[ WP ] You and some friends meet to play poker . After playing until early morning , you slowly start to realize that none of you has the desire to leave the room you are currently in .

`` David!'' I yell as he doses off. 
 
 `` Yes?'' He replies. 
 
 `` It's your go man, check or raise?'' 
 
 `` Check.'' he says with not very much enthusiasm. 
 
 `` Does anybody else feel like we have been playing too long?'' I say 
 
 `` No, not really, I feel like I could play at least another eight hours.'' Zach says 
 
 `` Something is n't right here'' Evan chimes in. 
 
 It is 6am, what we believe to be sunlight shining in through the basement window strikes my face. I feel groggy, yet exhilarated. This room, there is something happening in here that nobody seems to be acknowledging. How come Zach's parents' have n't come down to check on us? They had to be to the airport around right now and were going to say bye. 
 
 `` Zach, where did you say your parents were going?'' I say. 
 
 `` Somewhere in Europe.. not really sure to be honest.'' says Zach. 
 
 `` Man your dad, he makes good fruit punch.'' Evan chiming in again. 
 
 `` Thank you, hey does anybody know what time it is?'' Zach replies. 
 
 `` My watch says it is noon.'' David says. 
 
 I'm feeling dazed and confused.. did he say noon? I thought the sun just came up, it could only be 7am. I glance at my watch, sure enough it says noon. Then what seems like an hour of poker passes by and I hear the basement door open and it is Zach's dad. 
 
 `` Hey guys? How are you feeling? I made up some more punch for you guys if you want.'' 
 
 Why is he making so much punch? Sure he majored in chemistry and can probably make some amazing fruit punch.. wait, he just left to go to Europe this morning. 
 
 `` Hey Mr.Zachsdad, were n't you supposed to be leaving for the airport this morning?'' 
 
 `` No the plane got canceled and we wo n't be leaving for another week.'' 
 
 `` That sucks'' David says 
 
 `` Yeah it is alright though, they discounted it,'' Zach's dad says as he walks up the stairs into the kitchen. 
 
 `` It is working honey, they thought it has only been a day, they were down there the entire trip to Europe.'' 
 
 `` That's great,'' replies Zach's mom, `` I knew you could do it.'' 
 
 Zach's dad sits and ponders the damage, a drug that blends time together could do. 
 
 `` The president.. if we can slip it to the president, the country will fall, he will think an hour has passed but it has been days. The vice president I'm sure will pay handsomely.'' 
 
 
 I am sitting in the basement and glance at my watch again.. it's still noon? That ca n't be right. I get this urge to walk around, something is very wrong. I smell chemicals coming from upstairs, I look around and everyone is sleeping.. Why have n't we left this room? Sure there is food and a bathroom but it is probably time I head home. I slowly walk up the stairs, for some reason feeling as if I ca n't leave the room. I finally get to the door and when I open it, it is dark outside, there looks to be a chemistry set on the counter and then Zach's dad walks in. 
 
 `` Hey buddy, why do n't you walk back downstairs with your friends? It is pretty late.'' 
 
 `` How long have I been down there?'' 
 
 `` Well you have n't even gone to sleep yet'' 
 
 I feel like I just got hit with a train.. what it happening.. that is when I see it.. the remnants of fruit punch in the chemistry set. 
 
 `` Zachsdad, what is going on here? Why are you making us punch in your chemistry set?'' 
 
 `` Listen.. it is better if you go downstairs and stop asking questions'' 
 
 The news is on in the living room `` Three teens have been missing for two weeks now, ModernDayEinstein, Evan, and David.. if you know their whereabouts, please contact us.'' 
 
 That is when the memories come flooding in. Me and my friends, all sitting around like zombies for days on end, every now and again coming together for poker. Drinking and eating just enough to not notice we are hungry. Zach's dad bringing us down punch at least once a day. 
 
 I run, I turn on a dime and I run and I hear Zach's dad chasing behind me until I get out of the house. Fresh air hitting my skin, rain falling onto my face. 
 
 Suddenly I jerk awake, my face is wet from David splashing water on my face. 
 
 `` It's your turn ModernDayEinstein, Check or Raise?'' 
 
 I take a breath and look around, seemingly consumed by this room.. `` Check,'' I mumble as the basement door opens. 
 
 `` Anyone want some punch?'' comes echoing down the stairs.
