They were startled by the voice, Ethan quickly turned around to see if a monster had appeared, but instead, he saw a young man standing in the doorway that led another room on the second floor.
[That man whispered, gesturing for them to enter the room.] "Come here fast, before the monster comes…"
Ethan glanced towards the group and motioned them all to move. As they entered the room, they discovered a handful of survivors – perhaps around thirty. Among them were children, clinging to their mothers with fearful faces, sobbing softly.
When Ethan, Sara, Lily, Clara and Ava stepped into the room, the man immediately closed the door behind them.
"H – Hello, I'm Ref. I know it's not the right time for introduction, but you can see we are the only survivors left here." [He gestured toward other people, their face flushed with raw terror and nervousness.]
[Ethan looked at him and said,] "I'm Ethan, and this is my sister, Sara. She's Lily, Clara and she's…" [before he could finish, Ref interrupted.]
"Ava, Ava Stanford. Yes, I know her; it's obvious, the whole world knows her" [Ethan remained silent, nodding in acknowledgement.]
Ava, leaning on Ethan for support, trembled as the memory of the monster haunted her. The sight of it filled her mind, causing her to shake even more as she wrapped her arms around Ethan's shoulder tightly.
Ethan felt her grip tighten and reassured her that they were safe now. She nodded but continued to trembled. Ethan glanced around the room and noticed that some of the survivors were injured. Spotting an empty chair, he moved in that direction with Ava. He gestured for her to sit, and she sank into the chair slowly, still sobbing
As Ethan turned around, he noticed Ref approaching towards them with a bottle of water, which he soon handed it to her. Ethan noticed Sara's fearful expression and put his hand on her shoulder, saying,
"Don't worry, Sara; we will escape this place soon. I promise I will do everything I can to protect you." [His voice was warm and comforting.]
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. Hearing his heartfelt words, her emotional dam broke, and she began to cry, wrapping her arms around him tightly as she melted into his embrace.
"I – I wish this nightmare would end quickly, Ethan" [She sobbed, her voice shaky.]
Ethan held her close, wishing he could erase her fears, but deep down, he feared that this nightmare was far from over. He promised himself, that no matter what, he would protect his sister. Seeing Sara's distress, Lily also began to cry.
Suddenly a voice emerged from the crowd.
"Clara?" [A husky voice came from the crowed as a figure slowly emerged, bloodstained and trembling.]
When Clara recognized the figure, she cried out and rushed to hug her father, Henry Caldwell. He patted her head gently, trying to soothe her, though his own face swollen with grief. Clara pulled back and looked at her father, asking,
"W – Where's mom, dad?"
Hearing her words, he became speechless, shaking his head slowly. Tears welled in his eyes…
"No… No, don't tell me, Mom…" [She gasped, hugging him harder and burying her face in his chest as she cried.]
"I – I'm sorry, dear. I couldn't save… her…" [He said, his voice thick with grief. After a moment, he added,] I thought you – you were also…" [his eyes filled with tears as he hugged his daughter back.]
Ethan watched them with a tearful gaze, uncertain if he would ever see his own mother again. He maintained his composure, resolving to save Sara no matter how dire the circumstances.
"Mr. Caldwell, I'm sorry for your loss, but this isn't the time for tears. We need to get out from this building as soon as possible. Besides, I read the novel; if all the characteristics of this monster match those in the story, then I am pretty sure he will find us soon. His senses are sharp."
Mr. Caldwell looked at Ethan, and gave a nod of understanding.
"Don't worry Ethan, I've read that novel too. I don't think he'll find us here. If I'm correct, this room is soundproof, and the door is sturdy too. It will not break easily. We're safe here." [Ref reassured them.]
"I hope you're right Ref…" [Ethan replied, still feeling anxious.]
Seeing the worry etched on Ethan's face, Sara placed her hand on his shoulder and he nodded in understanding. He let out a deep sigh escaped from his lips and sat down on the ground, leaning against the wall. He noticed many worried faces around him, all longing to escape this nightmare. He closed his eyes, resting his hand on his forehead.
