"your mind is restless, they say you're getting better, but you don't feel any better." - thom yorke

the wind whistles through the cracks in the cave walls, a haunting sound that echoes the emptiness in my chest. each gust stirs the stale air, bringing with it the damp scent of earth and stone, mingled with the musty odor of decay. our footsteps resonate softly against the rocky ground as we trail behind daryl, navigating the narrow path that winds deeper into the darkness. the walls close in, forcing us to walk single file, and it feels as though the cave itself is swallowing us whole.

we reach yet another dead end, and daryl crouches down, lighting a small fire. the flickering flames cast shadows that dance along the cave walls, creating a flickering illusion of life in this desolate place. the rest of the group disperses, some filling canteens from the dripping water that falls from the stalactites above, while others poke around at the rocks, looking for something—anything—that might get us out.

i sit down beside daryl, the heat from the fire warming my cold skin. "i didn't tell you all to follow me in here." i mutter, my voice barely above a whisper, laden with guilt. daryl doesn't look up, just keeps fiddling with his bandana, the rough fabric worn and faded from countless days in the sun. "if i only did what you told me, i'd never do shit." he replies dryly, a hint of amusement breaking through the tension that hangs heavily between us.

i chuckle despite myself, the sound echoing hollowly in the cave. "look who's talking." i shoot back, but the lightness doesn't last long. his eyes flicker toward me for a second, a spark of warmth before the weight of reality settles back in. "it's like i can't even turn my back on you anymore," he says, his voice low and earnest. "it's bad enough i got aaron running around with that skin freak. now i gotta worry about you all half-cocked every time you go outside."

"i'm sorry." i whisper, feeling the weight of his words settle deep in my chest. the truth is, i don't know how to stop. the rage burns inside me, hotter than the fire between us, and i feel trapped—like i'm stuck in a loop of vengeance and pain that keeps dragging me down.

daryl sighs, running a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable. "i begged you to talk to me. i wanna be there for you. i do. but i don't know what to do anymore." his honesty is both a comfort and a burden; i want to lean on him, to share the weight of my pain, but the words are tangled in my throat.

i swallow hard, trying to hold back the flood of emotions that threaten to spill over. "i can't stop thinking about it. i know i have to, but i can't... oh, god." the tears come fast, burning down my cheeks, each drop a reminder of the chaos that surrounds us. "i don't just want to kill her, daryl. i want to hurt her. i want her to regret everything. i want her to beg me for forgiveness, and then... then i want to kill her." the confession leaves me breathless, a mix of sorrow and fury that I can't control.

daryl's expression shifts as he listens, his eyes narrowing with understanding. "if i went through all the shit you did, i'd probably feel the same way... unless you tried to stop me." he pauses, looking at me earnestly, and for a moment, the world around us fades away. "but you gotta quit all this, isa. you gotta. people you care about are starting to get hurt."

the guilt crashes over me like a wave, leaving me gasping for air. "i didn't mean for any of this to happen. i know i have to... i know i have to s—" my voice falters, and the truth hangs in the air between us, heavy and unyielding.

"you gotta not bullshit me," daryl interrupts, his tone sharp but not unkind. "don't bullshit me. you gotta promise. i gotta know we're on the same team. we fight for our future. we don't fight for revenge." i nod, feeling the gravity of his words, but the truth sticks in my throat like a stubborn lump. "i promise." i say, even though deep down, the doubt gnaws at me. can i truly keep that promise? can I let go of the rage that fuels me?

"all right." daryl's voice softens, his anger fading as he looks back toward the fire. the flames crackle and pop, sending a shower of sparks into the air. i wipe my face, the tears slowing as i lean my head on daryl's shoulder. the warmth of him beside me is grounding.

but even in this moment of comfort, the darkness looms outside. the flickering firelight casts long shadows, and every whisper of wind reminds me of the danger that lurks just beyond our reach. the memory of alpha's cold, calculating gaze flashes in my mind, and my heart races at the thought of her. she's out there, watching, waiting for her chance to strike. i can't shake the feeling that this isn't over—not by a long shot.

the cave begins to feel more claustrophobic as the weight of our situation presses down on me. the dripping water is rhythmic, almost soothing, but it does nothing to ease the anxiety knotting my stomach. i glance around at the others, their faces reflecting a mix of fear and determination. jerry stands near the fire, his brows furrowed as he checks his canteen, while aaron paces, his expression tight with worry. kelly looks pale, and connie is silently signing to her sister, trying to comfort her in this dark place.

the atmosphere is charged, filled with the unspoken thoughts that hang in the air. as we sit, i can't shake the feeling that this place is alive, that the walls are listening, absorbing our fears and doubts. each drip of water seems to taunt us, reminding us of our vulnerability in this unforgiving world. suddenly a thund echos through the rocks.

i freeze, my heart pounding in my chest as we all exchange nervous glances. "what was that?" kelly whispers, her voice trembling. "probably just the wind." daryl says, though there's a hint of unease in his tone. we can't afford to panic—not now. the group huddles closer together, the flickering torch casting eerie shadows that stretch and warp against the cave walls. "we should keep moving, i think we could fit through here if we push." aaron says pointing to a hole in the wall. we all climb through, it dumps us out into another empty chamber.

as we navigate the winding passages, the sense of urgency heightens. the thought of whisperers lurking in the shadows, propels me forward. i won't let alpha win; i won't let her take anything more from me or my friends.

as we approach another corner, daryl stops, raising his hand for silence. "wait." he whispers. the air grows still, the only sound the soft drip of water echoing around us. we exchange anxious glances, holding our breath as daryl peers around the bend. the tension in the air thickens, wrapping around us like a fog. every heartbeat feels like a countdown to something unknown, something that could change everything.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

sorry if this chapter was crappy, i may or may not be working on something new ;)