Bella stared down at an old pair of scissors that she found in Jason's trailer. The scissors looked like they had seen better days with rust forming along the edges and the handles slightly bent. She grabbed a piece of her thin hair, running her fingers through the strands and examined the difference in length since, it was partly burned due to Ashley setting their car on fire.

She knew the best option was to trim off the burned ends, but there was no mirror anywhere in sight. It's not like anybody really cared about appearances anymore. The days of styling and grooming were long replaced by survival and basics of life.

Last night, she and Jason slept together. It was her first time doing such an act, but there was an overwhelming lust that filled her body just seeing him again. She missed him greatly, but somehow something felt incomplete.

"I don't believe we were getting ready for the runway," Nevaeh said with a smirk.

Bella turned to face Nevaeh, who appeared completely unfazed by her intrusion. She still looked the same with her black hair braided, and she wore some slight makeup. She was dressed casually in an old purple hoodie paired with black leggings, and combat boots.

"Can you cut the burned pieces?" Bella asked, holding up the scissors.

Nevaeh was likely one of the last persons she would have chosen to cut her hair, but at least she knew what she was doing.

"Do you honestly think I'm going to cut off all your hair?" Nevaeh snickered. "I'm not one of those crazy people around here."

Bella wondered how Nevaeh knew her thoughts, but she remembered that someone claimed that he r abilities were similar to mind reading. That meant she couldn't really hide much anymore.

"I guess so," Nevaeh said smugly, walking over and grabbing the scissors.

Bella sat herself down on the long cushioned seat, trying to keep her back straight. She wanted to ensure Nevaeh wouldn't make it look horrible.

"You've missed out on quite a lot," Nevaeh continued, casually snipping away at Bella's hair. "Did you know Bryce and Emma are officially together? It's such a bummer because he's so hot. Esme and James got sort of a fling, but Jade is actually in love with Esme, which is strange."

Relationship drama was the last thing on Bella's mind. She recently got back together with Jason, but despite their rekindled romance, everything felt different. The love she held for him was undeniable, yet an unsettling feeling of guilt gnawed at her insides—a constant reminder of past mistakes that seemed to loom over their relationship.

"There," Nevaeh said, flashing a small mirror.

Bella caught her reflection and noticed that all the burned sections of her blonde hair had been cut off. Although, there were still piece of the damage, the remaining strands cascaded gracefully down her back. She felt relieved; having shorter hair would have only dragged her painful memories of a disastrous haircut from the sixth grade.

"Do you know about this situation with Divina?" Bella asked quietly, looking at her scarred hands.

"From what I've heard," Nevaeh began. "Divina needs to take over a body to stop Ashley with Cassandra. Then we got to beat those followers, which seems easy."

Followers were those mindless dead people who obeyed Ashley, doing whatever she commanded without question. Bella knew Teagan was still one of those followers, but apparently she was switching sides due to Cassandra.

"I have to ask Cassandra something," Bella said, standing and walking out of the trailer.

"I'm pretty sure Scarlett didn't teach her religion, plus she's out with her father and uncle," Nevaeh said, flashing a cheeky smirk.

It wasn't that Greyson was just the father; she would be considered Jason's niece.

"No, it's a different relation," Bella clarified.

She watched at Nevaeh seemed to be searching her thoughts for an answer. Bella didn't have much knowledge about this particular decision, which is why she had to ask Cassandra.

"I'll just let you know, childbirth is gross," Nevaeh quipped. "However, Cassandra is quite pretty, like her parents, don't you agree?"

Nevaeh wasn't going to leave her alone until she got what she wanted.

"Yes," Bella said acidly.

"Oh, Cindy and Jason had a fling while you were gone!" Nevaeh said, clapping her hands together. "Jason probably wasn't going to tell you, plus you know how Cindy is to you."

Since the storm, she hasn't been on good terms with Cindy. They were constantly at odds, mainly about her own selfish desire to keep Jason locked inside by not helping others who needed assistance. Plus, it wasn't that she was unaware that she had feelings for him.

Bella realized there was only one way to make amends for everything that she had done. She's wanted her own selfish desires just like in school with her popularity, except she actually used someone. The same behaviour that Scarlett and Greyson had done to Emma.

"I want to be the host body Divina takes," Bella whispered.

"Are you kidding?" Nevaeh asked in disbelief.

Jason had set off for his quest with Cassandra and Greyson, leaving Bella alone with her thoughts. As she thought about the decision, memories of the cabin flooded back to her. She began to realize that this moment was not just another random thought; it was a crucial piece of redemption.

