Chapter 6 THE ENIGMATIC PUZZLE

As Victor was led to the dining room, he could smell the delicious aromas of food wafting through the air. He found his way to a table where five people were already seated. They were chatting amongst themselves, their voices filled with laughter and merriment. The table was laden with food of all kinds, from steaming bowls of soup to roasted meats and fresh vegetables. As he took a seat, the nerves he had been feeling ever since he stepped into the hotel reduced to just a tingling sensation, maybe he was just overthinking it and being worked up over nothing.

The food, the company, and the ambience of the room were all contributing to a feeling of warmth and comfort. He couldn't help but notice the girl sitting across from him. She was dressed in a black, gothic outfit, complete with dark eye makeup. Her hair was dyed black and cut into a choppy style, and she had piercings in her nose and ears. He couldn't help but be intrigued by her unconventional appearance. She seemed to be listening to the conversation, but she didn't say a word, instead choosing to observe the scene around her. He wondered what she was thinking and what her story was. She was a bit of a mystery, and he couldn't help but be drawn towards her. "Good evening honoured ladies and gentlemen. My name is Mr Blackwood, I'm the enigmatic hotel

manager, and I'll be responsible for your welfare and other activities that would be required to make your stay worthwhile." Mr Blackwood announced. "I'm sure during the duration of the dinner you have introduced yourselves as these individuals you see seated beside you would be your neighbours throughout your stay here, and we would love for you to stay in this hotel in perfect harmony." "Yeah, we know ourselves, but who is he?" Lucky asked, looking at Victor.

"My name is Victor Malone. Nice to meet you guys." Victor introduced himself, gaining nods in reply. "Now that, that's out of the way. I would like to introduce the rules of the Inn with you. If you feel you can not comply with the rules, we will be happy to let you go. Shall I?" Mr Blackwood asked, staring intently at them.

"Umm, sure." Evelyn replied. "Very well then. Here are the rules: First, no stealing is allowed. Second, you are not to wander the halls of the hotel after dark. Third, your phones would have to be confiscated but will be returned to you at the end of your stay. If you have any message we'll be sure to deliver them to you. Finally, you

are all expected to participate in the activities and games that have been planned for you." Mr

Blackwood explained. "Why should our phones be confiscated? I may have several important calls and might need to leave at a moment notice." Professor Samuel complained. "Those are the rules of the hotel, sir. If it doesn't sit well with you you're free to leave." Mr Blackwood said. Professor Samuel frowned at that but didn't say a word. He was curious about what the hotel has in store for them and wouldn't want to miss out on it. "You keep saying during our stay here. When exactly does our stay here end?" Izzy asked, finally talking. "The stay last for a week approximately. We promise It'll be one of the most memorable weeks of your lives." Mr Blackwood replied. "Are there any other question?" Mr Blackwood asked, seeing as no one asked any other question.

"Is the forest off limits?" Liv asked, not ready to let anything disturb her hike into the forest that had called out to her from her arrival.

"It's not, but there's a period of time you'll be allowed to go in. How's that ma'am?" Mr Blackwood asked. "Perfect." Liv said, smiling. "Very well let's move to the first game of your stay here." Mr Blackwood clapped his hand and two individuals wearing a suit and a full face mask, which concealed their identity walked in carrying a stand that hosts a box with a round hole at the top. They carefully set it down in front of Mr Blackwood and turned around.

"Well, that was strange." Lucky said, watching them leave the room. "This box contains pieces of paper with your names on it. Once your name is drawn from the list you'll be required to face a certain challenge." Mr Blackwood explained. "This shit is giving escape room vibes." Lucky said. "Trust me. It's nothing of that sort. Who would like to pick the first name?" "I would like to then." Izzy said, standing up. She walked over to the box and bravely put her hand inside where she could feel different papers in the box. She picked one and revealed the content. "Dr Evelyn." Izzy read out to the surprise of Evelyn.

"Dr Evelyn, would you please follow me for the first challenge?" Mr Blackwood asked politely.

