Epic Escape by Emily Evans Read Free Book Online

“Maybe you have to win.”
    Riley’s stance widened and his fists clenched. “I’m no one’s pawn.”
    The host, behind a microphone stand, said, “Let’s welcome today’s four contestants. First up is Veronica.” The audience clapped.
    Chase gave Veronica a nod. “We play.”
    Veronica didn’t move and Chase shoved her forward.
    A bimbo with bleached hair, wearing a short sequined dress and a faux tan led Veronica toward a podium. They followed her. The stand had a large red button on the side and a microphone balanced on top.
    Chase waved, and the audience roared approval.
    The host shuffled a few cards. “Buzz in when you’re ready.” Veronica quickly placed her hand so her palm hovered over the buzzer. Chase saw this and threw his out, too. Megan clenched the sides of the wooden top in her sweaty palms, hoping no one could see her nervousness.
    The host said, “The question for today is--”
    Buzz. Chase’s must’ve accidently hit his buzzer.
    “We have a quick start out of the gate,” the host said, “Your answer?”
    Chase’s mouth twisted. “Carnivore?”
    The host used a singsong voice. “That’s incorrect.” He pointed to a red circle in the middle of the floor and the bimbo escorted Chase there, walking way too close to him.
    The audience chanted, “Circle of Shame, Circle of Shame!”
    Chase threw his fists in the air and bounced on his toes as if he had won something. The audience cheered.
    The host held up his hands for silence. “On July 20, 1969, what was the first word spoken from the moon?”
    Veronica buzzed in. Megan slapped her button next. Riley didn’t participate. “Time,” the host said, “Riley, as you made no attempt to guess, you may join Chase in the red circle.”
    Riley walked, and the audience chanted, “Circle of Shame, Circle of Shame!” Riley took a step outside the circle, his eyes fierce like he wanted to take on the whole crowd.
    Chase grabbed his arm. “Wait, I think we have to play this out.”
    Riley shrugged off his hold but remained inside the circle.
    “Your answers, please.”
    Veronica and Megan leaned into the microphone and said, “Houston.”
    “Houston’s correct,” the host said, “Veronica, as you rang in first, you win the first round.” The audience clapped. “Megan, join the others to compete in round two. Where we’ll determine who faces off with Veronica in today’s final challenge.
    “Circle of Shame, Circle of Shame!” The audience’s chant accompanied Megan’s steps, weighing them down.
    Veronica had an easier path. The bimbo led her to a throne-like chair that oversaw the circle while the audience said, “All hail our princess.” Veronica grinned and sank into the red velvet, shifting a satin pillow against her back.
    “What time is it?” the host asked gleefully.
    “Time to escape the Circle of Shame! Escape, escape!” The excited voices of the audience escalated with each word.
    The host eyed them with a malicious gleam in his dark eyes. “How will you escape? Walk the plank or Mystery dinner ?”
    The bimbo held up a gold-dome covered plate. She waved the dish in front of them.
    From inside came a clicking and the soft clatter that can only come from something possessing an exoskeleton.

Chapter 16

VAT
     
    M egan, Chase, and Riley responded simultaneously, “Walk the plank.”
    After a quick change, Megan re-entered the arena wearing a bikini covered by a t-shirt. Rubbing her arms, to ease the chill, she watched the bimbos roll a large see-through vat, shaped like an old-fashioned Jell-O mold, to the center of the arena floor.
    An enormous mass of green gelatin threatened to spill from the top. The green goo wriggled, lapping at three narrow wooden planks, which crossed the top of the vat. Each plank started and ended at a platform. Megan had never seen so much gelatin in one place. She’d never seen so much of any dessert in one place.
    Chase and Riley joined her, clad in swimsuits and t-shirts. Chase