???? ???? ???? ???

Everything was going by in blinks and moments. You were put in handcuffs and brought to two people in a hazmat suit, then were dragged down the halls and after what felt like hours you were pushed into a big sterile room with a huge glass window which you could see four people sat at a desk, staring right at you, like you were some kind of experiment.

 Their words echoed in your ears, "Interact with the other infected." The mention of infection struck a nerve, making your stomach turn. What did they see in you? A subject to analyze? All you wanted to do is disappear. 

"We'll be keeping an eye on your brainwaves to see why the fungus has been taking over you."

As your fingers brushed against the contraption on your head, a chill ran down your spine. A fungus taking over? Had these people gone mad? Confusion clouded your mind as you tried to remember something, anything, but it was like looking through someone else's eyes - your memories seemed both yours and not yours.

Now that you really think about it, a lot of things have been going on. for one you've never gone to the phantom dimension for quite a while now, which could explain why chunks of your memories were missing.

Your head snaps toward the door you came in from just before it opens. There was a familiar presence, a figure approaching, one that stirred something inside. Still, your mind was struggling to place the girl. She looked so familiar, yet foreign, as if seen in a dream or past life. Memories were fleeting, slipping away like grains of sand.

The closer she got, the more details came into focus. Her ginger hair, once vibrant, now lifeless and tangled. Wide, green eyes were now framed by dark circles, evidence of sleepless nights or perhaps distress. You shuddered, not wanting to confront your own reflection in the mirror if she looked like this.

The girl stood before you, her tiredness turning to confusion, to disbelief. 

"Y/n?" she uttered with wide, teary eyes, reaching out to embrace you in a tight hug. You were unsure, hesitant, feeling like a stranger in your own skin, but a sense of comfort and familiarity enveloped you with her touch.

"Uhm hey," you said, "do I know you?" 

Her face fell, a different type of disbelief and confusion etched into her features. "It's me Ashlyn," she said, her voice a desperate plea for you to recognize her.

"I'm sorry I-"

"So glad to see whatever this is but let's focus on the current task. All you need to do is try and communicate with the infected on your right."

The scientist's blunt response was met with Ashlyn's narrow-eyed defiance, her refusal to comply evident. The scientist remained unwavering, a threat lingering in his words as he calmly replied, "Then I will have to choose another one of your friends." The unspoken implication hung heavy in the sterile air, like a dark foreshadowing of something worse to come.

The infected, kept back by the clinking of chains, strained and lunged toward you, but its limbs were held back. It tried to reach for Ashlyn, but the chains held firm, unable to break free. "hey." she said, but the infected was unaffected (HAHAAHA GET WHAT I DID THERE?...tough crowd)

"This is stupid. How are we supposed to touch it if it's like that?"

As you watched the two scientists, you managed to discern their words, their lips forming the words 'take off the chains'. 

It was like a veil was lifted, you realized who the person in front of you really was. "Ashlyn move!-"

It was too late, the infected came loose, coming at her. Ashlyn kicked it off its feet, yelling at the people: "what are you doing?"

the door on the other side of the glass swung open, and then you both saw her at the same time.

"Would you like a tour of the Sorrell Weed House?"

"Ah...I'm sorry but this is my emergency phone, Keep looking but don't- don't touch anything!"

You've got to be fucking kidding.

All your memories came flooding back, thoughts bouncing around. That means that this was all planned. that she had led you all down there on purpose, and if you all had just said no... everything would be different.

Well maybe not for you, you would still be the same. But your teammates - no, friends - would have been in a better position.

Your gaze snapped to Ashlyn, already on the ground, the infected creature grabbing her face with unsettling force. Instinctive panic surged through you, urging you to help, but your body betrayed you.

A sudden and sharp pain erupted from your spine, a blinding wave that coursed along your nerves, sending you crashing to the ground. Your cerebral cortex felt like it was caught in a blender; a blinding headache, nausea, and dizziness assaulted you.

You heard your name being called, but it sounded distant.

Disoriented and fighting to hold onto consciousness, your ears strained to catch your name called amidst the chaos. Your vision blurred as black goo spilled from your nose and was coughed out, filling your mouth and chest. The dim room started to flicker like a strobe light, accompanied by a jarring snap, further disorienting your already reeling senses.

"You did this to me."

Your voice rang in your ears, causing your to clasp your hands over your ears. You've had enough of this situation, why couldn't you just be normal?

You caught a glimpse of Ashlyn being carried out, and then the world went black.  

--

878 words

the space between all my recent chapters is CRAZY. honestly i js need to get this done...