*Creeeeaaakkkk*
[Asher gently pulls open the door leading into the hallway from the locker room. He slowly peaks his head out of the doorway so he can get a good look at the hallway. It looks pretty normal, besides the fact that it seems to split off into three different directions. There's a hallway to Asher's left, right, and directly in front of him. All three directions look to be unoccupied but in desperate need of a thorough cleaning.]
Asher: Hmmmm... Where the hell did that lizard run off to?
[He scans all three of the hallways. The ones to his left and right look similar, both have lights hanging from the ceiling with dull concrete walls and tiled floors. The one ahead of him looks to be the same but Asher isn't sure. The lights look to be off a few steps away from him preventing him from seeing whatever is down there. He thinks to himself out loud.]
Asher: I haven't frequented this place very often. So I don't have a good grasp of its layout. But– If I'm right...
[Asher looks to his left questionably.]
Asher: That should take me to that V.I.P. booth along with a storage room, then loop around the other locker room.
[He then looks over to his right down the opposite hallway with the same questioning expression.]
Asher: That should take me to the break room, along with the commentator's booth where those two news anchors usually are, then it should loop to the other locker room as well.
[He looks straight ahead down the center hallway.]
Asher: But this way, that's King Members only...
[He crosses his arms while continuing to glare down the hallway.]
Asher: I've never been down there before. I believe there might be a back exit there considering this area's traffic but I'm not too sure...
[He shrugs.]
Asher: I could take my chances and head down there,–
[He looks to his left down the hallway in that direction, then to his right towards the other hallway.]
Asher: Oooorrrrrrrrrrr– I can go where I know for sure I'll find an exit.
[He takes a step out of the locker room and into the crossroad of the hallways. As he does, he makes sure to quietly close the door behind him. He holsters his pistol between his belt and waist as he carefully scans all three of his options.]
Asher: Do I risk it? Regardless of which path I pick I'm bound to get shot at tonight. Hmmmm...
*Multiple Faint Gunshots*
[Some faint gunshots echo out in the distance around Asher. He quickly looks around at the three hallways surrounding him unsure exactly where the noise came from. He scowls as he looks around in a bit of a panic.]
Asher: Speaking of gunshots. Looks like I don't have time to dawdle.
[He stops looking around in a panic and eyes each of the hallways carefully.]
Asher: Hmmm...
[He raises his left hand up towards his chin and begins to scratch it curiously.]
Asher: It appears I'm going to have to resort to my family's ancient method of selection.
[He points down the hallway to his left.]
Asher: Eeny,–
[He points down the hallway in front of him.]
Asher: Meeny,–
[He points down the hallway to his right.]
Asher: Miny,–
[He points down the hallway to his left again.]
Asher: This way.
*Distant Boom*
*Multiple Faint Gunshots*
[Another explosion followed by more faint gunshots can be heard all around Asher.]
Asher: Quickly this way.
[He lowers his hand and begins to run down the hallway leaving the intersection.]
Asher: Alright! Let's see if I can get out of here unnoticed.
[He continues running, making his way past closed doors that lead into other back rooms with unknown purpose.]
*Distant Boom*
[Another distant boom shakes the ground. The explosion causes some loose dust and pebbles to shake off the roof and fall to the ground around Asher. He looks up at the ceiling all while running down the hallway.]
Asher: Shit... This place is gonna come crumbling down before I even figure out who's attacking it.
[He looks back down in front of him.]
Asher: I hate running with my tail between my legs but if I don't I'm gonna–
[Asher immediately comes to a full stop. Not that he has much of a choice. The path ahead of him is blocked off by a huge pile of debris. It looks like the ceiling collapsed preventing anyone or anything from getting to the other side. Unfortunately, it seems that some unlucky demons got crushed by the falling concrete. There are at least three bodies belonging to some King's members directly under the rubble with blood pooling around them. Then there are five other bodies mixed in with the rubble, those five seem to be wearing the same kind of clothing as the ones who blew up the wall in the arena earlier. They seem to be as dead as the three previously mentioned King members. Asher stares at the whole mess looking a bit annoyed.]
