《Quin Dealt With It Eventually》 First Meetings? After a quick escape back to the present Quin finds himself being harassed by someone he''s never met. This person seemed very angry and was rambling on claiming to have been so sincerely wronged by Quin that he was lucky to not have lost his life. With statements such as Quin had betrayed him and had left him for dead in the past. Quin was shocked. He did his best to understand the current situation. He''d never been reunited with anyone he''s been acquainted with on any of his trips. To be reunited like this and under horrible circumstances. It was simply impossible. It must''ve been someone he met in the present. That was the only option. Quin was still injured and concussed during this whole interaction. The information was too much for him to handle. Before he could clear the air or explain himself his head started to spin and he collapsed from blood loss. Issac was extremely angry with him and surely hated his guts. But he wanted him to admit his actions, give an explanation and pay for his crimes. Not die in the street before he even confesses. So in spite of himself Issac gritted his teeth, got Quin up and away from any prying eyes. He then brought him somewhere to rest and heal. Lucky for him Issac knew plenty of first aid followed by enough medical knowledge to treat Quin without a hospital. He didn''t want any authorities getting involved and taking Quin away from him. Quin was in and out of consciousness at the time. At one point he opened his eyes and saw the wound on his side as Issac was stitching him up: ¡°Oh no.¡± He mumbled. ¡°That''s definitely going to leave a scar.¡± Throughout his ramblings Issac never responded. He was extremely focused on the task at hand and talking to Quin would have only made him angry again. When Quin finally regained proper consciousness he was in an unknown place. He couldn''t remember how he got there. While stretching he felt around his wounds. Finding it all patched up left it alone and reached around for his glasses. As they weren''t in reach Quin thought to check around the area. He couldn''t yet get out of bed with his wounds so instead he called out to check if anyone was in the room. After no response he decided he was alone. Quin grabbed his bag which he did find next to him and felt around for an object. When he found it he did one final sound check. With more silence he held the object in his hands. A faintly glowing pattern shown along the object and then on his necklace. Following the patterns his small cuts and bruises visibly disappeared. The pain in his stomach side faded as well. Finally he could finally breathe. He got out of bed and once again and felt around for his glasses. He still couldn''t find them. Finding the stomach bandage annoying he removed it and started moving around the rest of the room. It didn''t seem like a hospital room, instead it felt more like an apartment. There was a lock on the door to keep others out. The curtains were open as the light showed through. The exact time was a mystery but it was still somewhat light out. Quin quickly found a table and a place to sit. He was about to recheck his bag again when an unfamiliar voice sounded from the opposite side of the table. Quin was so startled he gave a loud shriek tripped out of his chair and fainted upon hitting the floor. Issac, the one at the other side of the table, was dumbfounded. Was he always so jumpy? When Quin regained consciousness again he slowly got up and sat back in his chair. He slowly called out again. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± ¡°Oh my god!!¡± Quin flinched again. Issac scoffed at the person in front of him. ¡°Okay you knew I was here, why did you jump again?¡± ¡°Because I just do. I get jumpy when I can''t see. And you''re a stranger. And you probably purposely ignored my call earlier. I mean how long have you been sitting here? Did you bandage me up? If you did that was very sweet of you. My name''s Quinn by the way. It''s great that you didn''t take me to a hospital. That could have been kinda bad. This is a clean room by the way. Hey, have you seen my glasses?¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Quin started rummaging through his bag again. Issac on the other hand was once again dumbfounded. He really just went from scared to defending to questioning then thanking and introductions. He''s a mess. Issac: ¡°Right.. You healed yourself.¡± Quin kept looking as he responded. ¡°Did I really? What can I say? I''m a fast healer.¡± ¡°You were glowing and everything.¡± ¡°My health really is amazing.¡± ¡°Only a scar left now.¡± ¡°I''m pretty flexible too, my agility is fantastic. Shame I could dodge that last slash. Well you can''t win them all.¡± ¡°That''s supernatural is what it is.¡± ¡°Honestly though it was the cliff that did me in I tell you.¡± ¡°A genuine work of fiction.¡± ¡°Once my head hit the wall I could barely think straight.¡± Issac furrowed his brows. ¡°Are you just going to keep ignoring me?¡± ¡°I really just need my glasses stranger.¡± Quin stopped digging and stood up. Isaacs expression relaxed again. ¡°You know before I thought there''s just no way you were telling the truth.¡± Quin felt around the shelves on the wall moving back to the night stand. ¡°Wouldn''t lie about my glasses.¡± Issac continued. ¡°And now I''ve seen you first hand using some mystery gadget to heal what should have left you half dead.¡± Quin continued to respond in an indifferent tone. ¡°Technology is pretty crazy these days.¡± ¡°And you''re young, too young. You looked just like this back then.¡± Quin¡¯s movements slowed. ¡°Don''t know what you mean sir.¡± Issac sneered. ¡°Now either that gadget is equivalent to a fountain of youth or you really do travel through time.¡± Quin stopped searching. ¡°Did I say that? Certainly sounds like me. Maybe?¡± Issac gets up and walks towards him. ¡°And if age weren''t enough. This scar.¡± Quin turned to face him. ¡°Back then you had an old scar right here.¡± Issac moves his shirt and checks the newly formed scar. ¡°But yesterday only a clear patch of skin with a large gash could be seen.¡± Quin shook his head. ¡°That''s..That''s not right.¡± Issac: ¡°How could you just now be getting the wound for a scar you had years ago?¡± ¡°No that''s.. No there''s no way. Listen sir you probably have mistaken me with someone else. Otherwise..¡± ¡°Otherwise? It''s true isn''t it? I know you but you have no idea who I am.¡± Quin moved issac¡¯s hand and stepped back. ¡°Alright I get it but it really couldn''t have been me. Look, have you seen my glasses? We probably met elsewhere. If I could just see you I might remember.¡± Issac scoffs. ¡°Wow this is unbelievable. You admit to your ability yet you still can''t believe this situation? You''re a time traveller aren''t you? How is this confusing?¡± Quin: ¡°It''s not confusing, just unconfirmed.¡± Issac: ¡°Unconfirmed? I''m not making any mistakes here. After what you did, you''re lucky I''m humoring you at all.¡± Quin: ¡°See that''s the thing I didn''t do anything.¡± ¡°Well apparently not yet.¡± Quin gave an exhausted sigh. ¡°Listen okay I don''t know who you are but we couldn''t have met. At least not in the way you believe. I''m a lot less a time traveller and more so an event sight seer. Nothing I do affects anything in the present. No one I meet ever makes significant notice of me. I''ve never been warped to the same place twice. And most importantly I''ve never met the same person over again. Not ever have I had a connection from the past, present or future. It''s just impossible.