Absent Link

Chapter 18: Escape

The rest of the group still looked down at the collection of ersatz terrorizing the courtyard. Dylan had retreated, but he was also petrified, unable to think. Everyone stood still for a moment or two, before Frost snapped out of his fear.

"Everyone!" Quickly people turned to look at him, "Get off your asses and start thinking!"

The group hastily moved away from the window and turned to look at Dylan. One of the members asked. "Are those ersatz??"

Dylan stared at them with disbelief "What do you think? Yes!"

"Kid, I literally just learned about this stuff today—"

"Shut up will you!" Frost shouted. "Both of you! Now how the hell do we get out of here?"

Dylan stammered, "I— I don't know, I mean they can't be killed and we can't go past them—"

"What do you mean they can't be killed??" Owen demanded an explanation.

"Once again, I don't know! That's just how it works in the Mind Realm."

Makalyn responded, "Well, we're not in the Mind Realm!"

"If you want to fight one go ahead!" Dylan exclaimed.

Frost clenched his fists and took a deep, frustrated breath.

Owen suddenly raised his hand and pointed out, "There's a helicopter on the roof!"

"We'd have to take the stairs to get there," the lady, Cindy, who had been sitting next to him earlier said. "We've been instructed to stay out of there."

"If they broke through into the stairs, why aren't they up here yet?" Owen asked.

"Whole building's on lockdown since the alarm went off. Every door, every crevice is blocked. They may be in the stairwell but to get here may still take some time. We can use that time."

Dylan tried to focus on what they were saying, but a sudden moss connection shook him out of the conversation and a familiar voice rang through his mind.

"Dylan? This has to be Dylan, right?" It was Amelia.

Dylan was stunned, but he answered, "It's me." The whole group turned to look at him and stood in silence. One of them began to ask what Dylan meant, what 'was him', but Dylan barely noticed.

"OH, thank God. You have no idea how annoying it was to climb up here."

"What?" Dylan asked in confusion. "How are you— huh?"

Makalyn suddenly understood what was happening and turned to explain to the man who was trying to talk to Dylan.

Amelia continued, "Look, It's not my fault. I didn't do any of it, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"The people?" Dylan said in mocking disbelief, "That wasn't you?" He may not have known whether he should believe what she was saying or not, but he at least needed to understand.

"They're still alive, Dylan, I can show you."

"Amelia, I know. I've found them."

"You have? Oh, thank goodness."

"That doesn't prove you aren't still trying to kill us."

"What??" Amelia said in disbelief. "I never killed anyone. Not here at least. But you are in danger; something was controlling me. I don't know where she came from, but what's important is I'm free now."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"Dylan please! I know you know what it's like!"

Dylan said nothing. He exhaled and let her continue.