Jessica gets on her hands and knees a few feet away from me and growls.

Spinning around, my eyes widen in panic as I take in the bear right in front of me. My character has never seen a bear before, so she has no idea what to make of it. But considering it’s growling and baring its teeth, she understands this creature isn’t friendly.

Jessica raises her hand and growls again.

“Help!” I cry, backing away. “Someone help! Please!”

Declan runs behind the bear and aims an imaginary gun at it. “Pow pow!” he says as he shoots.

Jessica slumps to the ground.

I gape at the person standing before me, slowly taking in the strange clothes I’ve never seen before. Then my gaze settles on the hard, unfriendly, and wary green eyes. And the gun that is pointed at me.

I spin around and flee.

“Stop right there!” Declan shouts.

I ignore him as I run across the stage.

“Stop or I’ll shoot!” Declan yells as he chases after me.

But I continue to run.

“Pow!” Declan shoots a tree right near me, almost nicking my cheek. That causes me to trip and fall to the ground.

“Don’t move an inch!” Declan shouts as he rushes over to me, pointing the gun at me.

I just stare up at him with terrified eyes.

“Raise your hands over your head and—” His voice cuts off as his eyes grow huge and his jaw falls open. He loses his firm grip on his gun as he says in a bewildered tone, “What are you?”

I just continue gaping at him, eyes wide and frightened and confused.

“You’re a…you’re a…” He quickly tightens his hold on his gun and aims it at me again. “You’re a female!”

I shield myself with my arms. “Please, I…”

He lunges at me, dropping his gun to his side and drawing a knife from his side pocket. Pressing it to my neck, he growls, “What are you doing out here, female?”

I’m so shocked and petrified that I can’t even open my mouth. Or breathe.

“Speak, female!” he orders, pressing the knife deeper into my throat. Of course it’s just his hand, but I definitely feel it. “Speak right now or I’ll slice your neck!”

“I…I…”

“Five seconds or you’re dead.”

“I got lost,” I lie, my voice trembling.

“A bit louder, Mia,” Miss Lane says. “But amazing so far. Both of you.”

“I got lost,” I say, my voice still quaking but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“You got lost?” He looks into my eyes. “How did you get out of The Underground?”

I press my lips firmly together.

He digs his hand into my throat. “How did you get out of The Underground, female?”