? |DREAMS TO REALITY| ? [SCHOOLBUSGRAVEYARD X READER]

The group had scattered around the room in search of supplies, their frantic movements a mix of determination and desperation. Surprisingly, they managed to find some useful items: potential-looking weapons, tattered blankets, and all the medical supplies they could scrounge. Ben was currently tending to Ashlyn's wound, and he was surprisingly adept at it, his focus evident as he poured the antiseptic over her arm. The moment the liquid touched her skin, Ashlyn winced, her eyes squeezing shut as the stinging sensation shot through her. The pain was unbearable, and she began tapping her feet uncontrollably against the floor, a rhythmic distraction from the agony.

Y/N watched intently as Ben skillfully cleaned and bandaged Ashlyn's injury, shaking her head in approval, relieved to see that he was following the correct steps. Suddenly, the loud sound of glass shattering jolted everyone in the room, sending a wave of tension through the air.

"Aye, look, another weapon!" Aiden’s voice rang out, breaking the uneasy silence. He stood there, grinning widely, holding a broken yet sharp bottle in his hand. The shards scattered around the floor glinted ominously in the light, creating a hazardous landscape.

"Hey, watch it! You should've done that in the bathroom! Now there's glass everywhere!" Tyler exclaimed, his frustration evident as he glared at Aiden.

"I-I’ll get the broom," Logan stammered, his voice tinged with nervous energy, yet he quickly dashed to find it to clean up the mess on the floor.

While Logan busied himself, Y/N turned her head down toward her knees, her mind swirling with thoughts and questions about the haunting voice she had heard in her dream.

'I still can't wrap my head around this. That voice… They said we were all in danger, but how could it have known? That's the kicker; how could they have known this would happen? Could they be the ones behind this? If so, why would they warn me? They sounded so genuine about wanting to help.' She jolted slightly, shaking her head as if to clear it, 'Focus! If it’s not them, then who, or what?'

Y/N felt stuck in a spiral of doubt and confusion. 'Damn, am I really going to get into the topic of the paranormal?' She spaced out again, lost in her thoughts as more questions bombarded her mind.

Unbeknownst to her, a figure was approaching. Y/N snapped out of her daze and blinked as she noticed a shadow looming over her. She raised her head and gasped, startled to find Aiden crouched in front of her, their faces mere inches apart. His cheerful smile contrasted sharply with her wide-eyed fear.

"Ah!" Y/N yelped, her heart racing as she instinctively recoiled, pressing her back against the wall. With nowhere to go, she hoped he wouldn’t invade her space further.

"Hi," Aiden said casually, his grin unwavering as he kept his eyes locked on her.

"Um… Hi?" Y/N replied, her heart gradually slowing, but her nerves still frayed as a bead of sweat trickled down her brow. The moment felt charged, an intensity that made her wonder about his intentions.

Aiden studied her E/C eyes for a few seconds, then shifted his gaze to Ashlyn. He extended a hand holding a single cloth toward her. "Here, wanna squeeze this?"

"...Thanks." Ashlyn took the cloth, clutching it tightly against her wounded arm.

"Yep!" Aiden replied cheerfully, then settled down on the ground with his legs crossed, finally giving Y/N some space to breathe. "I never took you for the leader type."

"...I’m not. But my parents are."

"Your parents?"

"They're both from the military," Ashlyn replied, her voice steady as Ben continued to patch her up.