¡± ¡°Never?¡± ¡°Never. Ever. Never not freaking once.¡± Issac shook his head. ¡°You''re wrong. Or you''re lying.¡± Quin took a breath. ¡°Look. We may have met in the present. Then we could meet again in the continuing present. But to say that I met your past self on one of my future trips¡­¡± Quin sighed. ¡°It just doesn''t work like that.¡± ¡°You might not think so. But I''m proof that it did happen.¡± ¡°Right. What happened anyway? If I someday met you, what could I have done to make you so... Passive aggressive.¡± ¡°Don''t look at me I''m not telling.¡± Quin was flabbergasted. He raised his voice to retort. ¡°You''re here yelling at me claiming yourself as proof and you won''t even share! Aren''t you the one who''s lying? Issac raised his voice in response. ¡°Oi! You''re the untrustworthy one who betrayed me and left me for dead!¡± Quin laughed in disbelief. ¡°Right I get that you think so but you could at least give me some details! As it stands it''s kind of hard to believe seeing as I''m not about that life.¡± ¡°¡®That life¡¯? What the hell are you on about? We meet, make good, situation advances to you making the wrong decision that could have killed me!¡± ¡°Okay? Why did I do that then? For all I know you were the bad guy in that situation! The endless back and forth had mentally drained Issac. Taking a deep breath he holds back his anger and talks through gritted teeth. ¡°Okay listen. We met and became friends then when things got dangerous you left me behind. Think what you want but that''s what happened. If you really find it so hard to believe then fine but I won''t just let this go because you''re behind on your memories.¡± Quin also calmed down. ¡°That''s fine I just don''t feel like having revenge dealt before there''s any actual proof on my end.¡± Issac sighed. ¡°I get that but I can''t just let you leave never to be found again. Until then I refuse to let you out of my sight.¡± ¡°Refuse to leave huh?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Like you said. Never not freaking once.¡± Quin sighed once more. ¡°Well whatever. Just don''t hurt me, I''m innocent until proven guilty.¡± The two were silent. The whole situation was extremely exhausting on both sides. Quin spoke up first. ¡°Oh no. Wait. That''s no good.¡± Issac was confused. ¡°What now?¡± Quin walked back to the table and grabbed his bag. He turned around and said, ¡°I''m hungry.¡± Issac didn''t respond. Quin walked past him and tossed him the mystery gadget. Issac caught it in confusion. ¡°What am I supposed to do with this?¡± Quin smiled and said, ¡°Take some responsibility healer. That''s your job now.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Well you healed me up the first time so I figured you wanted me alive for punishment.¡± Quin explained. ¡°And you should know I have slightly bad luck.¡± Issac didn''t quite understand but figured that at the very least as long as he had this Quin couldn''t run away. He tucked it away safely in his pocket. As Quin unlocked the door he turned to face Issac. ¡°Hey by the way have you seen my gla¨C¡± Before he could finish a pair of glasses were shoved into his face. Causing him to stumble back. ¡°What the hell?¡± Issac walked by him, opening the door. ¡°My bad I''m still pissed. Also you should know I''m slightly petty.¡± Quin held his face and spoke through the stinging. ¡°Right yeah I got that. It''s okay, we''ll get through it. Oh he''s leaving..uh name?¡± His voice responded from the hall. ¡°Issac.¡± Quin walked out and shut the door behind him. ¡°Right Issac. That''s nice. I''m sure we''ll get along.¡± Quin mumbled. ¡°Eventually.¡± Issac responded from the stairs. ¡°We won''t.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Quin said, internally refusing to accept the rejection. Companion? Issac and Quin head into town in search of food. ¡°Wow there''s stores and food stalls everywhere.¡± Said Quin feeling more hungry than before. Issac responded in an indifferent tone. ¡°It''s the runway up to the amusement park. It''s bound to have lots of stalls.¡± Quin ignored his oozing negative feedback. ¡°And plenty of restaurants as well. We''re completely set for breakfast, lunch, and dessert.¡± Issac: ¡°What happened to dinner?¡± Quin: ¡°I was talking about the morning meals and dinner is part of the afternoon set.¡± Issac rolled his eyes: ¡°Right.¡± Quin: ¡°Oh waffles. Score.¡± The two sat at a table and ordered. Issac asked for a simple special whereas Quin ordered about four. When it all arrived their table became a delicious and colourful cluster of dishes. Issac: ¡°You''re not actually planning on eating all of that are you?¡± Quin: ¡°Wasting all of this would be blasphemy.¡± ¡°Yeah I''m pretty sure just saying that is blasphemous.¡± ¡°Try saying back in the day. Big freaking mistake.¡± With that short exchange they both dug into their food. It really was as delicious as it smelled. It looked and tasted a lot more like a pile of desserts than breakfast. Quin wanted to focus on his amazing meal but he couldn''t help noticing the constant irritation in Isaac''s eyes. And by eyes it really was just the eyes. For some reason Issac had refused to show his full face towards him. At first Quin thought of it as a precaution to patch him up like a doctor''s mask. But even after they left and now as they eat Issac would turn away from him to eat. He obviously wasn''t planning on sharing his appearance. This only made him curious again. He finished a few more bites and said. ¡°So petty huh.¡± ¡°Get used to it.¡± Issacs tone was as mean as ever. But Quin didn''t back down: ¡°Is that why you won''t give me details? Issac, seemingly annoyed by the comments, took a break from eating: ¡°You''re the mystery time traveller here. Isn''t it better to be cautious against the unknown? For all I know you''ll try to change what happened and wipe my current self out or something.¡± Quin was shocked by his theories: ¡°Wow, that''s dark. I''m not some travelling psycho you know. I don''t go around killing off those who might oppose me one day.¡± Issac: ¡°I don''t know that.¡± Quin: ¡°But I do. Anyway I told you before it just doesn''t work like that.¡± Issac shook his head: ¡°You also said that the situation was impossible yet here we are.¡± ¡°True but I''m not wrong about this.¡± ¡°Then explain it properly.¡± Quin stuffed a final bite down his throat and went on to explain what he could: ¡°That gadget thing you saw. It creates openings I can enter that send me to random points in the past. Once there I can open a new portal back to the present. Present being my present and nothing beyond what I know. Meaning no jumping to the future. I like to think that''s because the future is too vast and uncontrollable to be seen. Whatever the case it''s simply not in my power. Everything up to the present is already set in stone therefore nothing I do in the past matters. Thus the ¡®past event sight seer¡¯ title. This isn''t based on science or something, it''s just what I''ve experienced and tested. I''ve done all sorts of crazy things in the past and been to many important moments in history and yet I''ve never once been recorded in anything. