The Horrors

Chaoter 18: Strength in Unity

The room fell into a heavy silence, each of us grappling with the weight of our stories. But as the seconds passed, that tension shifted—softened into something more hopeful, a fragile connection born out of shared understanding.

"We need to look ahead," I said quietly, my voice steady. "We can’t change the past, but we can decide how we handle what’s next."

Lyn clenched his fists, but his eyes were determined. "You’re right. We’ve made it this far. If we stick together, we can survive whatever’s left."

Ave managed a small grin, mischief flickering in his eyes. "I’m all for sticking together, but maybe we add a little rebellion to the mix. You know, for fun."

Zz resumed sketching, a thoughtful focus in his expression. "Or we turn that rebellion into something practical," he said. "A distraction, a way to escape, or to gain an advantage."

The spark of an idea caught fire, lifting our spirits. We threw around plans—daring and reckless—finding strength in the possibilities. For the first time in a while, fear didn’t weigh me down. I felt hope.

The nurse stepped into the room, her gaze soft. "How’s everyone doing?" she asked. "Ready for the next trial?"

I met Sera’s eyes, and we shared a genuine laugh. "Yeah," I said, smiling at the nurse. "We’re ready."

She nodded, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Good. Keep that spirit. You’re going to need it."

And as we sat there, fueled by hope and solidarity, I knew that no matter what came next, we were ready—together.

The end.