hmm i lowkey rlly wanna do a version of decrypted where everything is the same except its narry bc i love narry. 

also, we got four votes last chapter :D thats awesome! Thanks so much, guys :D

i keep stalling with the intense part because personally, its going to be kinda tough to write. BUT next chappy should be the intense part

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After Zayn and Niall had rejoined Lea and Liam, they began walking towards blood blitz. 

It had taken them a couple extra minutes to arrive, since sometimes Niall would be distracted by tickets and tokens that were scattered around the arcade. 

Liam and Lea tried to protest, but Zayn gave them a glare that silenced all their complaining. 

Niall hoped some of the machines still worked, and if they did, he was going right to pac man. 

Big neon signs flickered overhead, which was a good sign to Niall since the arcade must still have power. 

Lea grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest, "Are you sure they're in here? This looks like a big waste of time to me." 

"Yes, Lea, I'm sure." Zayn snapped, a bit annoyed from all her complaining on the way over. 

Zayn walks up the steps, and looks inside for a clear coast before pushing open the glass doors. 

Arcade games lined the close walls of the building, making the hallway prone to crowding. The multi color paint on the walls was faded and scratched off, and the very few windows were broken. 

The floor was littered in scraps of old arcade tickets and coins, making Niall's eyes go wide. 

Only a few small overhead lamps were working, making the place dimly lit. 

"Whoa! Look at that game! It has guns and a huge TV!" Niall gasped through a grin, rushing over to that game station, "Can we play it? Please?" 

What Zayn would've once found annoying, he found incredibly cute. "Not now, cookie. Remember, be quiet." 

"Aww, c'mon. It even has monsters in it, i bet you'd be amazing at it." Niall whined, sadly placing the gun back in its holster. 

"Hmmm," Zayn pretended to think, placing a finger up by his chin, "It would be really fun to kick your ass, but i'll save you the embarrassment." 

"Now, c'mon, cookie. We have to be quiet and find out whats going on." Zayn finished, continuing to walk along the hallway with high guard. 

"I dont see anything over here." Liam yelled as softly as he could, standing up and pointing to the prize section he was currently inspecting. 

"Or here!" Lea called, exiting the women's bathrooms. 

Zayn frowned, scanning the area intently. There wasn't any other place to look, besides the dumpsters outside, which Zayn was sure they weren't in.

"Hey, whats over there?" Niall asked, pointing to a small, wooden door. 

"Probably the janitors closet, they wont be in there or anything useful." Zayn shrugged, indirectly dismissing Niall.

"Well, i'll go check it out, just in case." Niall decided, walking to the door and opening it. 

His shoulders slumped, only cleaning supplies were in the closet. But, he did find a key, so he took it just in case it would unlock the prize counter. 

He wanted that poorly made, cheap, neon orange monkey so bad. But of course he wasn't going to play games for it, who has time for all that?

Niall walked over and grabbed the key, stopping when he heard a creak from below him. Looking down, he saw a locked trap door. 

The blonde frowned, grabbing the key with annoyance and dropping to his knees. No orange monkey for now. 

Just as he'd thought, the key unlocked the door. He began prying it open, but it was too heavy for him. So, he dropped the door with a thud.

"Hey, Ni, what're you doing?" Zayn called, jogging up to Niall, "Oh shit! What's this?" 

"Nothing, i thought you said there wouldn't be anything useful in here." Niall playfully glared, scooching over and sitting back on the door. 

"Aww, c'mon baby, i was just playing." Zayn smirked, giving Niall slight puppy eyes. 

Niall continued his actions, even poking out his tongue. 

Zayn crinkled his nose and let out a soft laugh in return. 

"Alright, now that i know you're not upset," He began, placing on hand on the door frame and leaning against it, "I'm gonna ask you one more time, what are you doing?" 

"Well, i was snooping and found a key, then i figured out it unlocked this door but i cant get it open. Now you're here, pestering me, and that's about it." Niall innocently smiled, looking up at his lover. 

"Good thing im here to help you then," Zayn said with a smile, crouching down and wrapping his hands around the door handle, "You know, it'd help if you moved your fat ass." 

"Oh, im sure it would." Niall sang, rocking back and forth on the door. 

Zayn squinted at him, lunging forward and scooping up the smaller boy in his arms. Niall barely had any time to think before he was gently placed back down, away from the door. 

"Now, i'll get started." Zayn said, pulling the door up with shaky hands. The door almost seemed to be glued down from how resistant it was to opening. 

Zayn huffed, clenching his eyes and pushing forward with all his might. 

Finally, the door opened, revealing a cement staircase that faded into blackness. Faint groans and gurgling could be heard, sounds that climbed up the staircase.

"Good job, Ni! You found another place to look," Zayn gasped, sending the biggest smile to his boy, "Maybe you aren't so useless after all." 

"Hey!" Niall protested, glaring at Zayn. 

"That's Zayn language for, 'I'm proud of you'," He fondly smiled over at Niall, "I know i've said it before, but you're one of the best partners i could've asked for." 

Niall smiled, liking the feeling of appreciation and helpfulness. He subconsciously thought about the map, and how much more he wanted to solve it alone. He wasn't going to show anyone, now, he was going to help all by himself, even if he doesn't fully understand.

"Moving along from all that rainbow and vomit bullshit, let's get to exploring," He began, examining the room for a flashlight, "Lea! Liam!" 

In a couple of minutes, all four members were crowded around the staircase. Zayn was smacking the flashlight against a shelf to 'fix it' while the rest of the crew was debating on who should go first. 

"I'm pretty low on bullets." Lea admitted, checking her pockets again for any spare. 

"Me too." Liam said, showing his last magazine. 

"We can use knives can't we?" Niall asked, grabbing the blade Harry had given him. 

"Yes, but it's not the best weapon," Liam responded, and hushing his voice, "I think we're going up against ghouls from the sound of it." 

"Since you cowards are too scared," Zayn spoke up, rolling his eyes, "I'll lead." 

"I'm not a coward." Lea snapped. 

"Oh right, you're an invertebrate, how could i have forgotten?" Zayn asked himself, priding off the glare Lea gave. 

Zayn walked over to the group, stopping at the entrance where everyone was crowded around, "Move." 

They all shuffled out of the way, making space for Zayn to enter first. Before he started his trip, however, he leaned over to Niall. 

Whispering in his ear, Zayn said, "Just to clarify, you're not a coward, sweetheart." 

And with that, he flicked the flash light on and began down the stairs.

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dont forget to vote and comment :) :* 

god, next chapter is gonna suck. I'm gonna kms writing it.

No promises, but it might???? be up tomorrow if i have time.

what do you think is gonna happen downstairs?;) what will they find?

unedited as fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk