Chapter 91 Escape Room: An immersive escape room...
"The store Dick took me to last time has a new theme."
Her cheerful yet suggestive words formed a clear pattern at the table, almost everyone heard them. Her bright emerald eyes also shone brightly, causing everyone present to exchange glances without speaking, not out of rejection, but out of anticipation.
Enid paused for a moment, and seeing that no one responded, she subconsciously realized why. Just then, she had almost finished eating, so she put down her knife and fork and looked at everyone with an even more pitiful expression.
"It's a new project, and they specifically sent a message inviting me to participate in the closed beta. I wonder if there's any super smart person who can guide this idiot like me, hmm, to play together?"
This wasn't a hint, but a direct statement. Barbara suppressed her laughter, deliberately feigning hesitation, but then steered the conversation towards Dick, the only one absent, with a hint of a smile on her face.
“I thought Dick would definitely take you with him.”
“Actually, that was the plan, but unfortunately, you know, he had to work overtime.” Before the appointment, something came up, and he had to go back to Brudhaven to continue his work. He was very busy, and Enid had always been aware of this but had never been angry. “So we planned to meet somewhere else. I wanted to go and help, but he said he was okay, so I just waited for good news.”
Dick felt a little guilty, as this wasn't the first time he'd left a date before or during it. However, Enid clearly thought it was perfectly normal and he didn't need to feel guilty. It wasn't wrong; even if they weren't together, seeing the same sky and their hearts were together was a date.
Enid explained to Dick that every day was a date for them, so it wouldn't make a difference if they went on another one. However, she deliberately implied that she was going to go with someone else this time, and Dick didn't really mind.
"That's good, but I hope you won't spoil anything, though I know you won't, baby."
"Hmm, of course I won't give away any spoilers, I'll just... okay, I won't know anything, I'll go with you again."
"Great, I believe we can achieve a different ending."
This script is said to have 12 endings and a lot of branching paths, and the text is also very rich. Even if you go several times by yourself, you won't be able to fully understand it. The staff said this with great confidence.
After reminiscing, Enid looked at everyone with her beautiful eyes. Damian was somewhat tempted, but he had something to do, so he declined to take Enid out. Jason checked his schedule and found he had some free time.
"Alright, I'll take you."
"Maybe I can..."
Jason and Bruce spoke in unison. Jason glanced at Bruce, crossed his arms, and raised an eyebrow with a slightly teasing tone.
"Old man, aren't you going to the meeting at Wayne Enterprises? Or to the Justice League?"
“I happen to have some free time today, since Lucius is still with Wayne Enterprises,” Bruce said matter-of-factly.
Jason clicked his tongue softly, but ultimately didn't refute her. Instead, he looked at Enid. Enid smiled sweetly at Jason's gaze, then revealed an overly expectant expression. In an instant, Jason guessed what she wanted to say, but couldn't bring himself to say anything to refuse.
"Can Jay and his father come with me?"
“Of course, Fia, I’d love to. I wonder, Jason, would you be willing?” Bruce answered without the slightest hesitation.
Having already guessed what Enid would say, Jason only paused for a moment before agreeing. Actually, Jason knew that the author of this script was someone Enid and Damian liked, a co-production of ART and another ABC. It was said to be an adaptation of an early work, and Enid had been talking about it for a long time after she found out.
"Okay, let's go."
"Great! I heard this is a pure romance/horror mystery story, with you guys there it's all!"
"address."
Hearing Jason's words, Enid happily explained, and the next second she heard Damian's voice, and she sent him the address with a smile: "We can go together next time, there are 12 endings, we can play them all." Her slight collecting habit started to kick in.
"Hmph, I'll definitely get through."
"I'll go with you next time."
Bruce looked at Damian and smiled slightly before speaking. Damian did not reply, but his eyes brightened considerably.
...
The jack-o'-lantern facade hadn't been removed yet, but a slight breeze was blowing around it. Skulls and red gauze were piled up to form caves, and the dilapidated wooden doors had quietly opened a crack, through which the wind slipped away, swirling around their feet.
Enid's gaze darkened, a mixture of excitement and nervousness, well, a little fear too, not much, perhaps? At least the strength with which she gripped Bruce's arm wasn't too weak. Jason happened to witness all of this and couldn't help but laugh out loud. Hearing his laughter, Enid, who felt a little embarrassed by it, instantly turned her fear into embarrassment and annoyance.
