Austin and Maddie share a brief, uneasy glance as they realize they have endured the most awful pain and that they proved to Mother and the nation. That they showed trust. And what they endured lingers like an unseen fog.

Maddie steps closer, hesitating for a moment, before wrapping her arms around Austin in a rare gesture of comfort. He returns the hug, albeit stiffly, the strain of the challenge etched on his face. Their bond, however fragile, seems momentarily solidified.

Yet beneath the surface, doubts simmer. The paranoia, seeded and nurtured by Mother, still clings to each of them like a second skin. Though declared winners, both know the victory is hollow—their struggles are far from over.

Lynne stands nearby, visibly shaken but trying to muster some semblance of composure. "Congrats," she murmurs, her voice barely audible over the pounding in her ears.

Sam lingers on the edge of the room, arms crossed tightly, her jaw clenched. She watches the others without a word, her silence heavy with unspoken tension. Her blue eyes flicker briefly toward Henry, who has just risen from the couch and cautiously approaches. Henry's intent is clear—he wants to congratulate them, too—but Sam's withering glare halts him in his tracks. He falters, unsure whether to speak or retreat. Sam turns away sharply, dismissing him with a cold shoulder.

Mother's disembodied voice breaks the strained quiet. "Teamwork, my dear children. Did you see what it takes to win?" Her voice drips with mockery, each word like nails dragged across a chalkboard. "You endured pain, suffering, humiliation. But let us not forget... one of you is still the killer."

The teens stiffen at her words, their distrust of one another reigniting.

"Weak," Mother continues, her tone acidic. "You're all so weak. But which one of you is the weakest?" Her laughter is a grating reminder of her control, her power to twist the knife.

She targets Maddie first, her tone cold and surgical. "Ah, sweet Maddie. You endured cuts and the taunts of your sister's voice. Bravo." Maddie visibly recoils, clutching her still-bandaged left arm. "But you're prone to hurting others, aren't you? Like poor Neil."

"No," Maddie whispers, shaking her head.

"How can they trust you, then?" Mother's voice is a cruel blade, cutting deep. Maddie's hand tightens over her arm as tears threaten to spill.

Henry steps forward, his voice sharp and defiant. "That's enough."

Mother shifts her attention to him with a sinister chuckle. "Oh, Henry, dear. You, the self-proclaimed comic book hero, who did nothing but sit back during the challenge. What is it that superheroes fear most? Ah, yes. Failure." Her tone is razor-edged, her words aimed with precision. "And you, Henry, are a failure."

"I'm not!" Henry says, though his voice wavers.

"Oh? And who is this other friend of yours? Surely not these roommates you've alienated."

Henry stays harden but doesn't reply. Mother's laugh echoes, hollow and sharp. Her gaze turns to Austin.

"Ah, Austin, the strong one. Tell me, did you enjoyed your ex's tears of cheating love. Or how does it feel knowing your father wished for your mother instead of you?"

Austin flinches as though struck. "Stop it," he grumbles in a vexing timbre.

Lynne steps forward, her voice trembling. "Just leave us alone."

Mother doesn't flinch, continuing her insidious scowls. "Now for the real losers." Her lens veers to the direction of Lynne and nearby Sam.

"Poor Lynne, you can't even stand up to your parents. I doubt you will have a future, besides you can't even pull your own weight." Mother chuckles in a mechanical way.

Lynne turns her head away feeling the sting of those insults, yet Sam steps up seeking to prove Mother wrong.

"What's your problem!" Sam yells back at Mother, "Just crawl to whatever wasted computer you came from"

"Ah, always the feisty one." Mother finally turns her attention directly to Sam. "You think, Samantha, you may be fierce, but ultimately you're alone. Did you remember the sound of Brandy's foster mother's cries? The yells for help as the only person who cared about you slipped away? And now... there's no one."

Mother delivers another one of her cruel mocking laughs.

Incensed, Sam's hands clench into fists, her body taut with fury. Without thinking, she grabs one of the metal bars left resting on the pedestal and hurls it at the nearest camera lens. The round protective glass shatters, tiny shards scattering across the floor below the screen. The red light persists, unwavering.

"That won't work," Mother says derisively. "I am the house, and the house is me. But I appreciate the display of emotion. That fiery anger... the mark of a killer."

"Shut up!" Sam yells, her voice raw with frustration.

Mother then goes on to mock Maddie, "Be careful, Maddie, Sam could be coming after you like she did to Keith."

Sam grabs another bar and throws it at the wall, her rage palpable. The others watch in silence, the hostility growing. Each of them feels the weight of Mother's words, the poison of her manipulation sinking deeper.

"My dear children, remember, whatever power you think you have...I hold the power." Mother states as her red light finally fades away.

