Inside My Head (Silent Moment Series: Book 6)

Chapter 1

 After the deep emotional impact of Monty's video, the urgency of our situation propelled us into action. Bellamy and I split our tasks to awaken key members of our group. While Bellamy took on the responsibility of waking Echo, Murphy, and Emori, I headed to rouse Raven, Shaw, and my mom. The atmosphere was thick with a mix of confusion and drowsiness as they emerged from their long slumber. The disbelief on their faces was palpable as they tried to grasp the reality of waking up to a completely different world, far from everything they knew. Gathering everyone in a common area, we took a moment to let the reality sink in. I could see the myriad of emotions playing across their faces - shock, disbelief, and a dawning understanding of the enormity of what had transpired during their sleep. I replayed Monty's video for them, allowing his words to fill the room. His message, a testament to his hope and belief in a better future, was both inspiring and heart-wrenching. As Monty's image faded from the screen, a heavy silence settled over the group.

"I know this is a lot to process," Bellamy finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and leadership. "Take an hour and meet in the mess. We need to game this out."

His words seemed to ground us, offering a direction amidst the disorienting reality. My own voice, softer but equally steady, followed. "Guys, we survived. Monty made sure of it." It was important to acknowledge Monty's sacrifice and the gift of survival he had bestowed upon us.

"Now we get our humanity back," my mom added, her voice reflecting a mixture of relief and determination. It was a poignant reminder of what we had endured and what we still needed to reclaim.

Before we could delve deeper into these sentiments, Raven abruptly stood up and left the room, her frustration evident. Her words, "Some of us never lost it," hung in the air, a stark reminder of the challenges we had faced and the resilience we had shown.

Shaw, concerned, quickly followed after her. I hesitated, torn between giving them privacy and the instinct to ensure Raven was okay. With a deep breath, I decided to follow at a respectful distance, staying alert to the dynamics of the situation. It was a new world, a new beginning, and navigating our relationships and emotions would be as crucial as adapting to our new environment.

Shaw's voice pierced the cool evening air, tinged with desperation. "Raven!" he called out, his footsteps echoing on the cobblestone path. "Slow down. Are you okay?"

Raven halted, her silhouette outlined by the dim glow of the street lamps. She turned, her face half-hidden in shadow. "No, Shaw, I'm not," she replied, her voice a soft tremor. "They left us," she added, her words floating like leaves in a stagnant pond.

"They chose their happiness," Shaw countered, stepping closer. The moonlight danced in his eyes as he gently enveloped her hands in his. His voice was a soothing balm as he spoke, "Imagine, a lifetime secluded with someone you love. Isn't that a dream worth living?"

Intent on sealing his words with a kiss, Shaw leaned forward. But Raven recoiled, stepping back into the embrace of the night. Her eyes, wide and troubled, flickered with a tumult of emotions.

Shaw's expression crumpled in confusion. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice a mixture of worry and bewilderment.

A heavy sigh escaped Raven's lips, stirring the loose strands of her hair. "I can't do this, Shaw," she murmured, her gaze falling to their entwined hands before reluctantly pulling away. "My heart... it's still with Kegan."

The revelation struck Shaw like a cold wave. His voice, now a wounded animal, rose in disbelief. "Kegan? After all he's done? His mother nearly let us die for his sake!"

Tears threatened to spill from Raven's eyes, but she held them back with a strength born of inner turmoil. "I'm in love with him, Shaw. It's a truth I can't escape."