"I'm not afraid!"
"Okay, you're not afraid."
Jason answered too quickly and too easily, not at all like he believed it. Enid turned her head and saw it. Bruce was also chuckling, puffing out his cheeks and staring intently at the two of them.
"Then shall we ask the two brave warriors to clear the way?"
"Okay, I'll finish first then."
Bruce curled the corners of his mouth, then took the lead and opened the door. The staff had already sent a message to Enid about the relevant precautions, so they didn't need to show up and ruin the atmosphere. Instead, the three of them walked straight in, as if they had suddenly entered the rabbit hole that Alice had fallen down, and were plunged into another world.
Stepping inside, she saw a suspension bridge, its delicate threads piercing the air between two cliffs, carrying a chilly wind. Some of the old wooden planks on it were already weathering away. Although she knew it was all an illusion, and that she could fly herself, she couldn't help but worry. So she tugged at Bruce's sleeve; he wasn't wearing a suit today, but a casual one.
Bruce deliberately slowed his pace to make it easier for Enid to follow him. Enid, who had always wanted to experience what it was like for other children to hold their parents' hands, suddenly became inexplicably happy. The next second, Jason pressed her head down and rubbed it hard.
"Alright, let's go, you acrophobic sprite."
“I’m not that afraid of heights,” Enid tried to argue, but well, she couldn’t argue back. “Just a little, but with my father and brother around, I’m not afraid anymore.”
She couldn't see Jason's face, but she heard his soft laughter. So the suspension bridge was left behind. After crossing the suspension bridge, they were stranded in the desolate countryside and forests. In the distance, there were sounds of playing and singing that were eerily jarring. Some withered trees were tied with red ribbons, but she could clearly smell the stench of pig's blood.
"Oh?" Jason suddenly asked with interest, "How did they come up with the idea of holding this event in the United States?"
"What's the theme?!" Enid asked curiously.
Bruce, who was walking ahead, also stopped slightly. He was slightly ahead but could keep an eye on the two of them at any time. He also figured out what it was, but he didn't think it was a bad idea. Sometimes, a truly shocking psychological horror is not so bad.
"Let's go and see, we can't be sure yet."
“Indeed.” Jason nodded. “Stop looking, you acrophobic sprite. We’ll talk about something else later.”
"Okay!"
Having received a reply, Enid happily continued with them. The path along the cliff was a bit difficult, and unlike the first time, she hadn't looked at it at all this time. She had chosen it out of trust in the ART author, and it was a bit of a pity that she couldn't disrupt the storyline. However, after traversing the rugged mountain forest, she still felt a strange chill when the dim red lights illuminated her vision.
It was clearly a festive red, but when it lingered outside the somewhat dilapidated old house, it carried gray dust with the cold wind, and the faces of people standing there without any smiles were somewhat similar to the robots on television.
“Outsider…” an elderly man began, speaking haltingly, “Go away, don’t come here again.”
He wore a stiff smile, but his words were not words of congratulations. He was dressed in a bright red, gorgeous outfit, but his shoes were worn-out and ill-fitting, as if they were stolen.
"Excuse me, sir. Is this the place where Ms. Ophelia is buried? We are friends from her hometown." Bruce spoke politely, following the script's established character setup.
"You mean, that blond guy..."
“Yes! We’ve come to see Sister Ophelia,” Enid replied to the old woman.
The plot, which should have proceeded smoothly, suddenly stopped halfway. The old man still had a strange smile, but he walked away in a hurry. They exchanged strange glances. Bruce and Jason keenly sensed something and nodded, while others with expressionless faces coldly ignored them.
“Let’s go,” Bruce said.
Enid nodded upon hearing this and followed the two of them forward. The old man was clearly fleeing, yet he did not stop them. They moved forward unimpeded, but could only catch glimpses of houses that suddenly became brightly lit. Unlike the grayish red of the previous house, this red was very vibrant.
White "double happiness" characters were pasted on the door, and the next second they saw pig's blood stain the white characters red. The people who came out of the house all had the same smile on their faces, as if they had been copied and pasted. The next second, a woman dressed in white wedding clothes suddenly came out. Although she was smiling, she seemed much more approachable.
"You're guests at the wedding, right?"
“Yes,” Enid answered without hesitation.
Their script stated that they received an invitation from the departed Lady Ophelia to attend a wedding in a foreign land.
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Author's note: We played an escape room game together!
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