Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Air never moved on the plant. It always remained Stagnant. It was surreal, in Connecticut it was always windy. No matter where you were, you could feel even the slightest breeze. Bryce never thought he'd miss something he used to call an annoyance. He always wished the wind would stop, especially during the winter. Now, all he wanted was something like what he was used to. He couldn't even begin to imagine how the others felt. Not experiencing any sort of weather or climate for... how long did Liam say... seven months? He looked to Scenty, noticing her eyes shut tightly as tears streamed down her face as they were huddled together on the Planes grassy floor. Not even the grass felt real. It was all plasticky, like the grass in those indoor sports complexes that were always too green and too spikey. Bryce tightened his arm around her in an attempt for comfort which only solicited more tears and whimpers from her. He wanted to say something, give her any semblance of hope or reassuring quips but his mouth wouldn't form the words. Bryce looked up, his eyes burned from the threat of oncoming tears but he couldn't let it happen. He had to be the brave one here and not let them all fall into despair. The objects from the other world had done just that, and he despised them for it. Leaving them alone? What cowards. Though deep down he know he'd do the same. 

Moldy sat near the makeshift hut, a new piece of the plane Bryce hadn't recognized before. Apparently during Airy's disappearance, the contestants had knocked down the spikes and built it. Her eyes were locked on the ground, a deep frown plastered on her features. Her mold hadn't gotten worse, surprisingly and Bryce wish he had gotten an explanation for it rather than everyone trying to dodge the subject. He blinked at her, seeing if she'd notice him staring, but no. She kept her gaze locked and he let out a sigh as he closed his eyes and hugged Scenty.

Waves lapped at the sand lining the pond. They splashed over the metal remains of the man Liam had grown to despise over the past year. He could hear nothing besides the pounding of the water fall on the rocks and water below and his thoughts conflicted themselves. He wanted Airy to suffer more, he wanted Airy to be stuck here and look at Liam. The consequences of his actions personified. A reminder of the pain he's caused. Though Liam knew that lantern had no remorse or guilt over Liam's state. But also, Liam was overjoyed that he had died. Seemingly being shattered by a fall. Maybe he even offed himself in guilt or boredom and now he could no longer enact that season 3 he had planned, leaving Owen and all those other future contestants alone. For a long while he stood and thought, his broken leg throbbing with every second. He really needed to rest it... but he had a job to.

Liam hobbled over to the cave. His makeshift splint crushing the wet grass and making a disgusting noise. A light illuminated from the cave. That damned computer. He moved the heavy vines and, with a struggle, managed to enter the cave. And no, he did not almost slip and fall on his face, thank you very much. The computer was still on. The page with Owen and the other who had a connection with the past contestants victims was still up and it made Liam's blood boil. He stumbled towards the computer, closing the tab and snapping his head towards the green planet. He could see figures of his friends. The were huddled together, except for Tray and Whippy Creamy who seemed to have given up.

Liam clenched his hands into a fist and had to restrain himself from outright punching the computer in a blind rage as he instead moved the mouse around frantically, trying to figure out how to communicate with them. He managed to connect with surprising ease and he hovered his hand over the button on the microphone. He was going to fix this. He was going to save them and send them home he would undo the pain and suffering that madman caused and then he could live with himself knowing he did something right. Liam heard a click for the microphone and opened his mouth slowly. "Hello?"

Scenty sobbed as she clung to Soda Bottle, or Bryce as he said his name was... she really couldn't wrap her head around names like she used to, a name like that so foreign to her that she could barely remember it. Hell, she barely remembered her own name while being on this fake planet. Everyday she lost herself more and more in the bright, cold hues of green and blue. The abstractness of the bushes seeming normal to her as she forgot what real vegetation looked like. Her tears fell with every shake of her body and Soda Bottle held her tighter and tighter. She hated herself for this, she hated making people see her like this. Disheveled and so out of it. She hated clinging to people. She wanted to seem happy and positive in the eyes of other people but she just couldn't this time, she knew this was unbecoming of her but she couldn't stop the tears and the sobs coming out of her eyes and mouth. She fought every urge to scream in rage. That was too far and she knew it. She had to keep some positivity or everything would crumble to pieces. 

Scenty heard a familiar click and her whole body froze, her sobs cut off by the sense of dread and fear and her eyes went wide. Scenty could feel Soda Bottle tighten the hug around her again and his breath hitched. She couldn't do another challenge, not in this state. She just wanted to go home and for this to be over. However, an unfamiliar yet at the same time familiar voice came from the sky. "Hello?" It was raspy and unsure and simultaneously bright and comforting. Her eyes locked up at the sky at the minimal clouds and the never ending daylight. She heard a sharp intake from the voice, her lips shakily curved into that of a smile and her breath picked up not in panic but in excitement.

"I... I'm going to get you guys home... if it's the last thing I do, I swear I'm going to get you home." Liam had said and she felt Bryce straighten as an elated gasp left his mouth. They could go home.

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After Julien raised the antenna he blinked and he was now looking at a drowning sun, the sky hues of yellows, oranges, vague reds, and light pinks. The view was accompanied by water as far as the eye can see with thin land on the side, building on the right of him as he stared off at the setting sun. Cars woodshed behind him causing him to jump. Wind blew across his face, his eyes started to water as he slumped down and took in the realization that he was home, earth, planet earth. Not the vacant space of death but the lively, illuminated grounds of the planet he was on 10 years ago. 

After Julien had calmed himself down, he began walking towards the larger city, the long bridge made it seem slow, he almost thought he was getting farther and farther away from society, and therefore farther from home—but in the end he made it. The streetlights had turned on by the time he got to the city, he could somewhat read and understand the language the citizens were talking, though some was complete nonsense to him, but at least they were talking. After glancing around some more he noticed a board, plastered with posters—wandered up to it and noticed one of them having a familiar face. It was the green backpack he saw in purgatory. He skimmed his eyes through the paper, his vague knowledge of the English language allowed him to deduce that his name was Liam Plecak and, as one could guess, it said he was dead. Things Julien could not read were about how he had been reported being seen at a convenience store by a Nail who was called Owen but was never seen again after that, Owen said he went to Australia but when the authorities looked through flights and registration nothing appeared. Julien folded the poster and kept it in his hand, the first person he had ‘spoke’ to in years, he had his name and he was thankful for him. Once julien had stopped thinking about the green backpack he saw, he opened the door to the police building that the board was placed on and talked to the authorities. It was awhile until he could find someone who spoke French but they ended up getting someone who could help translate what he was saying. 

After an hour or two since he’d entered the building, he spoke to someone. Julien spoke about where he went, although most of the people who heard thought he was crazy, he told them his name was Julien Beaumont. Shortly after he asked what year it was, the answer from the police was “2022” realization flood through Julien. He was dead for 10 years… TEN years! He was stuck in that desolate area for a decade, switching mindlessly through mindlessly through radio stations. Until that green backpack—Liam—saved him from an eternity of loneliness. Julien took a deep breath and placed the folded piece of paper he had in his hand on the table. He unfolded it and pointed to the black and white picture of Liam and explained to the interrogator that he saw this man and that he’s the reason Julien is in San Francisco.

After a handful of days being questioned and the SFPD working out who he was, they figured out he was, in fact, Julien Beaumont. A French filmmaker who went missing 10 years ago. They made arrangements to send him back to his family in France in a month. They notified the family that Julien was alive and that they were going to fly him back to France. 

Julien arrived in France a month and a half after he was sent back to earth from the waiting room. He spent a large amount of time with his family, though it was hard to adjust to the life he had regained.

Chapter Text

Liam yelled in frustration. He thought about throwing the screen across the cave, even imagining it in his head. The cracking off the illuminating screen and the sparks of quick electricity it might give off before quitting and never making another spark. “Stupid…! Machine!” Liam slammed his hand on the desk. Did airy make this too? Or was it here when he got here. He hoped Airy had to make it from scratch, those grueling hours of work now wasted because he was dead. He hoped Airy was disappointed that his victim was now in possession of the device and could his magnum opus and ruin what he had create over what? A decade? He hoped that idea stayed in the back of Airy's head for as long as he continued in death or wherever he went if he used that radio again. 

“Liam? Is everything okay?” He could hear Scenty's voice call out from the plane. Liam's voice creaked as he attempted to answer but all that would come out was a frustrated sigh. "I.. I'm going to need a break from this I might, uh, break it if I spend any more time on it." Liam chuckled dryly. "I need to get reeds for bedding too... don't have enough, y'know..."

Scenty's brow furrowed at the remark, she hadn't heard anything about where Liam was located though with the statements about bedding, firewood and rain she could imagine he was in a harsh wasteland where he had to fend for himself and that made her heart ache too much to think about. She heard the microphone click off and prayed that Liam would be okay.

Scenty sat next to Soda bottle and Moldy while she heard the grumbling and struggles from Liam. She felt sympathy for whatever he had to figure out. He had mentioned a computer being the reason they were in this situation and Scenty could hardly believe something so miniscule in their lives could cause this. Moldy had remained silent even after Liam made his statement about sending them home, only every moving towards the group after Soda Bottle had coaxed her out with an argument about how moping around was just going to make her worse and to suck it up and Scenty had blocked out that entire argument. There was a lot of yelling and Moldy wouldn't stop bringing up every negative thing that could happen and Soda Bottle even tried to get Liam involved but thankfully he remained silent. She couldn't take the argument and could only remember the ending of it clearly. Moldy had insulted Soda Bottle quietly and he just glared at her as she walked towards Scenty. Sitting down and scratching at her mold. Scenty sighed as she remembered Moldy from before Soda Bottle had arrived. The infestation of the fungus on her body. The fact she was more mushroom than bread and how she could barely move even when the others begged her to. The grass having also been infected with the blight and how Scenty wished she could help. Though now, she can. She can try to keep the others spirit up, make sure she never falls into the same state as she did last time, slowly rotting away minute after minute and leaving the rest of the group to watch in horror. They'll be sent back, and Moldy can be free of her pain.

