IV

ANGST

"Aren't you gonna sleep yet?" Haily asked me, whispering. "Someone needs to stand on guard, we don't know what's out there" I whispered back; being careful to not wake the rest from their sleep. They must have been too drained that's why they fell asleep as soon as their eyes closed. "You need to have the strength also for tomorrow, you've been on guard for like 3-4 hours already" she informed me. I shook my head and replied to her "I'm fine-" "You're not used to staying up late like me, you need plenty of energy to think clearly. If it still bothers you then I would wake you up after you have an ample time of sleep" she cut me off with assurance.

"I won't change you mind now, won't I?" I asked with a hint of sarcasm. She chuckled lightly and nod her head. "Alright, I'll be taking a nap I guess" I said to her as I went near the rest and lay beside Marille who was already sound asleep like the others. I looked once again to Haily's spot, smiled, then went to sleep.

I opened my eyes to see...nothing. I stood up from laying on a cold floor. I kept on walking and walking but, to no avail, I was trapped on an empty void.

I screamed my lungs out, but no vice was heard. There was not a single sound that came out of my mouth. I kept on screaming until, I just found myself sobbing. This was one of my fears; the fear of the unknown. The fear of facing something that you don't even know of. I always hate the uncertainties, I always did.

I grew tired from crying and when I lifted my head up, I saw a flower growing from the tears that gathered in one place; a Gladiolus. A flower that represents remembrance, faithfulness, sincerity and strength of a character. It had pink petals that radiates this soft and warm emotions as if, it is comforting me; soothing my emotions.

I pluck the flower but, not even a minute had passed when the flower wilted.

"Hey, wake up! Are you alright?"

I turned to face Marille who was awake already. I noticed that darkness still enveloped the cave; though there was a hint of light coming from the tarnished flame. I was covered in sweat again, I wasn't trembling like the first time, but it the dream felt like it is weighing on me.

I stood from my position and motioned her that I was alright. I was catching my breath when I looked at Haily's spot. "Where's Haily?" I asked disquietingly. "Oh, Haily wanted to check on something, she said she'll be back quickly" Marille said with a reassuring tone. I nodded to her response and decided to wash myself up outside. We weren't that far from the sea water so I quickly got back.

I was about to enter the cave when I saw someone not that far from where I'm standing.

"Haily?" I said with a hint of curiosity.

She was just standing there. The sea breeze that blows on us as we stand. I was facing her back so she could not see me. I went to her location without hesitating. She didn't flinch when I touched her shoulder. "Are you alright?" I asked her and that's when she got back to reality I guess. She turned around and gave me a weak smile. "Yeah, I just maybe need to take some nap. Would you mind on taking turns?" she asked which I responded with a nod.

We head back inside the cave and she immediately took her nap while Marille and I guarded the entrance of the cave 'till it was dawn. Everyone was almost up and the last one to wake up was Haily. "So what are we gonna do for today? We don't have enough food" West asked with a worried look.

"We'll gather food together and some wood as well" I said after heaving out a deep sigh. "I don't know if you guys noticed, but we reek" Hypo stated with a joking tone.

"Alright, we need to wash up first, we do stink" we laughed it off after that comment of mine. "Wait-what about our clothes? we don't have any spare" Danny asked as we looked at each other with weird smiles creeping out of our mouths. "Nuh-uh, there might be someone watching us out there" Jane said as she step backed as she motioned her hands in hesitant way. "She's right, I think it would be best if we just look for food and fire woods for the meantime" Haily suggested

We all agreed and brought all of our belongings with us since we don't know what may happen. We all set foot into the forest once again and decided to look for another place to stay. We can't stay long enough in a single place. Someone might hunt us down easily.

The rest were already ahead and I can sense that Haily had been spacing out since I saw her outside the cave. I went to her without making suspicious actions and tried to ask her onto what was bothering her. "The sea rages whenever there's a storm, but the most dangerous one is when a storm is coming, yet the sea stays calmer than ever" I said which caught her attention. She looked at me as if she was disappointed. "That applies to you best" She sternly replied which caught me off guard.

"What are you talking about?" I asked her. She laughed sarcastically that it caught everyones attention. "What's going on?" Pinty asked. They all looked confused, and so did I.

Haily stopped laughing and pointed her finger at me while looking down. And that's not the only thing that's worrying me; she's not composed and we don't see that often.

"This 'friend' of ours are hiding some secrets" she said. "How about you tell us, what really did happen Orie? What brought us here?" she trailed off. I was lost by what she was saying and everyone was waiting for my response.

"I...dont know...I don't know what the heck you're talking about..." I answered honestly. Holding my temple as my head starts to ache. Danny went to me and assisted me. "I don't know what the hell is going on but this isn't the time to fight amongst ourselves" Jane interrupted.

"THEN WHY DO THEY KNOW YOU AND SAID THAT I SHOULD ASK YOU!?"