Escape! Season 1 - Episode 1

The first thing Liz remembered was waking up with a massive headache. Ow. She used to fake migraines to get out of gym class, but this felt like every single one she’d ever faked had come back to bite her in the cranium. She groaned a little, moving to lift a hand to rub over one of her temples. What she hadn’t been expecting was her hands to be handcuffed behind her back.

“What the hell?”

“Hello?”

Huh, there was someone else there too. Another girl by the sound of it .Well, she wasn’t going to have any of this hanging around bound kinky crap.

“Hang on,” she said.

Closing her eyes, Liz visualized the handcuffs, pictured them clicking open and falling off. Less than a second later, that was exactly what happened. Taking a moment to rub over her wrists, she looked around, and her stomach lurched. She was so very not alone. The girl she’d heard was across the room from her, but there were three guys as well. She herself was laying on a bed, but not for long. Swinging her feet down to the floor, she sat up and focused on the girl. A moment later her hands were uncuffed as well, and she got up from the chair they’d set her in, rubbing her wrists the same way Liz had done with hers.

“Thanks,” she said quietly, and Liz watched as she looked around too. Then the other girl squealed and hurried over to crouch over a boy on the floor. Liz couldn’t understand what she was whispering to him, but she could hear that she sounded worried enough for her to gather that they were close. She undid his cuffs too, then looked at the other two boys.

One of them was leaning against the dresser, looking just as confused as she felt. The third boy was looking right at her, and when he caught her eye he got to his feet so fast that for a moment she thought he hadn’t been cuffed. Wrong. He was just really fast. And he kept watching her. She had to look away.

“Lemme guess,” the boy at the dresser said. “We are not here for not paying our phone bills, right?” He grinned a little. Was he on crack or something? Then it hit her...

“The show,”she said. “I told them I’d do it, but I thought it was a hoax.”

“Obviously not,” the boy said, then turned his back to her. His handcuffs were cutting into his wrists way too tightly, and she made a face. “D’you mind?”

Focusing my powers, Liz uncuffed the two guys

“Thanks.” It was the other boy that had said it. She looked away again. There was something about the way he watched her that made her uncomfortable.

Over in the corner, the other girl was still fussing over the boy, checking him up and down. Wow, obsessive girlfriend behavior much?

“Hey look at this.”

The second boy was clearly proving to be a chatty one. Well, at least he was as interested in figuring out what was going on as Liz was. Just then he was holding a TV remote in one hand, a note in the other one. She took the note from him and looked it over.

Push my buttons.

Chatty Cathy had no problem doing that. The TV came on, and she gasped a little.

“Oh my god, that’s the creep that asked me about the contest!”

He’d said his name was Chance Cagney, she remembered wondering if he’d made that up. And now he was there smiling like the cat that ate the canary. Liz was overcome with the sudden urge to punch him in the ear.

“Rise and shine my little Escapees, your adventure is about to begin. Now, I trust you’ve all become acquainted...”

Sure, Other Girl, The Kid, Chatty Cathy and El Creepo Who Won’t Stop Friggin’ Looking At Her.

“If not, I suppose you postpone on the formalities, there isn’t much time before the cavalry joins you, and as the outlaws in this situation, I’m certain you’ll want to avoid them. So you with the keys, why don’t you unlock the car we’ve left you for the whole gang and take a little drive? There are more instructions waiting for you once you’re on the go. Good luck.”

The video ended, and the screen went dead. Nobody said anything. Then...

“So, ah, who has the keys?” It was Chatty Cathy.

They all immediately checked our pockets. It was the kid that had the keys. He looked more surprised than the rest of them.

“Um, I can’t drive.”

El Creepo snatched them from him, grabbed his things, then led the way out of the room. Nobody wanted to sit and wait to see what was coming for them, so they all followed. Once everyone was outside, Liz made a face.

“Ew, a motel? I’m surprised he didn’t rufie and rape us.” Yeah, he looked like the type.

“You mean I was the only one?” Chatty Cathy asked, pretending to be horrified. Liz rolled her eyes. She was so not in the mood for jokes.