Asher: Get crushed... Or uhh–
[He looks in front and around the collapsed rubble. A few more corpses are leaning against the walls of the hallway, directly against the rubble, or just lying on the floor. There are about six of them and they don't look to be King's members. More thugs like the ones from before. They seem to be dead, made obvious by the blood on their clothing and on the ground around them, however, it doesn't look like they were crushed by the collapsing ceiling. They appear to have been–]
Asher: Slashed?
[Yes. The six corpses seem to have been cut up or shredded by someone. The bodies all have three large claw marks on them. It seems like one slash was all it took to send them down to the ground dead. One of the corpses seems to have a Part-A & a Part-B to them since it looks like he was ripped in half. Asher looks at the top half of the corpse and then at the bottom half.]
Asher: I wonder which side weighs less? Heh...
[He looks back up at the collapsed hallway directly in front of him. There's a lot of concrete chunks, some smaller rocks, and pieces of bent or broken rebar sticking out of the rubble. It's blocking the hallway entirely.]
Asher: Hmm... Unless I can turn into a worm, I don't think I'll be getting through that.
[He looks to the left side of the hallway, there's nothing there besides one of the slashed-up corpses propped up against the hallway wall and some more rubble. He then turns to his right looking at the right side of the hallway, like the other side there's plenty of rubble stacked up against it but there also seems to be a doorway.]
Asher: If I'm right, then that must lead to the private observer booth across from the commentator's booth.
[Asher walks over to the door. There looks to be a metal tag on it that reads "PRIVATE". The door has a fair bit of concrete rubble blocking it and a slash of blood splattered on it. Asher grabs onto the handle and pulls on it. The door doesn't budge. He then tries to push on it only to get the same result.]
Asher: Hmmm... It's stuck.
Asher's Conscience: (In Asher's Head) Maybe you should try turning the door handle.
Asher: Hmmm... Maybe I should...
[He now turns the door handle and tries to pull and push on the door. It still doesn't budge.]
Asher: Yeaaaaaa– Same expected result.
[Asher takes his hand off the door handle and looks back down the hallway he just came from.]
Asher: Damn. I guess I need to find another way out.
[He quickly makes his way back to where he was standing before and starts running back towards the locker room leaving the collapsed hallway and all of the dead bodies behind. He talks to himself as he runs.]
Asher: Alright... So I need to take one of the alternate routes...
[After a few more seconds of running, he returns to the split path outside of the locker room he was recently in. He slows down and stops in the center of the intersection looking at his three options. He first looks down the dark hallway to his left.]
Asher: So my options are either A, go down the dark spooky employees-only area, and see where they take the corpses.
[He turns ahead towards the center hallway.]
Asher: Option B, take the safe boring route towards the break room and maybe get a cup of coffee on the way out.
[He looks to his right towards the locker room doors.]
Asher: Or option C, go back out through the room I was in before and possibly embarrass myself. *Mumble* Mmmm...
[He mumbles to himself and begins to curiously scratch his chin with his left hand. He continues to stare at the closed double doors for a second before looking at the hallway to his left, then in front of him down the other hallway.]
Asher: Well... In lew of making myself look like an idiot–
[He turns towards the hallway to his left.]
Asher: I'm going to go with option A.
*BOOM*
[As soon as he turns and finishes his sentence, there's an explosion down that exact hallway that sends dozens of tiny pieces of concrete rubble toward Asher. A bunch of the pieces hit him and bounce off without doing any damage. But one manages to land right next to his right eye causing him to immediately close it but keep his calm composure. He stares at the hallway with a blank expression on his face waiting for all the small pieces of debris to fall and the dust the explosion created to settle.]
*Distant Footsteps*
Unknown Voice: Alright! The doors are wide open!
Multiple Unknown Voices: (Cheering) YEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!
[Then some voices start yelling from down the hallway out of Asher's view. He raises his left eyebrow intrigued.]
Asher: Never mind then.
[He immediately turns ninety degrees on a dime to his right and runs down the lit-up hallway toward the break room.]
Asher: Option B it is!