Liam walked out of the cave, he took the top of airys lantern from the ground—a decision he hated himself for despite the continuous threat to his health because of the rain. The only solution was using this worthless scrap stopping rain from drenching him as did tasks around the forest— he walked the slope from the bottom of the cliff to the top, a slight drizzle descended from the sky and it beat against the metal. Liam held the basket tightly as he crossed the the dingy wooden bridge. He drudged in the water, the ripples tickling his damaged leg as he grabbed a fair amount of reeds. As Liam picked and picked, he thought about all the hours he's spent here. The amount of reeds he's gathered, the amount of trees he's chopped down and the fire's he's started. Liam isn’t certain how long he’s been here but he can vaguely remember at least seven times the sun has set. After making his way back down the cliffside, replacing the bedding within the cabin he turned to look outside. No chance for a fire tonight so he'd be stuck in the cabin.

He sat on the wooden block that could only be called a bed because of the reeds lining the top. He had grabbed the cassette player. The only thing he knew that Airy cherished. He would have broken it if he was in his right mind, but he had kept the guys top, so why would he destroy something that could actually be useful to him? He enjoyed the song on it, and it was a way for him to destress after trying once more with that damned piece of technology.

As the cassette played in the dimly lit cabin, he thought back to the others on the plane. They all seemed the same besides one of them. Moldy. He couldn't put his finger on it but something was different. Not that she was quiet, no she was always the least social out of the group even before Airy's little hiatus. He kept racking his brain until it hit him. She had less mold. Liam hated himself for not noticing sooner. Last he saw her she looked like a living corpse, a zombie one could say, he had seen her get worse and worse to the point where she could barely even move and her forgot?! Her mold was fine now, but it gets worse every second he's not sending them back. He broke his thoughts when he realized that he should go back… Moldy would get even worse, and it would be Liam's doing. Liam shook his head and ended the song before it was finished. He walked back into the cave, pushing past the ever growing vines and sat at the computer. His eyes focused on any button he could find, he was careful not to press something that could ruin the computer or worse; injure the contestants… contestants? Did he just… consider them contestants? No. No. No… Liam blinked away his pondering. They are people not some contestants that need to play in a game show for… some sick-o’s enjoyment! Liam took a deep breath. He glanced over where Soda Bottle Bryce and Scenty were sitting. Liam looked at the duo and snapped his head back to the computer, reprimanding himself in his mind. He needed to save them

Silence was the only constant in the lives of the residents of the Plane. However, conversations had begun to pick up more and more as they realized they might actually have a chance at returning home thanks to Liam. The one who would usually start these small but oh so needed discussions would be Atom. “So... what’re you guys gonna do when you get back?” The high pitched voice questioned. “Oh—almost forgot.” Atom grabbed his triangle grass piece and struggled to keep it upright as he turned around to look at each member of the group. “You don’t need the grass piece anymore, atom.” Subway seat reassured dryly. “We know your voice and we don’t really need to know if you’re here anymore… no offense.” Subway seat patted the grass piece Atom held lightly. “Oh alright.” He dropped the gras piece. “What’re you gonna do Moldy?” Atom waddled over to her. “I don't know... Maybe... maybe make things right with Parker.” She quietly said. Thought it was loud enough to not be considered mumbling or whispering. “Who's Parker?” Soda bottle chimed in, his voice far louder than the formers. Moldy and him held eye contact for a bit, both of their eyes narrowed in consideration of each other. Moldy sighed inwardly. “Parker was… someone who helped me out with getting money for my surgery… the money I blew on crap.” She stopped, a look of regret flooded her face, but she continued nonetheless. “The night I ended up..” she waved her arms around. “Here.” She gestured around. “He came over to my apartment and asked about when I was going to get treatment and about what happened to the money. So... I told him. I told him I used the money on stuff I wanted rather than the treatment and uh... we kind of got into it.” moldy frowned. “Do you remember how I was yelling when I got here, saying that someone should rot or something?” Moldy glanced at Soda Bottle and Scenty, there was a hesitation and a glance between the two and Moldy continued anyway. “That was directed towards Parker. I just…” Moldy's eyes narrowed and her brows furrowed as she glared daggers at her hands in her lap. “I don’t like getting help from others, it makes me feel… useless… weak. It just feels like they don’t see me as a person but as someone they pity and I don’t know if they truly like me or they pity me!” She exclaimed in frustration. “I know if I apologize he’ll never forgive me, I said too many things that I can never take back.” Moldy took deep inhales and exhales calming herself down before going silent again. Scenty shuffled over slowly to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Soda bottle stayed put but his glare turned into something softer. “We all regret things that we did but, I’m sure he won’t even be mad when he sees you again, he’ll be happy to know that you feel guilt for what you did, and will understand why. It'll be okay and he'll understand. I know he will." Scenty moved to engulf Moldy in a small hug, pulling away as Moldy pushed her. "I don't think I can fully believe that. But I'll try." Moldy said wetly as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. "Thank you." She whispered. Scenty's mouth curled into a smile. "It's not a problem at all. We're all in this together. She said as he glanced from Moldy to Soda Bottle, then to Subway Seat and Atom. Only spending a short time on the still forms of Tray and Whippy Creamy. "We'll get out of here together."

Chapter Text

Taylor blinked. The bright sun was no longer shining on her rolled up cover and she looked around frantically. Scenty, the candle she was speaking to before she disappeared was nowhere to be found. Taylor fell backwards onto her bed and let out a long sigh. was that... real? she thought. Her mind swirling as if she had just been in a blender. After a good few minutes Taylor slowly propped herself up and searched the ground for her floor. Before she was sent to one she was talking to her friend, Charise. She pictured how confused her friend would be when she just stopped mid sentence as she picked up her phone. 15 text messages from her friend. 7 missed calls. Oh god. Before she stepped out of her room she checked the date, it was the same day at least but she had been gone for what she guessed was an hour.

Taylor stepped out of her room. The small motel her and her mom lived in was fine for them, as she walked out into the larger space where her mom had fallen asleep on the couch. Her mom had a habit of falling asleep watching whatever reality tv-show she'd been binging so she definitely didn't notice Taylors sudden disappearance, if she did she would be wide awake and there'd probably be someone else here.

Taylor smiled slightly. She was still thinking about the conversation she was having before she came back. She meant every word. She was sick of her boring cashier job and hated going to the same old school. She was stressed out from all the projects that were due and all the customers she had to keep happy. She felt so tired of everything and just wanted to graduate and move on with her life already. Taylor stood just a ways away from her doorway thinking. just... thinking. Taylor didn't know what she wanted to do and the pressure of everyone was just too much. Being in that show made her realize that all the struggles she had in her life, things that only being in a competition where a prize is a wish for anything. She guessed that she wanted to get money as her prize but now that she's not in it anymore she realized that money isn't what she wants. She doesn't know what she wants. Being there made her realize her life could be stripped away at any moment. When she was on the plane she realized that she could be stuck there and it started to scare her.

Her thoughts were jumbled, mixing around, changing subjects every second. She didn't realize her phone buzz in her hand. Another text from Charise. This time she replied.

Chapter Text

Liam sat on a log. He faced a fire that was burning out and the dying glow made the surrounding area look so much more... unwelcoming. Liam missed the bright lights of San Francisco. Liam missed Owen, his job, his family. All he could do was sulk and feel sorry for himself. Backpack got up and walked to the cave, Backpack brushed the vines aside. Backpack stared at the illuminated desk. The light of the plane and the computer screen made the cave look so big. So vast. So dark.

Soda Bottle stared up at the sky. His body spread out on the ground. The green triangles point toward the sun. Their only source of life. Their everything. Sodabottle was lost in thought. He thought about his sister, seeing her in the weird purgatory reminded him of how close they were as children. Once Bryce graduated high school a year early he started working more. Stella ended up saving up for college and left a year after he was out of High School. Soda Bottle had still been living with his mom at the time as he couldn't get a good paying job and her unorthodox career paid for a house. For about a year he saved up and helped pay for his moms house, he had still been in touch with Stella but they hadn't talked. Stella had come home once for the holidays but it wasn't the same. Scenty and Moldy had kept talking after their initial conversation. They seemed content with their situation but there was some underlying anxiety in their words when talking about earth home and their families.

Scenty glanced towards the red and blue bottle that lay on the brightly colored grass. He seemed zoned out and his eyes were narrowed in a slight squint as he looked up at the sun. "So-Bryce?" She called out to him and Moldy had just finished her sentence. Sodabottle turned his gaze towards the blue-teal candle. "Huh?" He half-hummed in acknowledgement. "Are you uhm-" Scenty cleared her throat. "Are you doing okay?" Her voice cracked a bit as she slightly smiled. "You seem..." She couldn't find the words. "upset..?" She held the last couple of letters a bit, she seemed unsure if that was the right word but she hoped he knew what she had meant. Soda Bottle blinked. "I'm good. Just thinking about... stuff." His tone flat. "Ah, alright." Scenty slightly slurred the words together and went back to talking to Moldy, Scenty was talking about her friend Garrett. He was the manager for the Yoga Studio she would instruct at. Once she was done Moldy started talking about how she'd explore caves with her friends. It went on like this for awhile, the two exchanging stories.