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. I don''t know if I''m just participating in some fake rerun of moments in history or if it just always works out to exclude my presence. I don''t know if it''s good luck or bad luck but I''ve never been able to reunite with a single person from the past I jump to. Anyway it''s also a random portal jump. I have no control over where or when I show up. And that''s pretty much it.¡± Quin once again continued to scarf down his meals. Issac took this time to think about it all. He really had no way to prove anything yet. All he could do was consider if all the information was true. Issac: ¡°Wait, does that mean you don''t know where you are now?¡± Quin answered with a muffled voice: ¡°Yehuh.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Issac turned on a very clear voice and explained, ¡°This is Esterfield. It''s known for its wide range of food and park attractions. It''s an above average size town with most traveller needs. Anyone to stop by is bound to have a decent stay. For years they held the record for most participants in small town events as people would come in from towns all over to join in the festivities.¡± Quin gave a soft applaud: ¡°Wow. Someone knows their town facts.¡± Issac: ¡°Shut up. Anyone who visits this place should know at least that much. It''s more strange for someone to not know. Especially during their open park seasons.¡± Quin nodded in understanding and drank the rest of his drink. Looking towards the towering rides in the distance he mumbled, ¡°Sounds like fun.¡± ________ The two finished up their meals and headed towards the shopping district. This was Quins idea: ¡°Let''s stop by the bank first.¡± Issac kept his tone uninterested: ¡°Do what you want.¡± When Quin came back out he had a fresh card and a full coin pouch. Issac gave a suspicious look: ¡°So are you rich or something? I can''t see how you could keep a job.¡± Quin defended himself: ¡°Maybe not permanent positions but I can do small things here and there depending on where I am. But in the present I have an emergency fund and savings. You know so I don''t starve. As long as there''s a bank I can restock. Now we can properly shop!¡± __________ It was a crowded street but that didn''t stop Quin from going from storefront to storefront. After window shopping for a while he eventually entered a clothing store. As he strolled through all the options he picked out many outfits to try on. He talked while eyeing the options: ¡°You never answered.¡± Issac: ¡°What?¡± Quin: ¡°Now that I''ve explained, you should too.¡± Issac walked through the isles picking some stuff out for himself: ¡°I''ve already told you the important stuff.¡± ¡°What about your name?¡± ¡°You know my name.¡± ¡°But you said that you want to keep your identity to yourself just in case I try something.¡± ¡°So?¡± ¡°If I could recognize you when I meet you wouldn''t I know to be careful?¡± Issac shook his head: ¡°Wouldn''t matter if everything is set in stone.¡± Quin was taken aback: ¡°Hmm?¡± Issac explained: ¡°Back then you didn''t recognize me. We seemed to have met for the very first time. Which means that you either faked our first meeting or you couldn''t tell it was me.¡± Quin: ¡°Well I probably couldn''t tell because you''re hiding your face.¡± Issac: ¡°And what if by that point you already saw my face?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Quin felt that there were too many unanswered questions to start jumping at possibilities this early on: ¡°I feel like we''re bound to start contradicting ourselves. There''s simply too many ways it could have gone. Since we are in the present we should both act on what we each think is more likely.¡± Issac nodded: ¡°The fact is I know you betrayed someone. My opinion of you is already tainted. I have no trust in you and I don''t want to be acquainted with you.¡± Quin nodded back: ¡°Well that''s fine. Having someone to stop me from making any bad decisions doesn''t sound all that bad. Although¡­¡± ¡°What now?¡± ¡°If you''re meant to follow me until that point, where was the current you to stop me?¡± ¡°Who knows, maybe you betrayed me as well.¡± ¡°Damn you''re pessimistic.¡± ¡°You should understand something. I''m following you now not to stop you. It already happened so there''s nothing I can do.¡± ¡°So why bother?¡± Issac met his eyes and explained in a clear voice: ¡°I''m assuming that by following you I''ll be somewhere nearby when it finally happens. Then once you''ve betrayed that poor kid I''ll find you and probably pummel you to death.¡± Quin was speechless in the face of his most likely genuine threat. Eventually he got some words out: ¡° Not really looking forward to that¡± Issacs glare relaxed again: ¡°Well then I recommend having a really good reason to defend yourself by then.¡± Quin tried to laugh: ¡°Yeah. Right. Anyway I gotta get these sized.¡± ¡°Mhmm.¡± Quin went to talk with a store attendant and tried on the clothes. Issac already bought his items and waited nearby. After fifteen minutes Quin used his card to check out. Before leaving he got some paper and a pen from his bag. He leaned on a counter and carefully wrote a letter. Sealing it he handed it over to the attendant who called the store manager. The manager took the letter and left. The store attendant then happily sent the two off: ¡°Thank you for shopping with LyreCal.¡± Issac had watched the whole interaction and couldn''t help but ask: ¡°The hell was that?¡± ¡°Just a letter.¡± Issac gave a skeptical gaze: ¡°You''re sending a letter through a clothing store?¡± Quin met his questions with an easygoing smile: ¡°Yup. And my old clothes as well.¡± ¡°I was wondering why you changed. And I still don''t have an answer. Lyrical?¡± Quin nodded:¡°Same sounds with different spellings.¡± Issac: ¡°Okay?¡± ¡°I always send things this way. It''s like a VIP member perk.¡± Quin decided to stop being vague and explained: ¡°It''s a worldwide brand so I can usually find one every few portal jumps. I can''t take everything I pick up with me. It''s just easier to have this connection.¡± Issac seemed unconvinced: ¡°Don''t tell me you have some house somewhere. How would you ever see it if you''re constantly somewhere else?¡± Quin smiled and clarified: ¡°I don''t see it. It''s just a place to keep my things. If one day I pack it all in and stay in the present I''ll have things to look back on. That''s all.¡± ¡°Right. Whatever you say.¡± Quin: ¡°Now then more shopping. And more importantly more food!¡± Issac: ¡°Whatever man.