Perhaps, sometimes we do things that we know are not right. As we get older we might use reason to think things over before proceeding. But at that moment I really wanted to know, what the flowers do. I wanted the flowers to appear. And they did. A few stalks appeared from off the place I stood on, crowned by sky-blue petals.

“What do you think about them?” I asked the question that had been bothering me since the moment I had talked to Richard about them.

“Uhh… They are beautiful I guess?” Leo wobbled hesitantly. In fact, all five ‘Leos’ did.

That was it. No terror in his voice. No dire need to eradicate them. What made Aurora so scared before? What was it that I didn’t know?

“Umm… So… What is your ability about? I don’t want to sound offensive… I mean, those flowers are really pretty but do they have any practical use?”

“I don’t know,” I shook my head. “But I’ll make sure to find out. I definitely will.”

Some clamor sounded in the distance. The main fluffy Leo and I returned to check what the matter was.

Jace, clown Otto, his sister wolf Ursula, shark Jedediah, horseman Hugh and angel Sophie – all six of them returned safe and sound.

I returned just in time to hear a part of their trip being retold.

“We thought we encountered some giant creature about 8 feet high. Almost the same height the ceiling was. It ran in our direction but suddenly disappeared right before it could touch us. It seems like it was an illusion after all,” Jace stopped midway to yawn and then continued unconcerned. “We proceeded with the task until we were obstructed by a dead end.”

Soon the last group appeared. President, the hooded figure with the pumpkin – Jack and Jill, ghost Melissa, jellyfish Dezire and rabbit Aurora. I was a bit curious how their trip went. But there was too much noise as everyone was talking at the same time. I looked at Jace in hopes that he could put things in order. He caught my gaze and returned a smile, a certain gleam in his eyes as if he found this chaotic conversation funny. I shook my head trying my best to learn what exactly happened to President’s group.

By bits I was able to get a rough picture of what had happened. It seems like President’s group was the only one to succeed in finding something solid. They found a green garden full of fruit trees. There was a narrow tunnel behind the garden, but they decided against exploring it right away, and President, using his inexplicable magic, even brought a bunch of fruits back. Few of us were able to feel hunger and wouldn’t mind taking a bite but the problem was that no one knew whether it was safe to eat those fruits until goblin Polly took a look at them and said, “They are safe to eat. I’m sure of it.”And in support of her claim, she ate one of those fruits.

“How would you know?” President mused.

“It’s what my gut is telling me,” answered goblin Polly looking at him as if it was obvious.

“Being a goblin could bring unexpected profits, huh? I don’t remember you using your gut as an explanation before,” shark Jedediah opened his maw crunching on a few fruits at once.

Meanwhile Jace and I told President what happened on our respective ends.

“Then let me sum it up. Dangerous creatures do exist outside. But I think that we shouldn’t abstain from scouting. It’s actually possible that the danger which is circling around us is coming closer and closer. If we’ll stay idle, I’m afraid it’s not impossible for us to be completely encircled by danger at some point of time. But I agree that we should pick who will scout carefully. It won’t just endanger our weaker teammates but also distract those who are otherwise capable of protecting themselves. Regarding that giant who disappeared. I have a feeling that it wasn’t just a simple illusion. We still don’t know everything about our current selves, but if I were to guess, it was the angel Sophie’s power. She’s an angel after all. If you were to try to stand in her vicinity, you’d feel that she emits some kind of powerful aura. Why won’t it be able to scare away hazy shades? It’s like the light against the darkness, the direct nature of our physical shells. Next, the most important matter we have in hand. Unicorn Vlad. It seems like there are creatures proficient at mind control. We need to gather everyone and inform them about our current understanding of the situation we’re in,” President tried to analyze our recent findings. I must commend him for being thoughtful enough not to try interrogating me again. Meanwhile it dawned on me. Something changed again. The way I viewed everything subtly changed compared to the time I came to my senses in the tunnel. Did it? Or was it me overthinking?

After everyone finished eating, we gathered together and discussed Vlad’s matter. An unexpected person stood up. Her deep melodic voice resounded through the obscure cave, “Now I can see things that I normally wouldn’t be able to. It’s one of the abilities I woke up with. The person behind the mind control is not just some random outsider. It’s one of us. Our classmate. But I can’t see their face clearly,” said angel Sophie. I was standing not far away from her, and when she started talking I came closer, watching her fascinated. What I found interesting however wasn’t her wings nor the aura. The glimmer in her eyes – those strands that reminded me of the human she once was – they were burning, making her similar to herself from the past, filling her with vitality and vibrancy.