"Oh... Okay." Evelyn got up and Mr Blackwood led her through the hall into another room. Evelyn entered a dimly lit room, the walls adorned with strange symbols and intricate patterns. In the centre of the room, she finds an ornate wooden box with multiple locks and an hourglass placed beside it. A Few paces away from the table was another table on which a jar was placed. Instructions are scrawled on the wall in cryptic writing: "Time is your enemy. Solve the puzzle before the sands run out, or your fate will be sealed." The puzzle involves deciphering the symbols on the walls to unlock the various locks on the box. Each lock corresponds to a different set of symbols. "Dr Evelyn. The rule of the game is simple, they're four symbols on the box and a key hole on each of the symbols. The keys to open the box are in the jar. You must match the symbols above the key hole to the respective gods that the symbol belongs to." Mr Blackwood explained. "Do you understand?" "Yes." Dr Evelyn replied confidently. "You have until the hourglass runs out, and your time starts..." Mr Blackwood led her to the middle of the room and turned the hourglass over. "Now." He said as soon as the sand starts pouring, then leaves the room. Evelyn hurried to the box and knelt then while studying the symbols on the box. The first symbol she saw was a wreath of laurel leaves, she recalled seeing the symbol in one of the Greek manuscripts she was going through.

She ran towards the jar and poured all of the keys on the table, they were several keys with different pictures of ancient gods on them. She saw the picture of a tall and graceful woman, with long flowing hair and radiant beauty. She was wearing a white robe with a pair of wings.

Evelyn picked up the key and inserted it into the key hole, which turned with a click, signifying it was the correct key. Evelyn glanced at the hourglass and noticed it was quarter empty already. She turned to the next key hole and took a deep breath as though the air was starting to thin out in the room. She thought it was just her imagination and studied the next symbols which was like a cross with a loop at the top, the ancient symbol of the ankh which represented life, beside the ankh was a forked staff topped by a crocodile head, the was-sceptre. Evelyn headed back to the jar and looked for a key that had the picture of a man with the head of a hawk wearing a crown and a sun disk on his head. It was the ancient sun god of the Egyptians, Ra. She quickly took the key and inserted it into the key hole, but it did not budge as it was the wrong key. "What?" Evelyn said in shock. She noticed she was finding it difficult to breathe. Unknowingly to her, the air was slowly being drained out of the room.

She rushed back to the jar and scattered the keys across the table as her brain clicked. She took a key that held the picture of a man with a crocodile head and a broad shoulder and muscular chest. She inserted it back to the key hole, and this time, it clicked opened. She hurriedly turned to the next sign as she was beginning to feel light-headed. The hourglass was almost empty by now. She was running out of time. The next symbol was a boar, Evelyn recognised it immediately as the symbol belonged to one of her favourite gods. Just as she stood up to run towards the jar, a wave of dizziness hit her, and she tumbled hitting her head hard on the floor, which drew out blood.

"Oh shit." Victor said in shock as he watched Evelyn hit the floor. They had been transferred to

another room, the main lounge, where there was a large screen on which they watched Evelyn's

challenge. Victor made to leave towards the room Evelyn was to help her but two of the masked men blocked the door.

"I'm afraid you can't help her. Mr Victor. As you can see she is fine." Mr Blackwood said pointing to the TV. Evelyn managed to drag herself up and towards the table with the jar on it. She quickly found a picture of a young man with long, golden hair wearing a horned helmet and carrying a sword. Freyr, the norse god of fertility.

She crawled back to the box and inserted the key, opening the lock. She touched the gash on her head, which was bleeding, but was more concerned about the fact that she had to open her mouth to breathe properly now. Air was running out and fast, the hourglass remained only a few drops of sand before it was completely empty, she wondered what would happen if it was completely empty but she didn't wait to find out. The next symbol was very strange. It was a necklace with a human eye on it. Evelyn dragged herself towards the jar as it was getting increasingly difficult to breathe. She knew it would belong to a god of the underworld, darkness, or death. Her brain was running low on oxygen, and her movement became sluggish as her body was being denied oxygen. "What's happening to her?" Professor Sam asked, seeing as Evelyn was acting slower than usual. "Probably the injury getting to her. I'm sure she'll be fine." Mr Blackwood reassured him. Professor Sam nodded, although not satisfied with the answer along with everyone in the room who just stared at the screen, tensed in anticipation of whether or not Evelyn would complete her challenge.

Evelyn eliminated all the gods she knew and saw one she did not know. She picked up the key with the picture of a skeleton wearing a black robe. The hourglass was about to run out when she inserted the key inside and turned it, which made a satisfying click just as she collapsed on the floor. Air began pooling back into the room, and she could breathe very well again. The masked men rushed in and helped her to her feet while administering first aid to the open gash on her head. "Congratulations on completing your challenge, Dr Evelyn. The Silent Enigmas would help you to the clinic. We are deeply sorry about your injury." Mr Blackwood said just as he arrived at the room. Just as Evelyn was being escorted to the clinic, there was only one thought in her mind. She would

have died if she had not completed the challenge. Realisation dawned upon her that the hotel, The Enigma Inn, was not as it seemed.