𝓐𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓷 𝔁 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 (but you're Ashlyn) 𝕊𝔹𝔾

Episode 50

A/N: So since i feel like it's been a bit dry and boring since my 1k special ima add some spice to the next couple chapters for y'all ;)

>>>><No Looking Back><<<<

Shock enveloped me, that much was clear. 

My mind wasn't fully grounded in the Jeep as we sped down a treacherous path, pursued by a phantom larger than my own home. 

Tyler was at the center of my turmoil—the biggest jerk for most of our time in this eerie dimension.
 He was the brother Taylor would spend hours reminiscing about, reassuring he really was a sweet person. The teammate who, despite his clumsiness in showing it, genuinely cared. 

But none of that mattered now.
 He was part of our group, and worse still—he was our friend.

I despised how much I cared for these guys. If we had never crossed paths, perhaps everything would have felt normal.

My thoughts were shattered by the pop of the airbag, which Aiden had just punctured, sending a cloud of foam exploding into our faces."Guys...?"

 I turned to check on the others, anxious to ensure they were unharmed. Both Ben and Taylor were cradling their heads, while Logan clutched his arm, inhaling sharply.
 Before anyone could respond, a deafening crash resonated from further up the hill.

Damn it. We need to get out of here. Now. 

I tried to crank the engine, but all I heard was the frustrating sputter of a failing motor.

"Ash... it's not turning on..." Aiden whispered softly.

Well, obviously, genius. I wanted to snap at him, but instead, I bashed my forehead against the steering wheel, gripping the side in frustration.

I hated it when he voiced the most obvious things. I took a calming breath before speaking. "Can everyone move?" Armed with flashlights, we began our search for Tyler. We were all on high alert, some wielding lights, others brandishing makeshift weapons.

Hours slipped by, and despite our efforts, we had no leads on Tyler's whereabouts. ​As the others fanned out in one direction, I couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at me.​ I hadn't gone back for Tyler, even when Taylor had practically begged.

 I loathed myself for that. How could I have been so callous? 

Thoughts spiraled in my mind like a hurricane within a hurricane. Yes. I was a walking storm, bracing for disaster, my thoughts a tempest of despair.

 I hated myself. I hated this wretched situation. I hated how Aiden pushed to be my friend. I despised the world's facade of normalcy. I hated everything. 

What if I had gone back for Tyler? Would we have made it out safely together?
What if we had checked the door first...?
What if someone else had been driving...?
What if we had never gone to Savannah...?

I drifted into my thoughts, the stinging sensation of tears gathering in my eyes. Suddenly, I felt a warm hand on my wrist. 

Looking up, I met Aiden's concerned gaze. "Ashlyn."
 His voice cut through the cacophony in my mind, his hand enveloping mine, steadying the trembling. "It's not your fault."

Gosh, even in the midst of this chaos, I hated how cute that was.
How he always seemed to care about me. He could bother anyone else in this group but... he perseveres to be friends... with me. 

I look down and keep quiet, not wanting to believe his words.

Though the regular-sized phantoms were relatively sparse in this area, I could still sense the ominous presence of the two we had encountered earlier, drawing ever closer, which did nothing to alleviate my growing unease, so, the group agreed to take a break from looking and start looking for a place to hide since time was almost up.

Aiden kept a tight grip on my hand as we walked. 

His presence calmed me for some reason..

We finally made it inside, there, Taylor collapsed to the ground, bawling her eyes out. All I could do is stand there. I didn't think she would want the person who got her brother possibly killed comforting her, so I kept a distance between us.

All we could do really was wish once we get back to the real world....Hope Tyler was alright.

~~~~BACK ON THE BUS IN THE HUMAN REALM~~~~

"TYLERR!!!" , Taylor was already screaming. I cringed at her volume, sitting up.

I ran over to where the twins were. Tyler wouldn't wake up. Something was severely wrong...

"W-What do we do?!?! Tyler!" Taylor pleaded as she held her brother in her lap, crying "MOM!" Taylor called out for her mother as tears and snot ran down her face. 

Our parents ran inside the bus viewing the group of kids crying, shaking, some frozen....

He was shaking, uncontrollably. His mother rushed in, and her screams joined Taylor's.
"Tyler?? Sweetheart??"
"Hey what are you doing with my son?!?!"
"We need to get him to the hospital!"

My dad picked up Tyler and got him out the bus quickly trying to get the boy to the hospital. The last thing I remember seeing was Tyler dilated pupils popping out of his eyes. They even looked.... dead.

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