We All Fall Down {Lorenza/Zander/Chance Day Five}

[cameo]

~Location F of Silver Path~

Growls slithering through multiple snouts intrudes upon the hearing senses before eyes even slant to an opening, let alone adjust to the misty surrounding. But eventually the environment does focus… unfortunately. Each Runner sluggishly resides within their own personal cage, captured even further by the Maze-Makers horrific imagination - they’re not solely accompanied by other Runners however. Within another larger cage three bears are fuming over their own captivity. Before understanding can be comprehended the luscious voice of Layla’s startles the confusions.

“Good morning, our lovely Runners!” Layla sequels with excitement. “Now I’m sure you’re all curious by what’s going on - and the buttons each of you have in your cages.” The buttons reach attention, to brew more curiosity within Layla’s pause. “If you press your cage’s buttons, one of your friends will be released… HOWEVER, if all buttons are pressed - then the Grievers will be released as well, and a new battle will ignite.” Another break in words to allow absorption. “Will everyone be freed to fight? Or will some be left to die? The decisions are in your hands today Runners. Have fun!” The mic cuts, and the silence seeps.

Task: Runners must decide to press button in their cage or not, & if all buttons are pressed they must fight The Three Bears


Lorenza has opened Alexander's cage

[Kaplan]

LORENZA AITA

After seeing Hera's face in the sky the previous night, Lorenza wasn't all too fazed. She didn't expect it to be someone strong, like Pierce or Zeus. No, she expected it to be someone like Hera, Raiden or Dragon. After she had gathered so many things from the candy cottage, she expected that she'd be able to do well for the remainder of the day. When the bright stars and silver moon shown in the sky, [however, and the next 'day' began, she was somewhat frightened.

When the fog started to lift, she found herself in a cage, and two of her allies in the same situation, but in different cages. Her heart started pounding out of nerves. The Maze Makers came on the loudspeaker and explained what was happening. If she pushed the button in her cage, one of her allies would be free. Although, should she? It wouldn't free her, and her getting freed was the only way for her to win. There was a cage of grievers, too, and if all the buttons were pressed, they'd all be freed, but they would all have to fight. She cared about her allies, but she had to decide if she cared enough about them to free them with the possibility of not getting out herself, too.

"Zander?" she asked aloud. "Chance?" She took a breath. "I don't know who this will let out, but I'm not going to be the person who leaves their allies to rot, alright? I just hope you guys will do the same for me."

She slammed her fist down on the button to see which of her allies would now be free.

[Lorenza presses the button]

[Arrow]

Chance has pressed his button to free Zaza.

[alice]

Zander Thomas

    The conflict continues to seep through the pores of my hardened exterior. Mist seeks to fog the likes of my vision, yet immediately I press past the daze to comprehend the situation unraveling. The cage that confines the likes of my fight. The mysterious predicament that dangles the balance of survival. The voice that slithers through the bars of the cells in explanation of what’s occurring. End is breaching, and too many souls are still exhaling with life. But before I can even comprehend a plan to address to the others, Za-Za’s words cringe to existence - and my prison’s door is released.

Father’s voice demands for me to run without gazing back, but I’m not the selfish coward he sought to raise me as. Eyes jostle over to Chance as he struggles to reach his button and press it. Every day he’s dwindling into the clutch of death, closer and closer. My fingers tempt over my own button. My feet tempt for me to simply leave. However, it’s Chance’s decision to make and not my own.

“What is it that you want, Chance? You can try to keep fighting, or you can die a hero sacrificing yourself. But it’s your decision, not mine.” The structure of my message isn’t controlled by myself, as it tempts him to make this easier for us all. There’s no denying that the odds are surely not in his favor. The little odds he has left though he can give to us in tenfolds. Still it’s not a decision for me to make.

Gesture, words, a mixture of it all, it doesn’t matter as he gets his choice across. A nod softly maneuvers my head in appreciation. “The Maze-Makers may be ruthless, but they’re not savages. It’ll be a peaceful death. And you’ll always be remembered for it.” I speak my peace to him, before nudging my head in the direction Za-Za and I must go. It may be a conclusion for some, but it’s not the end for us all just yet.

Zander Flees with Za-Za