Dead Inside

51.

"We're here," Portal Steve said. The group of friends was standing at the edge of a giant rainforest. The size of the trees surprised Sabre, and he guessed the others were just as surprised as he was. The tree trunks were thick and the leaves were large enough to cover someone's head. Vines dangled from the highest branches, thick and dragging against the tall grass. Sabre felt like he was having Deja vu, from the time they had stood at the edge of a large deadly forest similar to this one. As if reading Sabre's mind, Blue Steve spoke up.

"Isn't this the same forest we came to before?" he asked. "The one where Green Steve had to save us from those ticks?"

"No," Portal Steve said. "Not at all. This one is the rainforest, but it might be just as dangerous by night. We should wait here for some time, just in case Bright Steve didn't go in yet."

The group chose a place to sit for the wait. Sabre sat by Rainbow Steve on a large, flat stone; Green Steve, Entity Steve, Dust Alex, and Portal Steve sat together at the edge of the rainforest; Blue Steve sat with Galaxy Steve and Alex not far from where Sabre and Rainbow Steve sat. Sabre's mind slipped back to the times when he had those nightmares. Was he really having visions of the future? If so, that would mean Emburn would kill him and Forest Steve would kill Bright Steve. He couldn't let that happen!

"You okay, Sabre?" Sabre glanced at Rainbow Steve, who had spoken.

"Yeah," Sabre replied. "It's just- I had another nightmare; And it was awful."

"What was it about?" Rainbow Steve asked. 

"Forest Steve," Sabre explained. "He had Bright Steve pinned to a tree and Emburn chained to another tree. Forest Steve and Emburn talked back and forth about Bright Steve, and then Forest Steve slitted Bright Steve's throat. And, earlier, you were mentioned."

Rainbow Steve blinked. "What was said about me?"

"Apparently Bright Steve has a secret that not even he knows about," Sabre told him. "And the secret has something to deal with you. And-" he froze. He forgot to mention Portal Steve! "Portal Steve was mentioned, too. He told Forest Steve about Bright Steve."

"What?" Rainbow Steve questioned. "Why would he do that? Bright Steve is Portal Steve's friend!"

Sabre shrugged. "I don't know. But I think I know something else about these nightmares, but it's just a suggestion."

"Alright, then," Rainbow Steve said. "What is it?"

"I think-" Sabre hesitated. Should I tell Rainbow Steve this now? 

Of course, I should! He scolded himself. He's one of my best friends! I have to tell him. "I think, these nightmares mean something."

"Like," Rainbow Steve thought for a moment. "You can see the future? In your sleep?"

Sabre shook his head. "No. More like, telling us who we can trust, or something. Like, a vision from someone telling us about things." He then realized what he had said. He said something far worse than telling Rainbow Steve the truth! But, what if it were true?

"Well," Rainbow Steve said. "Of course we can't trust Forest Steve; He's trying to kill you and Emburn and the other spirits from the Cemetary of Bones. But, Portal Steve? He's trying to help you. Why wouldn't we trust him?"

"Rainbow Steve," Sabre said, quickly. "It's only a suggestion. I don't know what these nightmares mean, I'm only guessing."

Rainbow Steve was silent for a moment before speaking. "Alright, then, if you say so."

Sabre gazed down at the grass at his feet. What had he done?