Side Chapter: Missing Year

 Location: University of Chicago

A year had passed since that harrowing night. The memories still haunted Diane and Jonathan, but they had learned to live with the pain. Now in their first year of college, they saw it as a fresh start, a chance to rebuild their lives.

"Hey, Diane!" Jonathan called out, jogging to catch up with her. His face had healed, but the scars of that night were still visible in his eyes.

"Hey," Diane replied, forcing a smile. "How's your first day going?"

"Not bad," he said, falling into step beside her. "Just trying to get used to everything. It's weird being in a place where nobody knows what happened."

"Yeah, it is," Diane agreed, glancing around at the unfamiliar faces. "But maybe that's a good thing. We can just be... normal."

Jonathan nodded, but the doubt was evident in his eyes. "Yeah, normal," he echoed, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

As they walked through the campus, a sense of unease lingered. The memories of that night were never far from their minds. But they were determined to make the most of this new beginning.

"Classes seem interesting," Jonathan said, trying to focus on the positive. "I'm looking forward to the psychology course."

Diane smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, me too. It feels good to be learning again, doing something Um...normal."

As they walked to their class, Jonathan couldn't help but glance over his shoulder, half-expecting to see Alpha lurking in the shadows. But there was nothing. Just the bustling life of college students, oblivious to the horrors they had faced.

Despite the lively atmosphere, Jonathan found it hard to let go of his vigilance. Every unfamiliar face, every shadow cast by the late afternoon sun, seemed to hold a threat. He knew it was irrational, but the trauma of the past year was not something easily shrugged off.

Diane, sensing his unease, reached out and touched his arm. "We're safe here, Jonathan. It's over."

He nodded, forcing a smile. "I know. It's just... hard to believe sometimes."

"We'll get through this," Diane reassured him. "Maybe.."

As the college campus buzzed with the excitement of a new semester. Diane and Jonathan, now first-year students, were doing their best to blend in, to find a semblance of normalcy after a year of turmoil.

Diane sat in her psychology class, her professor's voice fading into the background as she absentmindedly doodled in her notebook. Her thoughts drifted back to that fateful night—the explosion, the chaos, and Adam's sacrifice. Despite her efforts to suppress the memories, they always found a way back. Haunting her thoughts.

Jonathan, sitting a few rows behind her, was equally distracted. He glanced at Diane, worry etched on his face. Despite their efforts to move forward, the past still had a tight hold on both of them. He desperately wanted to believe they could escape the nightmares that haunted them, but deep down, he feared that their peace was fragile as the part of him was still waiting for something to go wrong, due to unable to fully let go of the fear that lingered in him.

After class, they met up outside, the warm sun a stark contrast to the cold memories they carried.

"Want to grab a coffee?" Jonathan asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sure," Diane replied, her smile more genuine this time. "I could use a break."

They walked to the campus café, the normalcy of the activity a small comfort. As they sipped their drinks, they talked about their classes, their new friends, anything but the past. It was a fragile peace, but it was a start.

Sitting in the café with Jonathan, Diane felt a flicker of hope. Maybe they could do this. Maybe they could build new lives, even with the shadows of the past looming over them.

"Do you think about him often?" Jonathan asked suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Diane knew who he meant. "Every day," she admitted, her heart aching. "But we have to keep going, for his sake. He wouldn't want us to be stuck in the past."

Diane studied Jonathan's troubled expression and gently asked, "Is something wrong?"

Jonathan hesitated, then admitted with a sigh, "I... I still can't get over it. I don't know why."

Diane's empathy for her friend was deep. "Jonathan, you can't just 'get over' losing our friends, especially Adam. He was your best friend since day one. So It's harder on you than me."

Jonathan met Diane's gaze, his eyes searching for solace. "I know," he whispered, his voice heavy with emotion.

Diane placed a comforting hand on Jonathan's shoulder. "We can't erase what happened, but we can carry their memories with us. We can create new memories that honor them, keeping the pain at bay while still holding onto what made them special to us."

Jonathan nodded slowly, gratitude evident in his eyes. "You're right," he murmured again. "Thank you, Diane."

Diane smiled gently. "You're welcome."

