Somehow, I saw this coming but at the same time I didn’t see this coming, if that made any sense at all.

“Wait, what?” I say, my eyebrows knitting in confusion.

I am at a loss for words.

“I am sorry for not telling you earlier.”

I can slowly but surely see Key’s real character showing.

The girl I have come to know these past couple of days is gone. Instead of a nearly emotionless person, I see a kind, gentle and insecure person in front of me, only wanting the best for people. A girl who is afraid of being put down and left alone. A girl who wants to help other to the best of her ability.

I shake my head. “I understand. Some things are just hard to tell. It’s just… a lot to process in a short amount of time.”

I suck in a deep breath of air, the unsettling feeling in my stomach growing stronger with each passing second.

Key nods, acknowledging my subtle request to be left alone. She walks to the very end of the hub, leaning against the wall, gazing outside. I run my fingers through my hair, letting out an exasperated sigh, my eyes wandering to Key.

Now that I think about it, I can see the resemblance between Key and the twins. They have the same violet eyes. The soft expression on her face is similar to that of Aries, though Aristelle has a colder, harder one. The more I look at her, the more I can see the sibling resemblance. Why haven’t I noticed this earlier? I guess it’s hard to see things that you are not expecting or looking for.

I can feel the vehicle slowing to a stop. I glance at Wil, and seeing that he is still asleep, I say,” Wil, we’re here.”

Fortunately, he is not a heavy sleeper. Upon hearing my voice, he opens his eyes and stretches his arms, stifling a yawn. “I’m awake, I’m awake,” he mumbles, clearly wanting some more rest.

Not that I can blame him. We’re practically running on adrenaline nowadays. Sleep has become a luxury for us.

The door slides open and all four of us exit the hub.

“This way,” Key says, gesturing for us to follow her.

And we do. After all, where else are we to go?

The port here is small, smaller than the others I have seen anyway. It is deserted, though I can’t say that I am surprised. A wooden sign with the words ‘Forest of Hallucinations’ scrawled on it in what looks like black marker hangs from the only exit of the station. Key pushes the glass door open and holds it open for us as we all exit.

I take a deep breath of air, slightly grateful to be in the open again, especially since it is not a city and the air here is fresher than ever. A smile tugs at my lips but I chew on my bottom lip, not wanting to smile in a situation such as this as it is not appropriate.

Key stops and the rest of us follow suit. We stop in front of a forest, thick with trees and other greenery. A thick fog settles near the ground of the forest and all the trees tower high above us, so high that I can't see the top. The thick canopy of leaves block out nearly all the light from reaching the bottom, leaving those who venture in in the dark, even if the sun is high above our heads.

A tired sigh reaches my ears. “Welcome to the Forest of Hallucinations, the best place to be,” Key says dramatically, sarcasm thick in her voice.

“The only place I want to be,” I mutter, not intending it for anyone else’s ears but mine.

"This forest," Key continues, clearly not fazed by my comment, if she heard it in the first place," true to its name, gives hallucinations for all who enters. No one has figured out why or how that is possible, but many suspect that it's the Data Tree who detects your presence as you approach it. The hallucinations are a person's worst fears, deepest regrets and greatest desire. The Tree is located right in the heart of the forest. Not many manage to make it that deep into the forest, but for all our sakes, I sure hope we are the few that do.

"Unsurprisingly, many fall short because they succumb to the hallucinations they receive. I can't help you fight it nor can I tell you the way to the Data Tree. For that, you'll have to rely on your will. The path will be revealed to those who are strong enough to push through. Stay strong."

We nod, acknowledging Key, though I'm rather sure Aries knows about this already. Perhaps he's just nodding as a sign of respect for his older sister.

"Good luck," she says before disappearing into the forest, Aries following closely behind.

Wil rests a hand on my shoulder, giving me a small and sad smile. "You can do this, Miri. I know you can."

He squeezes my shoulder reassuringly before disappearing into the forest as well. I suck in a deep breath of air and take my first step into the forest, expecting the worst but hoping for the best.

*

Where am I?

I take a good look at the space all around me, expecting my pupils to adjust to the lack of light sooner or later. I take a step forward, hoping and praying that I do not bump into anything. That’s when I realise that I am not in a normal area.

There is no concept of gravity in here.

I’m floating, suspended in air.

My breaths become shallower by the second and my heartbeat accelerates, a sheen of sweat starting to form on my hairline. I am frozen with fear, not knowing when or where to go to.

I just want to get out of here. Is that too much to ask?

I open my mouth and let out a scream, yet, no sound could be heard in the void I am in. I scream and scream until my throat becomes so raw and even then, the space is as quiet as can be.

Could it be? Could it be that someone has left me here, helpless?

Calm down, Miri. There could be a logical explanation to this.

My eyes water and a tear escapes, streaming down my face. I didn’t bother to brush it away. Besides, who is going to see me? There’s no one here but me.

I continue drifting around, biting my lips to stop it from quivering. A wave of nausea washes over me and I suck in a deep breath of air, though I don’t see how that is possible seeing as I am in a pit of nothingness.

After attempting in vain to search for a way out, I yell once again. And I just keep shouting, keep screaming in the silence, hoping someone will finally come and save me from this nightmare.

*

I awake, beads of perspiration dotting my forehead, breathing hard. So that was just a dream. I’m not actually trapped in an empty void. That’s a relief.

I stand, my bare feet coming in contact with the soft grass. My eyebrows furrow in confusion. I don’t remember taking off my shoes. I glance around, hoping to find them lying around somewhere. When I don’t, I shrug, thinking nothing much of it.

“Miri.”

My ears perk up to the mention of my name. “Who’s there?” I reply, a feeling of déjà vu washing over me.

“Miri,” the voice drifts into my ears, the person saying it either didn’t catch my reply or completely ignored me.

“Who’s there?” I ask once more.

Silence.

I walk forward for a couple of minutes, knowing that I have to make my way to the Data Tree as soon as possible. Who knows what other danger lurks in the forest? Key says that the path to the Tree will be revealed to those deemed worthy. I sure hope I am one of them.

“Miri.”

Alas, the voice returns.

“Miri.”

“Who’s there?” I shout at the top of my lungs, hoping that the person will reply, knowing that it’s impossible to miss that.

“Miri.”

Curious and annoyed, I follow the voice. I follow it to no end, hoping that I will be able to come face to face with the owner of the voice, breaking from a walk to a run. However, for some reason, I never managed to. The more I follow the voice, the more alone I feel.

It’s almost like there’s someone here for me but isn’t at the same time. I want to be left alone so badly by this unknown person but at the same time, all I want is company. That is when realisation dawns on me.

My biggest fear and greatest desire is to be left alone.


Guys! I'm so sorry for short chapters. I'll try to make it longer in the last two chapters before the epilogue. Yes, you read that right. This book is almost done. :D Don't worry though. When I edit this, I'll definitely lengthen the chapters. Thank you for understanding. Have an awesome week guys! I just thought I'd remind you that without all of you, I wouldn't be here. Thank you! Love you lots. <3