Escape City Sneak Peek
Escape City
Chapter 1
“No one ever told us that being wealthy meant wearing ridiculous ball gowns and meeting a bunch of people who look at us as if we don’t matter,” Naya scoffed to her father.
“I’m told it comes with the territory,” Naya’s father replied before taking a sip of his champagne. “Besides, we aren’t here for all of them. We are here for your mother. This is her moment.”
“I know,” Naya mumbled.
“At least she has a more noble reason for coming into money, unlike the majority of people in this room,” her father explained, his gaze drifting towards Naya’s mother’s beaming expression.
Naya knew her father was right. Her mother had managed to develop a more sustainable building material for housing and commercial construction, cutting down the usage of trees and resources that would change how humanity lived and lengthen the planet’s lifespan. Even though she was dressed as a queen in her shimmering silver ballgown and diamond earrings, she deserved to be here. At this charity event in particular, they were working to raise money for the homeless.
Naya for one hadn’t liked how wealth had swept their lives away like a high tide upon a sandcastle, wiping their slate clean. Now she was in a new fancy house and school with people who looked down upon her newfound wealth.
Naya’s mother turned toward them and waved her father over.
“Duty calls,” he said. “Just behave and smile and it will be over before you know it.”
Plastering a pained grin on her expression, Naya stepped backward until she was along the edge of the room, her bare shoulders brushing up against the scratchy pastel floral wallpaper.
She quickly tugged at the top of the strapless navy, floor-length dress her mother had chosen for her, feeling the bulkiness of the hem threatening to tug the whole thing down.
“Not a fan of parties,” a voice asked from her left.
“Not a fan of wealth, actually,” came Naya’s rebuttal before she turned to see that her snarky comment had been spoken to the famous Noah Bronston. “Oh, sorry.”
An amused grin formed on his handsome features as he nodded slowly, “No, don’t be. I appreciate the honesty.”
Noah Bronston came from a wealthy family, his grandfather having started their amusement park business fifty years ago before his father Vincent Bronston took over. Naya had seen Noah in the news under both positive and negative circumstances.
What Naya had always noticed was when his family photo was shared on the news or displayed at the amusement parks, Noah always looked distant, his smile never appearing to be one of genuine happiness.
“I mean, if you have time, I got loads more honesty for you,” Naya commented in an attempt to be seen as more than a sullen girl sitting in the corner at a big party.
“Sure thing,” he laughed, leaning against the wall next to her. “A little honesty is a breath of fresh air in the stuffy world of the wealthy.”
“How so?” Naya questioned.
“Well,” he gestured toward the crowd before them. “The mass of people in front of you consists of the wealthiest people in New York City. Families made of old money, and families who ruthlessly stole money from another just so that they could achieve a higher social status.”
Naya’s gaze raked over the crowd of smiling, well-dressed guests.
“All of whom jump at the chance to float their egos. These chances consist of bragging about who has the largest home to whose child is set to embark on the best career path. However, the lack of honesty comes in the form of how these things are acquired.”
“I see,” Naya commented.
“Now that you know a vet such as myself, you will survive this cutthroat world of the rich and famous,” he said with a smirk. “And we’re going to be as thick as thieves.”
Naya’s gaze lingered on Noah’s impeccable appearance. His tuxedo, sharp and tailored, exuded sophistication. Noah’s flawless complexion, basking in the soft glow of ambient light, accentuated the chiseled features that hinted at a life well-lived.
This is just a rich kid who is hoping a doe-eyed newbie like me will fall for his charm, Naya thought.
3 Weeks Later
Naya never would have guessed that Noah Bronston’s intentions had been pure and that he would in fact follow through with his claim that they would be as thick as thieves.
Not long after they’d met at the charity event, he introduced her to his many fans in a live video on his social media platform, bringing tons of new followers to her own social media accounts.
And that after just three weeks, he would be bringing her as his plus one to every party he attended, introducing her to people she’d only seen on a screen.
“You’ve been a busy bee, haven’t you?” Naya’s father asked at dinner time.
“Oh, you know, just trying to acclimate myself to a rich life,” Naya responded, sitting straighter in her seat with a smug smile. “Where’s mom?”
“She’s on her way home,” he answered, spearing a piece of steak with his fork. “She had a late meeting before the new initiative launches next week. I can tell she is worried sick that it won’t go well.”
“I feel as if she’s never home anymore.”