¡± Quin once again continued to move from store to store. Everything he found seemed exciting to him. Clothes. Trinkets. Snacks. Drinks. Especially the restaurants. At every new kind he found he said they should make plans to eat there. He only planned to eat at the restaurants. It was the food stalls that actually took his money. And there were a lot. He just had to buy at least one of everything. Nothing could be left untasted. His energy was simply unmatched. At some point Issac wondered if following him for even an hour was even worth it. Despite his internal complaints he still kept up at every turn. After a while it was Quins'' turn to be shocked. He knew of his habits. Many had told him that his focus was all over the place. Especially when he was excited. He wasn''t trying to tire Issac out and was actually impressed by his efforts. Thus he did his best to stay in sight. Quin efforts however were not enough as he would constantly find himself distracted and running to something new. Only when he stopped for a moment would he remember his new ¡®company¡¯. More than once Quin was relieved to find Issac somewhere nearby. Never truly out of sight. Treasure hunt After a day of binging and sightseeing Quin and Issac finally called it a day and chose one of the many restaurants to eat at. Issac hadn''t eaten as much as Quin and was fully ready to eat. Meanwhile Quin had been eating like there was no tomorrow. After sitting down and checking the menu they each ordered their meals. Just as before Quin ordered about four separate meals. Shocked, Issac stared at the mountain of food before them. He couldn''t help but comment: ¡°You can''t actually want to still eat. There''s no way.¡± Quin inhaled the delicious aroma filling the air: ¡°I''m happy to share.¡± Issac scoffed: ¡°Don''t expect me to finish that for you.¡± ¡°Not finish. Share.¡± Quin clarified. ¡° I got to eat too. I''m still hungry.¡± ¡°Be honest.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Does being a time traveller require a lot of energy?¡± Quin gave a curious look: ¡°No, why?¡± ¡°Hmm. Time to eat.¡± With that Issac started on his own food. Eating quietly the thought that Quin probably had two stomachs. No wait, maybe twelve.in the end he decided that if Quin really was different internally he didn''t need or want to know. Quin had no clue what Issac was imagining and continued to fill his singular stomach enjoying every bite. _______ After eating they both decided to sleep early. Issac went back to the room he had booked previously and Quin booked the vacant room across the hall. Glaring at him, Issac reminded him: ¡°Don''t even think about running away.¡± Quin gave him a smile: ¡°As if. You have my lifeline.¡± ¡°Whatever, just don''t go wandering without telling me first.¡± Quin gave an exaggerated solute: ¡°You got it boss. Have fantastic sleep and scrumptious dreams.¡± Shutting the door, Quin got ready for bed and went to sleep. Issac did the same. The last thing he thought of was Quins ¡®scrumptious dreams¡¯ comment. Why would anyone want to eat in their dreams after eating that much? Maybe his eating is why he''s so energetic. Or is it the other way around? ________ Day three. Issac awoke to a racket from the next room over which was then followed by a loud thud. Still half asleep he gets up and stretches. His last few days had been far more exciting than usual. He held a grudge against someone he barely knew. The years went by and he almost let it slip his mind. Then he saw him. The owner of his childhood resentment. And he couldn''t even get revenge. Issac looks towards the clock on the wall. He confronted his enemy then patched his wounds only to eat and shop with the guy. It was no wonder why he slept in so late. Taking a deep breath Issac reluctantly got out of bed. Moving towards the table he grabs his bag and starts rummaging through it. After digging around he pulled out a much smaller black bag that rattled as he tucked it into his pocket. He then left the room and leaned on the doorframe of Quins room. Issac banged on Quins door. There was no response. He tried again and called out: ¡°Anyone in there?¡± No response. His knocks left unanswered Issac pulled a couple of silver thin tools from his pocket. The door knob rattled as he skillfully unlocked the door. His tools back in his pocket, Issac turned the handle and walked into the room. After scanning the room he was met with Quin seemingly still asleep on the floor with one leg still on the bed. He fell off. Issac was surprised to find him still sleeping in his current situation. Not because he fell off the bed. But because he somehow took a solid wood chair with him landing it directly on his chest. ¡°It must''ve winded him mid dream.¡± Issac thought. Now either he''s been knocked unresponsive or he is an extremely deep sleeper. ¡°Hey time traveller.¡± Quin continued to snore. Issac preceded by kicking his arm: ¡°Hello. Are you still alive or what?¡± This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Quin held his sore arm but didn''t wake up. Issac laughed in disbelief: ¡°This guy. What do I have to do? Stab you?¡± Mumbling to the bathroom Issac returned with a cup of freezing water. Squatting down he pours the cup directly onto Quins face. Thinking that wouldn''t be enough he immediately followed up by holding his nose shut. Quin was instantly woken up by this. ¡°Oh crap not again!¡± He said, wiping his face. Quin wasn''t wearing his glasses and stared off in confusion. A pain from his forehead caused him to jump. Looking towards the culprit he asked, rubbing his forehead: ¡°Did you just flick me?¡± ¡°Nope. Do you often wake up under water?¡± Despite Issacs shameless lie Quin answered honestly: ¡°It''s certainly been known to happen.¡± ¡°Huh.¡± Issac spoke as if he were impressed: ¡°You''re completely defenceless against attacks but at least you can respond to water.¡± ¡°Is that sarcasm?¡± Issac shook his head not so seriously: ¡°No, I''m serious. Everyone knows a sleeping person''s biggest threat is the tap.¡± ¡°Hah. Funny. Do you need something?¡± Issac finally answered honestly: ¡°Just checking on the commotion. Wouldn''t want you escaping or something.¡± Quin: ¡°Lifeline, remember?¡± Issac: ¡°I''m not entirely convinced quite yet.¡± Quin yawned: ¡°That''s fine.¡± Moving the chair off of himself and climbing back up onto his bed Quin winced: ¡°Oh. Speaking of my lifeline.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I am about eighty percent sure that I''ve both dislocated my shoulder and cracked a rib.¡± Issac stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Are you still there? Issa-? Ow! The hell?¡± Before he could finish Issac had grabbed him checking for both injuries: ¡°Damn you really did.¡± ¡°Yeah I noticed. What do you say healer? You think I could get some help here?¡± ¡°Yeah yeah wait here.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Issac left to his own room and returned with the gadget in hand: ¡°Here, do your thing magic boy.¡± Quin scoffed: ¡°I''ll have you know that there''s some science behind this stuff.¡± ¡°You expect me to believe that it''s a kind of technology?¡± ¡°Well kind of.¡± ¡°Then explain it.¡± Quin was silent. ¡°What is it secret or something?¡± Quin shook his head: ¡°No. It''s just that this stuff goes way over my head.¡± ¡°I can imagine. Honestly I don''t really care what it is.¡± ¡°Yeah I figured.¡± After a few moments the light patterns faded from Quins skin. The gadget''s glow faded as he handed it back to Issac: ¡°All good as new.¡± Issac took the gadget and questioned: ¡°How did you even manage to get that hurt?¡± Quin shrugged: ¡°What can I say, I''m an aggressive sleeper. I told you I''m prone to injuries.¡± Issac rolled his eyes: ¡°And now I know.¡± Issac checked the clock on the wall: ¡°It''s nearly lunchtime. We slept in and missed breakfast.¡± Quin shook his head: ¡°Not true, we can just mix lunch with breakfast.¡± Issac remembered the void that consumed all that food yesterday: ¡°Yeah. You do that. Get ready, we''re going soon.¡± Issac walked towards the door. ¡°You got it boss.