The Everlasting Oasis

Chapter 12 - Temporal Dilemma

Yes, that was another disaster. Another tragedy. 

But in this moment, in this slight moment less than a second, I wonder. 

How many times have I seen this same scene? 

How many times have I seen someone die? 

How many times have I caused someone to die? 

A story that started 20 years ago, no, perhaps millennia before that. And yet, a story that has already ended. By the time it ends, it's already started all over again. It's that kind of story. 

At the end of the day, that's what it is. 

In reality, this was the only way things could have possibly went. 

And I think that he also knew that. 

Yes, him. Perhaps the true genius here. The true mastermind. What was he thinking in this moment? Was he proud? Melancholic? Eccentric? 

No one knew, and no one could ever know. Because that's just how the story goes. 

Ah, I guess there was one thing different this time. 

This was the one mystery I couldn't solve. 

-- OASIS, 10:24AM 

"Wait a second, Hudson! I'm coming with you!" Alex trails after me as I hasten for the elevator. 

"No, you stay here and stand by at the dining room later. Excluding me, there's 6 people here. We can't afford to leave them here like a horde of sheep. Got it?!" 

Alex clicks his tongue. "Alright! Stay safe!" 

Just waiting gives me goosebumps. You've got to be joking right? There's no way there was a bomb in Ben's room that went off. Surely it was planted somewhere else. Maybe their goal was to throw us off. You know, it doesn't make sense. 

There's no way someone died again. 

The day right after Anna died? 

I could only think of that as being much too far-fetched. 

However, as the door slowly creaks open, I realised. 

This was... reality. 

In front of my eyes were Ben, Edward and Nicholas. 

Ben was on the floor, sobbing. Edward was wide eyed, staring. And Nicholas was frustrated, looking away and letting tears drip down his face. 

And, in front of them was the bathroom of Team C's room, in pieces and with blood everywhere. 

From the situation, anyone could guess what happened. 

Anthony has died. 

Anthony has... been killed. 

Instantaneously, I fall to my knees and put my hand to my mouth. 

I feel sick. I feel nauseous.  

I've failed to protect someone, once again. 

There's no going back. He's dead. 

But why? 

Why is this happening? 

How many more people are going to die in front of me? 

No, even if they die away from me, that's no different. 

Is there really an answer in this nonsense? 

Better yet, maybe I should use the knife I have to slit my own neck.