We had done it, we starved it. It was just weak enough that a small hole had formed in the fabric of the mist. We were free. We kept close count of each other,making sure everyone was accounted for. Some kept each other close at hand, others taking leadership and herding the rest of them. We had grown to be used to timed exits, the anxiety of "can we make it."
Some were afraid, yet other's confidence allowed the fear to fade away. Everyone kept their heads held high, alert. We had to be aware of their surroundings if they wanted to get out.
I followed close behind them, it was my job as their leader. All be it I wasn't the best leader they seemed to trust me enough to lead them. Said "I could think the clearest in the worst situations." The truth is I'm terrified, I'm sure all of them are aware of it as well. That's okay we were all scared in some way.
The group walked at a quickened pace, fixated on the goal at hand but not fast enough to trip up the person in front or behind them, we also had no interest in steering any of the many beasts that resided within the mist. We were nearly there. A noise could be heard ahead. It sounded like wind, soft forest sounds could be heard. Home.
I remembered how I got here, my co-workers were having a "get together" in the woods, they invited me along. Desperate of friends I joined them. It only ended up with me getting drugged and ending up here in this awful place. I felt something inside me hesitate.
"was it better to go back?"
I want to go back, I had no life before but surely anything was better then this. Besides this life, this return to life would have all his friends in it right? Jake, Claudette, and Meg would all be here. I had friends now. I tried to hope for the best. Keeping a positive attitude means better things will happen, that's what Claudette told me.
My thoughts were interrupted by the group suddenly stopping. I bumped into Jake who had been walking right in front of me. He turned at stared at me with his usual cold stare. I apologized and smile swept across his face. He didn't say anything back but I figured the cold stare had just been for his own amusement. I turned to stare at the beginning of the group.
Nea was crouched down low, she looked around as if to spot what had been looking at us. Nea was very aware of her surroundings, she almost always knew where the killer was how to get away from them and how to hide. I hadn't seen her this frightened in awhile. It must be because there wasn't much out here to work with. It was unfamiliar. I watched as Ace joined her, he crouched down and whispered to her. She looked at him and nodded in agreement.
These two always had something planned. I hoped to myself they would let the rest of the group know this plan. Usually they don't. I sighed in relief when Nea turned to Kate a whispered to her then Kate turned to Adam and so forth. The plan finally reached me.
When Jake said to me "The plan is to run for it, it'll exhaust us but if we run fast enough we can make it." I know annoyance shown on my face when this was said to me. I shook my head and pushed through the group. When I made it to the front I crouched down next to Nea.
"We can't all make it, you know that right? If we run for it someone's going to get hurt or tripped up and left behind." She stared back at me her usual angsty teen face. Then she shrugged.
"Hope for the best I guess. I'm getting out of here." She squinted at me. I sighed. I wasn't making it through to her. I glanced at Ace for help, but he just shrugged back. Helpful. Thank you Ace.
"You're the only thing holding us back right now Dwight." Nea pointed out. I glanced behind me at the rest of the group. My face became hot with embarrassment. I gave in a made my way back to Jake.
"You did your best." Jake said trying to comfort me. I sighed once more and turned towards him.
"Thanks, I guess lets just hope for the best." Jake nodded. I turned towards the front once again.
Nea in a much louder voice began a count down.
3, I heard a distant wriggling. The wet sounds of the entity.
2, my heart filled with dread, we weren't gonna make it.
1, Everyone took off at once. Each of us quiet but the sound of quick footsteps was overwhelming. I couldn't hear the entity anymore and the tear was in view.
Nea was the first one there she leaped through immediately. Followed by Ace, then Kate, then Adam. Worry shook me, I really hoped they were going to be okay. Usually we go into things with more of a plan. Next was Ash and Jane, Ash winked at her and said something, most likely something stupid. She rolled her eyes and jumped in, Ash following after.
Steve and Nancy gripped hands, they usually wouldn't. In fact they acted as if they hated each other most of the time but I guess the gravity of the situation and the hope of returning home put them on the same page. Together they jumped through the tear.
Now that there was less of us I could hear the entity better, it was getting closer. The remaining survivors stepped up. Claudette, Meg, Feng, Tapp, Jeff, David, Yui, Laurie, Bill, Quentin, and Jake. Laurie and Quentin left together then Bill, David, and Jeff. Tapp turned and tipped his hat to the rest of us, then took his leave. Yui followed close behind him. Just five left.
"Guess this is goodbye." Claudette said sorrow in her voice.
"It doesn't have to be, let's make it a goal to find each other after this." Meg gripped Claudette's shoulder giving her a reassuring smile. Claudette nodded, she turned and looked at Jake, Feng and I.
"I'm not the best around people, but I could try friends again." Jake said in flat tone but a smile that showed that he meant it.
"I'll have to find a way to fit you guys into my schedule." Feng joked. "I'm just kidding of course." They all turned towards me. I simply nodded, I worried that if I said anything right now it'll come out wrong. The entity was rapidly approaching and we were wasting time, of course I'm happy I'd still have friends when I got out of this place.
Feng took a step towards the tear, she took her leave.
Claudette pulled us all in for one more group hug. Sniffling away tears she smiled then stepped towards our way home.
The entity grew nearer I heard it, I know Claudette saw it. Dread filled her eyes and I turned quickly just to be face to face with a mess of spider like claws. A mass of red and black, orange light seemed to glow off of the familiar beast.
I couldn't move. Was it fear. I was shaking so badly. I looked down, one of its clawed legs had gotten me, it poked right through my back. The bleeding hadn't started yet but I was aware there was going to be a lot. They need to get out now. Hope was gone for me but I still beilved they could make it.
Shakily I breathed in.
"Leave now, its your last chance."
"Dwight, we aren't leaving without you." Jake said anxiety in his voice as and stepped closer towards me.
"No." I shook my head, "Don't get closer I don't want it getting you too. I don't want it getting any of you."
Meg tugged at Jake's hand. "You heard him, we have to go." She tried to hide them but tears were filling her eyes.
"No!" Jake yelled out. "We got so close we can still save him we have time! We-" I shook my head at him.
"I love you, go home. Go find everyone else." I smiled at him, Jake took off his coat and put it on my shoulders.
"I'll come back."
With that they left the tear closing behind them.
