Chapter 35

Being alone isn't a bad thing. Find solitude in loneliness, for it is the most peaceful feeling.

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Wil's Useful Eyeglasses, show arrows which indicate where he should go, cues to escaping the stage safely from the terrorists.

"This way," he pointed to their right after heading to the exit way. "We'll be safe after we reach the end—"

Boom, boom, boom, one at a time five bombs installed near the emergency exit exploded after the set timer. Tremors were felt throughout the building and they could see the walls shaking from powerful explosions.

The last explosion occurred where Wil, Mary, and Aralina were heading. The buildings and walls immediately collapsed, causing enveloping dust and fear.

"Run, run, run!"

The ceiling and the narrow path they took became a hindrance to their intent of escaping. However, none of the three of them gave up. They strode, going full throttle as they screamed their lungs out.

"This isn't gonna work..."

Aralina abruptly put all of her weight on her body as she both pushed Mary and Wil away. She knew very well that the three of them would not survive if they kept at it, so Aralina made the choice of sacrificing herself for the sake of people she only met more than a week ago.

"Eh," Mary confusedly looked back.

Wil knew immediately, biting his lip, for he understood the assignment almost instantly.

"Please survive for us... Ah, this should have been a fun normal day. Who would have thought —"

And Aralina swiftly disappeared, the same speed as Wil's hands pulling Mary away to the point that he was dragging her.

They headed towards the opposite side of the hallway, unbeknownst to them their fate once they reached the end. Every ounce of strength, every bit of nerve, and every lasting breath was mustered together, hoping that they would reach the door before the collapsing building would fall on them.

"Ahhhh!"

Mary's hand reached for the doorknob, flickered it open, and graspingly headed out of the danger. She escaped and so was Wil in the nick of time before they got crushed and buried alive by the collapsing building.

Huffing, deeply grasping for air after escaping death just in time, Mary and Wil found themselves in a hallway that seemed familiar.

"Isn't this..."

"We are back in the Room!"

Wil's blood pumped up, his satisfactory thriller shooting up the roof.

As they made their way to the living area where the second chancers were gathered, trivial chattering and constant arguing were happening.

When they turned left, entering the living area, they witnessed the number of second chancers inside with a different agenda going on.

"Hmm, two more people!"

Children were crying, adults were confused, and loudmouths had their lips chapped from continuous speaking.

Everywhere— all over the Room were faces Wil had seen and knew. From acquaintances to people he would just often pass by.

"Some familiar faces," Mary spoke and her heart sunk to the bottom pits, her knees suddenly weakening at the sight of someone... Her boyfriend, Neil. "N-Neil."

If not 10, maybe 15 new people were added to the second chancers. Their numbers sprang from 4 to 20 suicidal warriors, who were given the chance to live another life. Be it a bastard, a criminal, a goody two shoes, or a kid, anyone is given the chance to make amends and set their life together.

With tears on the verge of trickling, Neil came running towards Mary, tightly embracing her as he burst into tears.

Neil's build made Mary's body look slightly thin, for he was buffed and often went to the gym. Their emotions reconnected, feeling each other's warmth with every touching part of their bodies.

"Oh, how lovely," a sarcastic remark came out of a newcomer's mouth. "When will I ever get a girlfriend?"

Another tease came and showed his weirdly long tongue. "Kekeke! Don't ruin the moment, Marlon."

"Eh, I was even trying to ruin anything. In fact, it was a compliment. A completely genuine and harmless remark!"

Wil's eyes were glaring at them and they noticed it, immediately questioning him.

"What's your deal? Why are you glaring at me, huh?"

Despite the man's intimidating approach, Wil didn't falter nor back down. He stood tall and faced the guy's stirring anger against him.

Neil, Baron, and Mary all stepped in. Moreover, another fine lady joined, sticking herself in between the two factions.

"Aralina," Wil whispered.

"Hello. I don't know what happened and what's going on but I'm glad to be back alive."

Wil glanced back at the men in black.

"They are the terrorists that run down people, shooting them mercilessly and without a hitch."

Shockingly, they all gasped—those who were unaware—as all of them were victims of either the shootings or the bombings done at the Mall.

"Is that true?!" An exceeding amount of animosity and precaution loomed inside the room as soon as Wil spoke the words. "Are they really the people?!"

Five people became the center of hostility of those who fell victim to either their hands or the bomber himself. However, who else should they be pointing fingers about the bombing but the five terrorists?

"Then, shouldn't we just beat them up or kill them for what they did?"

And thus everyone, filled with rage upon learning, seconded the suggestions, roaring with eagerness.

"Wait, wait, wait, guys! Um, aren't we being a bit too rushed?"

A pacifist? They all thought. The terrorists began to refute back.

"The hell are you saying terrorists?! This fucking dude is unbelievable! Just because we're wearing black makes us the terrorist? And where did this fucking terrorist attack even happen?!"

"Yeah! Why are we being framed for something we didn't?! Do you even have evidence that it was us?!"

Now a real argument occurred, as opposition and neutrality continued to discuss the matter, blood did not take long for it to shed.

"Oh my god!"

"Iyaaa!"

The knife protruded out of one of the terrorists' bodies, slicing through and forcing its way to show that anyone can just be as ugly as the one who died.

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