Eternal Goodbye.

part 22: HOPE

As the adrenaline from their escape began to fade, fatigue settled over Divine and her friends like a heavy blanket. They had found a relatively safe area in the hospital-a large room that appeared to have once served as a waiting area. With broken chairs strewn across the floor and shattered glass from windows that had long been neglected, it wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.

"Let's just rest for a bit," Divine suggested, her voice a tired whisper. "We need to regain our strength if we're going to find a way out."

Jennifer, still fuming but too exhausted to argue, simply nodded. "Fine," she mumbled, collapsing into one of the chairs, her eyes fluttering shut almost immediately.

Rhea and Gustav found a corner of the room where they could huddle together for warmth. Tom and Divine settled against a wall, and Bill, still shaken from their earlier encounters, pulled Georg closer as they sought comfort in each other's presence.

As darkness enveloped them, the hospital felt eerily silent, the only sound being the distant echoes of their breathing and the faint creaking of the building settling. Divine tried to focus on the sound of her friends' heartbeats, a rhythmic reminder that they were all still there, still alive.

But sleep didn't come easily. The images of the two men with torn faces flashed through her mind, their menacing laughter echoing in her ears. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw them creeping closer, axes glinting in the dim light. She squeezed Tom's hand tighter, wishing for the comfort of their earlier moments together, when the world felt safe.

---

Morning Light

The first rays of dawn filtered through the broken windows, casting slivers of light across the floor. The soft glow illuminated the remnants of their surroundings, creating a surreal, dreamlike quality that felt both calming and haunting. Divine stirred, blinking sleep from her eyes as she slowly became aware of her surroundings.

"Hey," Tom murmured, his voice a gentle wake-up call. He smiled at her, though there was a heaviness behind his eyes that told her he hadn't slept well. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, I think," she replied, her voice still thick with sleep. "But we need to get out of here soon."

Bill, who had been propped up against the wall, stretched and yawned. "Good morning, everyone," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "Ready for another day of adventure?"

Jennifer rolled her eyes, her irritation from the previous night still fresh. "Adventure? More like a nightmare." She stood up, brushing herself off as she scanned the room. "We need to figure out a plan. Sitting here isn't going to help us."

Gustav and Rhea exchanged glances, the weight of the night still hanging over them. "What if we just try to find an exit?" Gustav suggested. "We can't stay here any longer."

"Right," Divine said, taking a deep breath. "Let's regroup and see if we can retrace our steps. Maybe we missed something last night."

"Let's stick together this time," Georg added firmly. "We can't afford to get separated again."

As they gathered their belongings, a sense of urgency began to creep into their movements. Divine felt her heart race; they needed to be quick, but she couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that loomed over them. She cast a worried glance at Tom, who returned her gaze with a reassuring nod, but the tension was palpable.

"Okay, let's head out," Divine declared, trying to muster some confidence. "We can do this together."

They exited the waiting area and ventured back into the dimly lit corridors, the oppressive silence enveloping them once more. Each step felt heavier than the last, and the weight of their situation pressed down on them, reminding them that danger could be lurking just around the corner.

As they walked, Divine couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows seemed to stretch and shift, playing tricks on her mind. She turned to Tom, who was walking close beside her. "Do you feel that? Like someone's watching us?"

Tom nodded, his jaw set in a tense line. "I feel it too. We have to stay alert."

They moved cautiously through the halls, their senses heightened as they scanned for any sign of an exit. The air was thick with dread, each creak of the floorboards a reminder of their vulnerability.

Finally, they reached a staircase leading down to what they hoped would be an exit. As they descended, the atmosphere felt heavy with uncertainty, a mix of hope and fear intertwining. Would they finally find a way out, or would their worst nightmares come to life once again?

Little did they know, the true horror was only just beginning to unfold.