The group reached the parking lot, and everybody looked around. Which car was theirs? They were wasting time, and Liz was getting anxious. She did not want to meet the cavalry, whatever that meant. Finally El Creepo had the idea to push a button on the keys, and a car unlocked loudly. They all looked around at the source.

“Oh hell no!” Chatty Cathy said. Liz had a feeling she’d have to punch him before all of this was done, but ‘hell no’ was definitely a way to describe one of the ugliest cars she’d ever seen. They didn’t really have time to argue though. Everyone piled into the car, El Creepo behind the wheel. The moment the door slammed shut, we were tearing out of the parking lot, Chatty Cathy riding shotgun, The Kid, Other Girl and Liz in the backseat.

Nobody said anything, and it was one of those really awkward silences where one could cut the tension with a knife. After a few minutes Chatty Cathy turned around and grinned at everyone.

“So anyway, I’m Elias. I’m seventeen, I’m from Silver Spring in Maryland, and I enjoy long walks on the beach, intense conversations about books and music and being tied up in dingy motels. What about everyone else?”

“I’m Iris,” Other Girl chimed in. “And this is my little brother Lucas. We’re from Alexandria.”

Liz supposed the fact that they were all from the same area made her feel a little better. Both of those places were less than two hours from her home.

“I’m Liz, and live in Fairfax.”

Everybody looked to El Creepo, but he was staring straight ahead, as if he didn’t hear them. Elias wasn’t having it. “So, uh, how about you buddy?”

El Creepo shot him a look that would have made Liz hide, but either Elias had guts or no brain, she wasn’t entirely sure yet.

“Zeta. DC. Check and see if there’s anything in the glove compartment.”

Well wasn’t he just a ray of sunshine? Elias did as he was told, digging out for a moment before pulling out a CD.

“It says ‘play me’. Guess we’re playing it...”

He pushed it in the CD player, and that voice came on, that Chance Cagney guy. He seemed way too happy about the instructions he was giving them. Liz wondered if the other teams had heard the same thing.

Once the CD ended, they all kind of just stared out the window in silence. Zeta reached out to turn on the GPS system. It came to life with directions, and that was the last time he paid attention to the rest of them.

“So...hunters, huh?” Elias said, turning around in his seat to look at everyone. “This oughta be a blast. I hope one of you can shoot fire from your hands or something.”


Liz's Blog

This is already turning out to be great. I'm stuck with some of the weirdest people I've ever met, and I've known some real winners in my time.

Iris doesn't talk much, which is cool by me. If you don't have anything to say there's no need fill the silence...

Elias oughta learn that. Maybe he's just trying to ease the tension, but seriously, his jokes aren't even that funny. I may have to beat him up in the very near future.

Lucas is adorable, in that teddy bear sorta way. I think he'll turn out to be a real sweetie.

I really wish Zeta would stop being so creepy. What the hell kind of name is Zeta anyway?

Introducing - Zeta

Your Name: Zedekiah Hayden, but you'll call him Zeta if you value your life
Age: 19
Sex: Male
"Played By": Johnny "Christ" Seward
Hometown: Washington, DC

What have you done that has brought you here? Someone attacked me, I defended myself. I won.
Whats your ability? I can absorb another person's energy just by touching them.
What do you have to say to the other contestants? Nothing.
What's your favorite kitchen utensil? A fork I guess.
If you could take back your crime, would you? No.
Name one personal item in your bag, then tell us why you have it. A key . And none of your business.
What is your comfort food? Whatever's in the fridge and hasn't expired.
If you were a T-shirt what would your slogan be? Keep staring, I might do a trick.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? I don't really watch movies, no clue who's relevant.
What can you bring to your team? Whatever it takes.

What will you miss most while leaving your current life behind for this challenge? Nothing.
Who do you think will prove to be most obnoxious on your team? Chance Cagney.
Who will save your skin at least once? Lucas.
If you win back your freedom, what will you do next? Take everything a day at the time.
Do you think you would have gotten in trouble if you didn't have your powers? Most definitely.
What do you think will be the toughest part of this contest? Keeping everybody on task.
Do you have any special skills, outside of your power? My survival instinct.
What kind of music/books/movies do you like? Slayer, Pantera, Metallica, Iron Maiden. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I don't really watch movies.

