Entry 27: Inside the Tree – Replica Museum – August 19th, 2023 – 9:04 PM
We made it back to the museum where we first came in, but there was still no ladder. Things were looking dire, as we could only muster up the energy to be angry at each other for so long. Sooner or later, one of us would get tired, and we’d become easy prey for the angler.
Murlocke was definitely the worst off, as the tree had already drained so much energy from him. Even on the run over, he had to stop several times to catch his breath. We were all just stewing, trying to put out as much negative energy as possible until we could think of a solution.
So… Does anyone have any bright ideas?
You guys didn’t have a plan? I thought you knew how to get out.
We freed you, right? I’d say that was a pretty good plan.
Pretty good? You got me out of one cage into a slightly larger cage. Hey, you’ve been pretty quiet, Sasheen. Have you thought of something?
It’s ’cause I’m trying to think.
I paced around the museum.
The angler obviously doesn’t want us to leave. Otherwise, it would let us out. It also doesn’t seem interested in eating our minds if we’re angry; otherwise, we would all be suffering from amnesia right now. Something’s not sitting right with me… The angler has physically changed itself a few times; it’s made doors appear or the floor disappear from under us. Why doesn’t it just change itself again to separate us?
It’s only made those changes when it’s been dark in here!
Maybe it’s shy.
That’s ridiculous. It’s a supernatural monster. Why would it be shy?
I don’t know, but doesn’t it seem strange that the lights have always gone out before something has changed?
As silly as that sounds, he may be onto something. Maybe the angler can only shut off the lights when we touch something specific?
So, let’s touch something.
But then it could drop us into the cavern. We need to be able to control what it’s going to change.
Then an idea struck me.
Both of you, turn your backs on where the ladder should be.
Maisel looked like she was about to argue, but thought better of it. The three of us turned our backs on the ladder.
We waited a second and then another.
Maisel peeked over her shoulder.
Nothing’s changed.
Just give me a second. There must be something we’re not thinking of.
Well, make it quick, okay?
Hey, angler, tree, or whatever name you go by. You’re not getting any more meals from the town of Harrington. You’ll starve before the three of us are anything less than extremely unpleasant. So, unless you can tolerate eating our disgusting negative thoughts, you’d best let us out and find somewhere else to set up shop.
I hear that if you go way up north to the Arctic, there are all kinds of prey: caribou, rabbits, maybe even a bear. Don’t they sound much more delicious than our angry thoughts?
If you don’t let us out, we’ll be forced to search the inside of you until we find your heart and then—
A scratching sound came from behind us. When it stopped, I turned slightly to see the ladder we came down cut into the side of the tree. Gold veins weaved along the sides, shimmering ever so slightly.
About time. I thought we would have to argue with you all day.
Maisel and I started to run towards it,
Wait!
The exit is right there. We should take it.
Look at the sides of it. Doesn’t the gold look familiar?
We don’t have time to admire the pretty lines. We need to act now!
Maisel began to walk towards it again, but I grabbed her arm.
He’s right, Maisel. Remember the pathways we followed? They had the same golden lines.
The veins on the ladder glowed brighter, begging us to trace the lines into the darkness.
We need to turn around and convince the angler to present us with the real exit.
But what if this is our only shot? What if we turn around, and it seals us back in?
We need to try. Trust me.
Murlocke and I turned our backs on the exit. Maisel began to turn, not taking her eyes off the ladder. Finally, she turned away. The familiar scratching sound echoed behind us, telling us the ladder was gone.
This is your last chance. Either you let us out, or we’ll comb through these hallways until we find your heart.
Should we even give it another chance? Now I kind of want to find its heart—
On cue, we heard the scratching sound of sandpaper behind us. I glanced over at Murlocke. He was staring at me, wide-eyed, waiting for me to make a move. I looked over to Maisel, and she nodded at me. We turned at the same time.
This time, the ladder was your standard run-of-the-mill red cedar ladder, carved into the interior of a red cedar tree— No gold veins of any kind. A little light spilled in from the top of the ladder, which we assumed must have been coming from the replica mayor’s office.
Now!
The three of us bolted to the ladder and climbed like our lives depended on it.
– Sasheen
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