¡± Quin felt the nightstand for his glasses but found only an empty space: ¡°Hey have you seen my glasse-¡± A familiar smack to his face cut him off. Feeling his glasses on his face he continued. ¡°Yup that''s them. Thanks I think.¡± Issac spoke as he left the room: ¡°Still pissed.¡± Quin called out to respond: ¡°And I don''t hold it against you.¡± Back to a regular voice he comforted himself: ¡°It''s okay. We''ll get there.¡± _______ Quin and Issac had a unique mix of lunch and breakfast foods at one of the many restaurants Quin pointed out. After eating the hearty meal Quin made his way towards the long wide road leading to the park gates. Seeing the large park rides Issac swiftly stopped him: ¡°You''re joking.¡± Quin continued walking: ¡°About what?¡± ¡°You don''t plan on riding on those do you?¡± ¡°I definitely wanted to.¡± ¡°Shouldn''t you wait a bit? Or was getting sick also something you wanted?¡± ¡°Oh relax, I''m not going to get sick. Besides, we''ll be walking around before actually riding anything.¡± ¡°You did that before too.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You''re over excited and easily distracted by practically everything yet before you actually bought anything you checked out all the stores first.¡± Quin remembered yesterday''s outing: ¡°Hmm. I guess so.¡± ¡°You don''t have a reason?¡± Quin shrugged: ¡°I don''t know. I just think it''s better that way. I probably picked it up after constantly getting lost. As someone who easily loses focus I''ve had a tendency to get lost in unknown places.¡± ¡°I can imagine.¡± As they reached the gate Quin pulled out his card buying a few game tickets and a wristband. Once inside the park he stopped in front of the park map. It was a very wide map with every ride and game labeled. There were all sorts of other attractions such as plays, haunted houses, water rides, obstacle courses, adventure trails, and arcades. There was much to offer for all ages. Eventually Quin got tired of reading and decided to just let the park surprise him: ¡°Let''s just take a map pamphlet and see what we can get through today.¡± ¡°Do you plan on doing everything?¡± Quin shook his head: ¡°Probably not. I''ll just see what looks interesting and go when I get bored.¡± ¡°Right.¡± They each grabbed a pamphlet and stepped towards the park. Next to the park map was a bulletin board with many different attractions being advertised. One of these advertisements was slightly larger than the rest and sat directly in the middle of the board. Quin glanced at the paper and froze upon reading it. Issac stopped and turned back: ¡°What is it?¡± A cheerful smile appeared on Quins face: ¡°I''ve changed my mind.¡± ¡°What?¡± Quin looked towards Issac and spoke with a determined tone: ¡°I''ve decided to stay for the month.¡± He was clearly more excited than before. Issac turned to read the advertisement: ¡°The whole month? What for?¡± Issac read the ad: ¡°Oh no.¡± ¡°I have to do this.¡± Issac suddenly felt like this trip was about to get way more troublesome: ¡°Isn''t the park enough as it is?¡± ¡°But this makes it so much better.¡± The ad was for the town''s annual treasure hunt. Every year Esterfield holds a month-long attraction sponsored by not only the whole town but everyone who participates. Everyone is open to join the race at any point during the month and log their winnings for the final day. Once entered everyone is to go around not only the park but the entire town and surrounding areas finding and completing tasks. Everyone is free to pick and choose which tasks and games they want to try. For each completed win you or your team get a certain number of points. Those with the most points at the end are marked on a leaderboard. The higher up on the leaderboard the bigger the prize. Quin was once again oozing with excitement: ¡°This is an amazing opportunity.¡± Issac was back to feeling tired and annoyed: ¡°What happened to leaving once you''re bored? Quin easily retorted: ¡°How could I get bored when I''m busy competing for wins?¡± ¡°Please don''t tell me you''re a very competitive person.¡± ¡°Oh relax, I''m only occasionally competitive.¡± ¡°How''s that work?¡± ¡°I don''t actually care if I win or lose against the other contestants.¡± Quin explained. ¡°Oh yeah?¡± ¡°It''s true I don''t. I just really want to see how far I can make it. This is my only chance to see how I''d fare against this specific competition. No matter what place I get I''ll never be able to get a rematch. I can only get better for the next race.¡± ¡°In that case you''d only be competing with yourself. And you said I was pessimistic.¡± ¡°Because you are.¡± ¡°Well I''m not the one assuming that they''re forever isolated only able to compete with themselves.¡± Quin didn''t know how to respond: ¡°You''re the type to speak what you think huh?¡± ¡°Just calling it as it is.¡± Quin continued to smile: ¡°Direct, blatant and to the point is it?¡± Issac sneered: ¡°Whatever.¡± Issac headed over to a park attendant. ¡°Damn. Cold isn''t he.¡± Quin caught up with Issac: ¡°We''ll be alright. I''m actually pretty resistant to freezing temperatures.¡± Issac furrowed his brow: ¡°What?¡± Quin didn''t respond so Issac got them signed up with the park attendant. Race begins With a new map that vaguely showed the whereabouts of different tasks the two began to discuss where to start. Walking through the park Quin spotted an ice cream stand. Naturally, he decided to buy one: ¡°Since the rides are included I think we should start with them. Start at the park and work our way out.¡± ¡°Does that mean we''ll be going on rides all day?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, we can take breaks if you start to feel sick.¡± ¡°Me?¡± Issac scoffed: ¡°I''m not the one eating his way through the park.¡± ¡°Well I won''t get sick.¡± ¡°Well neither am I.¡± Quin: ¡°Well then I guess we''re in agreement.¡± Issac rolled his eyes: ¡°Whatever. You throw up on me and I might kill you instinctively.¡± Quin tilted his head: ¡°Seems like a bit of an overreaction but fine.¡± The ice cream vendor who overheard as he scooped their ice cream spoke up: ¡°Will you two be participating in the treasure hunt this year?¡± Quin happily started a new conversation with someone less moody. He smiled and responded: ¡°Yes we are. And we''re hoping to win the big prize.¡± The vendor was pleased with his enthusiasm: ¡°I see. It''s good to set your sights high. Or are you just that confident?¡± Quin nodded: ¡°Just hoping for the best and working to achieve it. It''s more fun with a clear goal.¡± The vendor nodded in return: ¡°That''s very true. Well then I''ll wish the two of you good luck.¡± He handed the ice cream over: ¡°It might be more difficult than you think.¡± Quin took the ice cream: ¡°I''m planning on it.¡± ¡°Although as a park worker I should let you know.¡± Quin got to work on his dessert: ¡°What is it?¡± The vendor''s expression grew somewhat pensive as he spoke: ¡°It''s about the state of things in recent years. We try to tell all the new participants as a warning.¡± ¡°That doesn''t sound good.¡± ¡°Oh it''s not too bad. We''ve just had a few troubles in the last few years.¡± ¡°That''s too bad. We won''t back out or anything so feel free to fill us in.¡± ¡°Well then bear with me a moment.