In Saving the Imperfect

28. Yet forced us back to life

Layne waited for the late evening before he left the cabin. That way he knew everyone would most likely be inside. He sneaked around the village but Victor was nowhere to be found. Good. If he was lucky, the old asshole wouldn't return too soon.

He knocked at the door of his old cabin but only silence followed. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door. The inside was lit up by the flames crackling in the furnace, just like it used to before. Almost nostalgic, in a way. He used to hate staying in there all night, yet, it was so cosy inside – unlike in Victor's cabin.

Just as he had hoped, all four of them were inside. It was weird to think that eight people used to live there. Even weirder that no newbies were moved in after the number of residents dropped in half.

"Layne?" Malia sat on two pallets pushed together.

Layne smiled when he noticed that all of them were like that now. His old cabin-mates were getting comfy living in a smaller number. "Hey. I see you've redecorated. When did that happen?"

"Yesterday. We decided there was no point to keep them empty."

Alana only looked at him and so did the brothers. Layne nodded at them, hoping it'd get a reaction – but he didn't.

"Why'd you come, now?" Malia asked. "It's almost night-time."

Layne pulled out a stool from under the table and sat. He missed the way it squeaked whenever someone would sit on it – or even moved around. He even missed how wobbly and unstable if felt. "I need to tell you everything."

Alana frowned. "Now?"

He nodded. The women exchanged looks and moved closer. Iker and Zander, however, looked at him with mistrust. Layne raised an eyebrow at them. "It applies to both of you, too. You want to know about this, trust me."

They hesitated, but eventually left their pallets and came to sit next to Layne. He smiled and, just to be sure, opened the door a little. Not a living spirit was around and the 'animals' didn't howl. Layne had learned that Victor wouldn't turn on the speakers if he was hanging out in the forest that night. There was nothing in his way.

He returned to his seat and looked over anyone. There was something in each of their faces. Curiosity, mostly, but mixed with something else. Layne could swear they didn't trust him. Couldn't blame them, either. Malia probably told everyone about the day before. He was certain he was doing the right thing, though, so it was ok.

Like that, he started whispering his story. He told them everything: about the second settlement, the speakers and the lies, Rose, Adan, Mary and the children, about Coden's parents and about the wish they had, the one about them bringing their friends to this newfound place. The place of fluffy unicorns and fucking butterflies racing through rainbows.

He told them how Adan had given him up to Victor and how he became a prisoner. He told them how he gave in and lied to everyone in the gathering. He told them how he wasn't allowed to talk to them, or anyone, really. He told them how much he wanted to.

They listened to his story without a sound. Their expressions told enough. They keep flinching and frowning, their mouths would drop and Malia spent most of the time with her hand pressed over her mouth.

Even after he had stopped talking, they didn't speak. He waited for them to, but they just didn't. They looked at him frozen. Only after what seemed like forever, Malia let out a barely audible "Remy..."

"So," Layne whispered, "we're in deep shit. I am, at least."

"I'm so sorry." Alana came at him and gave him a hug. It was quite a hug. He almost fell off the lousy stool.