Liam kept clicking the mouse that lay on the wooden desk. The wooden stool made it uncomfortable to sit down, he had no support for his back and his leg would be uncomfortably laying on the edge. He thought about making a new chair. He had wood but... no he needs to figure out how to use this computer and send them back. Liam took a deep breath. Inhaling and Exhaling. He started looking through some files on the computer, there was three files labeled ONE. Each had a second part labeled 1, 2, or 3. When he clicked on this he shouldn't have been surprised that it was the seasons. The first one that resulted in 6 deaths and the season now that he needed to end and send everyone home. The third one would never happen. He was still fuming about how Airy thought he could really start another season, and with his friend Owen in it? Liam brought himself to close the open files and shower through more. The computer was strangely set up. It wasn't a Windows Computer he was used to at his telemarketing job but just something really similar. Liam wasn't the best with computers but he had basic knowledge on how to work them. After he had poked around for a bit he found a folder named "Sending" Liam sat with his mouth agape as he stared at the file. He was upset he hadn't found this earlier. At the same time he was incredibly happy he found it. Once he opened it there was some other files that had labels that were programs that would allow someone to send someone or something to the plane. Liam's lips curled into a wavering smile. He was almost shaking. He couldn't tell if he was happy or scared on how easily Airy did this. All airy had to do to make him and everyone else's lives pure torture was put in a simple code. He didn't even have to try to figure out how. There was dates on these folders. This folder was older than 10 years. Airy came here ten years ago. Liam tried to calm himself and after what felt like days. He moved the mic closer. His voice hesitant. He thought about what would happen when he sent everyone back. What he'd be doing. But he blinked and spoke. "I think I can send you guys home soon."

Chapter Text

Stella awoke early on a late September morning. She wasn't particularly fond of waking up early but her days of school had her waking up at 7 am everyday and she couldn't break the habit of waking on around that time on weekdays. She had a little over an hour before she would have to go to work so she made herself a breakfast sandwich, just an egg on toasted bread with some veggies in the middle. Stella switched the TV on and tuned into the news. Basic stuff like political events and some other events happening around the world that would concern the United States. Stella lived in Bristol, Connecticut. She moved to the city after she graduated college, while it was a bit more expensive housing she found a cheap apartment to live in. The main reason is because there was at least half of the amount of people in Bristol than Bridgeport. She worked an average paying job and another job on the side so she could afford her home for the year but could only ever buy groceries and then some cheap nick-nacks on the side if she REALLY needed them. Stella went to Housatonic Community College for an Associate Degree, graduated, then ended up where she was now-an apartment, average paying job and a content life.

It was around 7:28 AM, she had work at 8:45 and her work was 20 minutes away. After she turned her head away from the clock on the kitchen counter she saw a familiar face on the TV screen. The news would sometimes post missing persons reports on the screen, mostly when they didn't have a lot of reports in the past 2 weeks and one popped up. 

It was Bryce.

Stella's gaze froze on the TV. She stared at the screen displaying her brothers face. His red lining and melancholy expression. The reporter went on about the report. "Bryce Hansen; Last seen video-taped early September climbing and trespassing over a chain-link fence after getting in what appears to be an argument with a green backpack, identified to be Liam Plecak- another person reported missing during February in San Francisco-Hansen was also taped climbing up the Bridgeport Smokestack after the aforementioned Green Backpack. Neither have been taped descending the Smokestack and neither were found atop the Chimney. Bryce Hansen was declared missing the following afternoon. If you have seen him please contact the authorities." The relayed information ended and went back to more news about recent events but Stella tuned it all out. Her mind blank in... shock? Stella really didn't know what could describe her mood. She was, of course, shocked... but she wasn't scared. Bewildered would be much closer but it didn't describe it clearly. She just felt... weird. 

Her brother, missing? Was that even her  brother? Of course it was! It was his last name, her last name. It was even his face! But it just didn't seem real.

Stella hadn't spoken to her brothers in months. Last time she could remember was Christmas, and even earlier, around September, where she texted a basic "Happy Birthday!". God she all ways hated those and now she was doing it. Although she and her brother were close they drifted apart when Stella went to college. Their mom wasn't the best person and didn't give either of them either of them the best childhood. and last she heard Bryce had finally moved out of the woman's house a year or two ago. But now he was missing. Stella still couldn't grasp that. It felt so alien to her. Her brother missing??  The idea baffled her, gave her a huff of quick laughter. Still... it was real. She reached to her phone. It was now 7:50. How long was she just thinking to herself? She quickly went through her contacts and called Bryce. Why was she even doing this. He was missing and she knew it perfectly well. 

The call went to voice mail. She tried again. Voice mail. She gave up.

Stella got a call from Bradley, a family friend who lived in Bridgeport, at around 8:20 AM. Stella decided she would call in sick for work because she couldn't focus at all, her thoughts were still trying to process that her brother had just gone Missing. She answered the call and was greeted by the slightly familiar voice of Bradley. "Hey Stell," The older man awkwardly said. "Good Morning, Brad." She said, her voice barely over a mutter. "I was gunna' ask if you'd heard the news yet but-" Bradley hesitated. "I can tell by your voice you probably have." He tried to sound as sympathetic as he could. "Yeah, it's..." Stella trailed off. "Unexpected." She said flatly. Bradley made a hum of agreement. "Yeah, he came over to my garage sale the other day with that green backpack, Levi Pecan or something, that's probably not important, but who cares." He muttered the last part. "They bought some broken computer from me and left. I dunno' why, that's the last I saw of him anyway." He realized the last part sounded quite apathetic. "But I hope they find him soon, he's a nice guy." He added with a twinge of hope. "You doin' alright?" he asked Stella. "Yeah, I'm doing fine, Brad." She sighed. "Just a little shooken up is all." She shook her head. "Going to think about stuff today." She continued. Bradley audibly smiled awkwardly. "Just know you got people to talk to if ya' feel sad." He reminded in the nicest way possible, trying not to sound patronizing. "Yeah, I'll be sure to talk it out if I feel like I can't handle it." She stared at the ground. "See ya, Bradley." She said her goodbye. A quick "Bye" from Bradley signaled it was okay to end the call. She set her phone down and stared at the wall as a million thoughts flooded her head. Although one stuck out the most.

Will I ever see my brother again?

Chapter Text

Soda Bottle shot up, he bit his lip in anticipation. "How soon?" He called out to Liam, a small noise escaped Liam. "I don't know." He said after a second or two. Bryce stared back down and went back to thinking as he sat on the abnormally green grass. Just. Thinking.

Liam didn't like that he lied. He lied about not knowing how soon. He could send them back within three or four hours. He was just scared. Scared about how he'd be alone. Scared that he might become like Airy, taking contestants from their lives just to feel less alone, after enough isolation. Scared. Just. Scared. Liam left the cave. He hoped that the contestants his friends wouldn't try and talk to him. He needed to go think about what he'd be doing.

Scenty sat there staring off into the distance. The Plane was empty. All there was on it were the Bright green triangles, contestants, and weirdly formed trees. She just realized something. The plane was empty. She never really noticed this. The thought about how empty the plane was gave her the same feeling as referring to herself by her name. Her name. Moldy asked about it when she said her name was Charlotte but Scenty never really thought about how she wasn't using her name anymore. She thought herself to be Scenty. Her name was Amelia. But right now she was Scenty. Amelia. Amelia. The name felt so alien. It felt like she was learning a new word. She felt. Detached. She thought about her life before ONE. It felt like somebody else's life. Thinking about the memories felt like she was remembering a movie she watched. She remembered what happened before she was sent to The Plane. She remembers teaching a class in the Yoga Studio she worked at. She closed her eyes and bam. She was here. It felt weird. One blink. ONE blink and she was here. She didn't feel like Amelia. She didn't even know if she was Amelia.

Moldy glanced around The Plane. Everyone had been silent for a good while and even Atom was quiet. Moldy just went back to thinking about Parker. Ever since she died she couldn't stop thinking about what she saw. She saw her kitchen, the meal she was preparing. Oh how she wanted to go back to that moment and do things differently. She saw Parker, his face had a smile that made Moldy feel... weird. She didn't understand why he was smiling. He should've been mad, like he was when she left. Instead he was talking to Moldy, calling her by her actual name-Charlotte-It didn't seem right. His voice had sounded somewhat distant, it sounded like he was far away. He had been standing by her door way and asked her to come back to his house so they could chat. The words he spoke hung heavy in Moldy's mind. "Come on, Charlotte!" His voice was eerily happy. Moldy remembers seeing a radio on her counter in-between the stools. Something she didn't own before. She remembers slowly walking towards Parker and taking his open hand. Her vision became more blurry after that but before it went all black she was sent back to The Plane. It felt like some sort of fever dream, everything after she died just felt fuzzy.

She just kept thinking about how she should've talked to Parker. She knew that she shouldn't have yelled. She was too prideful in herself and just couldn't take the money and use it for what it was meant for. For her surgery. She was disappointed in herself. Now she knew how Parker felt. Disappointed.

Liam was upset with himself. It had been at least an hour since he gave the news to the objects on The Plane. An hour he could've tried to send them back. He knew he could he was just too cowardly. He was thinking about himself and not the people who had been on ONE for more than 8 months. He'd been stuck in Airy's world for atleast a month now, 7 months on the plane, and a little more than a week trying to figure out the notes. It had to be November now. Maybe even December. Christmas was coming up. He thought about the contestants families. They miss them. Liam had family. He could've gone back to them. He didn't. He went after Airy and this stupid show. Liam scrunched his face up angrily. Hot tears built up in his eyes but he blinked them away in an instant. He had to send them back.

Chapter Text

Owen locked his door and walked to the closest convenience store. It was only a few minutes away and he could use the exercise. He hadn't gone to the store in a while so he definitely needed the food and supplies. His apartment was a little bit less than average size but fortunately Owen lived alone since college. His closest friend at the time Liam, who had now been declared dead, was the closest person to him but even he was across the bridge. He didn't really speak to anyone from his job unless it was needed. He did socialize with them from time to time but he didn't consider them close enough to be called friends.

