Down Come Seven (ReWrite 2018)

F A K E

"....Wow."

"That's one word for it." Smiley Face agreed.

"Could it be...?" I clasped my hands together hopefully. "...The stairway to Heaven?"

"If God existed there would have been an elevator." The Brat muttered. "An escalator... at the very least..."

He had a point. From the bottom of a giant marble staircase, the climb sure looked... Intimidating.

On the other hand, there was a majestic golden door at top of this thing.

And who can say No to a shiny door?

"That's where I woke up." Smiley Face explained, nodding towards the top. "From what I could see, there are four pressure pads on the door. One for the each of us. When we go up there and press down on the pads all at the same time, I assume the door will open."

How convenient!

"Let me guess. "The Brat crossed his arms. "If one of us turns out to be a fake, it's game over."

"Probably."

"Great. I don't know about you, but I-Oi, idiot! Get down from there! "

"Last one to the top is a rotten egg!" I called, already several steps into the journey.

"Hold it!" I didn't get far before a hand caught the back of my shirt. "We still don't know for sure that everyone here is the real deal!"

Freezing mid-step, I slowly turned to face the Brat.

"But the panda..."

"Is a freaking bear."

"But..."

"We can't trust it." He insisted.

I sent said bear a conflicted look.

Panda stared back at me, his big dark eyes begging me to trust him... Or feed him.

One of the two for sure.

"...But...ah... You can trust me...right?" I gave him a thumbs up. "I'm an excellent judge of character."

"You are not..." The Brat was not fooled for a second.

Fortunately, Smiley Face was on the side of logic/worrying about stuff after it's too late.

Sighing, the taller teen placed a hand on the Brat's shoulder.

"How about we figure it out while we walk?"

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Paaandaaa." I pouted soulfully. "Please don't be mad at meeee..."

The Panda ignored me, staring at the door in Stoney silence.

The bear had stayed with us the entire way, even daring the stairs to remain at my side.

Only to be abandoned at the door, oh cruel fate...

"You know I can't take you with me, right?" I clung sadly to his furry arm. "Just know, even as we grow apart, you'll always be my favourite Panda, Panda. I'll see you again. It's a promise..."

"Joker Chic!" Smiley Face called. "Stop tormenting the bear and come help us with the door."

...So much for a touching goodbye.

I stood up, hesitating at the edge of the platform to stare out at the Bamboo forest. The platform we stood on was high above the canopy, giving us a breathtaking view of bamboo, going on for miles.