Six POV

It's been a week since I've talked to Three. I despise my brother so much. He's more annoying than ever. It's nerve wrecking. He stole my only friend I just made that day after an awkward situation. He's the second-to-worst thing that happened in my life.

The worst thing is this place.

I've been talking with Seven a little more. We usually sat in the sunlight from the window while we talked. Am I finally making another friend?

She always seem a little... strange. She likes treating me like a child, but that's not the strange thing. I actually like feeling smaller for once in a while. The strange thing is that she always sound so sad. It's not just after Twenty died, she sounded sad every time I heard her talk to Twenty.

The overhead intercom makes a static sound. "One through Twenty-Six, report to the main room. Repeat: One through Twenty-Six, report to the main room." it demands.

I glance at Seven who's right by me. We rise from our spots near the window, and we walk to the center of the room. Everyone else files into the room. The researchers signal us to line up in formation with a hand movement. I stand in between Seven and a girl with shocking, puffed-up white hair.

They count us with a skim of an eye, and they jot down things on a clip board.

Seven POV

After the researchers counted us, a man called me over as everyone filed away.

He sighs. "Seven, what are we going to do with you?"

Not this again. They say my results haven't gotten any better. Not since Twenty died. They claim it's his death that caused "traumatic damage" to my brain. How foolish of them, blaming everything bad I do on Twenty's death.

It's so foolish to the point of being hilarious.

"Twenty isn't at fault!"

He shoots me a stern look. "Don't you dare talk back to your superiors."

Not much superior to me. I slightly roll my eyes.

He sighs again. "Look, his attitude is rubbing off you too. Do not become a bratty rebel too."

I glare at him. He returns the glare.

"You must do better than this." He waves his hand at me.

I really wish I can disappear right now. "I am working hard! I've been working harder than I have before! There's nothing else I can do to im—"

"Dismissed." He interrupts me through gritted teeth.

I half-storm off to the bedroom. I think that guy who killed Twenty is also rubbing off of that researcher.

"Seven! Are you okay?" Six runs towards me.

I nod, and she smiles. "That's a relief."

I give her a small smile.

No, nothing is okay.

That night, 11:45 pm

Run, run, run! Keep running!

The horrific shadows behind violently chase after me. They smile with their intangible mouths.

"Stop! Please stop! I beg of you!"

I run out of breathe. I can't breathe. My legs feel numb. A female silhouette appears in front of me.

"Mom!" I call out. "Save me, please!"

The woman turns around. "I'm not your mother kid. Scram."

I freeze. Who is my mom anyway?

A snicker reverberated behind me. I whip my head around. The shadows hover above me.

No,no,no,no,no.

"Stop! I beg of you, stop!"

They lurch forward with their skeleton arms and razor-sharp fingers.

I snap out of my dream. Face wet, I lie on my bed. I inhale and exhale deeply. I confirm with myself: I am awake. I am aware.

This is the day.

I quietly sit up and wait for a minute. No one is awake. I slip out of bed and crawl on to the floor. My skin shivers from the coldness. I reach under the mattress. I touch something rough and coilly. A rope.

Sneakily walking out of the room, I enter the dark hallway. I grip the bundled rope in my hands.

No turning back now.

I slowly creep out into the main room. I stare at the dark blue sky out from the fortified window. A few stars shine in the dark while moon glows brightly.

It's beautiful.

I sigh, and continue walking until I reach the furthest observation room. I open the door into the pitch-black. I fumble around for the tiny desk light the researchers always use in the room. I touch its cold base and turn in on. It radiates a tiny white light. I quietly push the rolling chair to the white atomic clock. I balance myself on the chair, and I wrap my fingers gently against the frame of the clock. I lift it off the wall. It reveals a very sturdy nail of some sort that can hold the weight of a person if installed properly.

I set the clock on the cold, tiled floor. I tightly tie the rope around the nail. I breathe shallowly, shakily. I press the rope against the skin of my neck and wrap it around and tie a tight knot.

I will do this. I can't stand this place anymore.

"This is it." I say to myself.

I breathe a final heavy breath. I lightly jump to kick the rolling chair out beneath me. Its wheels roll noisily over to the entrance. My body quickly falling, the rope suddenly tightens around my neck.

My eyes shoot wide open. The sturdy rope pressing against my skin burns. This hurts, this hurts, this hurts! I hang there hopelessly. I wait, an wait, and wait. My lungs gradually sting until the pain spreads all over my body. I need air. The rope buries into my neck. Oh no I shouldn't have done this! I grab the rope with my shaky hands and try to somehow loosen it. Someone, help me!

"H—" I try to scream.

I stop, helpless. I close my eyes. My lungs feel crushed. My head becomes dizzy. Is this what Twenty felt like in the hands of that fiendish man? Letting my arms drop, I stop struggling, and smile, at least on the inside. I can understand what he felt.

Twenty...

I'll meet you later...

if an afterlife exists, that is.

... Maaaaaannnnnn.

Two people died. It took me a while to tie everything together which is why I didn't post this chapter last week.

I hope this was the right choice to keep it going. I have everything planned out in my head, but I can't put it down correctly with words. That's a catastrophe.

Anyway, thanks for reading!

-PwandaBear32