“Could say the same about you the past few weeks,” he retorted.
Before Naya could respond, her phone began to ring on the tabletop next to her plate.
“Naya, it’s dinner time,” her father scolded.
“I know, let me just answer and tell them I’ll call them back.”
Standing from the table, Naya answered the call and stepped into the living room.
“Noah, can I call you back in a little bit? I’m having dinner with my dad,” Naya asked.
“Sure thing! But when you call me back, be prepared to come to my party,” he answered above the music thumping in the background.
“Okay, I’ll call you back later.”
Naya returned to the table; her hands raised in surrender. “See, just as I said.”
“Thank you,” her father replied, his shoulders less squared now.
“Back to what I was going to say,” Naya continued her previous train of thought. “Dad, I finally found a friend to hang out with. And believe it or not, he likes that I’m honest and not like the other rich kids. I’m making sure my schoolwork gets done. Nothing is slipping as a result of the time I spend with him.”
“I know. I just…I miss our old life some days. The old us,” her father commented, his eyes glued to his food.
“Me too.”
The front door opened, Naya’s mother bustling into the kitchen, the metal zippers of her purse clanking as it hit the countertop, and her shoes clunking along the wooden floorboards, the sounds filling the partially unpacked room.
“Hello!” Naya’s mother called. “I’m so sorry I’m late. Once this new initiative launches, they won’t need me as much.”
“We saved you a plate of food,” Naya said.
“Thank you,” her mother said with a smile. “Oh, I see your father made steak.”
“New recipe,” her father said with pride, sitting straighter in his chair.
The rest of dinner went seemingly normal, as Naya’s parents prattled on about how work was going, and the unpacking left to do in the house. Naya felt herself slowly recede into the background, as if she were becoming a piece of the house, watching as her life moved on around her. Changing before her very eyes.
“I’ll clean up dinner and then Noah wants me to come to a small get-together at his house,” Naya explained.
“I see,” her father said. “Be back by ten sharp.”
“I will,” Naya answered.
“Have fun sweetie and be safe,” her mother said as she walked towards her bedroom.
As Naya was closing the door to the dishwasher, she dialed Noah’s number. Her call was instantly answered with the sound of a cheerful Noah. “I’m on my way, you ray of sunshine!”
Chapter 2
“I thought you said a few of your close friends?” Naya questioned; her eyes as wide as saucers when she saw the full house before her.
Naya’s eye wandered over the immense home which she’d only seen blips of in Noah’s social media posts.
“They are my close friends, but on the brighter side, you are part of my inner circle. Much more elite,” Noah said, his smile as wide as she’d ever seen it. “Follow me.”
Naya attempted to follow Noah through the stuffy, dancing crowd but lost him as she neared the doorway to the next room.
Feeling out of place, Naya did what she always did and blended in with her surroundings. Backing up towards a small enclave in the corner of the room adorned with cushy tan window seats, she sank into the middle of the seat, watching as the party raged on around her.
Up until now, being swept up by the storm that was Noah Bronston had been wonderful. Yet now all Naya could feel was slight regret for ever having agreed to come to this party. A party where other rich children would observe her as fresh wealth and turn their noses up at her. No matter how hard Noah had tried to help her fit in, Naya’s heart was too good to fit into a world such as this.
“I just need a minute away from the noise,” a girl called behind her as she stumbled free from the crowd moving in rhythm just steps away from the enclave. “I can’t stand hearing Evan brag about his new girlfriend another moment!”
Unaware of Naya’s presence, the girl twirled in a slow, graceful circle, the sequins on her mini dress catching and scattering the strobe light from the ceiling like a shower of stars. The jeweled fabric shimmered and twinkled with each movement, creating a mesmerizing dance of light. Her bright blonde hair, elegantly pinned back at the front, glinted as it caught the disco lights, adding an ethereal quality to her presence. The meticulous makeup on her face looked as if it had been crafted by a skilled artist, every detail in place, enhancing her features like strokes of an expert painter’s brush.
When her slow spin stopped, she plopped down next to Naya on the window seat cushions with a loud whoosh.
“Hello, Noah’s new muse,” she greeted her warmly.
“I didn’t know you knew I was here,” Naya said.
“The whole party has been abuzz since you stepped through the door,” she explained in a bubbly-upbeat tone. “Since Noah started having you appear on his social media accounts there is a high speculation that you two are an item.”