....

As Jonathan Walking back to the dorms with Diane, Jonathan felt a sense of resolve after the conversation with Diane.

"Let's make a pact," he said suddenly, stopping in his tracks.

Diane turned to him, curiosity in her eyes. "What kind of pact?"

"Let's promise to live our lives to the fullest," he said, his voice steady. "This time No matter what happens, let's not let the past hold us back."

Diane smiled, a genuine smile this time. "I promise," she said, holding out her hand.

Jonathan took it, squeezing it tightly. "I promise too."

As they continued walking, a weight lifted off their shoulders. They had made it through the darkest of times, and now, they had a chance at a new beginning. Whatever the future held, they would face it together.

....

[Meanwhile Adam side]

In the gym, Adam Wilson relentlessly trained in kickboxing. His punches hit the heavy bag with a ferocity that left his hands raw and bleeding. Every kick, every jab, carried the weight of his inner turmoil. He trained for hours each day, his focus unwavering.

Coach Brad Copper watched from a distance, concern etched on his face. He couldn't ignore Adam's injuries any longer. Approaching him, he called out, "Stop it, Adam. Your hands are injured."

Adam didn't break his rhythm, his voice strained as he replied, "It doesn't matter, Coach. They'll heal anyway."

Brad sighed, frustration mingling with sympathy. "I know what you did four months ago is shocking, but I still don't like it."

Adam finally paused, looking directly at Brad. "I get it. I won't do it again."

...

[Adam Pov]

As I made my way to the locker room, I couldn't help but think about the events that had led me here. The trauma, the loss, the constant struggle to move forward. It all fueled my determination, but at a cost.

I asked the system in my mind, "System, how much money do I have left?"

The system responded promptly, "Host, you only have five thousand dollars."

I muttered under my breath, "Shit."

It didn't really matter, though. I didn't buy much besides food and a place to sleep. Simplicity had become my refuge.

In the locker room, I quickly changed clothes and prepared to leave the gym. As I stepped outside, the cool afternoon air hit my face, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the gym. I made my way to the bus stop, lost in thought.

The bus ride to my apartment was uneventful. I stared out the window, watching the city pass by in a moment. It was a strange feeling, living in a place that was so alive when I felt so disconnected from it all.

Arriving at my apartment, I let myself in and collapsed onto the couch. The exhaustion from training hit me all at once. Despite the physical and emotional fatigue, I knew I couldn't afford to stop. Not now.

I thought about Jonathan and Diane, hoping they were finding some semblance of peace in their new lives. We had all been through so much, and even though we were on separate paths, I hoped their futures would somehow lead to healing.

As I lay on the couch, I decided to check on my revival points. "System, how many revival points do I have?" I asked.

The system responded promptly, "Host, after you killed those cannibals and completed the side quest, you accumulated 30 revival points."

I nodded, feeling a small sense of satisfaction. "Good. I need to save up some revival points. When it becomes a significant amount, I can buy what I need."

Curious about my current state, I asked the system again, "System, show me my status."

The system acknowledged, "Affirmative, host."

Player Status:

Name: Adam Wilson

Age: 17 years old

Strength: 16

Agility: 15

Endurance: 14

Intelligence: 14

Luck: 10

Charisma: 15

Revival Points: 30

Technique: Kickboxing - Intermediate level

As I reviewed my status, I realized the importance of using my revival points to grow stronger. However, now was not the time. I still had two years left before I planned to hunt down Alpha, so I needed to focus on training my kickboxing skills for now.

The system also mentioned that I could upgrade my technique, but it would cost 20 revival points. Maybe later, I thought. I needed to grasp and learn everything about my revival system thoroughly before making any big decisions.

I also needed to investigate Alpha's whereabouts. I had a strong suspicion that he was in a sanatorium. After all, the fourth movie was the beginning of the Wrong Turn series, serving as a prequel to the first three films. I knew the sanatorium was in Virginia, but the exact location eluded me. It had been a long time since I watched the Wrong Turn movies.

With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I resolved to focus on my immediate goals: improving my skills and gathering information. The hunt for Alpha would come, but for now, preparation was key.

THE END OF SIDE CHAPTER