Ava looked at Ethan as he sat alone. She stood up, still trembling, and approached him, sitting beside him.
"Th – Thank you." [She said, her voice quivering with fear.]
Ethan slowly opened his eyes and looked at her, she sat closely behind him, and he could see her trembling with fear.
"It's alright; we will soon leave this place safely. Don't worry…" [He said with a warm smile, though his eyes were dull.]
Hearing his words, Ava started crying and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder. He startled by her sudden action, but soon regained his composure and placed a hand on the back of her head, understanding her need for comfort.
"It's alright Ava." [After a moment, he pulled back slightly and added] "We need to fight back, Ava. You must confront your fear if you want to survive. You need to control it."
Ava nodded, still sobbing, realizing the truth in his words. He gave her another warm smile. Her blue eyes, once sparkling with lights and confidence, now appeared dull and fearful.
"Thank you, Ethan, for helping me back there. If you hadn't come to my aid, maybe I would be…" [She stopped]
"It's okay, Ava." [He said, his voice heavy with emotion.] If there were someone else in your place, I would do the same for them. I would save them without hesitation. But I – I can't help Emily…" [He stopped, tears welling in his eyes at the memory of Emily's lifeless body.]
Ava placed her hand on his arm gently, offering him a sense of comfort, and telling him that it wasn't his fault. Their gazes locked for a moment before Ethan broke away, leaning back again.
"Fight your fear, Ava; it's not like I can save you every time."
Ava nodded in understating, realizing the truth behind his words. If she encountered the monster again and succumbed to her fear, then it will be end for her. She resolved to live, not just for herself but for him. She began to develop feelings for him. Sitting beside him gave her a sense of comfort and protection she had never felt before.
She noticed Ethan's face while he was leaning against the wall. She quickly looked away, blushing, and composed herself, knowing this wasn't right time.
Ethan glanced around the room once more, suddenly his gaze fall on Roman Schitzwit, the author of the novel "The Monster", who was sitting with fear and trembling. Ethan stood up abruptly, anger boiling within him, he clenched his fist and walked toward him. Ava gasped at Ethan's sudden movement but stood up as well, trembling yet managing to follow him.
As Ethan reached toward Roman Schitzwit, he grabbed his collar, ignoring the age gap, and said,
"You… you already knew this would happen, didn't you?" [His voice filled with anger and rage.]
Roman Schitzwit startled by Ethan's gesture and started trembling as Ethan words reached his ears.
"W – What are you talking about? I – I don't know what you're saying." [His voice stammered; hesitation evident in his voice as he lied]
"Don't lie to me…" [Ethan shouted, his emotions spilling over as tears welled in his eyes.]
Mr. Caldwell came forward, saying,
"Ethan, this isn't the right time for accusations." [He gestured to Ethan to look at the other people as their faces became pale upon hearing his words.]
Ethan took a deep breath, calming himself and pulled himself back as he released Roman's collar, still clenched his fist on his side. He wiped his tears and returned to the spot where he had been sitting earlier. All people in the room were on him, then shifted back to Roman Schitzwit.
Ethan sat in silence again, grappling with his anger but something swirled up in his mind. A glimmer of hope began to stir his mind. Ava returned to sit beside him, she put her hand on his arm and squeezing it gently for reassurance.
"Ava, I think we're missing something… Something important." [He looking at her with newfound hope in his eyes.]
[Ava blinked in confusion.] "I don't understand, Ethan. Can you explain it clearly?"
[He considered her for a moment before responding.] "Daniel, Daniel Willington."
"Daniel?" [She echoed, still not grasping his meaning.]
"Yes, Daniel Willington – The main protagonist of that novel. If the monster could emerge from fiction into reality, then why can't he?" [His eyes sparkled with a newfound hope.]