Naya’s cheeks blushed in the face of such an assumption. “No. I mean Noah is wonderful, but we’re just friends. Nothing more.”
“Huh,” she huffed. “What a bummer. And here I thought I had some juicy gossip. My name is Rue.”
“I’m…”
“Naya. Oh, I know who you are. This party may look like a big affair, but I assure you the inner circle of the wealthy is small. Be thankful Noah scooped you up before someone else did.”
“I see,” Naya said.
“Don’t worry. Noah and I have been friends for a long time. And if everything he’s told me about you is true, you and I will be good friends too. Cute bag, by the way.”
“Thank you,” Naya stammered, feeling self-conscious about the handbag she kept using from her last Target run before her family had moved to New York.
“Now, let me show you around Noah’s,” Rue stated, grabbing Naya’s hand, and pulling her back into the crowd.
Naya followed blindly behind as Rue pulled her from room to room until each room became less populated.
“Finally, some peace and quiet,” Rue sighed, letting go of Naya’s hand. “Has Noah shown you his house yet?”
Naya shook her head, her gaze drawn to the high ceiling in the cream-colored room.
“Figures. His parents are always away, and he seems to float around to fill the void. You know that his dad runs amusement parks?”
Naya nodded.
“His mother runs a fashion business based in Paris so they’re rarely all in the same house,” Rue explained. “Just wait until you meet the others. They’re cool.”
“Others?” Naya asked.
“Jaxon and Josie. Josie Severs is new money like you, she wants to be a famous actress and has gotten some promising roles that are setting her up for that. Jaxon on the other hand is Jaxon Pierce, a famous social media persona through TikTok and Instagram. His dad is the TV host for The Ultimate Legend.”
“Wow,” was all Naya could manage.
“Good!” Rue said, smiling and snapping her fingers. “Keep that starstruck expression on when you meet Jaxon, and you will be his favorite person.”
“Can’t say that will happen for a long time,” Naya chuckled. “Don’t think of me as rude, but how did you come into money?”
“Ah, right to it,” Rue chuckled. “Well, I am self-made. My first fantasy book series became a bestseller and prompted a movie, television, and merchandise deal.”
Naya nodded as she absorbed the information.
“Where are you from, Naya?”
“Before we moved to New York City we lived in Connecticut. In a small town near the bay.”
“So, I’m sure this is all a big shock to you, huh?” Rue pondered aloud, more to herself than to Naya.
“You could say that.”
“There you two are,” Noah’s voice came from behind them, filling the large open space. “Sorry that I lost you back there, Naya. Come meet the rest of the group. Glad to see you’ve already met Rue.”
“You know girls, Noah. We always stick together,” Rue said, wrapping her arm around Naya’s shoulder.
Naya trailed behind Noah and Rue through two more rooms before Noah pushed open a bookcase to reveal a spiral staircase.
“You have secret doors in this place?!” Naya asked, astounded.
Noah chuckled, a sly smile creeping onto his features. “This is never going to get old. I love showing newbies this stuff for the first time.”
As Naya ascended the first metal step, her gaze lifted to the towering ceiling above. The structure resembled a grand tower, adorned with windows that showcased the night sky. Rue steadily climbed, nearing the apex when Naya felt Noah’s hand brush her shoulder.
“Pretty cool, right?” Noah asked quietly next to her.
Naya nodded silently, before brushing a few strands of her mousy brown hair out of her eyes and ascending the staircase.
For most of their climb, the only sounds they heard were their footsteps on the metal staircase until they were over halfway to the top. Then Naya could hear the laughter of Rue and others floating down to her and Noah.
“They’ll love you, I promise,” Noah reassured.
“Because I’m a newbie?” Naya questioned quietly.
“Nah,” Noah answered. “Because you’re more real than so many people we are used to.”
“Jaxon, Josie, this is Naya!” Rue announced enthusiastically at the top of the stairs.
“Hello,” Naya greeted.
In the oval room, Jaxon’s towering figure dominated the space, nearly brushing against the window-paned ceiling as he stood. “Nice to meet you,” he introduced himself with a confident tone, “I’m Jaxon Pierce.”
“I know who you are,” Naya said.
“A fan?”
“You could say that.” Naya laughed.
“And I’m Josie,” Josie greeted from the low olive-green chair, as she pushed her black hair back behind her left ear.
