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It was a ways distance to the cafeteria in this hell we've been held in. The last of us that survived the previous challenge had been worn out completely. The lack of energy evident in our appearances.

Some of us had already gotten accustomed to being trapped here, including myself.

The adjustments may have been easier on me, considering I've never been stuck in one place. I furthermore, have nothing to wait for and nothing to wait for me.

Life goes on, and I just so happened to be one of the ones on the bad end of it all.

So far I've yet to scope out a single thing to use in my favor. Everyone had seemingly fallen into their own groups rather quickly and I had been left the odd one out.

Not like I cared anyway.

"Yo, Faye right?" A disembodied voice lingered into my hearing as I felt the weight of the steel bench shift.

Gazing out of my peripheral vision, sat a coconut brown woman with lake green eyes. Her hair was cinnamon brown and spiraled down her neck gracefully.

Humming in response, I kept my gaze forward as I used the tip of my spoon to mix around the vegetable soup.

"I watched you. The other day I mean," The woman continued shrugging her shoulders with an oozy smile.

I nodded uninterestedly, pursing my lips as I stared into nothing. "I'm Nala by the way. I take it you're not the speaking type but, my friends wanted me to offer you a seat at our table," Nala finished smoothly.

"I'm good." I muttered softly, dropping the spoon and sliding the beige food tray forward.

"I see," Nala hummed. "The offer forever stands but my friend over there might not take 'no' for an answer," She gestured towards the guy I crossed paths with during the Thinning.

Nala stood up and I kept my gaze on the guy from before. He tried to discretely keep his gaze on me but failed miserably.

I watched Nala's mouth move as she sat down with a slouch and folded arms. The guy stood up abruptly and hastily walked towards me as I watched with curious eyes.

"Come sit with us."

"No."

"Yes."

"No." I huffed.

"Yes," He dragged on.

Looking at an imaginary corner on the other side of the cafeteria, I dragged my lips to the side of my mouth while titling my head.

"Uh.. What was that?"

"The sign for you to fuck off," I groaned.

"Oh. I don't think I got to introduce myself. I'm Harley, and you're Faye. Faye you're sitting with us," Harley rambled like a child with endless dreams and ambitions.

His eyes glistened with pure innocence as his dimples threatened to spill. Before I got the chance to respond, Harley gripped my wrist and yanked me out of my seat.

Understanding my protests will fail to no end, I let him drag me to the table him and his group resided at.

"So how do we get out of-"

The ongoing conversation had paused at my arrival and all eyes were on me.

At the small circle table sat Nala, Harley, and two individuals I hadn't seen before. The smaller girl sat on the opposite side of Harley, and the rather thin boy had sat next to me.

"This is Nala, whom you've just met- Chris and Maya," Harley introduced.

Chris and Maya gave me this weird feeling but Maya didn't attempt to hide the animosity she held towards me.

Her eye's narrowed as the corner of her mouth raised in aggression. Though I ignored it and sat down, glancing at the guards stationed throughout the cafeteria.

"We felt that you would make a great addition to our team. We need to get the hell out of here, and fast," Nala explained glancing at everyone situated.

The group then began to inform me of the ideas they came up with. However, I refrained from
speaking too much or involving myself more than necessary.

After about an hour of briefing, the guards had been ordered to bring us back to our cells.

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I stared at the pale peeling ceiling, fiddling with the loose skin of my fingertips. The cold seeped through the thin bed spread, and I shivered feeling tears rise as they began to glide down my cheeks.

I may not have anything but I rather that than have my life at risk for a group of random people.

My mind had been withdrawn into nothingness. The silence deafening, and the eerie darkness all too consuming.

Tossing onto my side, I began to fall asleep after hours of struggle.

However, rest seemed to be miles away, moving further away from my still figure as time progressed.

The locks of the steel cell door began to cling together quietly. Muffled voices whispering from behind the door.

Fear became a tangible, living force that crept over me like some hungry beast, immobilizing me. My brain, holding me captive.

As the door slid openly slowly, I could hear two distinguishable sets of footsteps.

"Yeah, she's the one. Boss said she has a set of looks on her," A gruff voice spoke with cheer.

I kept still. Eyes shut, mouth sealed. Keeping my breath as regulated as I could, I stayed strong.

"We gotta do this quick, Calix will be back soon," The other deep voice spoke with a groan.

The door shut behind me quietly, anxiety creeping up on me at every wake.

My knuckles became white as I grasped the sheets to calm my rushing heart. A cold, tight not formed in the pit of my stomach as I realized what predicament I've been forced into.

Swiftly, the cloth covering my figure had been snatched clean off and before I could react, a bucket of cold water had been splashed on me.

I gasped sitting up, mouth agape as I slid back into the wall of the cell. Curling into a ball, the two men had been masked but they're large figures had been far from undisclosed.

"No need to fear, darling. Won't be long," The taller man cooed, stalking towards me slowly.

He yanked me towards him by my ankle as the other had began to leave wet sloppy kisses down my neck.

I grimaced, swallowing hard as fear clawed at my neck roughly. Tears brimmed the corners of my eyes and I used all of the strength I could muster to push him off.

The other man had taken a hold of both of my wrists, pinning them above my head. He locked both my legs together in between his and he attempted to remove my sweats.

I thrusted and let out an ear piercing scream, thrashing forcibly as my teeth clattered together.

Slapping a hand over my mouth, followed by a blow to my eye, "Quiet, bitch. Wouldn't want someone coming in, now would we?"

The filthy hold the men had on me kept me in place. I sobbed sorrowfully as I shut my eyes tightly. I could no longer kick, scream or thrash.

I flicker within the circuits of my mind, stranded in a white room that never ends.  My thoughts swim in circles, a cacophony of fear floods my head.

Glancing around at the scenery unfolding before me, I take it in like a breath of fresh air. There I begin to lay, drifting off into a deep slumber, removing myself from the wicked reality I've been engulfed in.

The ocean is a vast expanse of water that is constantly in motion, and I found myself being to float in it. The sparkling blue water stretching out as far as the eye can see. The water is crystal-clear, allowing me to see deep below the surface where colorful schools of fish swim gracefully.

As I look out at the horizon, I see the sun setting over the water in a dazzling display of colors, with shades of pink, orange, and gold painting the sky. The waves gently lap against the shore, creating a soothing rhythm that is both calming and invigorating.

The ocean may be dotted with small islands or rocky outcroppings, providing a picturesque backdrop for the scene. Palm trees sway in the breeze, adding to the tropical ambiance.

I was lucky enough to spot some marine life, such as dolphins leaping out of the water and whales breaching in the distance. Seagulls and other sea birds soar overhead, adding to the sense of serenity and tranquility.

Taking in the mesmerizing and awe-inspiring sight, drowning in the endless joy, I felt so rejuvenated and at peace with the world.