But as she proceeded to the end of her speech those burning strands became embers one by one, turning into nothing, drowning into emptiness that were her eyes. By the end of the speech the last strand vanished from her eyes. I felt that she had lost something important, but I was unsure how major the change in her was.

Grave silence covered the entire cave. That was until a moment later President asked her in a gloomy voice, “Are you… absolutely sure about this?”

“It’s the truth,” she said emotionlessly.

President turned towards me asking loudly, “Correct me if I’m wrong. There were six of you in that tunnel. And Vlad broke out of the spell he was under,” a spell I noted. Not mind control, not brainwashing but a spell. “The very moment the hazy shades appeared. The most likely explanation is that the perpetrator lost their control because of a sudden attack. So the question is who was the one controlling Vlad. You, bear Richard, unicorn Vlad, witch Rita and doll Reina – six of you were there. Your abilities are connected to the plants and not to mind control. Richard’s bear form is more of a brute strength type, Reina is a little bit feeble physically, but she has a clear mind and Vlad didn’t break free again when she was kidnapped.”

I could think fast enough to know where he was going. Still, I waited out to see how the situation would unfold, “So it leaves us with witch Rita, right? And that thing about being a witch. It won’t be strange for her to practice hexes...”

“Wait! I really didn’t do anything to Vlad! Hey, I’m innocent, you know! So what if I’m labeled as a witch? We spent quite a long time together and you are going to judge everyone based on labels?” Seeing doubt on the faces of the others, she exploded, “Now that I think about it, those hazy shades weren’t that bad. You know what? I have seen what they are capable of. And I am sure that I’ll be able to protect myself if such a need arises. After all human beings, even former ones, are way more dangerous than wild beasts. Rather than doubting each other and guarding against others’ hidden agendas, I prefer the company of those shades. Farewell.”

She hopped into the air and the next moment I knew she was swiftly flying towards the previously boarded passageway. President and dragon Isabella tried to stop her but in vain. She disappeared under the dim light of fluorescent stones.

While the others were discussing her escape, I was standing, bemused. She was one of those classmates I knew better. There are many adjectives I could use to describe her but “rash”, “unreasonable” and “foolish” weren’t among the list. If she really wanted to, she would try persuading others. And then if things didn’t go well, I would try to back her up. She surely wasn’t an evil mastermind with an insidious plan, was she? Either way, what was she up to? Did she really think that those shades are better neighbors than her former classmates?..

Most of us were exhausted after experiencing today’s adventures, and, as we were unable to discern time, we decided to take a night break. Everyone chose a house to sleep in except for Isabella who was as large as few of those huts combined.

I was concerned about unicorn Vlad, but angel Sophie assured us that there was no problem in leaving Vlad to his own devices. Weird.

I didn’t feel an urge to sleep. Instead I went to the labyrinth where I woke up not so long ago. Out of curiosity I checked a few of the tunnels but afraid to get lost I didn’t venture deep. All of us, classmates, found ourselves in that labyrinth. Everyone, besides Henry who was still missing. I didn’t doubt that Richard and Vlad did their best to search. So, where could Henry be and what’s it that he turned into? Why was I late?

There was little to no meaning in further guessing. I lacked information that much. I went back to my house. On my way I saw horseman Hugh and clown Otto. The former one was arguing heatedly with the latter. I was able to pick up a part of their conversation, “...Everyone thought it was an illusion that attacked us, but I saw that a moment before it disappeared a card had appeared in front of you. Tell me, what did you do?”

Otto looked at him - his emotions hidden under the smiling mask – and said in a disinterested voice, “It seems that today’s events have left their mark on you. Not every corner has a monster that hides behind. Not every shadow has a consciousness. I do have distasteful clothes. But that’s all to it. My clothes don’t have pockets and there’s nowhere to hide those cards you thought you saw. I think you and me – both of us - have had our share of experiences since coming to this place. Look, I don’t know if your body could feel anything but mine can. I am tired. I don’t feel like playing your detective games. At the very least not now. I am going to head back to my house, close my eyes and get some sleep. Don’t stop me.”

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Hugh’s headless body tried to grab Otto’s shoulder but the latter swiftly avoided the hand and strode back to his hut. Hugh’s hand remained stretched out for a moment, then he lowered it. And then I, who was facing his back, thought, “How does he talk? Does the voice come out from his neck?”

In a surge of curiosity I came into the opening and called horseman Hugh, “Hey. Do you have something interesting enough to brood over late at night? Or could it be that our brave headless warrior has no need for sleep?”