[The hallway is pretty much identical to the one he ran down previously. Except there is a distinct lack of a collapsed ceiling and numerous slashed-up dead bodies. After running for a short time he quickly comes to a stop upon seeing his destination. Looking around with both of his eyes he sees a door directly to his left and right. The door to the right has a metal tag on it that reads "Break Room" while the one to his left has one that says "Commentator's Booth".]
Asher: The break room and the commentator's booth huh? That means I'm halfway to the other side of the arena.
[Asher eyes the Commentator's Booth door to his left then the Break Room door to his right. He eyes the door for a quick second before turning back to his left towards the Commentator's Booth door.]
Asher: Maybe I should go up into the commentator's booth to get a view of the chaos in the arena. It could give me an advantage.
[Asher turns completely to his left and starts walking over towards the door. He reaches for the door's handle, grabs onto it, and begins to turn it.]
*Clack*
[Tries to turn it. It doesn't move very far before making a clacking noise. The door appears to be locked.]
Asher: Aaaaaaaaaand– It's locked.
*Multiple Faint Gunshots*
*Distant Yelling*
[More gunshots accompanied by numerous people yelling echo in the distance. Asher takes his hand off of the door handle and looks down both ways of the hallway anxiously.]
Asher: Shit! I don't have the time to pick the lock! And kicking it down would let these assholes know exactly where I am!
[He turns around and looks at the "Break Room" door directly across the hall behind him.]
Asher: Maybe I can hide in there for the time being...
[He quickly runs over to the door and places his hand on the door handle.]
*Muffled Movement*
Unknown Voice 1: (Muffled) Out with it! Are you one of that overgrown cat's lackeys or not?!
[The sound of some movement followed by someone talking can hardly be heard coming from the other side of the "Break Room" door. Asher squints at the door and leans in closer against it, placing his left ear against the cold metal.]
Unknown Voice 3: (Muffled) I already told you! I don't work directly for him! I just assist with the commentary!
Unknown Voice 2: (Muffled) Oh yeah? Then why the hell are you here?!
Unknown Voice 3: (Muffled) I was just grabbing a coffee then–
*Glass Breaking Smash*
Unknown Voice 2: (Muffled) LIAR!
Unknown Voice 3: (Muffled) *Screams* AHHHH!!! Please don't break anything! I'll be the one who has to pay for it!
[As Asher listens he hears two more voices along with some glass object breaks on the other side.]
Asher: Hmmmm...
[He takes his right hand off the door handle and grabs it with his left hand instead. He turns the door handle slowly downwards then carefully cracks the door slightly open. He then leans his head in and pokes it into the break room. Now he's able to get a view of what's going on inside of the room. As expected, the inside of the room looks like a normal break room. On the right side of the room are four rectangular tables with about six metal folding chairs set up against each of them and a few more chairs stacked up directly against the right side wall. On the left side of the room against the wall is a countertop that has a coffee machine on top of it with several mugs beside it, some cupboards above the counter, and a refrigerator all the way on the right end. Besides what you would expect to see there are three demons in the room as well. One of them looks like he was knocked down to the floor by the other two who are standing threateningly above him. The two demons standing don't look like King Henchmen. They're both wearing the same outfits as the demons who busted a hole in the wall earlier, the same messy clothing. They both have weapons too, no guns, just a bat with some nails in it and a thick metal pipe. The one cowering on the floor doesn't look like either an intruder or a King Henchman. The cowering demon is wearing a dark oak-colored tanned suit, glasses around his neck, a white dress shirt beneath his suit along with dress pants a similar color to the suit accompanied by black dress shoes. His appearance consists of black hair, a brown right eye and a blue left eye with yellow sclera, and a singular horn coming out of the right side of his head curving upwards. None of the three seem to notice Asher peeking into the room. The two standing are facing away from Asher while the one on the floor is looking up at the duo. Asher raises an eyebrow interested in what he just walked in on.]
Asher: (In Head) So this is what goes on in the break room... We just beat up other people like we do in the ring.
[He looks down at the demon cowering on the floor. He seems to recognize the unfortunate individual.]
Asher: (In Head) Specifically one of those anchormen guys...
