital airplane had taken him to Descartes, The second-to-closest town and one of the biggest in Archigo was a bustling metropolis that was the envy of many. Bigger than Gravine with multiple highway exits to Doromound, the site of Arroyoton castle, it would be very hard for Samuel and his goons to find him. With the Torpedo Triplets in Descartes Jail for terrorism, Samuel had six goons left to chase him, including himself. Though it would prove very difficult for Samuel to find him, nothing was impossible with Samuel. 

Felix trudged out of the coffee shop and sighed. With the hospital fee, 700 bucks, it had eaten up most of his budget, and the motorcycle rental would have to be returned here, meaning Felix would have to go to Descartes Cars and Co, the only place he could buy that would allow him to return it in Dormound, which Samuel might find out and hunt him in Descartes Cars or in Dormound.

After a sleepless night, Felix sauntered into the bleak gray office of the 24/7 Descartes Cars rental, at 11 pm, when most of his goons would likely be asleep. Samuel cracked the door open- and what he saw shocked him and almost killed him.

Chapter 11

2 days until portal

Descartes Cars and Co. Rental office, 23 miles from Arroyoton Castle

500 Archigo Bucks Left

A gaping hole filled the entirety of the room. As he walked in, he heard a hiss and a pop outside followed by a BANG! He looked at the calendar on the wall and found out why Samuel did this.

Today was Archigo’s new year- the 13th of December- and the festivities were starting, involving bonfires and firecrackers. Samuel had perfect cover to blow up this car store with a “misplaced” firecracker or an "Accidental” Bonfire without anyone noticing. Normally, the hospital peeps would have arrived in 3 minutes, but there were so many bonfires that someone would mistake the fire for a giant bonfire.

Felix counted to three and started running, just as the roof of the garage lit on fire. Felix heard two sets of footsteps. Of the six left, these two were the smartest but not that strong- Corporal Kelly and Colonel Keiran, and his suspicions were proven correct as Kelly rounded the corner with a crossbow with C5 attached to the arrow and her blond hair flapping in the wind, and Keiran stood on the roof with two matches and a firecracker-crossbow, his black hair and blue eyes glaring at Felix.  As Felix’s eyes widened in fear, Keiran smiled, pulled back his bow, and released.

The firecracker landed in a thud with the fuse alarmingly short. As Felix attempted to run, Kelly wrapped around him and bear hugged him with her arms. As the firecracker’s fuse detonated, Felix dragged Kelly into a nearby pool as Kieran leapt in with them.

Chapter 12

2 days until portal

Descartes Cars and Co. 23 miles from Arroyoton Castle

500 ArchigoBucks left

Kelly’s grip loosened on Felix as Kieran landed in the water with a splash. As a shockwave of shock traveled through them, from Kieran to Felix and finally to Kelly. Kieran and Felix responded at the same time, as Kieran chopped at Felix’s knee just as Felix swam through Kelly’s legs. Kieran’s legs hit Kelly, and as Kelly swung back at Kieran, thinking that he was Felix, Felix got up and ran.

But they weren't done yet. Kelly bobbed up quite fast and had a 30 second late start on Felix, within boomerang range, and Felix maneuvered left and right to dodge the boomerangs from an enraged Kelly and explosives from a heated Keiran. Felix gasped in fear as Kieran threw one last explosive as his car ran out of gas- a perfect shot. As Felix shot up to full speed, he ducked- the high explosive plunging into the pool, defusing.

Keiran howled as he fell to the ground and landed near Kelly, both of whom were immediately accused of arson as the police arrived. Even if they were found innocent,  it would take at least 2 weeks for them to clear it up, giving Felix time to enter the portal. Only 4 goons remained, but they were the most evil and strong of all.

Chapter 13

 1 Day until portal

Multiple highways connecting Descartes and Dormound 

250 Archigobucks left

Captain Ion Garret polished his blade in the light of Interstate 44 diner. Samuel’s left hand man to the end, he was in charge of the highway scout operation. Ion smiled as he walked onto the pebble stones of the diner and checked his messages. 1 new notification from SSLS: We found him. Interstate 57 Diner & Hotel. Ready?