And then his horse turned its head in my direction and said in Hugh’s voice, “No, it’s nothing… More important is the fact that your teammate unicorn Vlad hasn’t reverted to his original behavior as of yet. To be completely honest, I don’t mind him being controlled. Otherwise, knowing his personality, he could have already become dinner to whatever dwells outside, without Henry being there to stop him. The problem is that it’s probably not impossible for the culprit behind it to take control over someone else like you or me. Then it won’t be a laughing matter anymore.”

After saying so, he left. I didn’t have any interest in loitering around. I doubt that trees could sleep, at least I didn’t feel tired. On my way back I encountered one of the fluffy Leo’s copies. It seemed like President made them stay sentry in case of some night disturbances.

When I was about to enter my house, I saw a familiar pale outline. Ghost Melissa. Come to think about it, I haven’t talked to her since being stranded in this place. I waved towards her pondering how was it like to be able to become a spirit. And then I saw her expression. I had never seen her make such a face before. She was plodding towards a stone wall. It seemed like she wasn’t able to see anything around her. There was an extreme desire plastered on her face. I ran to her, grabbed her shoulders and shook her with all my might, “Hey, Melissa, can you hear me?!”

“Yes?.. What’s the matter?” she slowly awoke from her daze.

“Where were you going to?” I began questioning her, while a thought that I should be unable to touch a ghost sneaked through.

“What do you mean? More importantly, what are you thinking, breaking into a young lady’s house late at night?”

“...” Seems like she’s still not very mindful of her surroundings

“It seems like it’s not my house? Don’t tell me you’ve finally kidnapped me?” the problem was that she didn’t sound like she was joking, her expression from before burned in my memory, making me feel restless.

Something small briskly rushed towards the altar stairway.

“You saw it, right?” asked Melissa in a scared voice.

“Everyone! Something is in here!” I shouted.

The first ones to react were angel Sophie, horseman Hugh, clown Otto, bear Richard and shark Jedediah.

“Where is it?” asked Hugh.

“Just now something rushed towards the altar,” I explained.

“I’m not going in there!” Melissa was shaking like an autumn leaf.

“I hope the five of us will be enough to stop it, whatever it is. Angel Sophie will light up our way. You...” Hugh looked at me. “Just look after her. She’s clearly out of it.”

I wanted to mention that bringing a horse down the stairway is a bad idea, but it agilely hopped down, making me swallow my piece of advice. My classmates went down one by one leaving me and my shaking friend at the top. I exhaled, “Well. I have two questions for you. How could I touch you, a ghost, and what were you doing outside?”

“The first one is simple. I just can turn immaterial when needed, I’m pretty much tangible otherwise,” a fleeting smile appeared on her face only to be extinguished as she thought about the second question. “I don’t understand your second question though. I…”

A slight hesitation appeared on her face, “…Went to sleep only to find myself caught by you. So tell me, what did you do?”

Melissa was hiding something, I was sure of it. But how important was the part she omitted? I warned her to be cautious and briefly recounted how I spotted her, hesitating briefly whether to mention the expression she had on her face. In the end I had to postpone telling her about it as the others had already gathered on the top of the stairway. I made a decision to tell her tomorrow when there wouldn’t be so many people around, while repeating the story of how we met something near the top of the stairway.

Minutes passed.

“So there’s still no sign from those five who decided to descend to the altar?” President’s gloomy voice reverberated through the cave. After waiting for a while, the next batch was about to descend. I was one of those who were going down this time. Jack and Jill were responsible for lighting our way. We were slowly walking, waiting for the unknown to appear. But there was nothing. It was my first time seeing the altar cavern. It was indeed a mysterious place covered in cryptic symbols but that was all to it. There was no sign of any monsters nor our friends. They have disappeared into the thin air.

Unable to find any clues we returned empty-handed. Fluffy Leo who didn’t need sleep relocated his copies so that one of them would be guarding the stairway. There was a wooden bed in my room. I slumped into it, wondering whether I would fall asleep. A dream actually brought my consciousness away.

I was surrounded by the void. There was nothing around me until a familiar outline appeared. Henry Strider, the absent student. His eyes were closed. It seemed like he was sleeping. Suddenly his eyes opened widely and I was forced awake. After finding myself on the bed of my hut I spent a few minutes recollecting the bits of my dream. I felt that my dream was too realistic to be a dream in its common sense. Then what happened to me after I reclined on my bed? Unable to reach a definite conclusion I stood up, preparing to head out.

