“What are we going to do with these two?” Noelle said.

“The same thing we did with the others, my dear. Knock them out.” I became unconscious. When I awoke, I was in a dark room. I had been stripped of my transmitter. I was still dressed in my black clothes, though. I had been untied, but around my neck was a chain, like a dog. I had a wide radius of motion though.

“Hello?” I said, in a half whisper.

“Adam? Is that you?”

“Michelle, are you okay?”

“Yes, somewhat. Laura is here too, but she’s still unconscious.”

“Where are we?”

“You’re in my torture chamber, Adam!” said Matt’s voice. “When I press this button, you and you’re friends will be free to go. But I must warn you. The only way out of this maze, is through this maze. Each of you has the same belongings, your clothes. Your task, to survive until the end. You can gain weapons only by combat.” I heard a click. “The game has begun.”

“But Laura hasn’t awoke yet.”

“So? Leave her.” The lights came up very dimly and I saw Michelle in her Dealership uniform, and Laura on the ground with her encyclopedia salesman uniform.

“Okay, wait until she has regained consciousness, and follow me.” I left the room.

The voice again rang. “Unfortunately, there is a mechanism that only allows you to pass, the two of them are locked in there. Now, you are the only hope.” I heard a door close behind me. I continued on until I came upon a pit. I successfully traversed the distance. “Oh, Adam. It seems we’ve found a friend of yours. She will appear on the next level!” Oh, no, they’ve found Tricia! I thought. I continued on and found the door to the next level. My clothes were transformed. “You have successfully completed the first level. Your damsel in distress awaits in yonder tower, asleep, until the kiss of her valiant rescuer is present upon her lips.” Oh swell. I was dressed in knight’s armor, somewhat. I had only a sword, no shield. As I approached the castle, I had to jump to plateaus of grass, swing on vines, and fight the Black Knight. All of which I did. I crossed the drawbridge, and went into the tower, only to find Noelle in a princesses’ clothing lying asleep in a bed. “But this isn’t a friend of mine!”

“Oh really?” said the voice. “Kiss her, and find out!” I reluctantly kissed her. Noelle awoke and took my sword. I followed her in vain, for she walked out a secret passage. “Here’s your friend.” A door opened in the ceiling and I heard something coming down. “Head’s up!” I quickly got over in time to catch Tricia’s falling body. She too was dressed as a princess. I kissed her too, but she didn’t wake up. I held her in both arms and proceeded to a doorway marked ‘Level 3′. I opened it and saw my worst nightmare. It was a big shopping mall.

I was dressed in a shirt, jeans and sneakers. Tricia was in a blouse, with a mini-skirt, which had those stirruped leotards underneath. Both of us were in blue. “This is the final level. Your goal here: To go through the mall without buying something. And Adam, you can’t tell Tricia about it, or you’ll lose her too.” Almost magically, Tricia awoke.