[He looks at the Anchorman Demon blankly.]
Asher: (In Head) Uhhhhhhhh– B, something... (Short Pause) I think...
Demon 1: I'll give you one last chance to fess up!
Demon 2: And if ya come clean, we might just let you leave with both of your legs!
Demon 1: We're keeping the arms though.
Demon 2: Yeah those are my favorite!
Demon 1: Ohhhhh–! Me too!
Anchorman Demon: As I said before! I was–
[The Anchorman Demon, whom Asher forgot the name of, notices Asher behind the two demons causing him to cut his sentence short. Asher isn't peeking into the break room anymore, he's standing in it. It looks like he snuck in during the conversation and quietly closed the door behind him. He's just standing there beside the door like there's nothing interesting currently going on in the world around him right now. Seeing him there so casually completely surprises the Anchorman. He narrows his eyes at Asher looking incredibly confused. He then seems to mouth something to Asher without speaking.]
Anchorman Demon: (Mouthing) What?
[Asher raises his right hand up to his mouth and places a finger over it. He's essentially telling the Anchorman to keep quiet.]
Demon 1: HEY!
Anchorman Demon: (Screaming) AHHH!
[The First Demon yells at the Anchorman, scaring him and getting his attention.]
Demon 1: Answer the question dammit!
Anchorman Demon: I– Well– Uhmm–
[The Anchorman looks back at the two Demons antagonizing him, but quickly glances back at Asher in the process. He can see Asher slowly making his way over to the tables and chairs beside them. He looks back at the two Demons and smirks a tiny bit. The Anchorman quickly dusts off his suit and fixes his hair. He then makes his left hand into a fist and holds it under his chin. It kind of looks like he's holding something in his hand. Like an imaginary microphone...]
Anchorman Demon: Druggies and Gentlemen! Gamblers and Sissies!
Demon 1: Huh?
Demon 2: What the hell?
Anchorman Demon: It just so happens that there's one more fight taking place outside of the center ring tonight! Starring yours truly!
Demon 1: What the hell are you talking about?
[The Anchorman Demon gulps and nervously smiles.]
Anchorman Demon: *Gulps* That's– (Yelling) That's right folks! Truly this is a once-in-a-lifetime sight to behold!
Demon 2: Does this look like a damn show to you?!
[The Anchorman Demon starts to yell out, surprising the two Demons causing them to take a step back and ready their weapons.]
Anchorman Demon: (Yelling) Now it may look like yours truly is in a bit of a struggle! And I must admit that I am! However–! *Grunts*
[He puts his right hand on the ground beside him and pushes himself up to a standing position while keeping his left hand exactly where it is. The two Demons in front of him take another step back away from him. They're both looking at him like he's crazy.]
Anchorman Demon: (Yelling) We cannot forget that this is an even fight! This may look like a two-on-one, but this fight is in fact a– WAIT!– What's this coming from behind?!?!
[The Anchorman keeps his left hand where it remains and points behind the two demons with his right hand.]
Anchorman Demon: (Yelling) IT'S ASHER BURNS WITH A STEEL CHAIR!!!
*METALLIC SLAM!*
Demon 1: *Pained Grunt* GAH!
*Thud!*
[What happens next is exactly as the Anchorman describes. Asher steps up behind the two Demons and slams a metal chair against the back of the head of the Demon on the right. The impact makes a loud metallic slam sending him straight to the floor with a thud.]
Demon 2: What the hell?!
Asher: YEAAAAA!!! Tag team match!
Demon 2: You bastard!
[The Second Demon raises his bat and prepares to swing directly at Asher. But before he can land the attack–]
*Wack*
Demon 2: *Pained Grunt* OMPF!
[The Anchorman punches him in the face with a right hook and sends him stumbling backward. The Demon quickly recovers from the attack and prepares one of his own.]
Demon 2: You're gonna pay for that bastard!
[As the Demon steps forward to attack, the Anchorman notices something to his right. The coffee machine and a mug next to it still have some steaming hot coffee in it. He quickly grabs the mug of hot coffee and tosses it at the Demon.]
Anchorman Demon: Eat grind.
