Nine:
I don't really know and no idea about the happenings around Chadd and thinking of it, I neglected my only best friend. Make me feel so guilty because I focused myself to my dreams only.
"Where is he?" I quickly asked Claire and when I've learned where Chadd is, I quickly came out of our room and run towards the place where he takes time to break.
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Rooftop
I finally found Chadd lying comfortably on the rooftop floor while silently gazing at the blue sky.
"Chadd!" I quickly called out his name but when I step forward suddenly my surroundings changes. Darkness begins to envelope, so fast I don't know what happened, and then I saw something at my front that begins to shape. Dark figures suddenly emerge out of the floor, a flowing dark cape with a hood on its head hiding it face through the darkness, so whoever it is, it conveys a very dark auras and they coming towards me. However, before they reach me someone pulls me out from that place.
…
"Jeanne!"
That voice! I quickly look up only to meet, "Almos? Wh-What are you doing here?"
"We don't have muc–––" He was stop when a very deep and cold voice suddenly envelops the whole place and it made me cringe in fear. "They are here!"
"Wh-Who?" I asked as my voice trembled in fear.
"You have to run."
"What?"
"I don't have time to explain. Right now the important thing is that you get out of this maze and no matter what happens, never look back at anything else you hear. Understand?"
"But–––"
"No more buts, Jeanne! I need you to stay safe and I'll do anything and everything just to make sure of it!" He firmly stated and I could feel his intense protection of me.
For that I decided to follow him. "O-Okay! I'll do what you said."
"Good! Now! Go! Run!"
"Wait!" I stop him when he was about to leave. "How can I escape this maze?"
"Only you can answer your question because you know this whole place better than me." I didn't understand what he said so I just managed to stare at him. "Jeanne!" He holds me at the both sides of my shoulder. "Wake up and be alert! Now, run!" He shouted and with that I finally run away as soon as he released me.
As he instructed me not to do, I never looked back even though I heard strange sounds I keep myself going forward away from that place.
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Breathless, I stopped and rested my hands on my knees. Then, I quickly look around only to find out that I'm still inside our school building and even though I could see the outside world painted with darkness that will creeps you out. I still couldn't find the right way to escape out of this maze. As what Almos told me earlier.
I almost go round and round, there are downhill, uphill, doors to another room or staircase and worse dead ends or so deep ravines I open. I almost feel very tired from what I'm doing. Add the scary growls and exploding sounds that are hard to explain, I'm even more tired because of the fear that growing inside of me. I also can't go back or even look back at the place I left with Almos. So I have no choice but to find the exit of this maze alone.
"Ayyy!" I screamed out loud because of the frustration that begins to build up more and more.
Then, I look around and all my hopes begin to fade. Slowly I fall into my knees and let my tears fall out of my eyes that cloud my sight. I cry because of the collective emotions, tiredness and mostly my fear I feel inside I can no longer hold on.
"I don't want this anymore! I give up!" I whined out loud. "Please! Let me out! Just let me out!" I screamed much louder because I'm just so f@cking tired.
Then suddenly I heard his voice. 'Jeanne! Wake up and be alert!' He said that made my head look up but I didn't see him anywhere. 'This is what 'he' wants to make you weak and scared. So don't let 'him' and fight it! Because I know you can do it, you can figure the way out! Just calm yourself first and take a deep breath after that. Stand up! You can escape that maze on your own. Just look at it carefully and don't be deceived by it because you already knew how to get out of there.'
With my tears still flowing out of my eyes I try to calm myself and take a deep breath, then I search the whole place again this time with calmness. Slowly, I finally see it. The exit that I was looking for this whole time was just in front of me.
'The hell with this maze!' I lightly cursed before I sweep my tears away and straighten my body. 'Alright!' I breathed out then stand up before walking out of that maze.
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"Jeanne!"
I was shocked when I suddenly heard Chadd's voice and that was the only time I've learned I'm back at the rooftop.
"Ch-Chadd?!" My voice trembled as I speak that made Chadd to stand up and immediately reach out my hands.
"Are you alright?!" He worriedly asked.
"… I…" What is the correct answer to his question? 'I don't know!' I screamed out loud to myself before I fainted.
I don't know and I don't understand why is it happening? Even when I'm not sleeping, I'm still able to get into a dream. Add to that, those strange creatures that suddenly emerge out from the darkness that surrounded the whole school.
They were all frightening and the only thing I'm thankful about is the arrival of Almos. Because of him, I was able to fight my fears and worries. The reason why for me, I believe he is my send 'Guardian Angel'.
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