Torn Pathways

Part 1: Restart Reality

[It was quiet. It's been quiet for many months. Second wasn't used to the pc being so overrun by the endless silence as he lay in his bed, looking at the holographic stars projecting into the room.]

[He watched the stars spin around the room, some reflecting onto his arm and face as he just stared. The other beds around him where his friends normally slept were empty, their sheets still folded nicely, and awaiting them to arrive. But they never would.]

[Second sighed, his eyes dark as he couldn't even look at the beds beside him. He was afraid he'd cry. After Victim's death and funeral, the team seemed to get into a lot of arguments and fights. They blamed each other for his death, and one by one, they all devolved into their own sort of madness.]

[No matter how much comfort he and Chosen wished to give, the others wouldn't take it. And soon, they all suddenly disappeared. One by one, each person would leave until it was just him and Chosen in the pc. It hurt. It was too quiet. He was so used to his friends being there laughing and cracking jokes that it was hard to believe such a friendship would shatter simply because of a fatal mistake.]

[Second couldn't fall asleep. It was nearly sunrise, and dark circles were under his eyes. He was spaced out as his eyes were still locked on the stars. Any reality was better than this one, he thought.]

[Suddenly, he heard the door gently knock. He snapped out of his daydream before his eyes slowly darted towards the door. He saw the shadow of feet at the bottom of the door, and he slowly sat up, sighing. He got out of bed and slowly got into his bunny slippers before sluggishly walking towards the door.]

[Once he gripped the doorknob, he slowly turned it before pulling the door open enough to bear an eye through. It was Chosen in his pajamas, holding two sodas with a rather awkward smile. He could tell Chosen was in the same boat as him since he probably took Victim's death the hardest out of all of them. That was his brother.]

Chosen: Hey, uh......is this a bad time?

[Second hummed softly, looking towards the clock in his room that read 4:30 a.m. He shook his head slightly before Chosen handed him a Pepsi slowly. Second wasn't thirsty, but he took it anyway since Chosen was trying to cheer him up yet again.]

Chosen: Can I come in....?

[Second was hesitant since he wanted to be left alone, but he let him in anyway since he probably knew what he was about to say. He opened the door enough for Chosen to get through, and Chosen walked in with a nod of thanks.]

[Second then shut the door and turned on the lamp, the light revealing the empty beds of his missing friends. Chosen saw this and took a deep breath, his eyes showing pure sadness for a moment before it switched to a force softness.]

Chosen: Look.....Second....-

Second: I don't need your words of wisdom right now.... Chosen - okay? You've.....been trying this for.....weeks and it's not helping me!

[Chosen's eyes went wide at Second's truthful outburst before his eyes softened. He wanted nothing more than to help Second feel better, and Second seemed enraged about it. He was responsible for doing Victim's speeches now, and it's been really hard to even utter so much as an " I care about you." He was never that lovey dovey.]

Chosen: I-......I'm only trying to brighten up the mood. I'm not fit to be the next Victim, I- I'm just not. What good is it to be cooped up in here when we could be trying to get through this together?

Second: We've tried that....and that's the reason our friends are gone...

[Second marched past, opening his soda before he sat back down on his bed.]