"Everyone, grab a stick. We'll use it to shove away any frogs."
Rudolf"s voice was like a rock to many in these turbulent times.
They did as he said, choosing long sticks for themselves.
"Everyone, pair up... The stairway, though very narrow, can allow 2 people to go up at once."
Of course the premise was that someone else wasn't going downwards.
If this place were busy, there would only be one line going up and another going down the hill.
But since they were the only ones here, why should they walk alone when they were all so scared?
And so they began climbing what seemed like a stairway to the sky.
Everyone was holding their partners closely. Luckily, they were 12 in number, or one person would have to go up alone.
Though the boys felt aggrieved, they knew they had to let the girls be in the middle.
Hey... Didn't they have the right to be scared and protected too?
In horror movies, when serial killers make their move, isn't it the one in front or behind that gets taken away first?
Those behind couldn't help looking over their shoulders now and then.
So far, so good.
Rudolf frowned, realizing the stairway platform was beginning to rise higher than the hill grounds it was planted on.
Why raise it so high? One could jump off the platform with own big swoop before touching the hill grounds underneath it.
And if they don't react on time, they can roll right down to the base of the hill, maybe fracturing and injuring themselves too.
Rudulf felt he should file a complaint to someone.
I mean... Who designed this death contraption in the name of stairs?
According to news online, these steps have existed since ancient times and have lasted till now.
But so what?
Maintenance! Maintenance!
The government maintained most historical monumental places. So why was this one so neglected?
"Everyone watch your step. It's getting dangerous."
Bianca nodded, pointing her flashlight at the elevated stairways beneath her feet.
The barrage was also less active, typing less and less.
Why? Because their eyes were too glued to their screens.
But soon, someone spotted something and called their attention fast. The person typed, and others also saw this and commented, as well as reposted it severally to call the gang's attention.
Eh?
Rudolf read the message and felt his heart skip a beat.
Everyone also saw the bombarding messages, fluttering eyes far up at the end of the soaring stairway.
It's true!!
A silhouette had now appeared far up ahead.
The silhouette had no torch, no light source with him… nothing of that kind.
Time seemed frozen in place as everyone stood in raw turmoil, watching the mysterious figure slowly descend.
The tension in the air was high, and the chilly winds softly caressed their faces, causing a shiver to crawl up their spines.
~Tap... Tap... Tap... Tap...
The man's footsteps were steady and unhurried. His show showed him wearing a massive hat, one would find in the 17th century or so.
He also wore a long, high-neck, buttoned, black coat, unlike anything people wear nowadays.
Ahhh!
Bianca placed one hand on her mouth, stopping herself from screaming when his face became more evident under their torch lights.
This man...
The man had a deep, terrifying slash wound that drew across his face.
It looked painful and very terrible.
Bianca wasn't one to laugh or judge people from their looks. But this man's looks just gave her the creeps.
Rudolf and the others also sucked in their breaths but knew better than to open their mouths and comment on someone's injuries.
Of course, a part of them were worried if this guy was a criminal or so, though they still dared not question his motives for being out here this late.
After all, it is a grave sight, and he was wearing black.
He might've overstayed, visiting his deceased, unlike them.
The man smiled with a very mysterious glint in his eyes, though they didn't seem to notice.
"Lovely day... Isn't it."
"... Yes, yes... Lovely." Rudolf mustered the courage to reply. And the man's smile turned even broader.
"Well, now... I best be on my way... But I have to ask you all... Are you sure you want to enter the grave site?"
Eh? What's wrong? Is there anything wrong with the grave sight?
"Nothing... For you see, people say when the moon reaches a certain peak every 100 years, escaping the grave sight becomes impossible. And tonight happens to be that night. But the grave sight will never take people away without their permission... So are you sure you what to go in?"
--Silence--
Was he serious? Was there truly such a legend?
Bahhahahahahahaha~
The man laughed and smiled. "Come now... I'm joking with you all. Or do you think such a thing can exist?"
Ahh---
Everyone felt he made sense, now embarrassed of how exaggerated their thoughts became.
That's right.
Such things didn't exist. So what would they be so worked up over such silly things?
This was a society ruled by science. And the only scary thing was the human heart.
The strange glint flickered in the mysterious man's eyes as he took off his hat and bid them farewell.
"Well now, youngins... This man must be on his way. The wife and children are waiting... As for you, don't stay out too late. It's not safe for anyone to be out this late. Go home, and do something productive during this holiday period."
"Yes, yes... Thank you, sir."
Rudolf and the others awkwardly gave way to the man after taking in his teachings.
He acted like any elder would if they saw them out this late.
Everyone scratched their heads, pushing the matter of the man's absurd story behind them.
They looked at one another, smiling wryly.
"Com'on... Let's go."
"Yeah..."
Everyone ascended the stairway with no more sudden surprises popping up. And soon, they made it.
Everyone took deep breaths.
Alright.
Time to officially begin the dare!