Owen was about 3 and a half minutes from the store and swore he saw a green backpack walk inside. He stopped in his tracks and stared for a moment blinked and started walking again. 

Liam was dead, as much as he didn't want to admit it, he was gone.

Owen tensed up just slightly at the thought of his old friend. Of course he was sad about the loss, how could he not be? It was just hard to let go even if he did accept that he was dead.

The door opened to the shop as Owen walked in. He grabbed a basket at the front and started shopping. He got some vegetables, snacks, drinks, and ingredients for some meals he wanted to try. He wasn't the best cook but he'd try every now and again to make more complicated meals that required some skill even though they usually came out burnt or dry.

He was walking through the gap in the shelves and turned his head to see a familiar green backpack standing next to a Soda Bottle with a red lining and blue cap, he dropped his bag. "Liam?!" He said aloud. God he hoped this was actually him and not some rando'. The backpack turned around to see a familiar face, his eyes going wide and his mouth agape. "Owen?" Liam's face turned into that of a relieved smile. "You're alive...?" Owen said worriedly as he walked closer-leaving his dropped goods behind. "Everyone though you were gone!" The silver nail went on. "What the heck happened?" He said with an edge of panic. He was alive?! The thought kept popping up in Owens mind, his brain was both panicked and relieved. The green object paused for a minute before answering. "I..." He stuttered. "I got a job abroad!" The said with a smile. "I'm managing telemarketing stuff over in..." once again another pause. Owen didn't understand, maybe he was confused about his earlier statement about him being dead. But it didn't matter, his friend was okay and all he did was smile and listen. "Australia, and, now that I have a break, I thought about coming back here." Owens smile grew wider, his old pal wasn't dead at all. "That's awesome dude!" Owen slightly relaxed. "Why didn't anyone in the company say anything about it?" He mostly asked himself, Liam wouldn't even have an answer. Owen stopped for a second. "Or the... police?" He stared past Liam. "Oh, uh..." Liam looked to his left not making eye contact with Owen. "What did they police have to do with this?" He gave Owen a confused smile. Owen stared. "Everyone thought you were dead!" He exclaimed, his friends expression softened. "The police were investigating for a long time and just..." He faltered. "Came to the conclusion that you died!" He finished off as he slightly turned away, his expression had begun to revert back to that of worry. "R-really?" The next words to come out of Liam were stuttered. "My flights and purchases are still on record. I'm surprised they didn't look into that." He shrugged. "Oh, that makes a lot of sense." Owen brushed it off, he was still overjoyed his friend was okay that he'd take a faulty answer. "Still weird they assumed you died." He muttered. "We should hang out again! I wanna hear about your trip." He turned back to face Liam a smile plastered on his face. "Oh, yeah! Sounds good!" Liam leaned forward a bit, but ended up taking a metaphorical step back. "Uh, I'm kinda booked with some other stuff right now, but I'd love to hang out again soon." He beamed. Owen raised a brow towards the green figure. "You're booked on your break?" he asked but quickly shook his head. "Ah, whatever." He shrugged. "I got a new number a while back, let me write it down for you." He brought out a pen and small notepad he'd usually keep for work. He jotted down and clicked his pen as he handed Liam the numbers. "Call me whenever you wanna get a coffee or something. I'll be around." His phone buzzed. after he looked down he saw the caller id, his boss. "Gotta take this." He said before picking up his dropped groceries. Owen grinned smugly at Liam and snapped his fingers into guns. "Mr. Worldwide." He said jokingly as he walked backwards. "See ya, Owen!" Liam waved as Owen answered the call.

The call was nothing important compared to the news Owen learned today. Liam was alive. That's what's important. He had been so worked up the first month Liam had gone "missing", which was now chalked up to be some mistake the authorities made. Owen was overjoyed about the news and anxiously awaited a call.

Chapter Text

Liam sat silently. He didn't realize how quietly peaceful the world around him was. His head was loud with him yelling at himself mentally to send them back. He knew he had to. He knew it was inevitable. It was just that a small part of his mind didn't want to be alone on this desolate excuse of a planet. The sky was as dark as usual, the lack of many stars made him feel even more lonely.

Liam squeezed his eyes shut, he took deep breaths and limped back into the wooden house. The small area was almost pitch black if it hadn't been for the moonlight that leaked in. His leg had seemingly gotten better but it definitely wasn't ready for the pressure of walking.

He uncomfortably lay in the make-shift bed. He dozed off quickly as exhaustion flooded him. He slept a dreamless sleep. All he could remember when he awoke was blackness, almost as dark as the room he fell asleep in.

Dew made the grass wet, Liam half-walked to the cave with drowsiness still in his eyes. He yawned a couple times and he almost forgot about where he was, he almost forgot everything about the plane, airy, and the place he was stranded in. A wave of memories flooded him when he saw the computer, it illuminated the cave. The vines on the walls almost reminded him of wires or cables, the latched onto the cave wall and seemingly started at the top.

He hopped onto the stool and glanced to the contestants and stood there for a good minute before adjusting the microphone.

"I'm sending you back today." He half-muttered bluntly.

Liam saw the contestants light up, some of them visibly straightened and Liam could vaguely see Soda Bottle's eyes open wider.

Moldy's jaw was half open. "I'm sending you back today" The words spoken by Liam caused a wave of relief to drown her, small tears pricked her eyes. She was going to go back. 

She saw scents sitting, she had noticed the blue candle was the last to realize the words. She seemed to have a mixture of confusion, happiness and remorse on her face. It made Moldy slightly off-put. Scenty was one of the ones who were determined to get off the plane, doing whatever she could to leave. Now she just seemed... content. Soda bottle had been staring up at the light, diluted aqua sky. She couldn't tell what he was feeling, I mean she wasn't a total empath and she barely knew the guy, but he didn't seem... happy. Not in the sense he didn't want to go back, but he seemed upset at the way the words were spoken. She didn't know why.

Liam messed around with the computer. He found the place where he input the commands and he looked back. He had woken up at least 2 hours ago and had messed around with the computer a bit trying to figure out how to send them back. His main goal. Send them back. 

Liam had found it at last. The prize.

A way home.

He stared at the people he had known for months. He never really knew any of them. Didn’t even know their real names until he found the website. Liam adjusted the microphone for what may be the last time.

“Are you guys ready?” he said, a smile evident in his voice.

The remaining, well the conscious ones, stood up slowly. Moldy, Subway Seat, Soda Bottle, Scenty and atom.

“We’re going home now?” Soda bottle called into the sky, his unused voice a tad bit raspy. “Yeah, uhm. I think I’ll send the batch two contestants back.” He said. He cringed when he said contestants. “I can’t send them to our world.” He motioned vaguely towards himself and stared at the batch-one objects, even though they couldn’t see him. “Sorry about that, I have to send them back to their own world.” He added. “It’s alright, I really miss the subway anyway.” Subway Seat answered with a smile, his tone never changed throughout the contest. Always sounding a bit optimistic. “Alright, I don’t know if you can say goodbye to the others though-“ Liam paused. “I don’t really know how to wake them.” Subway seat’s brow went up. “Don’t worry we all said goodbye when they made the decision to uh-“ Subway seat tried to find a good word. “Go comatose.” Liam nodded. “Alright, Subway Seat.” He hovered his hand above the enter key after he had inputed the code into the computer. “Goodbye,” He smiled sadly. The seat waved and shouted; “Goodbye, thank you, Liam!” The green backpack closed his mouth shut when the seat used his name. He didn’t know why, he had told them his name when he was trying to get them home.

He let out a shuddering breath. “Hey, atom, same for you. I gotta send you back to wherever it is you were.” Liam started typing the command. “Nah it’s fine.” The slightly high-pitched voice answered. “I couldn’t live wherever they’re from.” If atom could be seen he’d have probably shrugged. “Goodbye, atom.” He said another goodbye. He once again slightly hesitated.

“Alright.” He sighed. “Time for you guys.” He shifted to face the plane and his eyes landed on the contestants. “B-Liam.” Scenty started, pausing for a moment. “Thank you.” She sniffled. Tears filling her eyes. “I-I’m... you...” She struggled to find the words. “You’ve helped us so much, coming back to save us and... I’m so thankful.” She said quickly. Liam smiled at her words. “Maybe Bryce can visit you.” He suggested. “He’ll be in San Francisco. He’ll probably be going back to Connecticut and Wyoming is on the way there.” He went on. “Wait...” Scenty swallowed. “You know where I live?” She stared. “Oh-“ Liam realized he never mentioned the website. “When me and Bryce we’re trying to find Airy we found a website. Had everyones state and city in it.” He briefly explained realizing he shouldn’t have said it so nonchalantly. “Oh.” She muttered. Moldy took a breath in. “Yeah, thanks Liam.” Her tone was much gentler than her usual one that reeked of annoyance. Soda bottle hummed in agreement. Liam turned back to the computer. “Yeah mhm.” He mumbled. “I’ll send you guys back now.” He smiled. “Goodbye, guys.” He said sincerely. A shaky inhale followed.

Soda bottle was still there. His face contorted with confusion. “Liam?” He called out, he was alone on the plane. “I need to tell you something.” The familiar voice answered. “I can’t get back to San Francisco.” He said. “What?” Soda Bottle raised an eyebrow. “Can’t you send yourself back with the command you found?” He asked. “No, it only works if you’re ON the Plane.” He sighed. “Listen,” Liam started. “I’m glad you all got back, I was all ways a dead man. Everyone thought I was dead and it’s pointless for me to go back.” He said his voice was flat but filled with sorrow. “What about-“ Soda Bottle paused while he remembered the man's name. “What about Owen?” He blurted. “He saw you alive, he’s waiting on a call from you!” He shouted into the almost blank sky. Liam gave no answer and the tapping of keys could be heard. “Liam?!” Soda Bottle yelled. “Liam wait!” He yelled and he blinked.