[The liquid contents of the mug splash out and cover the demon's face.]
Demon 2: (Yelling) AHHHHHH! THAT'S FUCKING HOT!
[The burning liquid causes the Demon to yell out in pain and begin to fall back. He attempts to catch himself by moving his foot around, but he manages to step back into some of the Coffee that was just thrown at him.]
*Slip* *THUD*
[He slips on the liquid and falls backward onto the floor with a thud much like his friend. He then begins to roll side to side and attempts to wipe the scalding liquid off of him.]
Demon 2: (Yelling) WHY IS IT SO DAMN HOT!?!?
[He is able to get enough of the coffee off of his face so he can see his hands. The coffee that remains on him is still steaming hot.]
Demon 2: (Yelling) WHO THE HELL DRINKS COFFEE THIS FUCKING HOT!?!?
Anchorman Demon: Here. You can have the rest.
[The Demon manages to look up through the pain at the Anchorman. The Anchorman Demon is holding the coffee pot from the coffee machine on the counter in his hands. It looks to be full of some nice fresh steaming hot coffee.]
Anchorman Demon: I already had my cup.
[He then tosses the contents of the coffee pot at the already burned Demon on the floor. The coffee splashes out of the glass pot and directly onto the Demon's face and the rest of the front of his body. As soon as it collides with him he starts screaming out in pain once again.]
Demon 2: (Yelling) AAAAAAAHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAA!!! IT'S SO FUCKING HOT!!!
[The Demon begins to roll around on the floor while attempting to wipe the liquid off of him faster than before. His pained yelling echoes through the entire room, seemingly bothering both Asher and the Anchorman Demon. The Demon rolls around from side to side while the other two keep their eyes trained on him. As he continues to struggle he eventually rolls over to the tables and chairs on the other side of the break room.]
*Knock* *Rattle* *Smash*
[In his struggle, the Demon rolls into a leg of one of the tables causing the objects on top of it to rattle around. The collision manages to knock over a glass bottle on the table and cause it to roll over and off the side. Conveniently, it falls off directly onto the Demon that was rolling around and knocked it over. The bottle shatters upon impact, seemingly knocking out the Demon and dousing some of the scalding hot coffee with its cool contents. But not all of it, there still seems to be some of it on his skin and clothes, steaming and burning. Asher and the Anchorman Demon look at the just now knocked-out Demon. They both stare at him for a second before Asher speaks up.]
Asher: Quit crying you baby, it's just a third-degree burn.
*Glass Shatter*
[The Anchorman Demon tosses the coffee pot to the side out of the way. It smashes immediately upon impact. He looks over at Asher who's standing not too far from him.]
Anchorman Demon: Where the hell did you come from?
Asher: Huh?
[Asher turns his attention to the Anchorman.]
Asher: Me? I came through the door.
[The Anchorman glares at Asher.]
Anchorman Demon: Ha ha, very funny. I thought you worked for Warner. Since when did you become a fucking comedian?
[Asher smirks and chuckles at the Anchorman's remark. But he also gives him a stern glare.]
Asher: *Chuckles* Heh-heh, heh who says I can't do both...? Now, let's see here.
[He crosses his arms and begins to take a closer look at the Anchorman Demon.]
Asher: I gotta say Bently,–
[The Anchorman Demon glares at Asher looking incredibly annoyed.]
Asher: I didn't take you for much of a fighter, nor the kind of guy to think up a decent plan on a moment's notice. But that little commentator's act of yours was a pretty impressive distraction.
[Asher smiles and shrugs.]
Asher: Kept both of those idiot's eyes and ears glued to you. Definitely, something that your dumbass brother couldn't have pulled off even if he was sober.
Anchorman Demon: Fuck you.
[Asher laughs at his response.]
Asher: *Laughs* HA! Just kidding! Hi Bradley, how's it going?
Bradley: Eh. Same hell, different form of torture.
Asher: I couldn't agree anymore.
[Asher reaches into his vest and takes out a cigarette and a lighter. He places the cigarette in his mouth and flips open the lighter.]
*Flip*
Asher: So, what are you still doing here?