"That's quite unexpected. I would have assumed you would be the cheerleader," Nevaeh said.

"That's what I want to ask Cassandra about. Even Emma might know..." Bella trailed, lips pressed together.

Would her redemption actually be death? She contemplated whether sacrificing herself would allow her to break free from being the controlling, selfish, and perfect person she had always been. If Divina chose her as the ultimate sacrifice, it would mean Jason could walk free, unburdened by the consequences of her actions.

Was this decision going to mark her first genuine act of nobility? Instead of continuing in her role as the injured or fearful girlfriend—someone who constantly needed protection—she would transform in to someone who willingly gave up everything for a greater cause.

As she turned towards one of the lawn chairs positioned near the crackling fire, she spotted Emma sitting there. She was staring at the ground, both hands pressed against the side of her head. When Bella approached her, Emma plastered a fake smile on her pale face.

"Welcome back." Emma greeted with a voice that sounded raspy.

There were noticeable dark bags under Emma's eyes, pushing some of her bangs to the side. She noticed that part of her bangs looked like they were cut at one point but grew unevenly, just like the parts of her hair that got burned.

"I need to ask you some questions," Bella started.

Emma rubbed her eye wearily, waiting for Bella to answer. Meanwhile, Bella felt a wave of uncertainty; she wasn't entirely sure if she could muster the courage to ask such a question, especially with what the outcome concluded.

"I thought we said we'd work on self-care?" Bryce interjected.

Bella spotted Bryce walking over with that normal smirk drawn on his lips. He eyed her with raised eyebrows before turning his attention back to Emma.

"I just finished healing Angel. I was going to sleep," Emma murmured.

"Why are you biting your lip then?"

"I was."

Bryce leaned down and pressed a quick kiss on Emma's lips. Her face flamed, almost surprising Bella. Nevaeh had told her they were in a relationship, plus seeing them after they rescued them from the power plant was slightly obvious.

"Come see me when you're done talking to the housewife," Bryce said, walking away.

"Are you injured?" Emma inquired, her voice muffled by her covered face.

"I have a question about something," Bella said. "About the host body situation..."

Emma's eyes went wide as she began to pull her inside one of the tents. She lay on the ground, staring up at Bella. "You want to do it?" she asked.

Bella nodded regardless, even if her stomach twisted at the outcome that could come. It wasn't that she was doing it for attention. No, that wasn't even close to what she was doing.

"You realize you die, right? That means leaving people behind," Emma rambled, sitting up. "It means Divina takes over your body. You lose contact with everyone. You aren't a follower or anything. Your body is used for the sake of power against Ashley."

"I know they haven't defeated all those followers yet, but I'm deemed to," Bella whispered.

"You die, Bella!"

"I deserve to die."

It sounded bitter, but it this point it seemed like her only choice. She couldn't speed around stopping followers or tend to those who were severely injured. She knew sitting doesn't get you anywhere and can just lead to more pain.

"Wait, are you suicidal? Oh no, no, no! I can't deal with that again," Emma exclaimed. "You are physically going to lose yourself. No control over your own body, along with no talking or anything with people."

Bella had used Jason when she was grieving, constantly wanting him by her side. She knew that her overwhelming need for him wasn't solely driven by it the fear of losing him, since everyone worried about that. She was delusional and didn't see her true actions.

"It's not necessarily that Divina will pick you if others volunteer. I doubt Cassandra would have a clue who offers themselves, but it's a choice for it," Emma said.

"Isolation isn't enough for redemption," Bella said.

Emma turned her gaze towards the side of the blue tent, brushing a hand through her bangs, silent. Bella felt a twist in her stomach; she wasn't going to be told the information until word got out that people could make a choice.

"You have to say, choose me. Simple words with a grand meaning, which lets Divina know someone is willing," Emma whispered.

Why does this seem much more difficult than it should be? Maybe because she's not just staring death down from Ashley but from Divina. Where death becomes the answer to maybe freeing them all from this horrible place.

"Thanks," Bella whispered, turning to leave the tent.

She looked around at the people rushing around, trying to prepare for everything that was coming. Everyone still had to group together and fight off followers and Ashley.

"Choose me," she whispered. "I deserve to die."

Divina heard her, causing a smirk. "Two people are willing to give up their lives."

"Us four together?" Stick asked as he stood with James, Mallory, and Angel.

