Everyone's head snaps up as, with a loud click, the doors all unlock and slowly swing open. Looking through the main doors, Thomas sees a lavish parlor, with even more doors and stairways to travel through. The door to the left seems to be a set of stairs leading down; walking over to it, it smells musty, old and untouched for years. The right door, by contrast, has fresh air wafting through it. Taking a look, Thomas sees that it leads out to the grounds and garden, simulated to look like they are outside at night.
Huh, Thomas says, pretty good special effects here...
Jack is the first to speak up. "Soooooo... where to first?"
"We should just head through the main doors," Melissa says, "that's the obvious choice, isn't it?" Thomas thinks he hears her mutter, "Probably the fastest way out..." but decides not to bring it up.
"I want to know what's down there," Rachel says, pointing to the left door, "Anyone else interested?"
"Hell yeah!" Jack responds, "the basement's bound to have the best stuff in it!" Melissa looks pale at the suggestion, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Jill, meanwhile, is looking through the right doorway.
"I wonder how they make it look like night..." she says, more to herself than anyone else. She turns to the rest of the group. "I say we head 'outside'."
"I'm not taking any detours in this place!" Melissa shouts, "I just want to get out!"
"No one says you have to go with us," Jack remarks, and with a devilish grin he adds, "You're free to take the quick way through... all alone..."
"That's not funny," she replies, but looks away, not wanting to press the matter.
Smirking at her athletic friend, Jill suddenly turns to Thomas. "What about you, Tom?" She asks, "If we're splitting up here, which way are you going?"
Once again, Thomas finds himself on the spot, with all eyes pointed right at him: Jack and Rachel's eager eyes, Melissa's uncomfortable, possibly even pleading eyes, and Jill's eyes, sparkling with a faint sense of humor and curiosity. After a moment's thought, Thomas eventually speaks up, deciding to...