1 year later
The roads here were much bumpier than I remember, although this car has had such hell during the year. At least it was still running and getting me places, but I sure need a new one.
The dirt path that led me straight through the forest was the same as how I remembered it. The tall pine trees blocking some of my view to both sides of me. It didn't matter as all I had to do was go straight.
Soon enough, after driving 5 minutes down this path, I saw it once again. The broken structure, the open doors, no life visible to it. The overgrown vegetation that has definitely grown more from the past year. The old ruin. Somehow it was still up, which is surprising.
To be fair, neither me or Alex ever mentioned what happened in the ruins once we got out. There were many times where the option to do so was up, but we both bit our lips and kept quiet about it. I think it was for the better anyways. I don't think I could've handed any media attention after going through all of that.
It haunted me afterwards. Everything that happened. The monster, seeing Alex get taken, the dark hallways. The glowing symbols. Those all got to me throughout the first few months after the event, but if I'm being honest, the truth of all things got to me the most.
I had a talk with Samantha a week after the event. As I expected, she didn't take my presence too well, mocking me and all, but I didn't waste my time trying to suck up to her. I finally let out what I thought of her and the group, how i'm tired of feeling like a punching bag to them and I finally cut myself off from them.
That was the hardest thing I've done. No joke. Fighting the monster was easier. Maybe it's because I've been linked to them for so long, that seeing myself finally cut myself away from them was really huge. I didn't take it so well. It was probably the worst two weeks of my life. So many sleepless nights and many days constantly replaying my decision. My mind messing with me, thinking that maybe I made the wrong choice. That maybe I just made myself worse.
But I kept myself together throughout the weeks. keeping my mind repeat that I made the best choice possible, and eventually, I started to heal.
I've made new friends. Some people at work, some around the neighborhood and some I use to hang with back then, until I cut myself from them for the toxic people. At first I was really scared. I was scared that they would treat me like the others, like I was nothing more than a joke to them, but I saw that they were just like Alex, caring and relatable towards me. It feels so good to actually have people care about me, after all the years of abuse.
Let's not forget Alex too. He was the biggest person to ever appear in my life. He made such an impact, and I can't thank him enough.
Anyways, back at the ruin, I stepped out of my car, and took a gander at it from the outside. I knew where I was heading though, and I didn't waste time going inside once again.
You'd think I wouldn't ever come back here. I'd stay so far away from it, but no. This place might have been terrifying, but weirdly enough it changed my life for the better. I'm stronger, more confident, and I don't have the unhealthy mindset of constantly hating myself. It's thanks to the horrors of this place, ironically enough.
I made my way through the narrow hallway once again, going through the tight bit, and traversing down the long stretch until I reached the platform overlooking the huge cavern.
I made sure to stay away from the button on the ground. I don't know if anything changed with it, but I didn't want to risk stepping on it again.
I don't know what I was doing at the edge, but I can only assume that I just wanted to experience it again. I closed my eyes and visualized everything that happened a year ago. Everything. It was actually soothing to me now. I conquered everything horrible down there, and I managed to escape with my life. It's a nice reminder to how strong and brave I really am.
"Ahem..well isn't this a surprise!"
I turned around, and standing at the entryway to the overlook was Alex. He was sporting a hoodie this time around, his beard seemed a bit longer and his hair was more poofy. His leg definitely healed through the entire year, as he didn't show any signs of pain from it.
"Hey Alex! It's so nice to see you!" I said, starting to stand up.
"Me too, how coincidental that we'd both have the same idea to come back here at exactly the same time." He said, smirking at me.
"Yeah and not like I didn't message you to come pay a visit here." I smirked.
"You know I'd at least try to have some fun with this." He laughed.
I walked over to him and gave him a hug, as he patted me on the back.
"So how has everything been?" I asked him.
"Everything's been alright for the most part. Leg is clearly all good". He started flexing his leg around. "Feels brand new!"
We both chuckled.
"Ah well, I'm glad you're doing good." I smiled.
"Yeah, and from the looks of it..you too."
"Mhm, never felt better in my life!" I blushed lightly.
"That's good to hear." he smiled.
He then looked ahead into the darkness of the cavern.
"Say..why did you want us to come here?" He asked.
"Obviously to see you dummy." I said, giving him a face and flicking his nose.
"Well yeah obviously. Who could resist wanting to see me again?" He chuckled. "What I meant was why here..? Why not somewhere else like a Denny's or a mall?"
"Well…I guess I wanted to come and visit this place..to remind myself how far I came from this experience." I said.
I walked over to the left side of the platform and looked ahead.
"You can't tell me this experience didn't change your life." I stated, chuckling a bit.
"No, it did, as I'm sure it did with you too." He smirked.
I nodded and then we spent the next few minutes taking in the sight..well lack of sight. It was still pitch black ahead of the platform, but I can tell both of us were visualizing what we saw down below.
"Hey Anne..?" Alex looked at me and lightly smiled.
"Yeah?"
"..Thank you. For everything. I know I've said it so many times before, but you really saved both of us down there. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for you.." he lowered his head, smiling.
"Hey, give yourself some credit here! You saved me just as many times. We both wouldn't be here if it wasn't for both of us." I walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You saved me just as many times as I did to you, but you didn't just save me. You made me into a new person. Someone who is stronger, more confident and such...and I want to thank you for that.." I said while remembering back on the words he said to me so long ago.
He smiled as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"Don't mention it, I'm glad I was able to help you there." He smiled at me while I wrapped my arm around his shoulder.
We stood silent once again, taking in the moment, and once we both let go of each other, he looked over.
"So..what now? What do you want to do?" He asked.
"We have all day to do whatever we want...but right now, I want to enjoy this moment and take it in. I could use this time for remembrance."
Alex nodded with me.
"I could use that too."
We both sat at the edge of the platform, looking forwards towards the darkness. I assume he was in his own mind thinking, so I used this time to think of mine.
Decided to visit back on the old place?
"Yeah, I could use this time to remember"
That's good to know. You've gone a long way since this.
"I know."
I closed my eyes and thought about everything that has happened since then. All the bad and the good. All the rough stuff life threw at me, and all the times it rewarded me. All the times it got bad, I was able to get by it.
I stayed strong, and I never let myself lose the battle. I always managed to get back on my feet and keep myself from getting lost.
You are a strong girl, you know that?
"Yeah, I know, and I'm glad you're finally seeing it."
And I'm glad to have stuck by your side ever since all of this…I'm sorry for being so mean to you.
"It's alright. I forgive you. Now it's time to move forwards."
You're right. It's time to be stronger.
"Hell yeah, time to push through."
I imagine one last thought in that moment. Me being able to accomplish anything. With all the people I care about, and all the people being by my side. With them, I am unstoppable.
I'm gonna make it through, and it's gonna be all worth it..
With Alex by my side, we experienced the rest of our time at the ruin like we were originally supposed to a year ago: peacefully.
And I would have it no other way.
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