¡± The vendor went on to explain the park and town''s trouble in the last few years. Short form. A few years back a couple of teens started messing around at the task sights. It was simple kid stuff but after a while they realized that they actually had a shot at winning the prize. After that more troublemakers began to cause problems near the sights. With their own groups taking over the leaderboard positions less participants had a chance at earning prizes. A lot of the bigger tasks and rules had been kept for many years and not many were willing to change them. Since it was the town''s own youth they figured they could handle it appropriately. Then the next year came and even more problems came with it. Many of the task areas have been left deserted and unreachable because of those kids. The only reason the game is still held is because not all participants play for prizes. The closer to the middle of town a task is the less troublemakers there are to mess with participants. Those who join can still have fun but the chances of winning the prizes goes down every year. Since they haven''t actually done anything that breaks the rules and they haven''t lost the game completely the town can''t just not give them the prizes. However if this keeps up come five years down the line the game might really be shut down. It''s a troubling but internal problem that the town has been devising ways to deal with. They don''t go telling the outsider participants to scare them away. They just give advance notice of the situation so no more unneeded fights break out. Instead certain parts of the map are marked as a no go area for such participants. The town has created other tasks closer to the park. But since the unplayable games are worth so many points this tactic only barely gives newcomers a chance. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°I see.¡± Quin nodded in understanding: ¡°So it''s better to stay away from troublemakers.¡± Vendor: ¡°There are plenty of points to be earned closer to this area.¡± Quin: ¡°But if I want to make it to a good spot on the leaderboard I''d be creating a conflict.¡± The vendor seemed a little worried about them losing their enthusiasm. He did his best to alleviate the situation: ¡°It''s possible that you might not run into too much trouble. It''s not like they attack anyone who gets near. They''re just really good at blocking the way to the tasks.¡± The vendor explained: ¡°Plenty of participants got hung up on the bigger games and spent too much time trying to get by them. It''s fun to have some unique characters adding more adversity to the trials. But it''s just gotten to be so much during the last few years.¡± Quin: ¡°I do like some difficulty.¡± Vendor: ¡°Anyway it''s up to you. You won''t find any help from the game masters in those areas. They''ve changed the missions so they can be done however the participants see fit. You''re free to play as you want. I just urge you to not get too hung up on a blocked task.¡± Quin nodded: ¡°I got it. Thanks for the info. I honestly might have caused a few problems without it. Now I can play without worries.¡± ¡°Well thank you for deciding to continue playing.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Quin thought that the vendor still looked a little worried. So he tried to relieve his nerves: ¡°You''ll see. I''ll get loads of points.¡± The vendor, met with Quins resilient enthusiasm, smiled in return: ¡°I''m looking forward to it.¡± _______ Issac and Quin continued through the park. Quin: ¡°You were quite quiet back there.¡± ¡°I don''t really care. I''m just keeping you in sight.¡± Quin: ¡°Well I think you should have some fun while you''re at it.¡± ¡°Whatever.¡± Quin: ¡°Okay let''s start with riding every park ride then move on to the games. They gave us a camera so I''m assuming we have to get some evidence of each completed task.¡± Issac: ¡°Weren''t you listening at all?¡± ¡°I''m going to be honest.¡± Quin shook his head: ¡°Not even a little.¡± ¡°So you''ll listen to the ice cream vendor but zone out during the rules.¡± ¡°Yeah that''s right. Wow you know me so well already.¡± ¡°Shut up and listen. Throughout the town and park are marked attractions. To complete the task you might need to explore an attraction, ride specific rides or win a specific challenge. You get points for each task which the game masters can award you. For unmanned attractions we use the camera to get proof. We show the photos to the GMs and they log our points for the month. Our place on the leaderboard will be shown during the last week. We can try to move up from there during the last few days. All points are logged and the final winners are released on the last day.¡± Quin: ¡°How many days are left?¡± ¡°The game started three days ago. It''s a thirty day period.¡± ¡°So today plus twenty-seven days left.¡± ¡°Something like that.¡± Quin checked the map: ¡°So we should get all the rides done this week. And the games and attractions after that. Then we''ll find all the hidden tasks and finally end with the troubled tasks.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Quin: ¡°What, is that not a good schedule? We can move it around if we get tired or caught up in something.¡± ¡°No that''s not it. Do you plan on doing the ¡®troubled¡¯ tasks?¡± ¡°No.¡± Quin handed Issac the map: ¡°We plan on doing the troubled tasks.¡± ¡°You''re joking. You were listening to that guy right?¡± Quin nodded: ¡°I was and he said that it wasn''t impossible.¡± ¡°I thought you didn''t care about reaching the top spot.¡± ¡°True but how can I test my ability if I don''t try?¡± ¡°There''s nothing to test.¡± ¡°They''re stopping people from trying the tasks. Thus making themselves a part of the tasks.¡± ¡°So you want to see if you can get past them?¡± ¡°I know I can get past them. What I want is to see how many points I can get this month despite the obstacles.¡± ¡°That''s annoying.¡± ¡°Well you could always stop following me.¡± Issac glared at him: ¡°Don''t get smart.¡± ¡°I''m just kidding.¡± Quin patted his shoulder: ¡°It''d actually be nice to get some help. This''ll be a team effort.¡± Issac brushed his hand away: ¡°Who said I''d help you?¡± Quin gestured to his necklace: ¡°You''re the one with the handheld doctor.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I told you already. I have some amazing bad luck. Clumsy isn''t even enough to describe me. And since you''re following me you might get caught up in it. If I fail a task and you try it alone you might fail too. It''s better to go in as a team so that you can help when things inevitably go wrong.¡± Issac found his explanation even more annoying: ¡°I want to say you''re overreacting but after this morning I might have to rethink for my own safety.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Winning the disagreement, Quins enthusiasm grew: ¡°Now then we have about 15 rides to get through so let''s go!¡± Issac sighed as Quin started running towards the rides: ¡°Something tells me that this is going to get loud.