“Wait,” Naya said. “Were you in that new movie about the zookeepers that deal with rabid animals?”
“That’s me,” she said with a smile. “Not many people recognize me yet, but it will happen.”
Jaxon offered Naya a seat in one of the delicate chairs, with arched backs, that adorned the periphery, strategically positioned for visitors to recline and immerse themselves in the panoramic spectacle offered by the window-paned ceiling—a portal revealing the vast expanse of the night sky.
Noah came into the room last, his face aglow with excitement.
As Jaxon lowered himself onto the long brown leather sofa across from Naya, she could only marvel at her surroundings, as she’d found herself doing so often lately.
The oval room, reminiscent of the size of the sitting room in her former home, exuded an enchanting atmosphere. Bathed in midnight blue hues, from the carpeted floor to the deep, star-speckled wallpaper, it created an intimate yet celestial ambiance.
“Alright,” Noah started, placing his phone on the floor in front of him. “I’ve got amazing news to share with you.”
Naya’s attention snapped to Noah, eager to hear what was in store next.
“Jaxon, this is serious and secret. No live streaming,” Noah warned. “Thank you. Now, my dad has been working on a secret new amusement park on the West Coast for a year now and he needs teens to test it, as the park is targeted for ages fifteen and up. He asked if I wanted to bring some friends along to be the first testers of the park.”
“Yes! I’m so in!” Jaxon boomed. “When do we leave?”
“It would be next weekend,” Noah explained, peering around the room, his black hair looking darker in the dim light. “But there are some conditions. My dad asked that we not leak it to the public until after we have tested the park. He said we can take any videos we want but they can’t be posted online until we have left the park.”
“Strange. Why?” Josie asked.
“Because he wants to be sure everything is running smoothly before we begin announcing it to the public,” Noah explained.
“Wait,” Naya spoke, grabbing the attention of the group. “How has your dad managed to keep this secret from the public? It’s not easy to hide an amusement park being built. Someone would notice or leak info, right?”
“Thank you for bringing this up, Naya,” Noah said as he lightly applauded. “This park is like no other. I mean, people have done something similar before but on smaller scales.”
“Go on,” Rue prodded.
“My dad built a small-scale city in the desert, about five hundred miles outside of Las Vegas. The concept is based on an escape room, but you need to make it from the starting place you’re dropped off at to the heart of the city in three days,” Noah explained. “More of an—immersive experience, if you will. To the public, it’s only being presented as providing Las Vegas with more economic growth for the time being. My dad has been keeping everything quiet and ensuring the right people keep it quiet in exchange for a small compensation.”
“What do you mean, ‘from the starting place you’re dropped off at’?” Josie questioned.
“They shuttle you in from the outside, where you climb up some small ladder or tunnel or something, and then the clock begins,” Noah explained. “My dad is spooked that someone will spill the beans before we arrive, so that was all he would tell me.”
“I’m in,” Rue said.
“Me too,” Jaxon and Josie said in unison.
“What about you, Naya?” Noah asked hopefully, his gaze settling on her.
“I need to ask my parents, but it sounds awesome,” Naya said.
“Great, I need to know by tomorrow so I can make the flight arrangements with my father’s private jet,” Noah said. “This is going to be the chance of a lifetime.”
Chapter 3
“You want to go where? For three days?” Naya’s father asked.
“Noah’s dad will be there,” Naya explained, feeling smaller and smaller the longer this conversation continued. “He said you could call him if you have any questions or concerns.”
Naya’s mother and father looked at one another in utter confusion about how to approach this situation.
“I’ll call Noah’s father, but I’m not promising anything,” Naya’s father said. “I know you said it was nice to have friends here, but normal friends don’t just hop on a plane to the West Coast at a moment’s notice.”
Naya nodded and watched her father leave the room, the phone to his ear.
“I think your father is having a harder time with this transition than we are,” Naya’s mother finally said.
“I know.”
“I can tell he feels as if he is merely a passenger here with you and your new friends and my new job,” Naya’s mother continued. “I hope he can find something that brings him joy too.”
As her mother spoke the words, she could see it all come into focus. The new recipes he had been making left and right, the interest in meeting the new neighbors, and such. That was what her father was trying to do, find his something.
“Alright,” her father announced, entering the living room once more. “I have spoken to Noah’s father, but before a decision is made, your mother and I need to discuss it.”
“Noah said they need an answer by today,” Naya added.
