"ENTER AT OWN RISK"

[mirage]

We walk down a dark, narrow alley. So narrow we barely avoid hitting our shoulders. We come to a stop at a spooky-looking cavern which says..."ENTER AT OWN RISK"...

--escort-- Go on in...you are expected...

As we enter we see a very large man lifting a very heavy object above his head that looks like a filing cabinet...

--Man-- Come on in...don't mind me I'm just working out...

At this point you know we are scared...the man is lifting a filing cabinet above his head...

--Man-- Don't be afraid...yet...please, sit down...

We do...we sit down on what appear to be old monster-truck tires...

--Man-- In my kingdom, you do as I say...no highway option...do you understand?

We nod our heads slowly, still eyeing the back of the man's head...which appeared to be concealed by a black mask...

--Man-- I don't expect you to understand the customs of this place...but if you fall out of line once...!

The man points to a narrow cage with large, rusty, nails sticking out of the sides...

--Man-- That will be your new home...do I make myself clear?

We nod our heads a little quicker, now...unsure of whether or not he sees us...

--Man-- I am Mirage...welcome to my home...(still showing his back to us)

We mostly do not take our eyes off of this...thing...but the occasional two of us eye the door...eagerly...

--Mirage-- Don't you get any ideas of leaving here...

How did he know?

--Mirage-- Don't think I don't know what you are thinking...This place is sacred compared to anywhere else you could be in this world...I tell you, even that cage is more luxurious than out...there...and you will refer to me as Mirage and nothing else...

Mirage finally turns around and we see the sick black mask he wears which causes us great fear...

--Mirage-- I would expect you to be afraid...I would even expect the great one to be afraid...

Great one?

--Mirage-- You will find out soon enough who the great one is...

Mirage stands up and paces from the far right of us to the far left of us as if to try to frighten us more...

--Mirage-- I don't expect most of you to even make it out of this room alive...only one of you seems to impress me...

Mirage then comes and points at me...

--Mirage-- ...stand.

One word. A simple one, too. I don't know why I couldn't understand...

--Mirage-- STAND!!!

I stood abrubtly. Knowing my next move could be my last...

--Mirage-- ...name.

Tye...my name is Tye...why couldn't I just say it?

--Mirage-- Tye is it? Why do feel fear? I hold you higher than everyone else here...

--Tye-- I...I have great respect towards you, Mirage.

--Mirage-- Smart...Rather good answer don't you think?

Mirage turns to another man hardly noticed unless pointed out...I thought I was imagining things when I saw him...

--Man-- (nods)...

Mirage turns back to me...

--Mirage-- I see you are very fit...work out?

--Tye-- I...I want to be...umm...a wrestler?

--Mirage-- Well put a smile on your face son...

--Tye-- ...?

--Mirage-- Tye, full name Tylor, right...

--Tye-- Yes, th-that's right...

The others are looking at eachother eagerly now...I could hear people saying, "Who is this...guy?" Mirage quickly looks over at the one who said it...

--Mirage-- I am only refered to as Mirage...AM I UNDERSTOOD?!

Everyone nods their heads...careful to keep their mouths shut...Mirage then looks over at our escort...

--Mirage-- Take this lot and throw them out...they can find their own way home...

Everyone quickly gets up and starts to leave...I start to follow...

--Mirage-- Tye! Please stay...You are one of us now...

I stood wondering why I volunteered to this...Mirage pulls a black armband out of his pocket...

--Mirage-- Put this on. Show some respect...

I did as I was told...

--Mirage-- Remember one thing...

--Tye-- W-what?

--Mirage-- The other world is now a figment of your immagination...