¡± Issac was right. It did get loud. Quins screaming was louder than any man woman or child around them. Whether from joy or fright he was always freaking out about something. At some point Issac even tried to sit away from him. Those around him however made it blatantly obvious that Quin was his problem. No matter what ride Issac was left sitting directly next to Quin. That night Issac had a headache that felt like a concussion and after finishing his dinner went to bed without a word. Quin was still full of energy and decided to go eat a late night snack. He assumed that despite Issacs words he really did get sick after so many rides. Not wanting him to get too mad he left Issac to sleep and found a nearby restaurant. He kept in mind what Issac said about leaving without him and made sure to eat someplace in view of the inn. ______ Quin ordered his usual mountain of food and got to eating. He made marks on the map and worked through their next day activities. Finishing his meal he put away his stuff only to find a crowd of customers and staff watching him. Quin knew that he ate a little more than the normal person but he''s never got a response this big: ¡°What?¡± ¡°It''s .. that''s amazing!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Are you by chance participating in the game this year?¡± Quin turned towards the waiter: ¡°I certainly am.¡± ¡°Well then congratulations dear customer! You have just completed this night restaurant''s hidden task!¡± ¡°I did?¡± ¡°You did!¡± Another staff member spoke up: ¡°This restaurant''s task is a food competition. To win you have to beat the record of the last person to win. These records are kept hidden so your only option is to eat until you''re full!¡± Quin nodded mindlessly: ¡°Oh a hidden task indeed.¡± The manager spoke up: ¡°And you''ve just accomplished that task times two! One of our winners just so happened to be an avid competitive food eater. Ever since then only food challenge winners have ever completed this challenge.¡± A customer spoke up: ¡° Exactly! So watching you eat all that and beat the record like it was nothing. Well it was surprising to say the least.¡± ¡°Oh I see.¡± The crowd''s goofy smiles brought one to Quins face as well: ¡°Well I''m as shocked as you are.¡± The manager laughed: ¡°Well anyway. The points for this task are higher than the other food related ones because of the rise in difficulty each win. If you have your camera on you then we can log your points right now.¡± ¡°Yeah I have it.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± The waiter went behind the counter and returned with a winners plaque: ¡°Here you are. Just hold this and we''ll take the picture. What''s your name?¡± ¡°It''s Quin.¡± The manager opened the registration list: ¡°Quin Shields and Issac?¡± Quin gave thumbs up: ¡°That''s us.¡± ¡°Well then you have been awarded fifteen points.¡± ¡°Thank you very much.¡± The timer beeped as all the staff and customers piled in behind Quin. It was an exciting win with many happy witnesses to provide proof. The camera snapped a photo filled with smiling faces surrounding a slightly confused but willing to roll with it Quin. The manager also took his own photo and placed it up on the wall of winners. Quin said his goodbyes and placed his photo in his bag. The crowd cheered for him as he happily skipped back to the inn. In his room he got ready for bed and quickly fell to sleep. _______ Haunted house Day four. After a good night''s sleep Issac no longer felt the raging headache. Knocking on Quins door he was semi surprised as Quin opened it dressed and ready for the day: ¡°You''re up early today. No injuries I assume.¡± ¡°It''s never best to assume with me. I nearly suffocated in the blanket.¡± ¡°How the hell?¡± ¡°Forget it, it''s time to collect us some more points!¡± ¡°Some more?¡± ¡°That''s right. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I obtained some points yesterday.¡± ¡°At that restaurant?¡± Quin nodded proudly: ¡°Yup. Apparently they had a secret task there and I happened to succeed in beating it. Lucky huh?¡± ¡°Sure that''s one way to call it. Unless.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°It''s possible that your ¡®close calls¡¯ come from your luck being used on such meaningless things.¡± Quins words were caught in his throat. Issac had successfully shocked him. He then brought the distracted Quin to the same breakfast table as the previous day. Snapping back to reality Quin frowned: ¡°Hey I wanted to go to that other place.¡± Esterfield had an abundance of food spots. Quin could eat at a new breakfast place every day and not repeat for at least half a month. Issac checked the menu: ¡°No way. I want to eat here.¡± ¡°I thought you were the one following me here.¡± Issac didn''t look up: ¡°Didn''t you say to do what I want?¡± Quin reluctantly picked up his own menu mumbling: ¡°I didn''t mean mess with my meal plans.¡± ¡°Quit pouting, this place has great breakfast options.¡± ¡°Yeah I noticed because we ate here yesterday.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Quin realized that sometimes Issac gets in these annoying moods. His ability to talk you in circles until you give up was really hard to deal with. Usually Issac only did this occasionally to mess with people but Quin hasn''t known him long enough to know that. Therefore he logged it as one of Issac''s annoying traits. Having already decided to partner with Issac this month he figured it was best to keep each other in good spirits. Giving up, he happily ordered about the same as yesterday. With a few new daily specials of course. Issac: ¡°Well you certainly don''t stay upset for long.¡± ¡°If you want to eat here today then that''s fine. We''ll try the other places another time.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Yup. And besides you''re right about this place having a delicious menu.¡± Issac lowered his eyebrows: ¡°Whatever.¡± The food arrived and they ate in silence. Quin was quiet because he was eating a lot. Issac was quiet because he was slightly annoyed. He preferred when Quin was upset. He grumbled internally: ¡°This idiot is just too optimistic sometimes.¡± After eating they followed the same route as yesterday continuing down the long list of rides left unchecked. Day four ended much the same as day three. Quins dolphin shriek was as loud as ever. And Issac ended his day with yet another headache. Quin went out for his late night snack. He found a new night restaurant and ordered one of everything. This place really was meant for late night snacking and only served small portions of their food. After each new item, he''d eat then continue down the menu and order the next. After reaching the end of the list he decided to pack up for the night and got up to leave. A tug on his arm pulled him away from the door. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°Wait wait, don''t leave yet.¡± Quin turned around: ¡°Do you need something?¡± ¡°Are you by chance participating in this year''s game?¡± This felt familiar. The person speaking was one of the restaurant''s staff. Following close behind were the manager with a certificate and another waiter holding a participants list. Quin responded with a nod: ¡°I certainly am.¡± Happy faces spread across the room. Similar to the previous night''s events Quin had unknowingly completed a restaurant''s food task. ¡°To order one of everything on the menu!¡± One of the customers cheerfully enlightened him. Quin gave his name, took the photo with the crowd and headed back to the inn. After cleaning himself up he went to bed. His eyes closed he thought: ¡°I wonder why these restaurants have such easy tasks?