"Esme's gone running somewhere, while I have Jade searching for her," Zane explained.

Stick's mind raced at working with this group. This wasn't what he envisioned for this mission. Was this another redemption path he had to work through?

"We don't know when Ashley's coming to camp," Zane continued. "Our three highest ranks are out, which leaves you guys having to stop others. Cassandra said, followers fight but could physically die away."

Stick pressed his lips together. The thought of killing followers sent chills down his spine. It felt like a haunting echo of what he did to Vickie. He had to remind himself that these followers weren't people; they were something entirely different.

"Followers!" Yara exclaimed, rushing into one of the tent bases.

They all rushed out from behind the RV, seeing a crowd of followers all together in a small circle. Oscar, Helena, and Alfred raised their pistols and began firing at them. However, unlike before, these followers didn't melt to the ground.

"Stop," Teagan ordered. "Cassandra switched us."

Oscar, Helena, and Alfred stopped shooting, but kept their guns pointed at the followers.

"Where's the proof?" Talia demanded with her palm directed at them.

Teagan placed her palm to face the ground, seeing white light.

"Wait," Mallory started, pointing toward where illusions of the bubble would once be. "There's an outside!"

As they shifted their gaze towards the faint horizon, it wasn't the illusion of the lake. Instead, they could see a distant vision of what appeared to be an old road with a couple of houses.

"Cassandra did it," Vickie stated, stepping out from behind Teagan.

Stick tensed as their gaze locked, his heart pounding in his chest. He had spent months trying to find redemption after hitting her, turning to religion for guidance. He believed that God would cleanse him of his mistakes and the murder he had committed, but he hadn't seen Vickie since he killed her.

"Why are you here?" Zane interjected, stepping forward.

"Cassandra sent us," Finn said, crossing his arms.

Unlike those who had died from injuries, Finn's was shirt covered in dried vomit. There was blood on his hands from trying to prevent himself from coughing up blood. Stick had forgotten that Finn had died of from the illness. He wondered if Finn had found true redemption after he died.

"We're not going to have any of you killed," Teagan began. "We all agreed on this for the sake of revenge or freedom."

Stick gazed at the bubble, which was no longer just an illusion. He was so engrossed in the sight that he no longer had to kill Vickie again.

"Our purpose here is to protect," Teagan explained.

The followers all raised their palms, pointing them towards the empty field. A bright white light shot out from most of them, landing in the field.

"Did she make any changes?" Preston asked, scanning over Teagan's body.

"Her ability is what kills or converts others to our side. We all wanted to break free from God, but it doesn't know," Teagan implied.

"With this light?" Zane inquired, and they nodded. "We need you to guard the premier, spread out from each other."

"Can we can trust them?" Yara questioned.

"This way, we can send more freaks," Zane replied, turning back to the four of them. "I want you four to head towards the highway and try to figure out what's going on."

Stick's eyes darted to Mallory, who was nervously twisting her fingers around. He felt responsible by watching her because they all had to come back alive.

"All you have to do is fight them ruthlessly. No holding back or anything," Zane explained, his voice firm.

Stick heaved the heavy backpack onto his shoulders, filled with gear. They walked through the tall grass, their feet sinking into the mud as they made their way towards the highway.

"Did Cassandra turn the bubble transparent?" Mallory asked.

As they approached the bubble, they spotted one end of it with injured bodies on the ground. Several broadcasters were holding up cameras or speaking into microphones without a voice on their end.

"Seems so," James said.

Stick felt they shouldn't be standing in front of this, but he was curious. The adults were clean frantically searching for information, their faces filled with fear and desperation. As the four of them stood there, flashes from cameras and videos erupted them.

"Cassandra did something more," James stated, pointing at the caution tape surrounding a boxed area, as if something dangerous occurred.

Stick noticed spots of blood and a few injured people limping around. Firefighters and police officers were also present, trying to clean the area and keep the media away the exposed bubble.

"This could have part of her plans," Angel suggested.

"To make the bubble transparent, cause a scene, and..." Mallory trailed off, her attention caught by a miraculous sight. "Look, it's a grocery store..."

They rushed inside the dark building, finding food scattered everywhere. Shelves were stocked with various goods, but there wasn't a single person in sight. Stick widened his eyes as he saw boxes of cookies, brownies, and other delicious treats that they hadn't had in ages.

"Is this real?" Angel asked, eyeing a bunch of bananas.

Stick picked up an apple and took a bite. "Real," he confirmed.