The rest of the day passes in heavy quietness. Most of them still physically and emotionally drained from the recent challenge and now Mother's zingers. The teens retreat to their corners of the house, each grappling with their own doubts and fears. Their paranoia amongst them still evident. Sam pointedly avoids Henry, her disdain for him for what he did, radiating with every cold glance. Henry watches her from a distance, guilt gnawing at him. He questions himself, wondering if her anger is proof of her innocence or if it's a sign she's the killer after all.

***

As the next day approaches, the teens continues to skip another group breakfast meal. Their paranoid dread has kept them apart. And the venomous words Mother spewed on them yesterday only invoked the stifling apprehension further. But Henry still clings onto that desperate hope Elijah and his hacker friend Jude can find that way to save them. While the others remain flummoxed and question Elijah's role, Henry has yet to deter. He has continued to lay faith Elijah will do it. However these past days and what the teens have endured recently, Henry has no idea how long that dwindling hope will last.

Henry's fingers hover over the keyboard, his pulse a steady drum in his ears. Elijah's latest email sits on the screen, its words glowing against the dim backdrop of the laptop.

Subject: Hang on

Stay strong, Data. You've got this. I believe in you. I believe in all of you.

-Spock out

Elijah's words resonate deeply, yet Henry doesn't know how much it will. Knowing that optimistic point might feel distant in the oppressive tension suffocating the Fear House.

The Gathering Zone is eerily quiet, the soft hum of the camera lens above the screen the only sound, a constant reminder of Mother's watchful eye. Henry glances back toward the hallway where the others linger, the tension between them thick as unspoken accusations linger from their last heated exchange.

Sam ignores him entirely, her posture rigid as she leans against the wall. Maddie retreats into her room, muttering something Henry can't make out. Austin is seated near the kitchen, his jaw tight as if trying to suppress whatever storm rages inside him. Lynne drifts like a ghost, her eyes darting nervously to the ceiling, her footsteps barely making a sound as she paces.

Henry types a quick reply to Elijah, desperation laced into each keystroke.

Subject: IDK

Spock, they're tearing apart. I can't hold them together anymore. How do we stop this before it destroys us?

– Data out

The soft click of the send button feels futile. Henry stares at the laptop, waiting for a response, any response, as if Elijah might magically fix the splintering group. When no reply comes after several minutes, Henry slams the laptop shut and leans back in the desk chair, letting out a frustrated breath.

Suddenly, Mother's voice crackles to life, slicing through the silence. "My dear children, it seems you've grown restless. Let's shake things up, shall we? Gather in the Zone."

The announcement is jarring. The teens exchange wary glances, their fragmented unity hanging by a thread. Sam is the first to move, muttering something under her breath as she heads for the Zone. Maddie follows reluctantly, her arms crossed defensively. Austin and Lynne fall in line, though their hesitation is palpable.

Henry lingers behind, his gaze flickering back to the laptop. He considers sending one more message but thinks better of it. He has no time. Rising from the desk chair, he trudges after the others, his stomach churning with a mix of dread and anticipation.

When they assemble in the Gathering Zone, Mother's presence is immediately felt. The glowing red lens of her camera dominates the space, its cracked surface giving her an almost malevolent edge.

"You've done well to make it this far," She coos, her tone offensively sweet. "But let's see how you handle a little... surprise."

The teens exchange alarmed looks, their unease deepening. Before anyone can respond, the room begins to shift. The floor hums beneath their feet, and the walls ripple like water. The air feels charged, almost electric. Maddie stumbles back, her breath catching as she clutches her chest. Lynne grips Austin's arm, her nails digging into his skin.

"What the hell is this?" Sam demands, her voice cutting through the mounting chaos.

Mother doesn't answer. Instead, the Gathering Zone dissolves around them, the walls morphing into reflective surfaces. The mirrors stretch from floor to ceiling, creating an endless maze of reflections. The once-familiar room is unrecognizable, transformed into a labyrinth of glass and light.

Henry steps back, his reflection multiplying infinitely in the mirrors. The distorted versions of himself stare back, their eyes hollow and accusatory. His breath quickens as he realizes he's been separated from the others. Each of them stands alone, isolated in their own section of the maze.

"Welcome to the Mirror Maze," Mother purrs. "This is where your truths will be revealed."

Sam pounds her fists against the nearest mirror, her anger barely concealing her fear. "Let us out!" she screams, her voice echoing endlessly.

"Face yourself, Sam," Mother taunts. "And perhaps you'll find your way out."

The mirrors shimmer ominously, their surfaces rippling like water. Henry swallows hard, his pulse pounding in his ears. He turns in circles, his reflection following him at every angle. He knows he's not alone in his terror—he can feel it. The rest are starting to feel it.

The challenge has begun, and the only way out is through.