Bryce was back in San Francisco.

Chapter Text

A moment before Bryce was sitting on the plane with Backpack. The sun shining as bright over head as it did when they got there. He blinked and he was in his room, contemplating on whether the plane was real or not but when he went to pick up his phone on his bedside table he realized he was there for more than a day. He remembered it being February 10th, it was now February 15th. He stared out his window. The sun seemed to have just begun to rise and Bryce had a splitting headache. His room was abnormally dark, probably because he wasn’t used to have little to none light. 

He groaned and slowly got out of bed, stretching. He must’ve stood up too fast because a moment later he felt light headed and spots began to cloud the edges of his vision which made his headache way worse. He opened his phone the screen illuminated his face as he walked a few steps to his table. He had about 5 missed calls, mostly from his co-workers. He sighed as he realized 'I got sent to a weird planet that’s all ways sunny and had to play a twisted gameshow for 5 days’ wouldn’t be received as an answer for missing this many days of work. He’d probably get fired, I mean Epic Burger was already losing money. 

He dialed his boss. “Hello, Bryce?” His boss answered, his tone had a large mix of annoyance, worry, and confusion. “Hey-“ Bryce couldn’t finish what he was going to say before his boss cut in. “Where have you been?!” His boss’ usually apathetic, businessman voice was louder. “I thought you died or something. Maybe fell off the face of the planet!” His voice was still quite calm for yelling. “Sorry about that.” Bryce said. “I sorta got really sick. Couldn’t move for awhile, two days maybe. Only got up for the necessities.” Bryce tried to explain as short yet as detailed as he could. “I should’ve called or something.” Bryce apologized flatly. His boss sighed loudly. “You’re lucky I can’t fire anyone at the moment.” He scolded. “You better come in today, just don’t get anyone sick.” His boss finished and like that he hung up.

Bryce let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness...” He muttered. He didn’t actually expect his boss to answer so early but he wasn’t complaining.

He came into work that day exhausted physically and mentally. He watched people die and get resurrected about 3 times this past week and barely got a wink of sleep, if he did it was just nightmares about his own death. He worked later than usual, probably because he’d missed a lot of hours that week but there was also another reason. He decided to try and do more work, he thought he was just doing it because he wanted to take his mind off things, but that was half of the truth. He’d been absentmindedly thinking about how easy it was to have people believe he was dead. How easy it was to die. He kept thinking about how he could’ve died on the plane and that could be it. He finally realized that he could actually do more stuff in his life besides working the bare minimum at his job and spending nights at the nearby bar.

He finally got an incentive to do something, and so he did. He tried harder actually got involved and had positive, social relationships with co-workers and friends and began enjoying his life. He really couldn’t tell if The Plane was a bad experience, sure, it was awful for the contestants and he really hoped that Backpack, Scenty and the other objects trapped there got out, but the lines were so blurred because of how his life was positively affected by it. He did still have nightmares a couple times a month about it, about being sent back, what happened to the others, or what could’ve happened to him, but he was doing better and he hoped nothing more than for it to stay this way.

However, things do change.

Chapter Text

Bryce stood in the alley way. A cold breeze blew past him and he heard footsteps as people walked down the street. Fortunately nobody noticed him just appearing out of nowhere and he was able to just stand there and accept what had just happened. The person who saved the contestants from The Plane had just let himself stay stranded in wherever he was. Bryce only knew descriptions of where Liam was and from what he gathered, it was just in the middle of nowhere. 

Bryce shook his head and he slowly walked out of the alley. The sun had begun to set and the sky was flooded with hues of orange, yellow, and a dip of pink. He let long sigh escape him and realized how exhausted he was and something dawned on him.

He was in San Francisco.

He just realized that his apartment was in Connecticut and that it’s across the country. He has no car, barely any money, and no phone, which he lost in one of the worlds they had gone in on their little radio station spree, a look of annoyance was now molded into his face and he began to walk down the street. He wasn’t really paying attention, just trying to find something that would tell him the date until a slightly familiar face had tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around far too quickly and made the other person jump a bit. “Oh sorry! Didn’t mean to sneak up on you...” The metal nail began. “You were at the supermarket with Liam that one day, correct?” Bryce blinked. “Uh, yeah.” He replied awkwardly. “I’m Owen and I was a co-worker of his-are you friends with him by chance?” Owen asked. “Sort of?” Bryce shrugged. “Oh alright.” Owen seemed disappointed. “Do you know if he went back to Australia?” He asked. “Yeah he did-“ Bryce tried to add more to the sentence but Owen cut him off. “Is he alright?” He asked and Bryce looked taken aback, he didn’t really know the answer himself. “I hope.” The soda bottle replied vaguely. “Sorry, it’s just that after I gave him my phone number a month or so ago he hasn’t messaged or called.” He said, worry lining his words. “Something probably happened with the number. If he was able to contact you; he definitely would.” Bryce reassured the clearly worried man. “Do you have a way to contact him? Like a number, if he lost mine I’d like to stay in touch by getting his.” Bryce looked away awkwardly. “No actually, we aren’t the closest of friends. We just met at this place one time and talked after that. I don’t have any contact information.” Bryce replied. “Oh, alright...” The same look of disappointment crossed Owen’s face but it was washed away as his face gained a more ‘I have an idea’ look. “Oh!” The silver nail made a small noise and rummaged for a pen and notepad. The notepad he brought out had dull blue pieces of paper and he tore a small page off. He clicked the pen and scribbled something down. “If you ever see him again, would you please give him this and tell him it’s my number.” He held out the piece of paper with a line of numbers to Bryce. “Sure.” He smiled and took the paper.

Owen had begun walking away and Bryce waved as he walked down the street, presumably back to his home. Bryce sighed as he leaned against a wall and stared at the note. He raised his head a couple seconds after reminiscing of how optimistic he was when Liam had begun to lose hope on getting to Airy to stop ONE. He started walking down the street until he saw a TV in a display case. It was broadcasting the news. Topics relating to weather, political events and of course along with all of these, the date. It was December 13th. Bryce stood, mouth slightly open and his face slack. He glanced around. It was about sunset and he was far too tired to begin walking all the way to Connecticut. His best bet was to start hitch-hiking. He reached out his arm and sighed.

He was there for about 13 minutes before someone pulled up next to him. They were a blue stress ball and they smiled at him in an extremely friendly way. “Where are you headed?” They smiled even more. “Connecticut...” Bryce looked away, awkwardly and they looked at him, taken aback. “Oh wow. Did you hitch-hike here before?” They asked. “I got a friend to help me get here, but they’re... busy.” He mumbled the latter part of the explanation. “Oh...” They replied plainly, their face scrunched up with thought. “I’m heading to Nevada. I can drop you off somewhere around there. But that’s as far as I can take you.” They looked back at him and he returned the gaze with thankfulness. “That’d be really nice, do you mind if I sit in the back?” He asked. “Go ahead!” They clicked a button and unlocked the door. Bryce slowly sat in, the car had dark leather seats, small patches of sand in the back, he could also see bags in the farther back. “Sorry it’s a bit of a mess.” They chuckled and Bryce just smiled. He was really out of it and didn’t really respond to much. However, throughout the entire car ride he couldn’t stop his mind from wandering and wondering what everyone else did now, especially Liam. All he could do was Think.

Amelia closed her eyes as she smiled, relief washed over her body and she felt almost numb. She opened them slowly and she was in her workplace, a Yoga Studio where she used to teach. There was a class going on and she was in an area with no matt. She glanced around and realized that they had redone the decor and a tiny bit of remodeling. “And out.” An object she never met before said, obviously the instructor. She had done meditation classes before, usually in the middle of the week, and she smiled. Amelia sat there; her breath slow as she let out a long sigh. Everyone opened their eyes and they stared at her. Extremely confused. One of the objects she recognized, a folded towel, who would attend some of her classes stared at her with wide eyes. “Amelia?” The muttered, shock obvious in every bit of their question. She just stared, she hadn’t heard that name in a while. The blank stare made everyone far more confused. “Isn’t that the instructor that went missing? Like... just disappeared?” Amelia heard a younger voice ask. She guessed she had become a point of interest after she suddenly disappeared. 

“I uhm...” She began. The door opened and a familiar figure stepped out. Garrett. The melon object opened the door. “What’s going-“ He stopped as he saw Amelia his eyes widening. “Amelia?!” His voice cracked. She just stared back, her gaze examining everyone looking at her. She shifted uncomfortably as she stayed silent. “Amelia!” He ran over. “What-“ He stuttered for a moment. “Where did you go? You just up and... and disappeared! The people taking your class came yelling at me that you just... were gone! How are-“ He tried to calm himself down and he turned to the other objects in the room. “What happened?!” He asked. The unfamiliar instructor piped up. “We were doing meditation, closing our eyes and taking deep breaths and such and we opened them and she was just there!” Amelia still noticed confusion in the voice. “Okay... okay...” Someone call the police? I don’t... something could be wrong.” He finished and looked back at Amelia, the instructor had walked off, seemingly to make the call. “You all can go home, we’re sorry about this and we’ll issue refunds.” He said to the crowd, shortly after they disbanded.

“Amelia.” Garrett said, his voice more serious. “What happened?” She looked away awkwardly. “I don’t exactly... know?” She said, half of it as right half was mostly false. She didn’t understand why she went to the plane or what had happened in those 7 months, all she remembers is the torment she went through. “I was. Somewhere?” She knew she’d sound crazy if she told him that she was on some desolate planet for 7 months, ordered to play a game show and that she was sent back by one of the contestants after the host died. “I don’t...” She inhaled shakily, she didn’t even notice that tears were beginning to dwell in her eyes. “It’s okay, Amelia.” He comforted her. She began to cry, she didn’t know why. She wasn’t sad or upset, just relieved.