They all rushed towards the snacks, eager to indulge in something they hadn't tasted in months. Stick opened a box of packaged brownies with trembling hands, remembering how he used to throw away food he didn't want to eat when they were struggling to survive.

"I never knew food could taste this good," Mallory exclaimed, her mouth full of brownie.

"We have to let Cindy know, so Zane can send people," Angel implied, lying on his stomach.

"Her plan was brilliant," James added, almost without meaning to.

"Definitely Greyson's child," Mallory said, munching on a second brownie.

"Why did she make the bubble transparent? There was already light from the pink sky," Angel questioned.

Stick couldn't understand her reasoning for making the bubble transparent. Maybe it was to show them that humanity hadn't completely died out and that there were still adults alive on the outside.

"Why did Esme go off alone?" Mallory asked, turning to James.

"She's Esme," James replied, his lips pressed together. "I just hope Jade gets there before Esme finds Ashley. Going alone is too dangerous."

Stick knew they were already entering a dangerous situation. Would this be where he finally finds redemption for not only his accidentally killing someone, but for all of his past actions?

As they walked, Jason struggled to keep up with the pace of Greyson and Cassandra. It could have been due to his shorter legs, or maybe they were simply faster walkers.

"I can't believe someone would go after Ashley alone. How stupid are they?" Cassandra grumbled for the second time.

They were walking down a gravel road that seemed to lead to the power plant. From the side, they could see a portion of the bubble that contained the real world. Most of it appeared to be streets and buildings, but Jason wasn't entirely sure. Suddenly, he felt something hit him in the face.

"I don't see Ashley," Cassandra spat, holding a piece of grass the size of a bar stool.

Jason looked around, realizing he had stopped. "Spacing out," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

Cassandra asked, twirling the piece of grass in her hand. "Why were there so many ambulances and fire trucks when the earthquake hit? I thought they only came for emergencies?"

"Some were hurt," Jason stated.

Cassandra's eyebrows furrowed as she looked at him, clearly struggling to understand the gravity of her actions. It seemed as though like she realize the moral implications of her actions or was disconnected from the reality of the situation.

"Are all adults stupid?" she asked.

"Yes," Greyson replied bluntly.

Jason couldn't help but wonder about Cassandra's capabilities. She seemed unfazed, playing with a piece of dead grass in her hand, as if everything was normal. Despite being a teenager like himself, she was only a few days old.

"I refuse to listen to stupid adults who think they know everything," she continued, biting her pinky nail in thought. "Like, what's that woman's name? Oh right, Heather."

Heather was his mom, who did work at Uden Academy before this whole situation started. Now he knew she kept the hidden secret of him and Greyson being twins without a proper reason why or when they were separated.

"Now, have you come to kill us or die?" Cassandra taunted, seeing three followers standing near them.

"Kill you," the boy spat.

"Go!" Cassandra called.

Jason quickly glanced at Greyson, who was already running towards them with his right palm outstretched. Jason followed suit, veering to the opposite side with his palms ready. However, when he shot the first follower, nothing happened.

Cassandra had one hand directed at the second follower while Jason used his burning light to attack the third. In a matter of seconds, the two followers popped and the substance slowly vanished. The middle follower stood frozen in shock, his eyes wide.

"Now!" Greyson called out.

Cassandra arched her arms in front of her face, palms facing the last follower. However, to Jason's surprise nothing came out of her palms. Instead, the list follower disappeared from sight.

"See, it's easy," she said, lowering her arms at her sides.

"They're basically helpless," Greyson added.

"We're slowly getting there," Cassandra said, nodding to herself. "People have started giving themselves to Divina."

"Wait, people are already deciding to sacrifice themselves?" Jason asked.

"Yes, but it won't happen until all the followers are gone or convinced," she began. "I don't know who, but I feel like people have. Once Divina gets a body, Ashley can still terrorize with whatever it does. I can't get rid of Ashley's powers alone, but when Divina actually has a body..."

The information made Jason's mind spin. After this quest is over, someone will have to sacrifice themselves up. The real question is, how many days do they have?

"Whoever sacrifices themselves and chosen will die. And all those others who sacrificed themselves will go back to their normal lives," Cassandra explained.

Everyone wanted this to be over, which may be why some were already willing to give their lives up. Jason didn't want to give up his life.

He had learned that he couldn't stop everything, but he didn't know who else was willing to sacrifice themselves. Ilya and Layla did, but that was for a different reason.