One by one everyone woke up and gathered on a square in front of the huts. In the end only four classmates didn’t join us no matter how long we waited. Jace, dragon Isabella, jellyfish Dezire and wolf Ursula. I went to check up on Jace, ghost Melissa said she will go over to Dezire, goblin Polly went to bring wolf Ursula and President said he would try to wake up dragon Isabella.

I knocked on Jace’s door but there was no answer. Could it be that something caught him? Leo couldn’t have his eyes everywhere, at least yet. I cautiously went in, preparing to see something terrifying. But my worries were unfounded. Jace was sleeping on the wooden bed peacefully. That surely was a relief. I shook him with the intention to wake him up. He opened his eyes, “...Yes?”

“It’s time to get up. There are a lot of things going on and there’s no time to sleep,” I succinctly reminded sleepyhead Jace expecting him to quickly return together with me.

“I won’t go… I have felt it earlier, but I was still confused, unable to discern the truth. Now I have finally understood everything. I see the correct way. I will fall asleep and I will sleep through every possible trouble that could bring harm to me. When I still wasn’t here I had to live up to everyone’s expectations. I was under constant pressure. But it’s different now. I’m finally free. And I know that now, when I have talked to you, I have finally broken free from every last bit of regret that I had. Farewell. This might be as well my last time talking to you,” sleepyhead Jace yawned and closed his eyes. I shook him trying to restore some common sense in him. I tried to force him awake, but to no avail. He fell asleep.

I returned to the square. There I saw jellyfish Dezire. Apparently she’s just a heavy sleeper. President also appeared, “And where’s dragon Isabella?” I asked him.

“It seems that dragon Isabella fell into a hibernation...” he said grimly. President looked pretty out of it. Seems like it’s not that easy for everyone to harness their desire to sleep. Bah! And they were interrogating me for sleeping too long on my first day.

Ursula’s hut was empty. No one knew when exactly she disappeared. Overall mood was bleak. It was only the second day and yet our numbers had halved. And then a cheerful laugh ringed in everyone’s ears, “You rabbits sure do breed fast!” jellyfish Dezire still was in a bright mood.

“Can you be any louder?” rabbit Aurora growled, anger evident in her voice. Well at least she doesn’t show an expression full of fear.

“What’s the matter?” President felt something was off.

“Rabbit Aurora felt strange after eating yesterday’s fruits. Today after waking up she realized she had control over two rabbits. She left one of her rabbits at her hut and came here…” Dezire started to share Aurora’s story, paying no heed to rabbit hopping around her.

“So you have a shared consciousness over two rabbits. Can I see it?” President clarified. Soon another pure white rabbit appeared on the square.

“So it’s...” the first rabbit said.

“Like this,” the second rabbit said.

“I can fully control...” the first rabbit said.

“Both of them,” the second rabbit said.

Inconspicuous in the background of Aurora’s newfound ability ghost Melissa was rising higher and higher to the top of the cave.

“What’s going on?” I asked President as he apparently wasn’t surprised by her action.

“She had a brilliant idea. As you already know she could turn incorporeal. So she came to me and proposed to scout the area above our cave. She seemed rather enthusiastic,” President proudly told me. I remembered her expression when yesterday she tried to pass through the wall. A dire hunch struck me.

“Melissa! Stop! Get down here!” I shouted on the top of my lungs. But, alas, she continued to rise as if she couldn’t hear me.

“Can you lift me towards the ceiling?” I asked jellyfish Dezire, who was still excitedly gossiping about rabbits that can reproduce by budding.

“Yeah, duh. I’m totally a jet jellyfish. Hop on, hold tight.” I didn’t continue to listen to her blabbering, jumped onto her slimy body, grasping tentacles as reins and shouted, “Quickly! We need to stop Melissa.”

Dezire rose up to the ceiling even before I finished talking. Even though she was wrong with calling me Henry, her instincts this time were spot on.

Her speed was faster than that of Melissa, it was way faster than I could have expected. That’s until I noticed golden colored symbols surrounding us. I traced them back to their source and saw President, whose pages flipped unceasingly. It seems like our current speed had something to do with his arcane magic. I locked my line of sight on Melissa. At that rate even with our speed we still wouldn’t be able to make it in time. A vine sprouted from my hand towards Melissa but it went through the ghost's incorporeal body.

“Melissa, stop!” I tried for the last time. Her pale body went through the stone ceiling. Next moment my hand reached the ceiling, but it was already too late. She was gone.