Garrett hugged her. “You’re okay.” She let out shaky, choked breaths. This whole thing just felt like a dream, not real, like she had never gotten off the plane and was still forced to be on a maniacal game show. She couldn’t help herself from thinking that all this was some delusion and that she’d been hallucinating everything, everything that had happened since she was sent back-everything that had happened when Liam arrived. What if Liam was never there and she just imagined that? She couldn’t stop Thinking.

Charlotte blinked and she was in her house. She was standing by the kitchen counter and she glanced around, some new decor lined the walls and she felt fear grip her. Someone else lives here now. I’m in someone else’s house. She looked around quickly and saw the door she quietly walked to it and creaked the door open, peaking out to see if anyone was there. Luckily it seemed they were still out and she was able to walk out without anyone noticing. She walked out into the neighborhood a wave of nostalgia hit her. She remembered driving through here and taking jogs. Her smile wavered as she realized that was when she didn’t have the mold. The mold had not just taken a toll on her appearance but also damaged her physical capabilities. She became much weaker in her right arm and it felt incredibly numb every time she would move it. She looked around, making sure nobody saw her before walk out of someones house and she began to walk towards the road. She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to talk to any of her friends because of the fear that they’d hate her for what she’d done. She never wanted to see Parker again because she was scared of how he’d react to seeing her again. She expects that he’s still mad over the whole money ordeal and she really didn’t want to hear him yell at her again. She also knew if he wasn’t still mad over the money, he’d try and get as much explanation on where she went as possible. Probably staying close by her just to act like he was helping and comforting her. She didn’t want to be cared for, she was sick of it. She wanted to be independent and to deal with her own problems. It wasn’t anyone else’s problem what happened to her.

She started walking down the street, reaching a highway; she headed to where she knew was the nearest police station. She guessed she’d been presumed dead at this point and just wanted to go back to her normal life, as normal as it could get after going missing for 7 months. After about an hour of walking she both exhausted and at her destination. She entered the medium sized, brick station and glanced around as she attempted to find someone who could help. Someone t the front desk noticed her and smiled. “Hello, ma’am.” The person was about her age but definitely look younger. “What can I help you with?” They stared at her awaiting an answer. Charlotte looked to the side awkwardly. “My name is Charlotte Stern and I might’ve gone missing 7 months ago.” The object she had been talking to, an hourglass, looked at her recognition in her eyes. “Yes! I’ve seen your poster but-“ They stopped. “Do you mind being questioned?” Charlotte blinked. “Not at all...” She answered plainly. The other stood up. “Please sit there-“ they pointed at a bench that rested against a wall. “I need to get someone.” They stepped away and Charlotte obliged to sit down, she let out a sigh as she rested her tired legs. She hadn’t done that much exercise on the plane. She did kind of sit around for 7 months contemplating. She kept thinking about what her friends would think about her. That’s all she did whilst sitting. Just. Thinking.

Chapter Text

Charlotte just... disappeared? Parker stood mouth agape. One moment she was here and the next she wasn’t. She was in the middle of yelling at him and then she wasn’t. Parker’s whole body felt numb with worry, confusion, and regret. “Charlotte?!” He yelled, voice high pitch and his breath shaky. He was incredibly scared. Was any of that real!? ”Charlotte this isn’t funny!” He began to quickly walk around his friend’s house. “Charlotte?” He repeated, more quietly. He rushed to get his phone out and dialed 911. An operator picked up and he began to rant. “My-I was having an argument with my friend and she just... vanished?!” he said quickly, the last word sounding more like a question. “Sir, please calm dow-“ The operator was cut off. “How am I going to calm down?! She just disappeared!” He stared at where Charlotte used to be. “Sir, breath.” The operator said and Parker reluctantly complied. “Explain to me what happened.” The operator said in a serious tone. “Okay, okay...” Parker calmed himself down, however his body was still shaking slightly. “I came to check on my friend, Charlotte Stern. She had a mold infection and me and a group of her friend’s helped to get money for her treatment.” He started. “When I came over, I had realized she spent the money we got her to buy personal stuff, a TV and a phone is all I know of at the moment.” He fidgeted with the hand the didn’t hold the phone as he got to the part that freaked him out. “We had begun to argue, I said that she should return the money and realized she’d already spent it all. We argued more and-“ He took a deep breath. “She was about to say something but was cut off. I blinked and she was gone.” He said in a more simple explanation. “What do you mean by disappeared?” The operator asked. “I mean she literally just vanished, she was in front of me and then she wasn’t.” He said, kind of annoyed. “Okay...” The object on the other side of the call mumbled. “What’s the address of your location?” They asked. Parker told them the address and they explained they’d be sending an officer to come help investigate, and most likely take him into questioning.

It’d been months, 8 to be exact since Charlotte went missing. They’d never found anything about her disappearance and Parker just went along with life, not after some long talks with a therapist because well... seeing one of your closest friends just vanish is definitely going to take a toll on your mental state, even more so if you were arguing with them about how they were slowly dying and didn’t try and help them more then he already did. He still wasn’t that all right after it. He just wanted to know what happened and if Charlotte was okay, maybe they’d make up after it all, go back to being friends. Parker smiled at that thought. However, it wavered.

Chapter Text

Liam sat silently on the old log, absent-mindedly putting logs, a bit of pine straw and anything flammable he could find. After a few more steps, he was able to start up a small flame and sat back, daydreaming. Liam tried to keep his mind off of how long it’d been since everyone had been sent home; but it was no use, he kept thinking about what they’d be doing and a sorrowful smile crossed his face. He hoped they’d be getting back on track, resuming their lives, reuniting with friends and family and just enjoying themselves after the hell that was One. 

Liam wiped his eyes as they began to water, a shaky sigh leaving him. The fire was spreading quite quickly, illuminating the area that grew darker and darker with each passing second. He stared off, his eyes focused on a tree with leaves that swayed with the slight wind.

Liam let his mind go to wherever it wanted, thoughts of his co-workers, especially Owen, and how they were doing. Owen seemed pretty well, even keeping his laid-back personality. Liam also thought about how that toothpaste guy was doing, he was pretty sure his name was Julien, and how he would adjust to life back on Earth after a decade of being dead. Then realization hit him. He was going to, most likely, be here for the rest of his life. He could go to whatever that place was with the radio but getting there... Liam shook the thought off. He wouldn’t even be able to know which one was Earth, so why go to some random, strange place when he had a peaceful life here. 

Liam closed his eyes, he didn’t want to be here but it could be worse. Why was he even here. The contestants were going to come home anyway, why did he decide to speed up the process. Liam thought regretfully. He did want them to come home, maybe sooner than later, and with Airy bringing back past contestants, maybe he wasn’t going to stop. Maybe Liam did the right thing. And he Stone to thank for that. Stone. Liam never really thought about him. He gave Liam the notes, the notes that led him to Airy, the notes that led him to freeing the contestants. The notes that led him here. A desolate planet where he was alone and had to live the rest of his life like that. Liam was conflicted. He didn’t know whether he was thankful for Stone or resented him. Why did Stone even want to stop Airy? Yeah, Airy was keeping people captive on a planet to play a ‘gameshow’, but Stone was an omniscient being from Liam’s understanding, why would he care about a few objects kidnapped to play a gameshow and get sent back, it was torturous for the contestants, but he probably didn’t care, he would just go back to whatever that dark, stone filled cave was. Then another thought came. Was this the best outcome? Was he supposed to be stuck? Did he have to be here? Liam tore his gaze from the tree to the cave where the computer was, he couldn’t decide if he felt betrayed or grateful. He wanted to be happy sure, but other than that he wanted to the objects he’d spent 7 months with to be happy. He was happy for them, so was he happy with himself? Was he fulfilled?

Liam tilted his head back, the top part of Airy he’d been using to keep dry from the constant rain slipped a bit. He lifted a hand to take it off, when he had he just stared. Patches of rust were on the very top and he just stared. A constant reminder of who was here first and what he’d gotten from it. Stone helped him stop Airy, helped him stop One, helped him help the others. And if Stone helped him with that, could he really feel betrayed by Stone for leaving him like this?

Chapter Text

Bryce sat in the back of this stranger’s car, zoned out. They had made small talk, Bryce found out his name; Marcus, he said. Marcus had asked why Bryce had come all the way across the country, Bryce just answered that he was vacationing and wanted to do a road trip here instead of flying. That was really it, there was nothing to talk about.

Bryce had dozed off once it got much darker. He felt at ease when the sun set, finally able to see the moon again after all that time on the plane.

They had come to a stop and Marcus shook Bryce awake, they were outside of a road-side motel. Bryce blinked the sleep out of his eyes, staring at Marcus a bit confused. “Where are we?” He croaked out sleepily. “A motel in Schurz,” Bryce glanced around, noticing it was still dark. “You can stay in my room if you’d like. I don’t expect you have much money if you’re hitch-hiking.” Marcus chuckled and Bryce nodded, still drowsy. “Though you might be sleeping on the floor.” Marcus added before stepping out of the car. Bryce followed. The two went inside and Bryce was on auto-pilot. Marcus had bought a cheap room and as they were walking to the room Bryce piped up, “Thanks for this, by the way.” Marcus turned his head a bit to look at Bryce. “No problem,” He smiled, “I love helping people.” Bryce smiled, Marcus reminded him of Liam... Liam... Bryce’s smile faltered as he thought about him, how lonely he probably was; he didn’t even know what Airy’s world was like, it couldn’t have been that welcoming though; based on who lived there.