“I am aware,” Naya’s father stated. “Noah’s father knows that this is a big decision, so he has agreed to wait until tomorrow morning for us to make a decision.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Whatever our decision is, you will be fine with it,” Naya’s father said firmly. “No matter what our status is on the hierarchy of the rich and famous these days, I am going to strive to ensure that you maintain the moral compass and hardworking values that we raised you on.”
Without another word, Naya left the room, her parents’ murmuring voices nearly inaudible behind her.
***
“Thank goodness your parents let you come along,” Noah said, his arm draped across Naya’s shoulders as they walked toward a black limo.
“I wasn’t sure what to pack since it’s in a city and an amusement park,” Naya admitted.
“Just three changes of clothes I’d assume,” Noah said with a grin. “My dad hasn’t told me much about it either. He said just to tell everyone to dress comfortably and for extreme heat since it’s in the desert and to bring a backpack.”
“I’m so ready for this!” Jaxon announced from behind them.
“You’re ready for everything,” Josie laughed, shoving Jaxon’s arm.
Naya climbed into the back seat of the limo, the freshly cleaned upholstery emitting a lemon odor.
As their luggage was loaded into the back of the limo, Naya pulled out her phone to text her dad that she had landed safe and sound.
“All right everyone, I need all phones until we arrive. My dad doesn’t want anything leaked but small peaks of the inside of the park,” Noah announced, holding up a black pouch towards each person. “Thank you, but while we are in the limo, we need to make a small promotional video, shall we?”
Everyone scooched closer to one another on the L-shaped black leather seat.
“Hello everyone! It’s me, Noah Bronston here with my inner circle of peeps such as Rue, Jaxon, Josie, and Naya. We are embarking on a rare opportunity provided by my dad to be the first to experience his new immersive theme park. We haven’t arrived yet, but we are ready to share with you all what it’s like once we are inside,” Noah explained to the camera.
Stopping the video, Noah smiled a wide, toothy grin. “Great, that will be a great first video that we can upload to everyone’s audiences.”
“We can’t leak just one video?” Jaxon questioned.
“Not one,” Noah said. “But even if we try, there isn’t reception out there.”
“We are entering headquarters in five minutes,” the driver announced over the back speakers. “Once you have arrived at headquarters, we will escort you to a briefing room where the parameters of your mission will be explained.”
“Oh! We are going to headquarters!” Jaxon said excitedly, peering through the tinted window.
“We’re only five minutes away?” Rue asked curiously. “How is that possible?”
“My dad had a private landing strip built for guests,” Noah explained. “I think he said something along the lines of a maximum of ten people can be in a group inside the park at a time for the experience to remain immersive.”
“But how does he plan on making money if he only has groups of ten people attend for three days?” Josie questioned.
“He mentioned that some movie studios are also interested in renting the park for a shooting location, which will help make back some of the money,” Noah explained.
The inside of the limo rapidly darkened, causing the row of lights that lined the trim of the ceiling to emit a low light in response.
“You are now entering the briefing headquarters,” the driver announced. “Please take only what you can carry in the backpack you were asked to bring.”
“What about my other luggage?!” Josie asked in a panic.
“Those will be given to us at the end,” Noah replied.
The limo slowed to a stop, causing Naya’s skin to rise with goosebumps.
“Why is it so quiet?” Rue whispered.
“I’m not sure,” Noah whispered back. “Let’s find out.”
Noah’s hand fumbled for the door handle before slowly opening the limo door, revealing a dark underground tunnel.
“Eerie! I like it,” Jaxon said, his deep voice filling the tunnel.
One by one, each of them clambered out into the darkness causing the limo to slowly drive away from them deep into the tunnel until its red taillights were no longer visible.
Suddenly, baby blue lights flickered on before them, illuminating a subway-tiled tunnel whose walls were papered with fliers about how to survive your three-day stay.
“What kind of escape room is this again?” Jaxon asked, peering at a flier in front of him with a map.
“My dad said it’s the size of a small city, but I don’t know what else we will be facing,” Noah replied.
“There’s a zombie on this poster,” Josie screeched, pointing to the diagram of a zombie posted farther down the tunnel.
As they all clambered around Josie, they found that she was indeed telling the truth as they peered at a diagram titled ‘The Weaknesses of a Zombie and Their Hunting Habits’.