"And do we fight?" Jason asked.

"I don't know what Divina wants to do other than to kill Ashley," Cassandra said, her hand on her hip.

"You expect Ashley to do something," Greyson inquired. "Don't you?"

"Yes," she answered, her shoulders tense.

What more could Ashley do? She had killed people with her own power. However, with her hatred towards Cassandra, there might be a motive for her to engage in physical fighting.

"Especially now that all of her followers are gone," Cassandra whispered.

"Ashley will probably head to Sunny's because Divina will be choosing a new body," Greyson remarked.

"Which means she'll try to kill those who sacrificed themselves," Cassandra stated with pressed lips.

Its all leads back to death or injury. Is there any way to avoid that in this place?

"Now Ashley's hiding again," Cassandra sighed. "She's scared I'm going to toy with her. But, we need to focus on completing our objective. Divina is just a sick freak."

Cassandra effortlessly lifted herself into the air, as if she were climbing invisible stairs. She closed her eyes and faced her palms down towards the ground.

"There," she clenched a fist as followers popped on the surface. They had not been in sight at first, which meant they had been underground. "We're getting closer."

Jason almost pressed his lips together. Cassandra might be able to defeat them all, but it means she still needed help. It made him wonder if Bella offered herself. No, that'd be crazy if she did.

"Why does she have to be on the opposite side? This is quite irritating," Cassandra spat, lowering herself gracefully to the ground.

Jason wanted to get back like Cassandra. He needed to see how Bella was doing since he couldn't exactly talk to her without a phone. Not having cell phones had been a huge struggle out of boredom, confusion, and strain.

"Why did social connectivity disappear?" Jason blurted.

"The forcefield or whatever put it out of connection," she said plainly. "No social media or games to play. All of it went away."

"Due to Ashley?" Greyson asked.

"Yes, Ashley created that conflict," she said, nodding. "God created most before someone caused the chemical leakage in the ditch."

It wasn't just Ashley that added fuel to the fire; it was also God. The thing that ended up controlling her body once she fell into the ditch. It was responsible for fires, holes, illnesses, and a huge snowstorm that left them helpless for days.

"So, it's true someone created that purple substance?" Greyson asked with wide eyes.

"They mixed some chemicals with the creation of god and goddess," Cassandra sighed. "I can hear some things they know."

Jason wondered who created this mixture. If he had to guess, it was probably someone from the pharmacy that blew down like a paper house.

"Someone was probably making something in secret," Greyson said flatly.

Cassandra looked intrigued, almost as if his words seemed to have a grander meaning. "Really? What do you think?" She was in Greyson's face, which made him stare.

"Something illegal," Greyson implied.

"Since adults are stupid, I wouldn't be surprised," Cassandra sighed.

Cassandra was the type of person who could hate someone without changing her mindset of forgiveness.

"Dumps some chemicals, which is where God rested," Cassandra murmured, nodding to herself.

"Is Divina something different?" Jason asked.

"Divina was supposed to be a person," Cassandra began. "It's the earth, but it ended up being its own thing. It should have been Ashley against Divina, but everything changed when I was conceived."

Everything changed the day the storm stopped, leaving a stillness that left everyone confused and wondering what happened. It's when everything started to drastically unfold of what they expected to happen in those six months.

"Ashley and Divina are scared of me. That's why Ashley is killing early," Cassandra continued. "All because I can destroy her chances."

How did it become normal to talk about murder and death? Even Ashley, without any of those family feelings attached, because that wasn't Ashley.

Cassandra glanced back at Jason with narrowed eyes. "There's another thing I can do. I can get that thing out of Ashley, but she'll probably die."

"Does it get us something?" Jason asked.

"Weakens God because that thing doesn't want to be with God anymore," Cassandra explained.

"How does that work? Isn't God in her body?" Jason asked.

"She'll probably die, but it's your choice," she said nonchalantly. "It'd be the final follower we'd erase that we see."

"She's your stepsister," Greyson said acidly.

"I'll think about it," Jason implied.

The whole thing left him feeling conflicted. On one end, it frees Ashley, but that doesn't necessarily mean she'll survive. He gave up on trying to save her months ago when that thing took control of her body, but this was different.

"Time to kill the rest of these followers, then find that idiot who went to fight Ashley." Cassandra rolled her eyes at her own words.

The truth has been spilled about the substance, plus we have Bella wanting to be the host body.

Who do you think the second person is that chose to be the host body?