I was in the cathedral again.

Every other night I had had the dream, it would always start from the same spot. Usually, more would happen than what had happened in the last dream, but this time it continued from where I had woken up last time.

I was facing downwards, bowing to the figure that sat on the throne. My vision was incredibly clouded and my eyes were so watery that having my eyes opened offered just as much sight as keeping them closed. My ears were ringing. I heard the booming voice speaking to me through the ringing, but it was incredibly muffled.

I dropped onto my knees, and bowed my head down so that it touched the floor.

"Stand" I finally made out the voice. It sent a rush of shivers through my whole body.

"Stand! Your time has come!" it shouted, enveloping my entirety in darkness.

I woke up with a start, just barely managing to hold back a scream of terror. Aaron stirred next to me and as I looked around frantically, still feeling like I was in the dream, I noticed that Sarah was already awake, staring at something she was holding in her hand. She was absorbed in it, and jumped a little when she heard me stirring, "You're awake," she smiled, "Good morning."

I stretched, then got onto my feet.

"What's that?" I asked Sarah as I walked over to her.

She turned it towards me, "A picture of my parents."

As my eyes fell onto the photo, a sick feeling filled my body.

I had... definitely seen those two before.

By now, Jared was awake.

"I really want to know if they're alright... I've been thinking about them this entire time, but with the way you described things out there, and with what I've seen myself... Chances are, they aren't around anymore... But still, I don't know what to do."

I felt sick... I really didn't want to tell her but I had to, "Sarah... did your parents own a gas station?"

She looked puzzled, "Uh, yeah, why?"

I could barely make the words come out of my mouth, I was worried I would throw up instead of speaking, and a bit of bile rose to my throat, "Well... the house we holed up in..." I braced myself, "It had a gas station. The people the sadist was manipulating... Sarah... I think..."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Her eyes widened and she shivered. She had already realized what I was saying before I finished my sentence, "...I think they were your parents."

Slowly, her hands raised above her head in shock. She looked like she was about to scream, and tears started to freely fall from her eyes. Jared and I turned away to give her some privacy and time to grieve.

Her sobs filled the attic. Tears welled up in my own eyes.

When the sobs slowed, I heard her slump down and mutter almost incoherently under breath, "Why should I even bother... then... staying here or going with them, what difference will it make?!"

Aaron suddenly got up and walked towards Sarah.

"Aaron, what are you..." I started.

"All of us know what it's like to lose someone important!" Aaron spoke up while looking at Sarah, "I lost my mom, Jared lost his brother..."

Sarah looked up at him, unsure of what to think.

"So, what I'm saying is... We know what it's like! I know how you feel right now... and we know how the people we've lost would feel!" he had tears in his eyes too, but they were glowing with life, "They would want us to keep going! We need to survive, for their sake! I'm honestly scared all the time, but even so... mom's memory makes me want to keep fighting! There's a place where we can be safe. If we can make it there, I'm sure we can live! So we need to move on... we can't give up! For the sake of our loved ones!"

Sarah's eyes were wide now, not with shock, but with a sort of blissful realization.

I was absolutely shocked at Aaron's words; I was proud of him.

Aaron stretched his hand out to her, "Here, get up!"

Hesitantly, she reached out her shaking hand, and took his.

He helped her to her feet, and shook her hand.

Jared stood up, "Yeah, Aaron's right! I'm gonna save as many people as I can find in this mess," he looked down at his stump, but this time his eyes didn't look as melancholy as they had when he looked at it before, "I may have lost an arm, but I'm still kickin'!"

I nodded, resolutely, "Stick with us and I'm sure we'll all make it to the manor. We at least have to try!"

The memories of those we had lost pushed us forward into the future, towards a promised land we may not reach.

But even if we didn't reach it... even if this whole world was a nightmare... we still had a duty to do as those that were still on this earth.

We couldn't let their deaths mean nothing.

Their lives had meaning! Our lives have meaning!

I would ensure it!

That was my defiant revolution against this cruel and terrible world!

Tears flowed from Sarah's eyes again, but now she was smiling, "Thank you... thank you, guys... You're right. If what you told me about the manor is true, then we just need to keep fighting! Mom and dad always used to tell me to never give up, even if everybody else does... and look at what I've gone and done..." she clapped her hands on her face as if to snap herself out of a trance, "I'm sure we'll make it! Don't worry, I won't just leave everything to you, I'll pull my weight!"

"We're glad to have you," Jared said.

I vowed then that I'd get Sarah through this. After what had happened to her parents... we used their house as a shelter, we probably wouldn't be alive now if it wasn't for that place... so as thanks for that, and so her parents could rest in peace... I had to get her to the manor.

The entire house shook as a loud crash reverberated from the street in front of the house, sending all four of us stumbling onto the floor of the attic.