Angel Falls

Chapter 19

Ryou's POV

It has been two days since Paich finally returned, but it felt like it had been a year. None of the other patients were worried about him, since this sort of thing was normal, but me, Nate and Mikael were worried, since he was our partner, our friend. Even Quattro, who has never liked him, was slightly concerned.

While we are glad he's back in one piece, sadly we are facing a much bigger problem. Both Quattro and Mikael are gone.

No, not dead, but they have been sent to the Reject Bin, which is just as bad. Shortly after Paich returned, he seemed unharmed, and his behaviour wasn't any weirder than usual. He explained to us what happened, and told us that someone murdered El Diablo, and this person stabbed Larouge in the arm.

I wish I knew who this person was, but I just don't know who it could be. It obviously can't be Paich or Larouge. But when he returned he explained to me that Lane said he would soon leave this place, and that he'll kill every last one of us when he decides to leave.

I myself was devastated to hear that. I don't want to die here, I want to finally escape from here in one piece.

When Quattro heard this, I'm not sure how he felt about that statement, but he was angry. Angrier than usual. When two security guards came to check on us at the Meeting Point he snapped and tried to kill the security guards. As strong as he was, he couldn't do much.

When they took him away, he was kicking and screaming with intense rage. Mikael actually tries rescuing him but it was no use. He got taken away as well. So we have been using the key to try and share our food with them, we never really found a use for the items until now.

I was still in my cage, and I managed to hide the key from the security guards, I kept it hidden in my mouth so that they wouldn't find it. Once they finally left I spit it out, and I unlocked the cell door. I crept through the hallways in silence, hoping that no one would hear me, the patients in their cages were asleep, and they were looking really sickly.

I tried to avoid looking at them so I didn't throw up. In my mind I was debating whether some of them were dead or not.

Although nothing could be as bad as what's yet to come.

I snuck into the kitchen and grabbed some vegetables that I could feed to Quattro and Mikael. My hands were eventually stuffed with some carrots.

After some more creeping around I eventually reached a metal door which towered above me. It had a wooden sign which simply said,

"RB".

I knew immediately that I reached the Reject Bin.

Using the key I started to unlock the door, however part of me tried to stop myself, because what was behind that door is just repulsive.

When I first entered, I literally almost broke down, and it took all my willpower to not vomit, cry and scream at what I saw.

I then slowly opened the door, and I entered the dungeon of despair. The walls were dark and rotting, there were a few flickering lights but that's it, so I couldn't see much, but I could still see the unfortunate souls that were trapped here.

The patients from above were looking weak and ill, but here, they were either dead, or holding on to dear life. Inside the cells were rotting corpses, bodies that were eaten alive by their cell mate, some of them growled when they saw me like dogs do, others just lied there. On the floor there was blood, vomit and human waste.

I just ignored all of them and tried to find Mikael. After a while of searching I eventually found him. He was alone, and he just sat there with his back turned, not moving.

I didn't even want to imagine the pain him and Quattro were experiencing.

"Mikael?" I whispered quietly. He immediately crawled towards me, he looked starved and traumatised.

"Ryou, is that you?"

He then tried to touch me, as if he thought I was a mirage.

"Yes Mikael, it's me."

"Are those...for me?" he asked, staring at the carrots with a look of hunger on his face.

"Yeah, they are."

I then handed him half of the carrots that I holding, and he grabbed them out of my hand with all of his might.

He then paused, and I saw that he was crying as he was staring down at the carrots.

"Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

"How's Quattro?" he then asked.

Quattro...he hasn't been himself. When he saw me he barely said anything at all, and he was shivering like mad, I wasn't sure whether it from the cold or from fear.

"He's still alive," I replied, hopefully that will reassure him.

"Ok," was his response.

I was about to leave Mikael but then I heard a faint whisper coming from his lips.

"Wait."

I then walked further towards him, and I noticed he was staring at the key in my hand.

"Please, free me," he pleaded. His voice was even quieter, yet it sounded so desperate. It wasn't like him at all. He was normally sweet and polite, even at his worst moments. But now all of that is gone.

"Look, Mikael, as much as I want to, I really can't."

"Why?"

"It's because if you leave, then you'll eventually be found, and then we won't be able to escape. I'm so, so sorry..."

I was almost on the verge of tears myself. I really just wish I could free them all, with the key in my hand but I just...couldn't. I had everything we needed yet at the same time I was just so...powerless. I couldn't have done it even if I wanted to, and at this point all I wanted was to be free, and everyone else that has been hurt by Lane to be free, and live a normal, peaceful life. I want there to be a happy ending.

I kneeled down and faced Mikael.

"I promise you, that whatever happens, you will be released. I don't know when, I don't know how, but we will all survive."

"Do you really mean it?"

Did I? Did I really mean what I said?

...Yes. Yes I did mean it. I will make sure every last one of us is free.

"Yes. I do mean it," I said truthfully.

He just stared at me blankly for a moment. His reply completely caught me off guard.

"I don't believe you."

He didn't believe me? How couldn't he believe me? I meant what I said, I will make sure we are all free.

At this point I didn't know what to say. I didn't feel like I was talking to Mikael. It was like some alien was using mind control on him making him say these things.

"Mikael..." I tried to get the words out of my mouth. "I know that you are going through a rough time. But in order for us to finally escape, I need you to trust me. Can you do that for me?"

His eyes were fixated on mine for what felt like five minutes. He then said "ok", but I could tell from his face that he was uncertain.

Even if he doesn't believe me, I was telling him the truth. At this point I was more determined than ever, I would do everything in my power to save everyone. I then walked towards Quattro's cell, leaving Mikael behind.