If it came down to you or your teammates what would you do? Would you help them, or abandon them? It'd be screwed up not to help.
How do you feel about the other teams? We're all here for the same reason. I'm not gonna hold a grudge against them.
Who are your heroes? I don't believe in heroes.

Introducing - Lucas

Your Name: Lucas Yoshida
Age: 15
Sex: Male
Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia
"Played By": Hiro Mizushima

What have you done that has brought you here? They called it "Inciting mayhem". You know how someone will yell "FIRE" in a movie theater? Yeah, something along those lines.
Whats your ability? I can make people see things they don't really see. It's like I project images into their minds.
What do you have to say to the other contestants? Let's do this!
What's your favorite kitchen utensil? A spork? Sporks are weird.
If you could take back your crime, would you? It was just a joke, I didn't think I'd get in so much trouble for it.
Name one personal item in your bag, then tell us why you have it. My dad's watch. He gave it to me before he died, I guess I just like keeping it because it makes me feel like I have a part of him with me all the time. 
What is your comfort food? Fudge brownie sundaes.
If you were a T-shirt what would your slogan be? I'm With Stupid
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? Gedde Watanabe. I know he's a lot older than me but he can play the grown up me when I'm awesome and stuff.
What can you bring to your team? I try to keep a positive outlook on stuff.

What will you miss most while leaving your current life behind for this challenge? My mom.
Who do you think will prove to be most obnoxious on your team? Liz kinda scares me sometimes.
Who will save your skin at least once? Iris. No doubt about it.
If you win back your freedom, what will you do next? Go back home and just be a normal kid I guess.
Do you think you would have gotten in trouble if you didn't have your powers? If I'd known what was going to happen I wouldn't have done what I did with my powers either,
What do you think will be the toughest part of this contest? Making everyone on my team see that I'm not just some little kid. I can help win this contest.
Do you have any special skills, outside of your power? I'm a good listener.
What kind of music/books/movies do you like? I love comic books, I collect them. I don't really have a favorite band or anything, but I've liked all the comic book movies that have been coming out lately.

If it came down to you or your teammates what would you do? Would you help them, or abandon them? Of course I'd help. That's why we're teammates.
How do you feel about the other teams? I think it's going to be tough, but I'm up for the challenge.
Who are your heroes? My mom and dad.

Introducing - Liz

Your Name: Elizabeth Martin
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
"Played By": Avril Lavigne

What have you done that has brought you here? I set my boyfriend's house on fire. The cheating asshole had it coming.
Whats your ability? Telekinesis. I can move things with my mind.
What do you have to say to the other contestants? I'll give the friends thing a try, but don't screw me over.
What's your favorite kitchen utensil? The microwave.
If you could take back your crime, would you? Hmmm, no.
Name one personal item in your bag, then tell us why you have it. My scrapbook. I like documenting my life. Hopefully I'll have time to document some of this experience.
What is your comfort food? Peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches. I cut the crust off.
If you were a T-shirt what would your slogan be? Don't get mad, get EVERYTHING.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? Scarlett Johansson
What can you bring to your team? Great hair and a "can do" attitude.

What will you miss most while leaving your current life behind for this challenge? My current life.
Who do you think will prove to be most obnoxious on your team? Elias. Ugh.
Who will save your skin at least once? Zeta. He's quiet, but he looks like he gets things done.
If you win back your freedom, what will you do next? Well my PO says I have to stay away from my ex...
Do you think you would have gotten in trouble if you didn't have your powers? It might have taken them longer to catch me, but sure.
What do you think will be the toughest part of this contest? Adjusting to the fact that I'm not at home anymore.
Do you have any special skills, outside of your power? I can take down a guy twice my size with a right hook.
What kind of music/books/movies do you like? For music, anything I can bounce around to. I like poppy stuff, it makes me smile. I read those sexy romance novels where the guy is always a tortured hunk and the heroine wants to save him. As for movies....I really like Monty Python and Mel Brooks movies.