¡± None of the hidden food tasks were meant to be easy. Quin often forgot that it was his own eating habits that were strange and assumed that the tasks were level one difficulty. Day five. After three days of park exploring , Quin and Issac finally completed all of the rides. Earning their twenty points they went to a new dinner restaurant to eat. Quin: ¡°You don''t seem as dizzy today.¡± Issac: ¡°Watch it.¡± ¡°What? It''s not like it''s my fault you get sick after a few rides.¡± It was his fault. That many rides might make a normal person a little sick. But it was actually Quin''s constant screaming that caused most of Issac''s damage. Quin was obviously completely oblivious to this fact and instead took it as Issac having a weak stomach. Issac stopped glaring at him and ate his food silently. ¡°What did I say?¡± Day six. Today Quin met Issac in his room: ¡°Okay so now that we''re finally done with the themed rides we can move on. Arcade games or adventure courses?¡± ¡°Aren''t you forgetting something?¡± Quin checked the map: ¡°I don''t think so. We''ve done everything in this area so moving down the path we have the courses and the games.¡± Issac pointed to a house on the map: ¡°Here.¡± Unblinking, Quin looked at the house: ¡°I.. I think we''re good.¡± ¡°You''re skipping it?¡± ¡°Look I don''t know if you''ve noticed but I can get a little jumpy when things get scary.¡± Issac tilted his head with a suspicious look: ¡°You may have been screaming but I''m pretty sure you were having a blast.¡± ¡°True. But haunted houses are different.¡± ¡°You''re scared of haunted houses?¡± ¡°Less the houses and more the darkness.¡± ¡°There''s no way you''re scared of the dark.¡± ¡°Relax, I''m not afraid of the dark, I just get a little fidgety when I can''t see properly.¡± ¡°Oh yeah, the fainting.¡± ¡°Oi you were the one appearing out of nowhere.¡± ¡°You still knocked yourself out though.¡± ¡°You''re not wrong.¡± ¡°Anyway, let''s do it.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°We''re doing the haunted house. It''s an easy task. We just have to explore the place and get out. Easy.¡± Quin was flabbergasted: ¡°Okay I know that you like to do whatever you set your mind on but I really don''t think that we should.¡± Issac got up: ¡°It''ll be fine. In fact it''ll be great. We''re going.¡± His arm being pulled, Quin was dragged out of the inn. They got breakfast to go and Issac led them straight to the haunted house. Greeting the GM, they entered the building. It was dark but not blinding. The path was lit enough to see where you were going. After a minute or so Quins nerves had actually relaxed. He really wasn''t all that terrified at these kinds of things. It was his own reactions to danger that really put him on edge. After turning a corner Quin suddenly felt like he was being watched. He paused in his step and turned to look behind them. Hearing a sound Issac also turned back. There was nothing but darkness. The two looked at each other and turned to face forward again only to be met with a loud thud as something hit the ground before them. Both were quiet. Issac was the first to move. He bent down and turned the heavy object over. It was a corpse. A fake corpse obviously. He raised his eyebrows and turned back to face Quin. Eyes wide, Quin stared at the corpse with a blank look. ¡°You die of fright?¡± Quin blinked: ¡°Almost.¡± Suddenly he smiled his usual smile and laughed a little: ¡°This really is kind of cool isn''t it?¡± Issac frowned and stood up. Quin was spooked but it was only for a moment and couldn''t even compare to when he knocked himself out: ¡°I thought you said that you were scared of coming here?¡± ¡°Well I''m definitely concerned about it.¡± ¡°So what, it isn''t scary enough?¡± ¡°Oh no it looks very real. But it wasn''t the jumpscares that I was really worried about.¡± Issac thought for a moment. Thinking that they were done speaking, Quin stepped forward again. Issac suddenly stopped him: ¡°Look at me for a second.¡± Quin turned his head and before he could blink a hand had snatched away his glasses. He was petrified. ¡°You know what, I don''t think you need these right now.¡± Quin talked through his teeth: ¡°What?¡± ¡°I just feel like you''re not scared enough. And what''s the point of a haunted house if you aren''t even a little scared.¡± ¡°No no.¡± Quin quickly shook his head: ¡°I was scared. I was absolutely scared. It startled me stiff.¡± ¡°I just don''t buy it.¡± Issac stuffed the glasses in his bag and started moving forward: ¡°Now we can continue.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Quin immediately latched onto Issacs arm: ¡°Actually we shouldn''t do this! We should just go back. I thought this was supposed to be easy? Why make it more difficult? What was that sound?!?¡± Issac pried Quins hands off of him and continued moving forward. Quin was now almost blind as a bat in the darkness and was shrieking at every little sound he heard. ¡°Oh my god! Ahhhhh!! Issac! Where are my glasses? What is that?¡± Issac was finally amused by Quins reactions. The ear curdling scream was definitely a down side but after riding with him for days Issac has now grown a better resistance to it. Issac kept them at a swift pace and watched as Quin practically fumbled through each room. Surprisingly Quin is actually pretty agile even without his glasses. His shaky legs were coming from the constant jumpscares at each and every turn. By the time the two reached the center halfway point Quin had basically nailed himself to Issacs leg. At some point Issac couldn''t pry him off and decided to just leave him there. The centre room was slightly brighter than the other ones. Along the wall was a table with a fake skull and a card attached to it. Picking it up, Issac checked its contents. It read. Congratulations on making it here. This symbol on the wall is for your proof photo. Take a photo with yourself, the symbol and the skull go earn points! Issac shook Quin off his leg: ¡°Hey we made it. You can let go now.¡± Determined Quin held onto Issacs leg: ¡°As if. There''s still a part two. I know it.¡± ¡°That''s true but if you want the photo you have to get the camera out of your bag.¡± Quin grumbled but eventually slowly let go. Sitting up he opened his bag and grabbed the camera: ¡°So? Where is it?¡± ¡°It''s along this wall behind you. Here hold this.¡± Quin traded the camera for the object. He was still dazed from his agitated heart and held the object confused: ¡°Hey, what is this?¡± Looking at the symbol Issac responded with an indifferent tone: ¡°Human skull.¡± Quin had already spent all of his brain power on making it this far. He had long since lost the ability to differentiate between the props as real and fake. Upon hearing Issacs response he was sent into another state of shock. His eyes rolled back as he fainted the second the words reached his ears. Unfazed Issac bent down and caught Quin before he hit the ground. He then positioned himself, the unconscious Quin, along with the skull in his hand in front of the symbol and happily snapped the picture with a cheerful look in his eyes. Tucking away the photo and camera in his bag he put the skull back, grabbed Quins ankle and dragged him out. At the end of the path the smiling GM ready to add their points was speechless at the sight. After logging his points Issac continued to drag Quin''s unconscious self to a nearby bench. Tossing him to the side, Issac sat down himself and took this time to relax.