"...in the Tunnels. Okay not in the tunnels, but wherever they lead to, so around the Tunnels rather. The camera, the students and the Yunies in Zavlon's abandoned tunnels. And if they're there then..."

   I wanted add "so is Mr. Sacury's lab", I really did. But every single part of me for reasons I couldn't figure out, just thought saying it would jinx it. That didn't change the fact that it was the truth though.

   It made so much sense now, come to think of it. Inasmuch as Zavlon had numerous edifices all were pretty transparent, except the dark, scary, underground tunnels way behind the school where students knew not to be present. That was the perfect hiding spot for large, loud aliens like the Yunies to not only dwell but keep mind-controlled students and teachers like Mr. Sacury prisoner. No wonder they still let Visitation Day happen.

   No one in the room said a word. At first.

   Dorian and I looked on as the reactions of Rav and Camila went through mustwatch transitions.

   Right at the spot he was standing, Rav crumpled to the floor on his knees with a dropped jaw, not breaking the deadlock, shock-stricken eye contact he'd established with me. His lips kept wobbling at intervals, almost like he had something to say, but no words ever came out.

   Camila, on the other hand, took steps that led to the only chair in the room. With an unreadable expression as she plopped into her seat, I was ready to pat her on the back for being able to maintain her cool.

   Unlike some overly dramatic people (ahem, Rav).

   But then, the darkening spots of red that took over Cami's cheeks and other areas of her face made me back up. I found myself wincing as the giant gulps of her air that she kept breathing in and out turned sporadic. Suddenly, her heaving chest ceased.

   Taking a final breath, Cami didn't hold back this time.

"MIERDA!!!"

   And that was only the first of the many languages she proceeded to cuss in. Who knew Camila knew Navajo?

   Amidst her fit of rage and Rav's still state, Dorian's bewildered gawk met mine by what I could only believe was an accident. For some reason, however, he didn't look away.

   And neither did I.

   Our gazes switched to Cami and Rav once again, before returning to each other, like a natural occurrence. Except this time, Dorian and I's eyes were laced with raw humour that threatened to burst out at any moment.

   So while our friends were having a meltdown, Dorian and I were stuck between suppressing our laughter and pissing them off by going hysterical at the most inappropriate time.

   Eventually though, our torture didn't last that long.

   Once order in the room was restored, the glances exchanged amongst Rav, Cami, Dorian and me unveiled one thing; that the reactions that just happened was to remain within these four walls.

"Rav, give me your phone," I said.

"Why?"

"Well, Landon's one of us now and since he wasn't here when we figured everything out we have to tell him," I held out my hand. "Now, give it."

   I followed Rav's hesitant gaze to find it on Dorian.

"Rav, come on," Cami, now standing beside him, nudged Rav in the side after another minute went by with him remaining unmoving.

   I managed to sneak a glance toward Dorian as Rav handed his device over to me. He appeared to be staring into space, not really having his eyes focused on anything in particular. Nothing about his facial features gave him away.

   Guess he was calm now?

   To make sure Landon got a full picture, I made a video call. Lucky for us, he picked up in the first few rings. The cheery smile and wave he gave upon seeing my face on the screen was short lived by the grave-sounding 'hello' with a straight face on my end.

   I didn't waste any time, diving straight into everything we'd discovered in the past few hours.

"I see," were Landon's first words after being caught up, "So which tunnel is it?"

"Excuse me?" I frowned.

"You keep saying everyone is around 'The Tunnels'," he replied. "I'm assuming you mean different tunnels which lead to different destinations? The students can't be in all those places at once, can they?"

"Does it really matter which tunnel though? Isn't it possible for multiple tunnels to lead to a single destination?" Camila asked.

"But is that how these tunnels were built?" Landon shot back.

   The silence that followed confirmed my thought that no one knew for sure. I was certain I was the only one in this room and Zavlon that had ever been there. When I discovered the tunnels during my first few weeks at Zavlon, I'd tried to do a little research on them, but they were so ancient that the only information I got was about how much of a mystery the old, deserted Tunnels around Zavlon academia were. There was no information with respect to when or how it was constructed. There was also nothing on where these tunnels led to.

   Inasmuch as Camila wasn't wrong about the possibility of the six tunnels leading to the same destination, we couldn't just pick one at random and hope for the best. Landon might be right. Precious time could be wasted on the wrong tunnel if we didn't figure out which one led to the place where the Yunies, Zavlonians and Mr. Sacury's lab were.

   But how were we going to figure out which Tunnel was the right one?

   It didn't help that this wasn't one of those situations that we could just split up when we got there. The five of us were outnumbered by the tunnels. What if life decides to play a sick joke and make us choose every other tunnel but the right one?

"You could be right, Camila," Landon remarked. "But I just find it hard to believe that there are several tunnels–how many are there by the way?– which all lead to one destination."

   Six. There were six tunnels. This one choice we had to make between the six tunnels was starting to feel really depressing. Or maybe that was because i kept saying the damn number in every single sentence for some reas–

   Oh my God.

   The choking gasp that instantly escaped me caught everyone's attention.

"Beth?" Landon, who was still on the video call and had the best view of my pale-stricken face, asked with caution in his tone. "What's wrong?"

   Although my mouth began to move, it wasn't ready to admit the staggering memory that had just hit me with full force.