If it came down to you or your teammates what would you do? Would you help them, or abandon them? Ask me again in a few weeks.
How do you feel about the other teams? They're cute, but cute doesn't always cut it.
Who are your heroes? I'm all about girl power. I went as a slutty Wonder Woman for Halloween last year, does that count?

Introducing - Iris

Your Name: Iris Yoshida
Age: 16
Sex: Female
Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia
"Played By": Zhang Ziyi

What have you done that has brought you here? I was hustling people to get some extra cash
Whats your ability? I can morph things, turn one item into another.
What do you have to say to the other contestants? May the best woman win!
What's your favorite kitchen utensil? Oh! Um, let me think about that. Hmmmm, maybe a wire whisk?
If you could take back your crime, would you? Definitely.
Name one personal item in your bag, then tell us why you have it. If it's personal it's personal for a reason, isn't it?
What is your comfort food? Butter pecan ice cream.
If you were a T-shirt what would your slogan be? I thought these were going to be serious questions...
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? There aren't that many Asian actresses my age out there, are there? I guess I'll have to say Brenda Song.
What can you bring to your team? My ability to handle stressful situations without panicking and being able to think rationally.

What will you miss most while leaving your current life behind for this challenge? My friends and my mom.
Who do you think will prove to be most obnoxious on your team? Elias seems a little obnoxious.
Who will save your skin at least once? Lucas, we always have each others back.
If you win back your freedom, what will you do next? Start over, try and be a better daughter and a better person.
Do you think you would have gotten in trouble if you didn't have your powers? You know, I don't know. I don't think so at least.
What do you think will be the toughest part of this contest? Not caving under the pressure of trying to beat out everyone else.
Do you have any special skills, outside of your power? I'm a pretty good cook, does that count?
What kind of music/books/movies do you like? I'm a big fan of Jane Austen and everything to do with that period.

If it came down to you or your teammates what would you do? Would you help them, or abandon them? I'd do anything to help my brother, even if that means letting him win.
How do you feel about the other teams? I've sort of been keeping to myself so far, I haven't really had the chance to get to know everyone yet.
Who are your heroes? My mom.

Introducing - Elias

Your Name: Elias Brown

Age: 17

Sex: name the time and place sweetheart

Hometown: Silver Spring, Maryland
"Played By": Penn Badgley 

What have you done that has brought you here? Burglary
Whats your ability? I can control the elements and make them do what I want

What do you have to say to the other contestants? You're still here?

What's your favorite kitchen utensil? *blink* What?

If you could take back your crime, would you? I'd take back the part where I got caught

Name one personal item in your bag, then tell us why you have it. A toothbrush. Funky breath is nasty.

What is your comfort food? Chicken lo mein

If you were a T-shirt what would your slogan be? It's Only Funny Until Someone Gets Hurt. Then It's Hilarious.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? Myself. Duh.

What can you bring to your team?  My dashing good looks and fast talking skills.

What will you miss most while leaving your current life behind for this challenge? Being able to move without having everyone watch my every move.

Who do you think will prove to be most obnoxious on your team? Liz. Or maybe Lucas.
Who will save your skin at least once? I'd like to think Zeta has some decent ass-kicking skills hidden in there.
If you win back your freedom, what will you do next? I'm going to Disney World.
Do you think you would have gotten in trouble if you didn't have your powers? Maybe not this much trouble, but I get bored too easily to be good.
What do you think will be the toughest part of this contest? Having no privacy

Do you have any special skills, outside of your power? I've been told I'm a pretty good kisser.

What kind of music/books/movies do you like? I like indie, like the White Stripes and the Subways, and I'm really liking that movie Mr. Nobody right now. I always carry Of Mice and Men around with me.

If it came down to you or your teammates what would you do? Would you help them, or abandon them? Depends. We'll see as time goes on.

How do you feel about the other teams? What other teams?

Who are your heroes? BATMAN.