Chapter 7: A Newfound Hope.
Ava noticed Ethan's sparkling eyes, which clearly conveyed that there was some hope of escaping this nightmare. Ethan spotted Roman Schitzwit again and stood up, gesturing Ava to follow him.
Ava also stood up and began to follow him. Sara noticed Ethan walking toward Roman Schitzwit and quickly moved in front of him and Ava,
"What are you doing, Ethan? Don't start a fight now." [She said with a worried voice.]
"Don't worry Sara. I'm not going to fight him; I just want to talk to him." [He replied softly.]
Sara looked confused and glanced at Ava before her gaze sifted back to Ethan,
"Talk? What kind of conversation do you want to have with him?" [Sara asked.]
[Ethan took a deep sigh and replied.] "Just follow me. You'll know eventually."
With that, he started moving again in the direction where Roman Schitzwit sat, trembling. Sara, still confused, followed him. Moment later, they reached him. He was sitting there, visibly afraid.
"Mr. Schitzwit?" [Ethan said, his voice warm compared to their earlier interaction.]
When Roman Schitzwit heard Ethan's warm voice, he looked up.
"I'm sorry for my earlier behaviour toward you. I know I said some harsh words because I wasn't thinking clearly. I'm really sorry." [Ethan said apologetically...]
"No, no, don't apologize. It's not your fault. The situation we're in makes it difficult for us to control our anger." [Roman Said, still fearful.]
"If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you some questions?" [Ethan said, holding his gaze.]
"S – Sure." [Roman Schitzwit agreed.]
As Ethan was about to discuss his thoughts about Daniel Willington, Lily, Clara and Mr. Henry joined them.
"Is everything alright?" [Mr. Henry asked.]
Ethan looked at him and nodded. Then shifted his gaze back to Roman Schitzwit and said,
"Mr. Schitzwit, you're the author of that novel called "The Monster", and the monster you described in your book has the same characteristics as the one we encountered in the hall."
At the mention of the monster, Ava began to tremble but managed to maintain her composure. Ethan noticed this but continued speaking.
"So, I'm suggesting that if the reality and fiction have truly merged, then there may be hope…" [His eyes sparkled as he spoke.]
[Hearing his words, Roman Schitzwit remained silent and said,] "You're talking about Daniel Willington, right?"
Ethan nodded.
They both fell silent for a moment, Ethan searched Roman's eyes for any glimmer of hope but found none, which confused him. After some moment, Roman Schitzwit gaze turned into a cold one and said,
"Ethan, WAKE. UP..."
Ethan looked at him for some moment, puzzled, when suddenly a familiar voice broke through…
"Ethan… Ethan…" [He gasped as a soft, soothing voice filled his ears.]
He began to breathe heavily, looking around and realizing he was sitting in dining room. In front of him was his meal, and he noticed his mother Alicia, with a worried expression and her gentle hand on his shoulder. He immediately stood up and hugged her.
Alicia, startled by his sudden movements, noticed he was trembling. She hugged him back and tried to calm him by patting him on his back. Although she didn't understand what had happened but she could feel the fear radiating from him, as if something terrible had occurred.
"What? What just happened? I was at WINGS HOTEL a moment ago and now I'm here?" [Ethan thought, still holding onto his mother.]
He pulled back, still breathing heavily. What had just happened to him? His mother noticed the tears in his eyes, still confused about the situation.
"Ethan, what happened?" [She asked, her face etched with worry.]
Finally calming himself down, Ethan prepared to answer her when his gaze suddenly fell on Emily and Lily sitting at the dining table. His eyes widened in shock as he saw them, especially Emily. He had witnessed her death at the WINGS HOTEL, but now she was sitting there perfectly fine.
Emily's heart skipped a beat when she noticed Ethan's gaze on her and Lily. Ethan sat down heavily in his chair, breathing heavily again, placing both of his hand on his forehead as he trembled.
"Okay, girls, I'm ready. Let's head towards the hotel" [Sara said as she came down from her room, wearing a stunning red dress.]
Ethan looked at her as she entered the room, recognizing that, she wore the same red dress that he had shown earlier. He immediately stood up, his breathe still heavy, and stammered.
"W – Where are you going?"
Sara looked at him, confused.
"What are you talking about, Ethan? Today is Clara's birthday and she threw a party at 'WINGS HOTEL'. Don't you know that?" [She said]
Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he processed her words right. He sat back down in the chair and leaned backward. His mom noticed his reaction.
