The poker game was not going as well as Shock would have hoped. At first things had been going great; Shock had one the first two hands without too much difficulty. Though Shock knew she should probably be suspicious of that at the same time she was happy for any victory she could get. Though Other Lock remained, for the most part, silent during the games Shock was glad he was there. The Beldam poker face was flawless. She was impossible to read, leaving Shock genuinely surprised in the third round to find the Beldam had had such a good hand (four aces).
While they played very often the Beldam would try to spark up a conversation, but Shock never responded and so the room stayed silent. Other Lock shuffled the cards again and handed out the cards for round four. Shock was disappointed, her hand was not that great, but she tried not to show it on her face.
Beldam: Not a good hand?
Shock ignored the comment while cursing her poker face. She pulled out three cards and put them down while Other Lock got her three more.
Beldam: (cocky) Let me guess, the cards he just gave you are a three of hearts, a nine of clubs, an ace of diamonds, and of no help to you.
Shock looked down at the cards she had been given and cursed in her head. The Beldam was right. ‘But how did she know?’ wondered Shock ‘unless…oh no…’ The Beldam laughed at Shock’s expression.
Shock: (quietly, still looking at her cards) How?
Beldam: Oh, I can’t take all the credit, right Lock?
At the sound o his name the Other Lock’s head snapped up in surprise. He looked back and forth between the Beldam and Shock.
Other Lock: What? Shock, I swear I didn’t do any-
Beldam: And yet he did, even if he wasn’t aware of it. (To Other Lock) You work for me.
Other Lock: But…I…Shock, I’m sorry.
Shock looked at her cards with a mixture of sadness and anger. Other Lock started nervously twisting his tail, feeling guilty. Shock didn’t believe Other Lock did anything wrong. If anything she thought the Beldam was lying to make him feel bad and cheated some other way.
Shock: its okay Other. I know you wouldn’t do anything like that.
But Shock could not help but be upset by this news. She couldn’t win; this had all been for nothing, a game solely for the Beldam’s amusement. She had never intended to play a fair game. ‘Is Oogie so different?’ thought Shock, ‘no matter where I go the people are always the same…’
Shock had looked up to say something when she noticed movement. For whatever reason Barrel stood silently in the hallway as if unsure as to whether he should enter. The Beldam had not noticed him, the chair she was sitting in had it’s back to the hallway. Shock tried to maintain a straight face hoping the Beldam would not figure out he was there, but for nothing as after a few seconds Barrel revealed his location.
Barrel: Sh-Shock?
Shock suddenly became very worried as a slow smile spread across the Beldam’s face. The Beldam stood up and turned around to face Barrel leaning over, trying to meet his eye level.
Beldam: Hello Barrel. And where have you been hiding?
Shock’s mind was racing. ‘What was he doing here? What could be so important?’
Barrel looked up nervously at the Beldam but didn’t respond. ‘This was a bad idea’ he thought. The Beldam noticed the cat and wrinkled her nose. Then she noticed the mask.
Beldam: And where did you get that sweetie?
As she spoke the Beldam had reached for the mask, but Barrel pulled it away from her.
Barrel: I-I need to talk to Shock.
Barrel walked past the Beldam and around the table to Shock, the Beldam’s gaze following as he did so. Shock had many questions in her mind but tried to pick out the most important to ask.
Shock: (whisper) What are you doing here!
Barrel: (whisper) Shock! I figured out the door!
Shock: What door?
Barrel: I mean the mirror. It’s also a door!
Shock: Okay, start over. What?
While they talked Other Lock looked around nervously, unsure as to whether to join the conversation. The cat walked over to him, curling around his feet. Other Lock picked him up, deciding he liked cats.
Shock: Wait, so basically you put on the mask and the mirror turned into a door?
Barrel: Yes.
Shock: You gotta be kidding me.
Barrel: No, I’m not, here, look, you’ll see.
He shoved the mask into her hands.
Shock: Barrel…
Beldam: Are we going to continue the game?
The Beldam tapped her fingers impatiently on the table. Barrel looked at the Beldam, he had almost forgotten she was right there.
Barrel: If Shock wins the game you’ll give her the key right?
Beldam: …You know you shouldn’t trust mirrors Barrel, they’re all such liars.
Barrel did not get what she was trying to say but he had a feeling she was not going to let them go whether Shock won or not. It seemed that the only way they could get out is if they tricked her somehow. Then Barrel got an idea.
Barrel: No more games until you show us the key. We want to see it.
The Beldam and Barrel stared at each other. After a minute the Beldam finally spoke.
Beldam: Fine.
She put her hand under the collar of her shirt and pulled out a long, thin chain and at the end was a key. Shock instantly recognized the key; it was the same one from before when she and Barrel had gotten out. It was a somewhat small silver key that looked brand new. Shock cursed herself for not holding on to it.
At the same time Other Lock looked on, wishing he could do something. He knew the Beldam would never hand over the key no matter what. ‘If there was only something I could do…’ he thought. He looked down at the cat who he was still holding when an idea came to him. He hated to do it but he figured he could apologize later. As hard as he could he threw the cat at the Beldam.
The cat began viciously attacking the Beldam, scratching a huge gash into her face. Barrel and Shock were stunned and found themselves temporarily froze.
Other Lock: Hurry! Get the key!
Barrel snapped out of it and without thinking used a chair to climb onto the table bringing him to about the Beldam’s eyelevel. The Beldam had been flinging about trying to shake off the cat. She threw him off just as Barrel managed to grab around her neck. He pulled at the key until the chain broke. He then tried to turn and run but the Beldam grabbed a hold of him.
Barrel: Shock! Catch!
Shock held out her hands just as Barrel threw the key. She just barely caught it but as soon as she felt it in her hands she ran for it. The Beldam threw Barrel down and started after Shock. Shock ran as hard as she could scarcely noticing Other Lock running behind her. She looked frantically thought the hallway for the black door. She could hear the Beldam’s cries echoing behind her and pushed herself to run faster causing her to almost run past the door when she found it and to fall over turning around. She looked back for a second to see the Beldam making her way through the hallway.
Other Lock: Go! I’ll distract her! Just hurry!
Shock turned the knob and ran inside. The real Lock looked at her wide eyed from behind the mirror, wondering what was happening. Shock tried to figure out how she was supposed to unlock a door she couldn’t see when she realized she had the mask tucked under her arm. It did not fit her face so she had to adjust it a bit to be able to see out of it. She could not believe the difference it made but didn’t have the time to look around and quickly managed to unlock the door. She heard a thump outside and knew the Beldam was getting nearer as she watched the door fly open. It opened to a small, dark room and standing in the center was none other than Lock.
Lock: Took you long enough.
Shock: Lock!
Shock ran in and threw her arms around him happy he was okay. He took his mask from her and put it on his own face. Shock wanted to talk to him more but knew they didn’t have much time for an emotional moment right now.
Shock: Come on! We have to hurry!
Shock grabbed Lock’s hand and they both ran towards the exit just as the Beldam opened the door. Not stopping the pushed past her in to the hallway. One in the hallway the place started shaking and stuff began falling from the ceiling. But they kept on running until the made it to the front door where Barrel was waiting. He had already unlocked the front door and seemed to just be waiting for them. Other was not far behind Lock and Shock and they all ran out.
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Whew! This took a long time to write. I hope it's good. Only two chapters left in the story! Please comment!