*Flick* *Flick* *Click*
[He flicks the lighter a few times eventually creating a flame. He then uses it to light the end of the cigarette in his mouth.]
Asher: No offense, but I thought you would have abandoned ship as soon as the explosions began.
[He gestures over to the two incapacitated Demons.]
Asher: But for some reason, you're still here getting harassed by these lowlives.
Bradley: I was planning on leaving after I finished my midnight coffee, but then the explosions started.
[Bradley reaches into his suit while he speaks, seemingly looking for something. He pulls out a cigarette a second later and places it in his mouth.]
Bradley: I tried to get out through one of the back exits but I got grabbed by these two, shoved back into the break room, and got verbally assaulted.
[He looks at the two knocked-out Demons. As he looks back towards Asher he sees that he is holding his lighter out for him to light his cigarette with. He accepts the offer and leans in to use the flame to light his cigarette.]
Asher: What kind of crap do you go through that requires a midnight coffee?
[He stands back up and takes a puff of his cigarette. Asher flicks the lighter closed and places it back into his vest.]
*Flip*
Bradley: After that, I did my best to impersonate my brother and play the victim card.
[He again looks over at the two Demons he and Asher knocked out.]
Bradley: Those dumbasses knew who I was but they couldn't tell the difference between me or my spineless brother. So I pretended to be him so they wouldn't consider me a threat.
[Bradley walks past Asher towards the door to the Break Room. He gently turns the handle and pulls it open a tiny bit so he can peek into the hallway. Thankfully, it looks clear.]
Bradley: Since I've been stuck in here the entire time, I gotta ask.
[He turns and looks at Asher who hasn't moved from his original spot.]
Bradley: What's the situation?
[Asher takes his cigarette out of his mouth and blows a puff of smoke into the air.]
Asher: Bad. I'm pretty sure the whole place is overrun with assholes.
[Bradley closes the door and looks at him a bit surprised.]
Bradley: I'm assuming you mean the kind of assholes that don't normally frequent this place?
[Asher places his cigarette back into his mouth and shrugs.]
Asher: I suppose. I've seen a few of Leo's lackeys around but none of them seemed too lively...
[He blows some smoke out of the corner of his mouth and walks towards the door next to Bradley.]
Asher: Croc was here earlier with me but we split as soon as the gunshots started.
[Asher slightly opens the door himself and looks around the hallway. It is still empty out there.]
Asher: Chances are he already tore his way out of here and left us for the cannibals.
Bradley: So I guess that just leaves the two of us.
[Asher glares as he inspects the hallway.]
Asher: I believe so...
[He continues to scan the hallway for any sort of trouble. It still seems to be clear.]
Asher: Alright, I think we're in the clear for now.
[He opens the door completely and walks into the center of the hallway. Braley follows him out of the break room as well.]
Asher: I think we should stick together until we get out of here.
Bradley: I hate to agree with you, but you're right.
[He closes the door to the break room.]
Bradley: So do you have a plan to get us out of here or not?
[Asher looks at Bradley and points down the hallway he came from originally.]
Asher: I was planning on leaving down that way but one of the hallways collapsed and the other had some not-so-friendly faces forcing their way in.
[He points down the hallway in the other direction.]
Asher: So let's check this way. I know there's another employee-only area around the other locker room.
[He stops pointing and lowers his hand.]
Asher: If we're lucky we can get there uninterrupted and hopefully find some sort of emergency exit out to the surface.
Bradley: This place doesn't have any emergency exits.
[Asher blankly stares at Bradley. He stays silent for a few uncomfortably long seconds.]
Asher: This entire place is a fire hazard.
[He turns down the hallway and starts walking.]
Asher: Let's go. Before anyone finds us.
[His walking quickly changes into a sprint.]
Bradley: Hey!
[Bradley runs after Asher.]
Bradley: Don't leave me here you asshole!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Howdy! I am once again apologizing for the long delay in chapter releases. This time it was because of school work, trouble writing this chapter (and the next), getting sick with the Flu & Covid, and Halloween preparation. Ah. The pain. It hurts. Anyways, next chapter, see you then!