Chapter 25

Wil's subtle moving of his chair away from her and his arm from touching her elbow went unnoticed by Aralina. From the looks of the redness on her neck before she could cover it and by the time Wil noticed, it didn't seem like a mosquito bite.

It looked as though it was a hickey. Her impulse to cover it might have just confirmed Wil's suspicion.

An abrupt silence fell between the two, leading to an awkward momentary quietness, feeling the stillness of the room and the gushing breeze of the air conditioner. The two of them were afraid. Afraid that if their eyes ever met, it would just lead to a more awkward moment, they decided to break the ice.

"Ah, I see that you've started on a new book. What is it about?"

Seeing that as an opportunity to get out of the flustering awkwardness, Aralina instantly provided Wil with an answer that came naturally out of her mouth.

"It's about a compilation of different stories of different genres. Basically, a pile of one-shot stories from an author who couldn't finish a novel he started."

So, what he did was to put everything in one book to create non-related different one-shot stories.

"Sounds good to me, like actually."

"And the best part about it from what I heard is that the author had somehow made single strings of connections to his characters and one-shot stories."

The earlier awkward moment disappeared and the two of them were enjoying each other's company now, talking about stuff when they should be reading.

***

"The bell rang. It's time for me to go."

Wil picked up his belongings, getting ready to leave the library.

"Oh, time sure flies, huh? I should probably get going, too."

Aralina also got ready to get up, picking up the book she was reading and holding it onto her chest.

The two of them both got out of the library and went to the gate. Before they could reach the gate and before anyone could see them although there was an influx of students coming out, Wil already said the words he wanted to say.

"Thank you for your time, Ara. It was nice chatting with you. I'll be going now."

"Ahh!"

Wil hurried away without even trying to hear Aralina's words after gently bowing his head as a sign of gratitude. He quickly dispersed, mixing himself with the crowding amount of students.

"Why was he in a hurry?"

"Hey, Ara!"

A professor who was also on his way home called for Aralina.

"Professor Dan! Going home?"

"Uh, yeah. But who was that student you went out with from the library?"

"Hmm... he's a library buddy! Anyway, sir, I have to get going! Be careful, Professor Dan!"

"Okay... Take care."

What awaits the people of the Room, the second chancers is a truly menacing and devastating surprise, which they would not see coming. A completely shattering turn of events will befall the hard-working individuals. Every single one of them will have their hopes crushed and their will to survive destroyed— trampled on.

Dark grey clouds inconspicuously flooded the clear blue sky, shading the people of the city with its utmost black dye.

"A storm is coming."

***

It has been a solid week since Wil and the other second chancers were called to the Room. Out of all of them, Wil desired it the most to happen soon, his hands trembling at the thought of having a knife in his hand as he defended himself from monstrosity.

And of all the individuals who survived, Mary hopes for it not to happen again, that it was just another dream of her. Those lavish nights that would gradually become a nightmare. Yes, Mary experiences such nights. In her difficult times, Neil would be there to comfort and support her, which people do not see from him.

The image they see of Neil is his outrageous ignorance and blissful bullying, which engraved themselves into everyone's memories. Once you are seen as a bad guy, it will be very hard to redeem yourself and change the way people see you.

"Noooo!"

Yet another nightmare occurred in Mary's sleep. She surged from her bed, sweating bullets and almost on the verge of crying.

As soon as Neil heard Mary's trembling voice, he woke up and immediately hugged her, reassuring her.

"Hush... It's just another nightmare of yours. Nothing bad will happen."

Neil caressed Mary's back and she seemed to have calmed down almost immediately. He lightly pulled away from hugging Mary to look at her.

"What is it about this time?"

Almost every nightmare and dream that Mary has in her sleep, it would always about herself and herself alone. No other person had been involved in her dreams and nightmares other than the good ones. And for the first time in having such nightmares, Mary found her boyfriend, Neil, lifeless in the most painful death Mary could think of.

"You... you were being skinned alive. It–It was a slow and painful death, and I..."

Neil put his finger to Mary's mouth to discontinue her nightmare. He does not want to have her think of the bad dream once again.

"No one will die, Mary. I'll always be by your side."

Somehow, Neil's words didn't sound so reassuring to her. There was uneasiness in her heart, which she could not put her mind to. Something she could not describe. It just didn't sound right.

"Let's go back to sleep now, shall we?"

While still holding Mary, Neil guided her down with his gentlest actions and soft voice. Mary began to embrace her, tighter than usual.

"Are you still thinking about your nightmare?"

"I can't take it off my mind."

"Then, I'll hum you a song to calm your mind."

Neil started to melodically hum as he had Mary against his chest. They were in a much closer position covered by the wide checkered blanket while the air conditioner was blasting through the room.

Hearing Neil hum slowly calms her paranoia, erasing and making her forget the bitter and scary nightmare she just had. She really does feel safe in his arms, taking away all of the pressure in her mind.

~