Novels2Search
The Dark Fable
The Power of Sleep

The Power of Sleep

The scientist led them down another corridor, and they arrived at a room marked 'Visitor's Room.' He pushed open the door, revealing a plain room with four bunk beds. The girls filed in silently, their tired eyes taking in the basic surroundings. The room was bare, with no personal touches or decorations. It was just a simple room to sleep in, meant for visiting personnel who needed a place to rest. They stood awkwardly at the door, unsure of how to proceed.

The scientist, noticing their hesitation, spoke up in a gentle tone. "You can make yourselves comfortable. There's bedding and pillows on each bed, and a bathroom is down the hall. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.”

The girls nodded weakly, their energy completely depleted. The scientist lingered for a moment, studying the girls' faces, each one etched with exhaustion. "Please, get some rest. You all look like you need it.”

The girls nodded again, each one barely able to remain standing. The scientist gave them one more concerned look before closing the door gently. The girls stood in silence for a few moments, the only sound in the room their weary breathing. Finally, with great effort, they started to move. They walked over to the beds and began to prepare for sleep. Some of them managed to change into simple nightwear, while others simply collapsed onto the beds in their clothes. They climbed into the beds, their bodies sinking into the soft mattresses. The exhaustion was overwhelming, and it didn't take long for them to fall into a deep, dreamless slumber. The room was quiet, the only sounds coming from the soft breathing of the sleeping girls. They were finally getting the rest they desperately needed, their weary bodies getting a chance to recover at long last.

As they slept, Dr. Winters' words echoed in their minds. No matter how devoted they were to the task, their health and safety had to come first. And it was time to acknowledge that.

The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from a small window at the far end. The outside world continued on, but in that room, time seemed to stand still. The girls rested, their exhaustion slowly ebbing away, their bodies healing through the power of sleep.

Hours ticked by, and slowly but surely, the girls began to stir. One by one, they started to awaken, their heavy lids fluttering open. They lay in bed for a moment, disoriented and fuzzy, before remembering where they were and what had happened. They sat up in their beds, rubbing their sleepy eyes and stifling yawns. They looked at each other, noting how much better they looked, although they still felt weary. Their minds were a little clearer, and their bodies felt slightly less heavy.

They sat in silence for a few moments, each one trying to collect her thoughts and adjust to the waking world. The memories of the past few days began to resurface, and with them, the weight of their failed mission and the worry about Sarolta's reaction.

"Ugh...I may need to call her, tell her why I couldn't pull through with it," Trixie muttered, her tone full of unease.

The other girls nodded in agreement, sharing Trixie's concern. They knew that Sarolta was a serious person, one who valued dedication and hard work above all else. The thought of disappointing her weighed heavily on their minds.

"I'm sorry for dragging you all into this mess," Trixie apologized, unable to look anyone in the eyes. "This is my task and I pulled you guys into this…”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The others shook their heads, dismissing her apology.

"Don't be sorry, it was our decision to help you," Uni said softly.

"Yeah, we're always there for you, no matter what," Piper added.

Trixie looked at them, touched and somewhat surprised by their words. "...You guys are so...loyal.”

The girls chuckled softly, their fatigue still evident in their voices.

"Of course we're loyal, we're a team," Uni said, managing a small smile.

"We stick together through thick and thin," Piper added, her tone warm and sincere.

Trixie felt a warmth spread through her chest, knowing that she had such supportive friends. But the weight of their failed mission still lingered in her mind. "But what about Sarolta? What will she do? I'm worried about her reaction…”

The girls exchanged glances, knowing that they all shared the same concern. None of them had ever been on the receiving end of Sarolta's disappointment before, and they weren't looking forward to it.

"Maybe we should call her together," Uni suggested hesitantly. "That way, we can all support you and explain what happened.”

Trixie nodded, appreciating the suggestion. "Yeah, that might be a good idea. I don't think she'd be too angry if all of us tried to explain the situation."

Piper nodded in agreement, a pensive expression on her face. "Let's do it. The sooner the better.”

They all nodded in agreement, steeling themselves for the impending call. Trixie took a deep breath and reached for her phone, her hand trembling slightly. The other girls positioned themselves next to her, offering silent support.

With a slightly shaking hand, Trixie dialed Sarolta's number. The phone rang twice before Sarolta picked up, her voice stern and business-like.

"Trixie, what's the situation?" Sarolta's voice came through the phone, sharp and demanding.

Trixie's heart leapt into her throat, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Hi, Sarolta. We...we have an update on the situation," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

The girls exchanged worried glances as they listened in to the conversation.

"Update? What is it?" Sarolta's voice remained firm, but there was a slight hint of curiosity.

Trixie cleared her throat, gathering her courage. "The...the mission didn't go as planned. We...we couldn't return to the Supercomputer. We...we were too tired. We're here at the HQ though, just...too tired to hook Piper back up to the Supercomputer..."

The girls silently held their breaths, waiting for Sarolta's response.

There was a pregnant pause on the other end of the line. The girls could almost hear Sarolta's mind working, processing the information. Finally, her voice came through again, a little softer this time.

"Too tired, huh?" There was a mix of surprise and annoyance in her tone. "I see..."

Trixie swallowed hard, bracing herself for what might come next.

"And you're all at the HQ, resting?" Sarolta's voice was laced with a hint of disappointment.

Trixie bit her lip, her eyes darting nervously to the girls next to her. "Yes, we are. We've been resting here in the Visitor's Room for a while now. We just...we couldn't go on. We were really tired.”

"The Visitor's Room," Sarolta murmured. There was another long pause on the other end of the line. The girls could sense Sarolta's disappointment through the phone, but there was also a hint of understanding, a recognition of the exhaustion they must have faced.

"Hold that thought," Sarolta said finally. "I'm going down there to see you. Give me a minute.”

The girls felt a collective sense of trepidation at the thought of Sarolta's impending arrival. Trixie's mind raced with thoughts of what might happen when Sarolta arrived. Uni, Esther and Piper looked equally worried, their expressions tight with anxiety.

"She's coming down here," Trixie whispered, her voice a mix of dread and anticipation.

The girls nodded, their hearts pounding in their chests. They waited in anxious silence for Sarolta to arrive, the minutes feeling like hours. They fidgeted, unable to sit still, their minds churning with different scenarios and explanations.

After what felt like an eternity, there was a knock on the door. The girls all startled at the sound, their hearts leaping into their throats. They exchanged nervous glances before Trixie called out. "Who is it?”

"It's me," came Sarolta's voice from the other side of the door. Trixie recognized that voice, her heart sinking.

"Come in," she managed to say, her voice a trembling whisper.