Hayner scrambled through a series of dim hallways with only sirens to light the way. Adrenaline had pushed him past his limits. If he stopped at all, he would drop. Fear and obligation propelled each step. He couldn't let Axel's sacrifice be for nothing.
Everything was going wrong. No, it was wrong from the start. He had to make things right. He had to find Roxas. Too long had he kept his eyes shut. The only way to escape was to confront the truth, but he couldn't do it alone.
The possibility of help had arrived with Riku, but by shunning them, they paid the price. He couldn't make up for what was lost, but he could stop this madness from spiraling out of control.
The exit came into view, a bright opening at the end of the hall. Just a little more. Eagerness led to mental lapse, and he tripped on his foot, fell forward, and scraped his knees. All semblance of energy evaporated with the impact against the ground. Only will was left to sustain movement. He stretched out an arm and clawed the floor, dragging forward by increments.
"Hayner."
He looked up and what little will remained was extinguished.
"O-Olette..."
She was clothed in a white medical gown and seemed to glow with the bright light behind her. With each step, she became more real. She lowered herself to her knees and grasped his hand gently. "I'm sorry."
Any doubt about her being real was dispelled by warmth. He squeezed the frail hand with all his might. "We have to get out of here."
"I'm sorry for bringing you into this," she said.
"What are you talking about?"
"I… My role was to bring you here."
"Why?"
"Because we had to."
Hayner's limp hand slipped from her grasp. He couldn't fight back even if he wanted to. But because it was her, he was willing to resign. If he was going to die, at least it'd be with someone he loved—even if that love was an illusion. "Are you here to take me back?"
"No."
He lifted his head with renewed hope. "Then what?"
"There's only one way I can make it up to you." She bent over and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "I'll help you escape." He struggled to get up but she gave him the energy needed to make the last push. He was glad.
"Thank you, Olette."
"Don't thank me yet. There are others like me out there, working to keep everyone from leaving. Unless we band together, we won't make it out."
"I know someone who can help."
"Do you?"
"Yeah. There were two of them, I think. One of them saved me and the other is at the party. They were secret agents of some kind."
"It sounds like they can really help us. This is my—our last chance here. Let's hurry up and find them."
With newfound vigor, Hayner and Olette walked through the light with hope and despair in their hearts.