You all are finishing up eating after finally getting away from the facility thanks to Alex. Your first meal in days… your bodies are beaten and sore. Brains tired and traumatized.

Ashlyn speaks up, mouth still full: “Alright, let’s figure out our options of transportation since we’ve figured out where we are.”

Aiden stands up, his body telling him otherwise: “Fill me in when I get back, I’ve gotta use the restroom.” He spoke casually, a smile on his face despite everything…

Tyler doesn’t believe him. He stands up and follows him into the bathroom once he’s out of sight.

You’re confused… you follow the two of them into the gender neutral bathroom. You guys had nothing in common… but one very important thing. A shared trauma, death. The three of you had all died in the phantom world.

You wait by the door, peaking in and listening to Tyler and Aiden talk. Aiden is messing with his hair, his black roots starting to grow in. His red contacts on the counter, eyes irritated.

Tyler speaks up before Aiden realizes he’s there. He’s zoned out… “Hey.”

Aiden yelps, holding his hands up in a defensive way. “Woah!? When’s you get there!?”

Tyler looks at him dead in the eyes. “You’re hiding something.”

Aiden looks at him confused! “…I am?”

Tyler looks down at his shaking hands. “I know because I haven’t told them either.”

The dreams… you knew exactly what he was talking about. The dreams where there’s a… phantom version of yourself. Trying to kill you.

Aiden admits he’s been having the same dreams… but that he didn’t want to worry anyone. They’re just nightmares- everyone’s probably having them. Right?…