Part 1: Denial - Episode 12

As Lloyd turned on his heel, Elias puffed up his chest, blinking tears away and letting out a frustrated sigh. He too turned around and entered the bunk room. “I fucking hate Lloyd,” Elias said, on the verge of tears. William looked up from the same book he always read, starting with an irked “Hmm?”

“He’s so insensitive about the fact that I don’t want to be here! It’s all because my stupid cousin decided to fuck off into wherever he went!”

“You said everyone told you he was dead… do you think he… died?” William said flatly, blinking.

“You’re not helping!” 

. . .

“All my friends at Centre Region talked about sneaking into the old high school,”

“I was your friend at Centre Region, Abel,” William scoffed, pressing a loving kiss onto Abel’s head. “Yeah, but we were never in the same classes since your family made you take religion,” Abel groaned, “High school life was batshit because of that..” In turn, William slipped his arms around Abel’s waist, pulling the two closer together. A small blush crept up Abel’s cheeks as he put his face in the crook of William’s neck. “You have me now,” the latter whispered warmly.

 . . .

The light gently broke through the thick canopy; the morning wavered as the clouds shadowed the sun. Nonchalantly, William walked, though cautiously, through the forest. Elias lagged behind, grimacing, holding his wound. Hearing a pained grunt, William was reminded of the dull ache that had been echoing through his torso for the past week. The path ahead was damp; trodden on. From afar, a low buzz was audible, sending a biting shiver down Elias’ spine. Thy Bad Habits was near. Though, the eeriness of the surroundings felt unreal – like they were in a story, or a film. Like they could defeat the terrible monster. Through the power of friendship. Lloyd thought otherwise, Elias recalled. With Hope’s cabin in view, Elias exhaled quietly, automatically looking at William ahead of him – studying each movement.

Opening Hope’s door, a thick wave of warmth brushed past William and Elias. “Hi!!” Hope grinned warmly, “Do you need something?”

“Eh–kinda,” Elias sheepishly admitted. “We came for advice, per se? Info!” He corrected himself bashfully. “We want a map.. Hopefully. Of the forest..” At this, Hope tilted her head in confusion. “What?”

“A map,” Elias said, “of the forest. Or the Centre Region.” As Elias spoke, Hope simply stared blankly. “There’s not many maps of the forest specifically,” She scoffed. “Why would you want something like that?”

“To leave the forest.” William interrupted. “Did you speak to Lloyd before coming here?” Hope queried, visible confusion was present on her face. “Yeah, several times,” Elias groaned. “Can you at least find out where to get a map so we can find it? Or help us look?”

“No,” Hope replied flatly. In turn, William croaked “She has a point.”

“On God, whose side are you on, William?!” Elias snapped – audibly irritated; though his statement was just met with silence. 

Piercing through the awkward silence, Elias mumbled, “I want to go home, and Thy Bad Habits is stopping me from doing that.”

“What I’m hearing is that you’re so blinded by your want to go home that you’re not thinking straight. You’re delusional.”

“Yes. You’re not being rational,” William contributed. “Did Abel not want this?!” Elias exclaimed angrily. “What did you just say?” William aggressively spat. After a long moment, Hope said apathetically, “Calm down… where did that argument come from?”