[Off Path] | Oath of Lies ~ Newt²

[1.3] They're Gone

Isa walked into a separate room, Casey was sitting on the ground with his face hidden by his hands, she could hear quiet sobs coming from him.

"Cas.." She was sniffling, trying to stop herself from crying, but she sat next to him letting him lean his head on her shoulder. "Talk to me."
"She's dead. I left her and she died. Both of them, they're both dead." Those words caused the tears to fall from her eyes. They're dead. Natalie walked in crying, this was the first time they had ever seen her cry.

"I'm so sorry, I tried to save them I-" Her voice cut out from her sobs.

"What happened Nat?" Isa was struggling but managed to choke out a sentence.

"We hid, we hid for a while but the lights turned on."

-/-/-

Natalie and Maya helped Penny through the building before finding a good spot where they wouldn't be spotted.

"What the hell is going on? They never search this late at night." Natalie whispered to the other girls.

"Maybe there's another escapee." Maya suggested.

"Where did Casey go? How did he just disappear?" Both girls look over to Penny, just as confused as her.

"Let's just wait here until morning ok, then we can meet back up with Cas and Isa." Maya's voice shook when she spoke, scared for the two not with them. So they waited, the sat there unable to sleep. Lights, the lights were on.

"Shit, we have to go, the cranks are gonna come out any minute." Natalie stood up and grabbed Penny's arm, dragging her up and taking off with Maya close behind.

"Where are we going Nat?"
"I'm not sure Penny, anywhere but here." They kept running, trying to find a way out, a low growl came from behind them. "Don't look, you know what it is just keep running." Penny had fallen back a little, now just behind Maya. They continued until they heard a high pitched scream from behind them. It was Penny. One of the cranks had grabbed on to her foot causing her to fall to the ground, she tried to get away but more cranks came. "Maya don't." Natalie had noticed that Maya was about to jump in to try and save Penny, and she did just that. Maya kicked the crank that was hovering over the girl before pulling her away and getting her to stand up, her legs were weak and her arms were covered in bites and scratches.

"Tell Cas I love him, please Maya."
"Stop Penny, don't say things like that." Just as they thought they were safe, Penny was ripped from Maya's grip, another one of the cranks had reached out for Maya, grabbing both her shoulders and biting into one. She screamed in pain, unable to protect the younger girl anymore. A hand had pulled her away from the cranks and they took off running.

"Where's Penny?"
"She's gone Maya." Natalie was struggling already, one of her friends had just died. The two girls ran until their legs wouldn't carry them anymore, they had made it outside now. The moon high in the sky, shining down on them. Natalie started setting up an area for the two to sleep for the night but Maya had other plans.

"Nat..." She turned to Maya, she had her shirt pulled off her shoulder. Dark veins started creeping out from the bite mark she was given by a crank. "It's happening."
"No, no no no, Maya we can figure it out ok, you will not turn into one of those ok."

"You're right, I won't turn into one of those." She held up her hand revealing a knife.

"Maya, put the knife down, don't do anything stupid, please Maya." Tears had started falling, Maya just shook her head.

"I'm going to die Nat, I don't want to die like that so I'm going out on my own terms ok? I love you, and I love Casey and I love Isa and Brenda and Jorge, make sure they know that ok?" Nat shook her head slowly. "Promise me you'll make sure they know."

"Maya..."

"Promise me!" Both girls had tears staining their faces. Nat wasn't going to be able to stop her, she knew that.

"I promise." Maya brought the knife to her own chest, falling to the ground soon after, Natalie had run over to catch her. He brushed the hair out of Maya's face and laid her on the ground, tears falling freely. "I'm sorry Maya."

-/-/-

Isa held her hand to her mouth trying not to make any sound from her sobs. Casey had somewhat calmed down but tears were still falling.

"I'm gonna go, I need to go for a walk."
"Isa-"
"No, Nat, I just need to go for a walk ok." She stood quickly before walking out of the room. Brenda was sitting in silence. "Brenda? Where did Jorge take everyone?"

"The ropes, I think he just started." She thanked her before walking in the direction she would find her friends. She needed to see them right now.