(Trina’s POV)Was he always this kind?“Are you feeling okay?” Jeremy Walker asked as he knelt before me, using his right hand to hold mine.I instinctively gulped at the sudden skin contact between us.For a moment, I wasn’t sure of how to respond but I knew that I had to so mustering the little courage within me, I nodded before answering. “Mn, I’m alright. Thank you.”He quickly heaved a sigh of relief after hearing my reply.This… was he really that worried about me?It seemed like a heavy burden was lifted off his shoulder due to my response.It made me feel bad.This guy was just another cadet.Sure he was one of the better performers but at the end of the day, he was just another cadet like me and every other person here.But because of fate or destiny, he finds himself carrying the hopes and expectations of every single one of us.I’m sure it must be terribly stressful.It’s a miracle he hasn’t caved under the pressure yet.How does he do it?“Can you stand?” just then, he ask
( Jeremy Walker POV )Six days had passed since we returned from the maze, passing through the wall of fog.Six days since the group was disbanded and every cadet went their own way to look out for themselves.Six days since I turned into a recluse, picking a certain spot to brood over my sins.Obviously no-one dared to return to the valley and so we were forced to hide in the surrounding woods.Unfortunately, it wasn’t good enough to hide us from the terrors.Every two night, three cadets would lose their lives.How did I know this?Well it was easy for sound to travel through the forest area.I can still recall the screams that echoed in my ears at some point in the night.So far, six cadets had died to the Dreamer.I actually thought I could save anyone.Unfortunately, I gave them false hope.I’m a terrible person.I shouldn’t be allowed to leave but regardless I stayed alive.As I hung down from a tree branch from a tree that was quite tall, I overlooked the area below.During the
I glared at the monstrosity standing in my way.Even though I couldn’t defeat it in a tussle with pure strength, I still didn’t want to back down just like that so I stubbornly held in without letting go.A low growl escaped its throat, if it had anything like that, before it swung it’s other arm at me, catching me off guard.I was sent flying like I had no weight to speak of.Gritting my teeth, I struggled back to my feet but it was hard.But regardless, I couldn’t stay down, especially when the reason all this had happened was right in front of me.“Do you really have to struggle so much?” Dr. Philip asked.I glared at him but didn’t bother with a response.I only wanted to have him release us from this Nightmare and even kill him if I had the chance.“You are o so talkative, you know that?” Dr. Philip remarked. “No matter how much you wish to kill me, it won’t happen. The Dreamer only let you guys walk all over it because it was sealed. Now that it’s free, do you really think you s
( Leah’s POV )It hurt me when I saw him that way that day.He looked completely defeated with not even an ounce of strength left in him.It was the first time I saw him like that.Actually, it was the first time such a thing had happened.Mom always told me to believe that humans had good in them.She was right in the case of Jerry, Reginald and Lincoln.Apart from them however, the others were more like he stated them to he.“Humans are more monstrous than the monsters in the Fog. They would do anything and everything to save themselves and If you really think they could change, then you are dreaming.”I didn’t want to believe after all, he was a crazy man that did bad things.I hated him and so didn’t want to listen to anything he said but at that moment, I realized that maybe he was right.Actually, it was even before now.Looking down at the Stigma on my hand, I could still recall how it came about.But this case was much worse.At least back then, we had no choice but to leave s
(Leah’s POV)“If he knew we were watching, what was his end goal?” Richard muttered thoughtfully.“Is it just right to stand here though?... We can’t continue thinking. Jerry could need our help.” I was forced to speak up.I understood why they needed to think so much but honestly, I didn’t want to waste too much time.Every second wasted diminished our strength by a great margin.It would soon reach a point where fighting back would become too hard so while we still have the strength, let’s run it.“I agree with Leah. Standing here and doing nothing is pointless. We need to get moving.” Isabella agreed with me readily.Well I expected that since… ugh, stop thinking about that.It might not even be how you think it to be.Come on, Leah, get your head in the game!“Forgive my language but we can’t do that.” Lincoln spoke up. “I want to save Brother Jerry too but we can’t rush in. I can still remember the pain in his eyes when he left us. I don’t want to feel that helpless any longer so
(Leah’s POV)Is this what you had in mind, Jerry?Is this why you didn’t want to tell any of us where you were going to?Is this why you disbanded the coalition and begged for no-one to follow you?You already planned to sacrifice yourself like this?How can you make such a decision without first consulting us?Did you really think we’d act as a drawback?That we won’t be able to help out?Is that why you did all this?How could you?... How could you be so selfish!I gritted my teeth as I realized just how much Jerry has had to carry on his back for so long.How long did it take for him to make the decision to go through with this plan?There’s no way he was able to figure it out on day 1.Which means he used each day to temper himself for this exact moment.Just how much suffering did he endure alone?I always knew him to be different but to such an extent?... Should I be happy?Of course it wasn’t difficult for that question to be answered as a teardrop slid down my cheek and droppe
(Leah’s POV)The tar monsters charged at us while roaring incomprehensible bullshit.It was quite annoying hearing them make such noise but it’s not like they’d stop if we asked them.Right now, I was pissed.Pissed that the man that made me hope that not all men are bad decided to do something bad.He decided to take all our problems and make it his own, forgetting that we are still together in this.It’s so freaking annoying!I’ve never felt so upset before.Make sure you come back alive, Jerry or I swear I’m going to mutilate your corpse!…Wow, did I just say that?Darn it, keep your head in the game.Let’s deal with this first.Closing my eyes to stabilize my thoughts, I spread out my arms and then performed the act of pulling out a staff.By the time I opened my eyes, it was in my hands.I glanced to my side to find that the others were prepared to fight as well.Without further Ado, we charged forward.Honestly, this is complete madness!***(Isabella’s POV)Am I upset?I’m not
(Jerry POV)“Uwaaagh!” I screamed out as I was tossed across the white room like a punching bag.My body fell to the ground awkwardly and I could have sworn I heard something go pop somewhere on my body.My body hurt and my bones ached and my muscles were mostly torn.I was in a state where it was crazy how I was still conscious.It felt so painful, so freaking painful but I didn’t black out just yet.No, I can’t.If I do so, then Philip would realize what’s happening and prepare for the others.I have to stay awake till they get into the maze and make their way across.That’s what I owe everyone out there for my mistakes.Yeah, that was my plan.I considered it after realizing that Dr. Philip and the Dreamer were working in tandem to suppress and devour us from the girl that managed to survive returning to the valley.Someone with the brilliance of Dr. Philip, even though I hate to admit it, would be able to outsmart us no matter how much we try to fight back.That’s a fact that can’