Apart from Rayana, the members of the student council, and Will's group, it appeared that the rest of the world was blissfully unaware of their dire situation. It was as if they were invisible, their predicament unnoticed despite the extraordinary and intense events unfolding around them. It was like a scene from a surreal nightmare, where reality twisted and turned, making the ordinary seem extraordinary and the extraordinary seem ordinary.
Rayana for the first in her life wanted to be noticed and be rescued. She even made an effort to look on the direction of the old couple wishing that they are still watching intently at her direction checking if they had noticed their predicament unlike others and had a hope of rescue somehow. Unfortunately for Rayana, she is bound to be disappointed as the old couple's attention is no longer at them as if truly trusting Rayana's prior judgement when she signalled that everything is fine on their direction.
"Why are we here watching the streets again?" Mr. Owen asked, his gaze directed towards Rayana's direction. If Rayana had heard such a question, she would undoubtedly be horrified. She was well aware that despite their advanced age, this elderly couple still possessed sharp memories and had a keen sense of judgment about those around them. Their ability to notice subtle changes and details was something that Rayana respected.
"Silly old man, of course checking Ra--" the old woman's face displayed confusion as she attempted to recall what she had forgotten, but unfortunately, she couldn't retrieve the memory. The old couple remained unperturbed by this and resumed their other tasks, surrounded by a harmonious atmosphere. Unbeknownst to them, someone looked at their direction from a distance after they turned around. Fortunately, Rayana was far away and unable to hear their previous conversation. Otherwise, their current behavior would have shocked her and further unsettled her mind if she had witnessed such actions from the old couple.
The world around them crumbled as if made of sand, each grain representing their hope and dreams slipping through their fingers. Despair swept over them like a tidal wave, overwhelming their senses and snuffing out the last flicker of hope. It was as if a dark cloud had enveloped them, casting a shadow so deep that it seemed impossible to escape.
They felt themselves falling, not in the physical sense, but a fall that was far more terrifying. They were plummeting into an abyss of emptiness, a void so vast and deep that it seemed to swallow up everything. It was an emptiness that was more than just a lack of physical presence; it was an emptiness of hope, of light, of life. The world around them seemed to fade, their senses numbing as the emptiness consumed them.
Their consciousness began to wane, the world around them blurring and distorting as they fell deeper into the void. The last thing they remember was the feeling of falling, of being swallowed by the emptiness, before everything faded into nothingness.
Rayana's eyelids fluttered open, pulling her from the depths of what felt like an eon-long dream. Each morning, she would lie still as a statue in her bed, her eyes slowly adjusting to the light as she stared up at the ceiling until the remnants of sleep dissipated. These moments of quiet stillness served as a backdrop for a cascade of random thoughts that filled her mind. Thoughts about the intricate tapestry of life, her plans for the day, the complex web of her feelings towards the people in her life, and past events that had shaped her. Among these were thoughts that wouldn't ordinarily cross a person's mind.
She would ponder questions like, "Can human brain have a computing power like a computer if it's full potential is unleashed or perhaps more?" or "If a technology to see sounds, smell or air is invented, can that also prove the spiritual entities?" and even "What if our dreams are glimpses into alternate realities?" These thoughts were like a labyrinth that Rayana didn't always feel like navigating.
As Rayana's consciousness gradually clawed its way back, these random musings continued to stream in. However, much to Rayana's surprise, her internal dialogue took an unexpected turn. Why did the ceiling appear further away this time? Why didn't her bed feel as snug and comforting as before? Why was the room bathed in light when she usually woke before the first light of dawn? Why did her body ache as if she had been the victim of a hit-and-run, and how would she even know what that felt like?
Deep within, Rayana harbored a nagging suspicion that she already knew the answers but was mentally shoving them aside. Much to her dismay, the memories of the past events came rushing back like a tidal wave, confirming her worst fears. The more she pondered, the darker her expression became, and she was gripped by a surge of an emotion she hadn't felt in a long time.
While Rayana was previously asleep, the rest of them were also struggling to come to terms with reality. Lucy, in particular, was noticeably quieter, burdened with self-blame as if she had taken all the faults of their situation upon herself. Both Amelia and Jake shared the same regret, lamenting their silence, especially Amelia, who made the final decision that put their friends in grave danger and potentially left them with no way to return home. Amelia couldn't help but think of her parents, who had just lost their only child, a loss that could be permanent.
Ethan and Noah were the calmest of the five. Ethan, though undoubtedly feeling despair about their situation, knew that it wasn't the time to wallow in self-pity. He understood that his family would be grieving for a while, but fortunately, they still had his two older brothers and a younger sister to support them and help each other move forward. On the other hand, Ethan felt that his friends needed him more in this unknown place, so he immediately prioritized their situation.
Noah, on the other hand, experienced conflicting emotions. He thought, "The elders should be sad, but luckily for the others, they finally got rid of one of their competitors." With a sarcastic smile that contrasted his usual innocent face, Noah contemplated these thoughts.
Ethan approached Amelia, standing silently without uttering a word. Amelia, in a hushed tone, reassured him, saying, "I know, don't worry, and thank you." Her words confirmed that she had already sorted out her thoughts.
"Everyone!" Amelia called for their attention. "I failed all of you greatly this time."
"Pres..." Lucy attempted to protest but was interrupted once again.
"Ypu don't blame me, I understand. And I don't blame anyone here either. But if any of you feel the need to blame someone, including yourselves, direct it towards me. I will take responsibility for all of us," Amelia expressed what she wanted to convey.
"I will take responsibility with you as well," Ethan chimed in. Amelia felt grateful, and soon Lucy, Jake, and Noah followed Ethan's decision, creating a warm feeling deep inside Amelia.
"Well then, if you need to cry or release your anger, do it now. There should be no room for it afterwards. Once you're done, let's get organized. We need to figure out where we are and if it's safe," Amelia declared, and everyone followed her lead after battling their inner demons.
Noah, who volunteered to watch over the unconscious Rayana, noticed a slight movement after she had been in a coma for a whole day.
"Pres, I think we've really messed up this time. This girl looks awake but just stares at the ceiling like a corpse!" Noah's voice echoed in the room, carrying a tone of complaint, though it lacked sincerity.
Rayana heard his voice, but her train of thought was unstoppable. Finally, she recognized one of the emotions stirring within her: anger.
Lucy hissed beside her. She had come to check on Rayana upon hearing Noah's grumbling. Lucy's eyes scanned Rayana, taking in her condition.
'She's furious,' Lucy thought after ensuring that Rayana was alright.
Soon, they heard Jake respond to Noah, "I think the fact that we're in this situation proves that we've messed up big time." Jake meant it as a joke and wanted to lighten the atmosphere a bit. Sadly it had an opposite effect which he regretted a bit.
Everyone fell silent at that. They had been involved in a fair share of mischief, but this was undoubtedly the worst.