Staff Sergeant Luke Stone of the Valiant Twelve Battalion jumped out of his car, waving a pistol and running as his car crashed, causing a traffic jam on Interstate 57’s exit to Dormound. Now Felix had to go back to Descartes, but the lines were blocked as tow trucks tried- and failed- to reach the scene. Drivers honked and shouted, some getting on foot and choosing to walk. Felix was trapped.

Sergeant Hunter Rampshederal walked out of the Interstate 57 rest station and walked into the Interstate 57 diner and Hotel & Diner. He walked into the hotel and took out his switchblade, checking each car for a sign of Felix. Finally, he found it- ATWE888. Hunter smiled. In a couple of minutes, he would be able to rest with the 13th grave filled. He broke the glass and opened the door-

But Felix wasn’t there anymore.

Chapter 14

10 hours until portal. 

Interstate 57

10 miles from Arroyoton Castle

250 Archigobucks left.

The second Felix saw Hunter there, Felix knew he was doomed. By crouching in the secret compartment of the car, as Hunter opened the door, Felix snuck out and started running towards Dortmund as Hunter found the secret compartment. But who was waiting for him but Luke Stone? No big surprise. As the 3rd and 4th most skilled soldier in the 12 in Samuel (#1)’s eyes, they were working together always to show up Ion (#2). But where was Ion? No need to worry about that. Just get past Luke. 

Luke swiped at his feet with a knife just as Felix spotted something up above, spotting Ion on the rooftops of the diner with a Gatling gun. Bullets pounded the ground as alarmed drivers swarmed out of their cars, following “Every man for themselves” principles. Within minutes, almost everyone had gotten out of their car and abandoned the bridge as Ion pounded a car with his grenade launcher, spooking the last remaining people off the bridge. Off in the distance, the Descartes and Dortmund police were stuck in traffic. The police helicopters were Felix’s only chance. Ion whispered to Luke: “The 24 hour curse. Even if he enters the portal, we can still-“ But he was cut off by the sirens of the police arriving on the bridge, blaring their sirens. Ion yelled: “Let’s get out of here!” And leapt into the water, swimming for their lives.

The police saw Felix and calmly took him to Dortmund and started to clear the way, allowing Felix to arrive  in Dortmund, sing the last of his Archigobucks to buy a night at the hotel, and a dinner with pork ribs and cheese. Savoring the bites of his meal and looking across the water at the castle, he went back to sleep while eating some sea biscuits, looking at the knife he got from the restaurant. 

Chapter 15

PORTAL ACTIVATED

Arroyoton castle

Pounding on the gas, Felix sped into Arroyoton Castle’s tutorist parking lot. Inside the castle, a pale dusk shone over it, and the portal itself stood in the middle of the room, crackling with energy and surrounded by Ion, Luke, Hunter, and Samuel, all looking for Felix. Felix took out his binoculars and spotted Ion’s machine gun was a type 65, an extremely rare gun that fired in short bursts. Taking out the C5 he stole from Kelly in the Descartes fight, he threw it near the portal, diverting Hunter and Luke’s attention. In that moment, Felix burst from his hiding place and made a beeline for the portal. Samuel shouted and pointed as Ion pointed his type 65 and shot.  

Felix gasped for air as the bullet grazed his cheek and Samuel tackled him. He reached one pinky into the portal just as Hunter threw his grenade, just moments after Felix slipped into the portal. 

But Samuel grabbed his leg and all four of them jumped into the portal. In the portal stream, it was easy to get lost and go to another world, either Archigo, Valiar, Quaintor, or Earth. Luke gasped as he fell into the stream of Valiar and Hunter got sucked in Quaintor. Ion was sent back to Archigo, and Felix and Samuel landed on earth- back on the beach of Ember Lake.

Ending

Samuel tries one last time to drag Felix back, but it’s too late. Felix has escaped Ember Lake.

The End