She was going to be the one left alone.
"Why doesn't she just join a group? Nobody had to go alone , " said a random person .
The room begins to murmur to themselves. I sit right next to the girl, who seems to be watching her fate unfold.
"Alright. You're right, nobody has to be alone. Anyone volunteer to take her into their group?" asked Avarice .
A few groups raise their hands, while others keep to themselves silently .
"Leave her. She's with me , " said a man who exited from a group.
His name was Will.
He was one of the few who tried to avoid giving his name, except it was sewn onto the inside of his dark brown jacket, which I thought didn't match his rough and tired face.
"You don't have to leave your group. She can join -"
Before Avarice could finish his sentence, Will groaned loudly.
"She can't walk. When that thing chased us here, I had to carry her sorry ass all the way over here. One of those things almost got us too."
I look back at the girl, mainly at her legs hidden under a long skirt. Walking towards us, the man stared me down before scoffing and crouching down to the girl's level.
"Can I show them?" asked Will, the girl nodding her head.
Slowly peeling back the skirt, dried blood, and other liquids rip away from her legs, showing a nauseating sight. There was no skin from her ankles to her thigh. Giving her a piece of cloth to wipe away a tear from her face and slowly hiding her legs again, Will stood back up and faced us.
"Is anyone still willing to take us into their group, now knowing her condition?"
The room went silent. I looked back at the girl, who was now hiding her face in her arms, and could barely hear her muffled sobs. My mind ached to hear her cry. Maybe it was because of her young age, or perhaps her reminding me of "her."
" I understand your predicament, don't get me wrong, but I'm not gonna risk my guys just for some brat , " said Harrik.
"It's good. Appreciate the honesty , " said Will before sitting back down.
"We don't need your charity. We can manage on our own again."
"Alright then, you can follow behind a group if you want. The plan still doesn't change. We are to each head a different direction and locate an exit , " Avarice announced.
It took a minute for everyone to calm their nerves as more slamming and noises , the others said were their family's voices echoed through the walls. I drowned out the sounds of flies and cicadas as everyone was finally ready.
The door swung open as everyone rushed out. I followed Avarice tightly along with the others as we rushed towards a forest. At the edge of the forest, I turned to only see blood puddles yet no bodies as the giant beast seemed to be following a group.
My heartbeat slowed down as I regrouped with Avarice and the others who moved deeper and deeper. After hours of walking, we see a blue flag waving back and forth right in the middle of a section with no trees. Looking around for a bit, everyone sat down taking a minute to rest.
"That was easy. Now we just have to let the others know , " said Avarice .
"Are we sure this is the exit?" asked the guy behind me.
"No, but this is our best bet at one I feel."
"Alright, we should send someone to let the others know."
Everyone's eyes locked on Avarice, wide and fearful. It was obvious nobody wanted to willingly head back into danger.
"I know how you all feel , so I-"
"I'll go," I say , interrupting Avarice .
"No, it should be me -"
I begin to walk back to where we came from as Avarice grabs my shoulder , looking me in the eyes. He releases his grip after a few seconds as I make my way again.
"Be safe!" Avarice shouted as the others ' murmurs faded.
After a short walk, I begin to see the other side of the brush in front of me. Taking a step forward into the blinding light, my balance was taken from me. Being flung into the air engulfed by a net, I squirm and wiggle in discomfort and fear as an imp stares at me from above. My heart stopped for a moment as we make eye contact for what felt like forever until it eventually walked away.
It didn't kill me... even though i was trapped in this net?
I was stuck and couldn't do anything about it. Hours passed as the sun fell and the moon rose, shining down on me , who had given up on escaping. I await the inevitable squad of imps with spears ready to stab me like a pin cushion.
I got used to the sound of bugs flying around me, waiting for my body to rot and be edible as their noises faintly get drowned by a scream of a girl. My eyes widened in fear.