“You’re going to have to get a new ride tomorrow though.” Marcus said as he turned the key, unlocking the door to the room. “I’m heading south.” Bryce glanced to him, did Liam have places to stay when he was coming to Connecticut? 

”That’s fine.” Bryce said, a yawn coming shortly after. Marcus inspected the room, there was some stains on a small area of the wall and the bed sheets looked a bit itchy. There was a small, plaid love-seat against the wall. Marcus pointed to it. “You can sleep there if you’d like.” He said, walking to the bed. Bryce nodded. “Thanks again, Marcus.” He said, going to lay on it, despite it being quite cold outside; the room was nice and heated. “Again, it’s not a problem.” Marcus yawned. Bryce once again nodded drowsily, quickly falling asleep.

Bryce woke up the next morning, he felt both rested and exhausted at the same time. That’s what a motel couch will do to you. Bryce glanced around, noticing that there was a faint light shining through the closed curtains, it couldn’t have been past 9 AM. Marcus was snoring away on the bed, not in the sheets-most likely afraid of bed bugs.

Bryce stood up, stretching before he began to walk around-looking for a writing utensil and a piece of paper. He wasn’t going to just wake him up to say he was leaving. He’s not a jerk, well not totally a jerk. After a bit a searching he ended up finding an old pen with the Motel’s logo and phone number and some old notebook in one of the drawers. Bryce quickly scribbled down a thank you, that’s all he could really do. He put the paper on the nightstand beside the bed, careful not to wake Marcus and quietly left the room. Bryce realized there was a lack of cars on the high-way so he decided to walk for a bit. After about 35 minutes, he came to a much busier part of the road, he yawned and raised his arm. Once again waiting for someone generous enough to pick him up. 

A small, beaten up red pick-up truck pulled up beside him, the Drive rolled down the window. “Where are you heading?” She asked, it was a seemingly older object, a paper clip. “Connecticut.” Bryce said back, speaking a bit louder so she could hear him over the passing cars. The driver seemed to think for a moment before calling back, “I can take you as far as Tonopah, it’s just a bit east.” Bryce nodded, “That’d be great.” He replied. “You can sit in the back.” Bryce nodded and he could hear the door unlock, he opened the door and quickly jumped in.

That was really all he did for next week or so, every day blended together as he headed from city to city thanks to some generous individuals, he did have some drivers who declined him once they realized where he was headed but that didn’t really bug him that much. Through the first few days he managed to get rides to Ely, West Wend Over, Salt Lake City, Cheyenne, Lincoln and Omaha; it was a longer ride then it would be if you were casually driving, but it was nice to see all around the Country. Bryce never really left Connecticut, only leaving it if necessary and that was every few years. He wondered if Liam was able to admire the scenery, or if he was too focused on stopping Airy. Bryce shook the thought as the driver who had given him a ride slowed to a stop, this guy was a plain piece of loose-leaf paper, didn’t speak much for the entire ride, though Bryce didn’t blame them. “You know where we are, right?” The driver asked, Bryce nodded; he had a seen a sign somewhere labeled Des Moines. “This is the closest I can get you.” They said apathetically. Bryce opened the door, nodding. “Thanks.” He muttered exhaustedly, he hadn’t had an actual rest in so long... The driver nodded, locking the door and speeding off. It was barely dark out, Des Moines seemed to be a fairly large city; meaning there was light anywhere you looks-whether it be buildings, cars or street lights. Bryce was sick of the brightness-He always hated the plane for never having night time, let alone darkness. 

Bryce walked around for a bit, not wanting to go back to hitch-hiking-he was tired and completely fed up with sitting in cars-As he was walking around, he remembered what Liam had said before he was sent back; how he had spent the night in an alley-way. Bryce knew he needed rest and his only option, because of his lack of a substantial amount of money, would be to sleep on the streets; or more preferably an alley-way away from where large groups of people would gather.

Bryce continued walking, not knowing which way was east and which was west. He managed to find a fairly clean alley, though it was quite thin-though it was fortunately big enough for him to sit in and have a big of space. Bryce sighed exhaustedly, trekking into the alley. He went farther into the alley, not wanting to be disturbed by any passers.

Bryce slumped down, knees bent and close to his face-it’s not a comfortable position, but it makes him less cold; which unfortunately for him, the weather was just that. Bryce closed his eyes slowly, thoughts kept popping up; thoughts about Scenty, Moldy and Liam. He wondered how Scenty was holding up after everything, it’d been a couple of days; she must’ve reconnected with her family. With Moldy, he hoped she was going to live up to her words; apologizing. Though he assumed those who she was close with wouldn't be that concerned with apologies and rather just having her back. Bryce hoped they would return to their normal, reconnecting with friends and family. Bryce blinked, family... Bryce hadn’t spoken with his family in so long, he’d only exchanged few words with Stella over messages, and even less with his mother; which he was quite glad, but the point still stood. He wondered how Stella felt about him disappearing, she had to have noticed, right? He stared at the ground blankly. Bryce needed to visit her as soon as he got back to Bridgeport. Though that was still hours, days even, away. Right now he wanted, needed, to sleep. 

Thankfully, the alley was dark, allowing him to slip into peaceful unconsciousness quite quickly.

Amelia had been waiting in a small room, she had been staring at the table for what felt like decades, waiting for someone to come in and ask questions. She had been taken here shortly after they called the police at the yoga studio. Garrett was with her the entire way here thankfully. Oh she wished he would've been allowed in the room too.

The door slowly creaked open and someone walked, She was a taller figure, being a pencil and all, and she waited to take another step until Amelia recognized that she was there. “Amelia?” She asked. Amelia looked to her slowly, still not totally used to using her name again. “I’m Samantha, I’ll be asking you some questions, alright?” Samantha asked as she walked towards the table, scooting the chair out and taking a seat. Amelia nodded silently. “Are you feeling alright?” Samantha asked. Amelia, avoiding eye contact answered; “Just a bit... disoriented.” Samantha nodded along, “From what we know, last February, you had vanished during one of the classes you instructed,” She began to explain, watching Amelia closely. “Did you run off?” Samantha asked, Amelia stared at her. “No.” She shook her head. “Then what happened?” Samantha leaned forward. Amelia looked away, “I don’t know.” Amelia answered dryly. Samantha blinked, moving her hand closer to Amelia. “Amelia,” Samantha stared directly at her. “Though I don’t know exactly what happened, I get that it’s a hard subject to speak openly about. However, I just need you to answer honestly.” Amelia nodded, slowly; contemplating how she would describe everything. “I was taken.” She mumbled. Samantha stared at her, confused. “Taken by who?” She asked, Amelia closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath. “Airy...” She said, barely above a whisper. “And who is Airy?” Samantha narrowed her eyes, most likely examining Amelia’s expression. “I don’t know...” Amelia answered, not continuing; and not planning to. Samantha nodded, “Where did he take you?” Amelia’s frown deepened. “I don’t know.” She answered, getting a bit annoyed with all the questions, she just wanted to get back to her life. Samantha’s eyes narrowed a bit. “Alright...” She said quietly, “How did you get back from wherever you were?” She asked, deciding not to question the response; knowing it was be fruitless. “Ba-“ Amelia started, stopping after realizing what she was about to say. “Liam... Liam helped us to get back.” She answered. Samantha looked at her with visible confusion. “Who’s Liam?” She asked, blatantly ignoring the fact she was about to say something else. “Another person Airy took.” Amelia answered and Samantha blinked, pausing to think before she asked her next question. “How many did this Airy person take?” Amelia slowly blinked, her fist clenched. “We were the first six... then he took six more... then another six... most were able to leave but... we were stuck until Liam came back...” She mumbled and Samantha stared at her. “What do you mean by ‘leave?’” Amelia sighed. “They got sent back after they were eliminated.” She answered, Samantha blinked a few times, obviously surprised by the choice of words. “‘Eliminated?’ does that mean...” She tested, obviously not wanting to say death. ”No, they didn’t... die when they were eliminated.” She answered. Sighing, Samantha nodded.

“I don’t want to answer anymore questions, please.” Amelia said exhaustedly. Samantha nodded, staying quiet for a bit. “Alright, but we may need to question you again to fully close this case; though for your own health, you’ll be allowed to leave.” She stood up, a small smile still on her face. Amelia nodded, quickly getting up to walk outside.

It’d been about a week since her questioning, Amelia still hadn’t been all that keen on answering questions about her disappearance. Garrett had helped her substantially, of course by allowing her to live in his home while she got her bank account reinstated and was able to get back on her feet, graciously giving her the opportunity to come back and work as an instructor in the yoga studio and even helping her by pitching in to fund sessions with a therapist, which she was thankful for; but not all that happy for, it’s not that she didn’t want to talk about what had happened on the plane-god knows she wants to rant and yell about everything she went through-it’s just that she knows she’ll sound crazy, and it is crazy. Though for Amelia, it had gotten to be a new normal, second nature even, to just wake up to a bright teal sky, a blinding sun, and a new challenge she wouldn’t participate in. Amelia couldn’t even go to sleep, she kept thinking that this was all a prolonged dream and that she’d just wake up back there. That she’d just open her eyes to see a familiar, desolate land with flat, plastic-like ground and pointed, overly-large pieces of grass. She’s had a few nightmares where that happened, waking up quickly and staring at the wall, sobbing most times.

Amelia just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong. But she could never tell if something was actually wrong, or if this was the way things were meant to go.

It’d been about an hour, maybe more, when Charlotte was able to be questioned. Though at that point, she realized how weird it’d be to explain her situation in full honesty. The questioning went on for about an hour and a half, Charlotte only answered vaguely; which evidently did seem to annoy the detective questioning her a bit. She tried to insist she just couldn’t remember most of it, though she did mention somethings; it wasn’t explicit.