"It's Tunnel Six," I breathed out eventually. "That's where the Yunies are, Tunnel six. And everyone and everything else too. They are all in Tunnel six. That's where they are, Tunnel six."

   In the midst of my rambling and the shaky hands and short breaths that came with it, i, without protesting, allowed Camila to guide me over to her bed and yank Rav's phone from my white-knuckled grip.

"Are you sure?" Rav rose a doubtful eyebrow.

"Yes." How could I not be? The forgotten memory was only getting clearer and clearer in my head.

"But Beth are you really sure it's Tunnel Six?" Camila placed an arm on me that felt more patronising than comforting. "Maybe you should get some sleep, so that you can think it over."

"I don't need to think anything over." I shook my head, shrugging out of her hold. "I was there. I saw a Yunie."

"Wait, what?" Rav's jaw went slack. "When?"

"When we were still attending Zavlon. I was in Tunnel Six when I heard this large growl and began running immediately and when I was sure I was safe, I finally turned and saw it. I didn't know what it was when I saw it then but I'm so sure now."

"Those Tunnels are banned to every Zavolonian, Beth," Cami said. "What on earth were you doing there?"

"Getting away from Viola and you!" I snapped. "Something I always had to do whenever you two decided to have lunch with the rest of us!"

    Okay, I only just realised how that sounded. I mean, was it true? Yes, but Camila and I were way past that. And it's not like I just went to Tunnel Six to sulk, it was to work on my Neuroskel recreation that I am definitely now certain the Yunies destroyed.

"I'm sorry, Cami." I finally sighed. "I didn't mean that."

"It's fine." Her response was taut.

"Now that we are almost certain of our right tunnel," Landon spoke up right after the atmosphere of awkwardness passed. "What's the way forward?"

"Honestly, it's not my intention to speak for everyone else so I'm not going to," I turned to the others mid sentence, feeling more exhausted than ever. Who knew an epiphany could be this draining? "but I really didn't think this far. Don't get me wrong, I've thought about finding Mr. Sacury's lab and saving Zavlon Academia, but the 'how' isn't really something I like to consider."

"I'm with you," Rav said, "The idea of going against the Yunies is downright terrifying. They're stronger, faster and superior in every other way. It's just... a lot to think about."

"But your knowledge about the Yunitides, already more than anyone else in this room gets broader everyday, Rav," Dorian chimed in, "You may not possess their strength or speed, but everything you know about that and more are what will be what takes them down."

"Thanks, man." Rav beamed.

"And Beth?" Landon told me from Rav's screen. "I know it's been years since I've seen the things you build. But If you've been able to come this far, I don't doubt that your amazing talent will shine through yet again."

"He's not wrong." A voice I'd never expected to spoke out.

"Thank you, Landon and Dorian." I whispered, unable to keep my eyes upward anymore. "That means a lot. Really."

"Guys, whether we like it or not," Camila remarked, "we're facing a war here. A war we can't afford to lose for the sake of Zavlon."

"Which is why we should expect to put up a fight," Landon added. "and provide ourselves with everything for everything we'll possibly need: knowledge, combat skills training, weapons and a spot on plan to find the lab and save Zavlon Academia."

   Cami and Landon were wrong about one thing though. It was beyond a war for Zavlon.

   It was a war for the world.

   One we had to win.

***

   After everything that happened with Dorian last night in his room, being roomies with Camila for tonight just felt wrong. Still, despite our shared moment during Rav and Cami's breakdowns,  I wasn't really sure he would want me with him after our fight.

   Fortunately, the day had taken so much energy out of me that insomnia couldn't be an option.

   By the time the lights were turned off and BTS music overpowered the quietness in the room, I was nestled on my side beneath the covers next to Cami, shutting my eyes for well-earned sleep to take its course.

"Hey, Beth?"

   Damn.

"Camila, I don't mean to be that person, but today was a really eventful one," I sighed, covering my face with my palms. "And we have to wake up early tomorrow to discuss our plans and weapons approach so can I please just get some slee—"

"What's the deal with you and Landon?"

   Every part of me froze. Even as Camila shuffled onto her side to get a better view of my face, the only form of motion happening with my body was the over-blinking that shielded my stunned eyes.

"Old friends is all," I squeaked, feeling the effects of her scrutinising gaze in the dark.

"Not with the way he looks at you, you're not." She scoffed.

"Seriously, Cami?!"

"Oh, stop it, Beth," A finger from hers dug into my side. "There is obviously some history between you two. And Landon seems as though he reminisces about it every time he's around or he still wants it to continue where it left off."

"You cannot tell all that from looking at a person." I rolled my eyes.

"You'd be surprised."

   I let out a sigh again, shifting to lay flat on my back. My fingers found one another in the dark, choosing my torso as a resting place as they toyed away.

" Landon and I..." It just felt wrong to discuss it right now. "...whatever we had was a long time ago. And certainly not worth staying up late for."

"So you two did have something." Cami's teasing hum was evident as she drew closer to me.

   I didn't indulge her with an answer this time, shifting instead to a position on the bed that made facing her difficult or vice versa. The chuckle that escaped Camila, however, showed she was more than satisfied with the information already derived from our brief conversation.

   It was on that day that I truly discovered that some memories may be old and buried, but all that was needed was a poke to jerk it all back to life with a strong-willed comeback.

   And that Landon Charles was that poke.

A/N: And thus commences the beginning of the end!

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