Aiden's chest tightened as he froze in horror. The whispers still echoed faintly in his mind, but now they were replaced by a chilling sight.
He turned around sharply, and there she was—his sister. Joanne. She stood before him, her expression cold and unforgiving.
"It's all your fault," she said, her voice devoid of warmth.
Aiden's breath hitched. He staggered forward, grabbing her shoulders as if anchoring himself in reality. His eyes, wide with disbelief, scanned her face, memorizing every detail like it was the last time he'd ever see her.
"Joanne…" His voice cracked. "It's really you."
The figure before him shifted uncomfortably under his grip.
"What?" she replied, her voice tinged with confusion. "Aiden... it's me, Elena."
Aiden blinked, his grip loosening. The image of Joanne flickered and vanished like a mirage, leaving Elena standing in her place. Her brows furrowed as she studied him, her own concern evident.
"What… but my sister was just…" Aiden's voice trailed off as he stumbled backward, a whirlwind of emotions crashing through him.
Elena took a cautious step forward, her tone calm but urgent. "This place—whatever's inside that helmet—it's messing with your mind. You're hallucinating." She paused, her gaze darting around the room. "We have to find the exit. Now."
Aiden didn't respond immediately. His eyes dropped to the floor, his mind stuck on the vivid memory of his sister. "But… Joanne…" he whispered, his voice tinged with grief.
Elena placed a hand on his arm, shaking it gently to draw him back to the present. "Aiden, focus. Whatever you're seeing, it isn't real. We can't let this place get to us."
He finally looked up at her, his expression torn between anguish and determination. "You didn't see her. It was so real…"
Elena's face softened, but her words stayed firm. "I know. That's how it works. It knows how to get to you." She glanced around the room again, her sharp instincts kicking in. "Let's figure this out together, okay?"
Reluctantly, Aiden nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. He followed her lead, trying to shake the lingering image of Joanne's accusing eyes.
But deep down, the memory clung to him, a ghost that wouldn't let go.
The two moved cautiously through the simulated space, its oppressive atmosphere heavy with tension. The shadows on the walls seemed to shift and move, playing tricks on their already-frayed nerves.
Elena sighed, brushing a frizzy strand of hair from her face. "Figures. This challenge isn't just about finding the exit. It's trying to break us first."
"Seems like it's doing a good job," Aiden muttered, his voice low.
"Not if we don't let it," she replied, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her edges.
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed in the distance—a metallic clang that reverberated through the room. They both froze, their eyes darting to the source of the sound.
"What was that?" Aiden whispered.
"I don't know," Elena replied, her tone sharp. "But we don't want to stick around to find out."
They moved faster now, their footsteps echoing eerily in the empty space. Aiden couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, though every time he turned, there was nothing there.
"Stay close," Elena instructed, her voice tense.
As they navigated the space, a faint red light flickered in the distance—a possible exit. Relief flooded Aiden's chest, but it was fleeting. His sister's voice echoed in his head again.
"You'll never save her, either."
He clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus on the present. They had to make it out of here. For now, that was all that mattered.
"Wait." Elena paused mid-step, turning abruptly. Her sharp gaze darted around the dimly lit space.
Aiden stopped beside her, scanning the area as an uneasy feeling settled over him. "What is it?"
She turned to him, her voice low. "Where did… he go?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. Aiden frowned, the eerie silence pressing in on them.
"You're right," he said after a beat. "Something feels off. But… who are we missing?"
Elena's brow furrowed in confusion. "Jonah," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Where is Jonah?"
They exchanged a glance, a mutual unease flickering between them. Aiden's mind raced as he tried to recall the moments before—Jonah had been with them, hadn't he? But now, the memory felt blurry, like a fading dream.