Eternal Goodbye.

Part 16

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows throughout the hospital, the group gathered inside their makeshift camp. The atmosphere was a mix of thrill and nervous anticipation, the excitement of the day’s exploration blending with the eerie surroundings. Divine could hardly contain her giddiness as she looked around at her friends, each one buzzing with energy.

“Okay, everyone, let’s get some ghost stories going!” Divine announced, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “This is the perfect place for it!”

Jennifer rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but crack a small smile. “As if I wasn’t already scared enough.”

Tom settled down beside Divine, a playful grin on his face. “I’ll start. Remember the story about the nurse who went crazy in this very hospital?” His voice dropped to a whisper, and the others leaned in closer, the flickering light of their lantern casting ghostly shapes on the walls.

“They say she used to take care of the patients, but one day, she snapped and started to harm them instead,” he continued, glancing at Divine for effect. “Some say she still roams the halls, looking for revenge.”

Divine shivered but was enthralled. “That’s creepy! What happened to her?”

“Some say she was locked in the basement, never to be found again,” Tom replied, his tone low and haunting. “Others say she was never caught and still walks the halls, trying to finish what she started.”

The group sat in silence for a moment, letting Tom’s story sink in. Rhea finally broke the stillness with a nervous giggle. “Alright, who’s next? I want to hear something scarier!”

“I’ve got one!” Bill jumped in, eager to share. “There’s a legend about a patient who was wrongly accused of murder. He was sent here, and every full moon, he would scream for justice, echoing through the hospital.”

“Did they ever find out who really killed him?” Gustav asked, eyes wide.

“No one knows,” Bill replied, leaning back against the tent wall. “Some say his spirit is still trapped in this hospital, wandering the halls, waiting for someone to hear his cries.”

Divine felt a thrill of excitement mixed with fear as they exchanged stories, each one darker and more intense than the last. It was exhilarating to be here with her friends, sharing these moments in a place steeped in mystery.

As the night wore on, their laughter mingled with the shadows, and the stories began to take a toll on Jennifer, whose skepticism waned with each tale. “Okay, okay, I think that’s enough ghost stories for one night,” she finally said, her voice shaky. “Let’s focus on something less terrifying, like how we’re going to survive the night!”

“Survive? We’re not in a horror movie, Jen!” Divine teased, nudging her friend playfully. “What’s the worst that could happen? We’ll have a fun night, and then we’ll head back tomorrow, right?”

Just then, the wind howled outside, and the tent rustled ominously. Everyone froze, their laughter fading into a heavy silence.

“Okay, that was creepy,” Rhea whispered, glancing at the entrance of the tent.

“Just the wind,” Tom said, trying to sound confident, but his eyes betrayed a hint of apprehension. “Let’s just enjoy our night.”

As they settled into a more relaxed atmosphere, they started roasting marshmallows and sharing snacks, the tension easing as they talked about their hopes and dreams outside the hospital’s haunted walls. Divine felt a warmth spreading through her as she glanced around at her friends—this was exactly what she had wanted: an adventure that would bond them all.

The laughter returned, and for a while, they forgot the haunted stories, allowing the warmth of friendship to envelop them.

---

As the night deepened, Divine leaned back against Tom, feeling safe and content. But a part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The air felt charged, and every now and then, she could hear faint sounds that seemed out of place. Was it the wind? Or something else entirely?

“Divine, are you okay?” Tom asked softly, sensing her tension. “You seem a little distant.”

“I’m fine,” she replied, forcing a smile. “Just… thinking.”

“About the hospital? Or us?” he teased, leaning closer.

Divine laughed softly, “Both, I guess. I just hope this adventure doesn’t turn out like one of those horror movies.”

“Relax. Nothing’s going to happen. We’re all together, and we’re going to have the best time,” Tom reassured her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

As the night progressed, Divine’s thoughts shifted back to the fun they had shared. She felt grateful for this moment, surrounded by her friends, but deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that their night of fun might soon be interrupted by something far more sinister.

                            *timeskip*

Hours later, they all finally settled down for the night, fatigue pulling at their eyelids. Divine found comfort in Tom’s embrace, drifting off to sleep with the sound of her friends’ soft breaths filling the air. But unbeknownst to them, the darkness held secrets of its own, and the night was far from over.