Havenfell

Chapter 27: How Long Can This Go On For?

The night was thick with anticipation as Felicity and the remaining members of their group stepped into the oppressive darkness of Havenfell. The cold air bit at their skin, the silence only broken by the occasional distant howl of the wind. Felicity's mind was a whirlpool of thoughts, each one pulling them deeper into a state of disassociation. The world around them felt like a distant dream, muffled and distorted.

They glanced at the others; their faces set in grim determination. Callum and Nathan walked side by side, their hands occasionally brushing in silent support. Rin was scanning the shadows, ever vigilant, while Bree stuck close to Felicity, her presence a grounding force. Juno, though clearly shaken from the recent events, carried herself with a renewed sense of purpose. Alex lingered at the back; his expression unreadable.

As they moved through the abandoned streets, the familiar oppressive feeling of dread settled over them. Felicity felt a growing sense of detachment, as if they were watching everything unfold from a distance. Each step felt like wading through thick mud, their body heavy and unresponsive.

"Stay close," Callum whispered, his voice barely audible. The group tightened their formation, the looming shadows of buildings offering little comfort.

Suddenly, a guttural roar shattered the silence, and demons emerged from the darkness, their grotesque forms illuminated by the faint moonlight. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent hunger, their movements swift and predatory. The air filled with the stench of decay and the sound of snapping jaws.

"Here they come!" Rin shouted, drawing their weapon.

Chaos erupted as the group fought to fend off the attacking demons. Felicity's senses dulled, their movements sluggish and mechanical. They swung their weapon, each strike feeling distant and detached. The screams and roars around them seemed muffled, the terror not quite reaching their core.

Amid the battle, Felicity caught sight of Alex slipping away, his eyes darting around before he bolted into the shadows. "Alex where are you going?" they wanted to scream, but their voice was lost in the cacophony of battle. They watched in a daze as he abandoned them, leaving the group to fend for themselves.

"Stay together!" Callum yelled, his voice a beacon of resolve amidst the chaos. But the demons were relentless, their sheer numbers overwhelming.

As Felicity struggled to maintain focus, they saw Pete sprint towards the horde of demons, a determined look on his face. "No!" someone shouted, but Pete didn't stop. He plunged into the mass of writhing bodies, drawing the demons' attention away from the group.

The battle raged on, each moment stretching into an eternity. Felicity's vision blurred, the sounds of fighting blending into an indistinct hum. They moved on autopilot, their body reacting out of instinct rather than conscious thought.

Eventually, the demons retreated, leaving the group battered and breathless. Felicity's mind felt foggy, the disassociation wrapping around them like a heavy blanket. They followed the others through the darkened streets, their steps heavy and uncertain.

"Where's Pete?" Bree's voice trembled as she looked around, a cold dread settling over the group. They searched desperately, calling his name into the night.

It was Callum who stumbled upon Pete's mangled body, hidden in the shadows of a narrow alley. The sight was gruesome, his lifeless form twisted and broken. Blood pooled beneath him; the metallic scent sharp in the cold air.

"Pete..." Callum whispered, his voice breaking.

Felicity approached, their heart pounding in their chest. They knelt beside Pete, their hands trembling as they gently touched his bloodied shoulder. Pete's eyes flickered open, the light in them dimming.

"Elliott..." Pete's voice was a mere whisper, his final words a testament to his bond with his best friend. "Tell Elliott... I'm sorry."

A choked sob escaped Felicity's lips, tears blurring their vision. They stayed with Pete until his eyes finally closed, the last breath leaving his body.

The group stood in silence, the weight of loss pressing down on them. Felicity felt a cold numbness seep into their bones, the disassociation intensifying. They barely registered the others' grief-stricken faces, their minds drifting away from the harsh reality.

"We need to get back," Juno's voice was hoarse, her face pale and strained. "It's not safe here."

The group moved in a daze; their steps heavy with the weight of their sorrow. Felicity's mind floated in a haze, the events of the night blending into an indistinct blur. They felt disconnected, their body moving on autopilot.

As they made their way back to the hotel, Felicity's thoughts were a distant murmur, their sense of self slipping further away. The horrors of the night had carved deep wounds in their psyche, the disassociation a fragile shield against the overwhelming reality. And as they walked through the cold, dark streets of Havenfell, the shadows seemed to whisper of more pain yet to come.