Who We Are

As the creature loomed over me, its hands recoiled, ready to deliver the final blow. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, and its hot breath washed over me, making my skin crawl. I was still half-awake, the voices in my head tormenting me with their incessant whispers. But just as all hope seemed lost, Jayden shielded me with his back, his muscles tensed and ready to absorb the impact.

The creature's attack sent Jayden crashing down on top of me, his weight pinning me to the ground. I felt a surge of panic as the creature's face twisted with glee, its double axe raised high. I had mere seconds to react. Without thinking, I jumped on top of Jayden, using my body to shield his. It was a desperate move, but it was all I could think of.

I waited for the finishing blow, but it never came. Instead, I heard a roar and the sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway. The creature's attention was diverted, and it charged towards the door with a fierce battle cry.

Something shot out of the shadows, striking the creature in the chest and exiting through its back. The creature stumbled, one of its legs buckling beneath it. Another shot blasted its other leg, sending it crashing to one knee. The sound of its screams echoed through the hallway, making my skin crawl.

As the creature struggled to rise, two figures emerged from the shadows. A girl with long braided hair and a focused expression entered the room, followed by a man in his late twenties. They moved swiftly, positioning themselves in front of the creature.

The girl whispered a single word: "Burn." The creature's body erupted into flames, its screams growing louder as it tried to tear into its own skull, desperate to end its suffering.

As I watched in horror, the voices in my head grew louder, more urgent. A strange energy built inside me, like a storm about to break. Jayden, still lying beneath me, looked up at the girl and the man, his eyes filled with confusion and gratitude.

The girl's gaze flicked towards me, and for a moment, our eyes met. I felt a jolt of recognition, as if I had seen her before, but couldn't quite place her. She seemed familiar, yet completely alien.

Jayden asked the question that was on my mind: "Who are you?" His voice was laced with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

The girl's response was simple: "We're here to help." But as I looked at her, I wondered: what did she mean by "help"? And what was the true nature of this creature that had attacked us?

As I struggled to make sense of what was happening, Nkosi and Jayden stirred beside me, their bodies battered and bruised from the creature's attack. They were unable to move, their limbs tangled and twisted at awkward angles.

Nkosi managed to whisper a single phrase, his voice barely audible: "You're late." He was addressing the girl and her companion, his words tinged with a hint of accusation.

Jayden let out a dry chuckle, his eyes glinting with amusement. Despite the dire situation, he seemed to find Nkosi's comment humorous.

But before I could ask any questions or process what was happening, everything went dark for me. The voices in my head finally stopped, and I was plunged into silence.

I slowly opened my eyes, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after the most peaceful night's sleep I'd had in a long time. The softness of the bed beneath me was a welcome surprise. I lay there for a moment, savoring the comfort and trying to shake off the lingering fogginess.

As I sat up, I stretched my arms and arched my back, taking in the creamy white paint and the faint crack that ran across the ceiling. The room was quiet, except for the faint hum of a clock ticking somewhere in the distance.

But as I turned my gaze to the rest of the room, my confusion grew. Where was I? How did I get here? The unfamiliar furniture and walls seemed to close in around me, making my heart beat just a little bit faster.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. Think, Alex, think. What's the last thing you remember? But my mind was a complete blank.

I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet dangling in the air. The floor beneath me was cool and smooth, and I could feel a faint vibration from the hum of the clock.

As I stood up, the room seemed to spin around me for a moment, and I had to grab onto the bedpost to steady myself. Okay, okay, I get it. I'm a little dizzy. No big deal.

But as I looked around the room again, I realized that I was completely alone. Where was everyone? Why was I here?

Just as I was starting to feel really anxious, I heard the sound of footsteps outside the room. The door swung open, and a group of people walked in.

My eyes widened as I stumbled backward, my mind reeling with fear. What is going on? Who are these people?

Jayden stepped forward, a friendly smile on his face. "Hey, Alex! Looks like you're up and ready to go. Or, you know, just ready to freak out a little." He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

I narrowed my eyes, unsure how to react to Jayden's attempt at humor. But as I looked at him, I saw the kindness in his eyes, and my fear began to dissipate.

The girl with long, braided hair and a kind smile stepped forward. "We're not going to let anything happen to you, got it?" She glanced at Jayden, who nodded in agreement.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized I was trapped. I looked around frantically, my breath coming in short gasps. "I need to get out of here," I whispered.

Jayden's expression turned serious. "Don't worry, Alex. We're here to help. You're safe now." His voice was calm and reassuring.

But how can I trust them? I thought, my mind still racing with doubts.

The girl's expression softened. "You were running to Laura, weren't you? That's who you're trying to get to."

My eyes widened in surprise. How did this girl know about Laura? I felt a surge of hope and desperation. "Where is she? Is she okay?"

Jayden glanced at the girl, then back at me. "Laura is fine, Alex. We'll help you get to her, but first, we need to make sure you're safe."

The dark-haired man stepped forward, his eyes locked on me. "I'm Steven," he said softly. "We're here to help you, Alex." And with that, Steven turned and walked away, leaving me staring after him in confusion.

What's going on with him? I thought, feeling a pang of unease.

Jayden filled the awkward silence. "Don't mind Steven, he's just...Steven." He smiled wryly. "We'll fill you in on everything later, but for now, let's just focus on getting you settled in, okay?"

As Jayden spoke, I noticed the other people in the room, all of whom were watching me with varying degrees of curiosity and concern. There was a tall, lanky guy with a messy mop of hair, a petite woman with a kind face, and a burly man with a thick beard.

I felt a sense of unease wash over me. Who were these people? And why were they helping me?