"Ethan, what wrong, dear? You also got lost in thoughts while eating. Is everything alright?" [She said with concern.]
Ethan's heart raced faster each second as he struggled to comprehend what was happening. He thought all the possibilities, 'was that a dream or some illusion? But it felt so real.'
"Ethan… ETHAN" [Alicia called loudly.] "What's going on, dear? What are you thinking about?
Ethan was startled again. Her loud voice shattered the illusions and thoughts swirling in his mind.
"N – no, no, don't go there." [He stuttered, fear evident in his voice.]
Everyone looked at him, sensing the fear in his face and voice – a clear indication of something horrifying.
"What happened, Ethan? Tell me everything." [Alicia urged, placing her hand on his shoulder and gesturing for him to sit. She handed him a glass of water.]
He accepted the water with trembling hands and drank it quickly. His shirt with sweat. Alicia glanced at Sara, then at Lily and Emily, who were all confused.
"Ethan, just relax, okay? And tell me what happened? Why did you say not to go to the party?" [Alicia asked gently.]
Tears welled up in Ethan's eyes as he looked at his mother. She noticed his tears and placed her hand on his arm for warmth. Ethan wiped his tears and tried to regain his composure.
He began recounting everything he had witnessed, from the joyous start of the party to Emily's tragic end. Emily gasped as she heard him. He detailed every moment he experienced.
"And then, when Roman Schitzwit was about to say something, I found myself here in the dining room. The last words he said were 'WAKE UP'." [He concluded, sharing everything he had witnessed.]
They were all shocked by his account of the party and the monster. Stunned into silence, they found it hard to grasp the impossibility of what he was saying. Breaking the silence, Sara said,
"Ethan, I think that novel effects your mind… you're daydreaming now…"
"No, I'm telling you the truth and I'm not daydreaming. I witnessed it all with my own eyes. I saw Emily's lifeless body…" [He said, stopping to avoid looking directly at her before shifting his gaze back to Sara.]
Emily's heart skipped a beat as she heard him. Alicia sat down heavily, placing her hand on her chin, contemplating his statement.
"Oh, come on, Mom. Don't tell me you are going to believe him." [Sara said, frustration evident in her voice.]
[Alicia looked at her and replied] "Sara, what he said – the way he said it – seems impossible to believe, but he spoke clearly and without any flaws. Deep down, I – I think he's telling the truth.
"I'm telling the truth, Mom." [Ethan's voice rose up as he stood up from the chair. Everyone looked at him, surprised by his rising tone.] "I – I know, it's hard to believe, but please, I'm telling you all the truth. It felt so alive…" [Suddenly, an idea struck him.] "I – I will prove it to you all." [He turned toward Sara and said,] "Sara, call Clara and asked her about her attire. I'll describe her attire. If my description matched then…
Sara glanced at her friends – Lily and Emily, as well as her mother, then shifted her gaze back to Ethan. She spoke challengingly.
"Fine. If your description doesn't match, then be prepared to face the consequences, Ethan."
Ethan nodded and started describing the party, detailing how people gossiped and the beauty of the WINGS HOTEL. Next, he described Clara's dress, stating that she wore a stunning green dress that matched her jade necklace perfectly…
"Okay, I'll call her and ask her what dress she wore to the party." [Sara said, grabbing her phone.]
All eyes were on Sara as she made the call. When Clara answered, Sara put the phone on speaker.
"Hello." [Clara's soft voice came through.]
"Hey Clara, it's me, Sara. Well sorry to bother, but could you describe your attire, including your jewellery."
"What!?" [Clara replied, confused.] "Why are you asking this, Sara?"
"Just tell me, Clara… so I can match our dresses at the party, I want people to know I'm your best friend."
"… Come on, Sara, is this some type of joke? Fine, I wore a green dress that matched my green jade necklace."
Everyone in the room was shocked by her words. Sara's breath hitched in her throat, and silence enveloped the group.
"Hello… Sara, are you there? Hello?" [Clara's voice broke through the silence.]
"I'll call you later." [Sara said, hanging up the phone with trembling hands.]
She looked at Ethan, then at the rest of the group. Ethan's description of Clara's attire completely matched what Clara had just revealed. Emily began to cry, and Lily placed her hand on her shoulder to reassure her. Meanwhile, Ethan, Sara, and Alicia, exchanged worried and fearful glances...