Once she finished up, exiting the room after they told her more things about what her situation would be like for the next few months, she was just exhausted. The only thing she could really think about is what she’s going to do now. She definitely wants to fix the mold problem, though she doesn’t have enough money... and that’s entirely on her and her incompetence. She wonders if she should call Parker or her family, though both of those options aren’t the best ideas; Parker for obvious reasons and she hasn’t spoken to her family, reason being that she wanted to be independent. But where did that get her? Charlotte left the building, the sky was dark and the moon seemed to have just risen from the horizon. Then she made up her mind.

She walked back in, looking around for that hourglass woman. “Oh, did you leave something, miss?” She asked, putting down some papers. “Er, no... do you have a phone I can use?” Charlotte asked. The hourglass blinked. “Oh, of course! You probably need to contact friends and family; I’m surprised they haven’t done that for you.” She thought aloud, whilst doing so she moved some stuff aside, and moved a stereotypical office phone closer to her. “There you are.” She smiled, Charlotte gave a thin, awkward smile in return as she went to punch in the numbers. She was about done until she paused. Would Parker be mad? Of course he would... but would he be so mad that he’d just deny her any help? She clenched her fist for a moment, staring at the phone for a bit. He was probably worried... he saw her disappear... and her denying closure is worse than her getting yelled at. Charlotte sighed, putting in the last few numbers and waiting. She immediately regretted it but... “Hello?” Someone, Parker, on the other end answered. He didn’t sound any different, did he not care? Or has he just moved on? Charlotte stayed silent for a little bit longer. “Hello?” He asked again. “Parker...?” She stuttered a bit into the phone and there was no response for awhile and Charlotte thought he had just hung up. “Who is this?” He asked, his voice, though it was unwavering, had a hint of fear. “Parker, it’s- it’s Charlotte... I-“ She cut herself off, thinking about her words; but before she could add on and finish it; “Charlotte?! Oh my god, where are you?!” He asked on the edge of a yell. “Parker I-“ She tried to finish, though he interrupted her again. “Holy- Charlotte, what happened?! You... I-“ He stuttered, then Charlotte just wound up getting annoyed. “Parker!” She said, trying not to be too loud, though she had to quietly yell into the phone. He went silent and Charlotte blinked awkwardly. “I... can you pick me up?” She would save what she was going to say until she saw him in person. “I-uh-“ He stuttered. “Yeah, where are you?!” He asked. “Glynn County Police Station?” She said, fidgeting with a pen that sat atop the counter. “Alright... I can be there in twenty-uh- twenty-five minutes.” He said quickly. Charlotte nodded, though she really didn’t need to. “Okay-uh... Parker...?” She asked, Parker hummed on the other hand, clearly he was about to hang up. “Th-“ She stuttered a bit. “Thanks...” She said, she was incredibly grateful... though she knew he was only helping out of sudden shock that she was alive, if he had known for a longer period of time; he would’ve remembered everything and just decided to let her figure it out on her own. She frowned. “Charlotte-“ Parker started, then abruptly stopped, changing his words. “You’re welcome.” He said, a thin smile was on his face based on his voice.

It’d been a bit of waiting, and thinking of how wrong this could go when he got here. Charlotte lifted her head when she heard the door open. She noticed Parker staring, directly at her. She couldn’t tell what his expression was, she didn’t know if he was angry or worried or both. She just hoped it wasn’t the first one. He rushed over, not running but definitely a speed walk. “Charlotte?” He asked, still staring at her. She just blinked at him, a wavering frown on her face. “Oh my god, you’re okay.” He sighed, blinking a few times. “Parker-“ She mumbled, staring at him. “What is it?” He asked, standing beside her. She crossed her arms on her lap, staring at the floor. “I-“ She stopped, thinking about her words. Even though she shouldn’t. She sighed. “I’m sorry.” She said, not making eye contact. Parker was seemingly taken aback. Did he really not expect her to apologize? Parker sighed. “Charlotte, that doesn’t matter right now, all that matters is that you’re alive.” He said, placing a hand on her molded arm. “I was mad... really mad... I still kinda am; but that was 9 months ago!” He said reassuringly, Charlotte looked up, sighing. “Still...” Charlotte frowned. Parker was quiet for a bit, then he sat down next to her on the bench. “We’ll figure out the mold situation, but-right now you’re back. And that’s what I’m focused on.” He stared at her with furrowed brows, sounding certain of every word he said. Charlotte nodded, half convinced, though that worm of doubt was still in her mind. “Thank you, Parker.” She muttered, finally making eye contact. He smiled. “We should get you out of here... you can stay with me if you’d like... your house-uh...” He rambled, “I know.” She chuckled dryly. She was happy to be back, to be with her friends. Maybe everything would go back to normal... 

Chapter Text

Bradley was sitting on the couch, his son had recently left for school and he fortunately had a day off. It was about 7:30 when he turned on the TV, debating whether he wanted to watch the news or just put on some show he’s already watched a couple of times. Brad shrugged and decided for the former. He hadn’t watch the news in a bit and needed to get back in the habit; it was pretty useful.

After a couple of minutes and Bradley almost turning of the channel, it may have been useful but it sure wasn’t entertaining, he noticed a new story being explained by a young microphone woman. Bradley placed down the remote and listened. 

The reporter went on and on about a missing person’s case, one involving the Bridgeport Smokestack and none other than his friend; Bryce Hansen. Bradley blinked a few times when his name was said. Especially since his face was also shown with that green backpack he had been with during the garage sale. Bradley listened more as it went into detail about what they knew; the two had fought and then the backpack had headed towards the smoke stack, Bryce running after him. Both were seen climbing up the smokestack but never going back down.

Bradley’s mouth was agape as he tried to process what had even happened. Bryce seemed normal when he last saw him, and the green backpack just seemed like some old friend. The only strange part was them buying a broken computer without hesitation. Brad stared at the TV screen, even when it changed back to other news. He then quickly darted for his phone, knowing he had to call someone. Someone specific.

Bradley searched for Stella’s contact, once he found it he quickly called her. Bradley didn’t know if he Stella knew, but whether she did or not; he had to at least talk to her about it.

After a bit, she picked up. Bradley talked to her a bit, he heard the strain and worry in her voice as she told him that she had also been watching the news. He felt so much sympathy for her, losing her brother-her only family that she, even if just a little, spoke to and actually liked. Bradley attempted to comfort her, but knew it wouldn’t help as much as knowing her brother was safe. The best he could do was help, so that’s what he did.

When the two hung up, Brad sat on the cough; turning off the TV shortly after Stella picked up might’ve been a bad idea since now he was alone with his thoughts. He and Bryce were never particularly the closest, but he did like and admire the guy. He hoped, not just for his conscious but for Stella’s and his other friends, that he would turn up eventually and, worst case scenario, they found out how he died. All he could do now was wait and hope that everything would turn out okay.

Chapter Text

Liam readjusted the old lamp piece he used as headwear before picking up the axe. The vines had started to tear and he thought about just how many times he had replaced it while here. Liam shook his head, putting the thought behind him as he limped out back into the forest. He had begun to run out of fire wood and he needed some. This was kind of like washing dishes, Liam chuckled at the thought. He had always disliked doing dishes, it was an annoying task that had to be done or it'd just get worse by the day.

Day by day Liam started to care less and less about how he treated his leg. When he first awoke with the cast he relied on the crutch a lot, though now it was discarded in the corner of the shack and just began dragging the foot or not caring about the pain he'd receive by putting weight on it. Right now he was doing the former.

When he finally got close enough to the tree, he lazily held up the axe and began chopping. Liam went at this for what felt like an eternity, but he was fine with that. He had all the time in the world and it didn't look like it was going to rain.

Liam heard a snapping noise after a certain chop and his grip on the axe tightened. He stared at the tree for a moment and noticed the lean of it's frame. The axe was still lodged in the tree and he quickly pried it away and stepped back. After a bit, the thing holding the tree from collapsing finally caved and it began to fall. Liam closed his eyes and once he heard it smash against the ground, he slowly pried them open. The tree was against the ground and he smiled proudly. After stopping to take a break, he began to cross cut the tree. After about an hour of this, and a good amount cut off, he unzipped himself and put about 2 of the logs into his backpack and then carried the rest. In total he had about 5 logs, which should be good for about three or four nights.

Once getting back to the shack he put the wood down and cut them into fourths. He put about 3 of them in the rock circle and put some left over pine straw on it. Liam then went to grab the old rocks he'd been using to start a fire. After getting back and doing the tedious job of actually getting a spark to light a flame, he was able to sit on down with a somewhat decent start to a fire. 

Liam sighed as he pressed his back against the log. For a moment, it felt like he was just camping. Liam remembered a time when he and Owen spent their spring break out in a forest camping for a few days. He remembered messing around in a small river, struggling to set up a tent, fighting off a ton of bugs and starting his first fire from scratch. He and Owen were so proud of it then... Liam smiled blissfully at the memory.

Liam usually did this everyday, the remembering happier times thing. It let him detach himself from the current situation and let him imagine doing those over and over again. God, he wished he hadn't tried to find Airy. Liam frowned, he sent everyone back which is a good thing... but what if he just didn't come? Maybe Airy wouldn't be dead and he himself could've just finished One up, sent everyone back and not get him stuck. No. Liam thought. He would've kept doing it again and again. He had plans for another 'season'.

Liam grumbled incoherently and looked to the cave, its vines now covering the grass. He's glad he did this. He's glad that madman is dead. But that doesn't mean he's happy with how everything turned out in the end.

Liam sighed and closed his eyes. Even though it was only reaching the cusp of sunset, he really, really wanted to sleep.