“Please step into headquarters to be briefed for your mission,” a voice prompted from somewhere above them.
“No turning back now,” Noah said with a smile. “Besides, you guys, it’s an amusement park. It’s all fake.”
“The heart attack I’m going to have isn’t,” Josie mocked.
Noah walked towards a large gray metal door that was marked Briefing Room and turned the handle, pushing the door open.
Wide, canned lights illuminated a small locker room-style space which contained an old projector and a tall white screen on the opposite wall, with metal bleacher benches sitting in between. On the furthest back wall was a large metal vault-like circular door, several large round metal bars reached outward and disappeared into the walls like octopus arms.
Taking a seat on the benches, Naya, Josie, and Rue huddled closely to Noah and Jaxon as they faced the large white screen.
Before they could wonder long about what was to come next, the lights dimmed and the projector came to life, the reels spinning and presenting a shaky image on the screen before them.
“Verismo City, a once vibrant location which was quickly turning the desert surrounding Las Vegas into an enticing promise of a new start for so many,” a voice announced as the camera soared above a large city whose buildings windows shined in the hot sun, people walking about the streets with smiling faces. “At least until the water became contaminated by a government lab to the North and it wasn’t long until the promise of Verismo City was snuffed like a bright flame.”
The screen plunged into darkness, mirroring the transition from day to night. The camera shifted to a street view of the city, seemingly resting on the pavement. Abruptly, Josie’s scream pierced the silence as a foot thudded in front of the camera. Another foot followed, dragging slowly, revealing a figure with erratic and jerky body movements. As the camera ascended, it unveiled the unsettling sight of someone covered in blood with tattered clothing.
“It was slow at first,” the voice continued. “A few people were admitted to the city hospital here and there with the chief complaint of a stomach bug. However, the hospital was soon overcome when they discovered that the virus was more than a textbook germ. Those who were quarantined became violent, hungry for the taste of human flesh.”
The camera view panned out then to show them the wide city intersection filled with a mob of zombies who jerked and twitched as they moved, searching for their next meal.
As the screen darkened to black, a small spotlight quickly expanded revealing a general standing in front of a brick wall. His face was gruff, his general uniform smeared with a line of blood.
“I see you think you can rise to the challenge of Verismo City,” the general began. “I commend you. All of you.”
“Now, the mission is clear, you are stranded survivors who are looking for safe evacuation from the city. You will have three days to make it to the tallest building, otherwise known as the heart building at the center of the city where you will be extracted from the hell hole that is Verismo City before the government orders a bombstrike,” the general continued. “Along the way, you will encounter the undead citizens who used to thrive in this desert city. You must know that if you get close enough, they will reach out to bite, grab, or scratch you at will. If you are to encounter, what we consider, a horde of zombies, you may find sewers or fire escapes as a means of escape or barricade yourself in an abandoned vehicle. Should you find yourself in need of defense, we will be providing a weapon to use against the undead.”
“This is intense,” Jaxon commented with a smile.
“For your safety, avoid the enemies at all costs. Just one bite can turn you into one of them,” the general warned.
“Oh please,” Josie scoffed. “Like we need a reminder to not put our hands near their chomping mouths.”
“Along the way, we have placed clues and riddles for you to solve. Solving these will help you discover routes and secrets to help you reach the heart building,” the general explained, as a photo of a crumpled clue appeared on the screen. “Nighttime will be especially dangerous to travel as the city has no power. Make sure to cover as much ground as possible during the daylight hours and attempt to locate a Safe House by nightfall. Safe Houses will be indicated by the first aid symbol above the door. There are approximately fifteen Safe Houses located throughout the city, three in each sector. There you will find food, water, and a safe place to lay your head.”
“Thank God!” Rue said.
“If you do not complete the mission by the third day and make it to the heart building, a team will be sent in to extract you,” the general stated. “For now, you can collect your belongings to add to the backpack you were asked to bring and begin your journey. I wish you the best of luck.”
Small text appeared on the screen under the large title words Disclaimer Information, before the screen darkened once more, and the canned lights brightened again.
Noah was first to pull his backpack out and unzip it, making quick work to grab his pile of gear which included a flashlight, water bottle, protein bar ration, pistol laser weapon, and pen and paper.
Spinning around again, he handed Naya, Jaxon, Josie, and Rue their phones back.
“Let’s begin, shall we?” Noah asked.
Escape City releases on Friday, January 31st