Bella stared down at the old pair of scissors she'd found in Jason's trailer. Rust crawled the blades, and the handles were bent out of shape.

She pinched a strand of her thin hair between her fingers, pausing at the uneven, singed tips—the remnants of Ashley's fire that had torched the car. The damaged ends had to go, even if the rest of her hair could still be saved.

There was no mirror in trailer—not that it mattered. Looking good had stopped being important the moment survival became the priority. Styling and grooming had faded into the background, replaced by scavenged meals and the grim knowledge of how to stop a wound from bleeding.

Last night, she and Jason had slept together. For the first time, desire had driven her completely, unfiltered and aching. Seeing him again after everything stirred something deep inside her—a part she realized was still fractured.

For a fleeting moment, it felt like safety.

Like the way things used to be.

But even wrapped in the warmth of his arms, something felt incomplete, as if they were only pretending to be the people they once were.

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

Bella turned toward her, unsurprised by her interruption. Nevaeh stood casually on the steps, completely unfazed. Her black hair was neatly braided, with a faint touch of smeared makeup still clinging to her cheeks.

Bella hesitated, glancing down at the scissors in her hand.

"Can you cut the burned pieces?" she asked, holding them up.

Nevaeh wouldn't have been her first choice—probably not even top five—but Bella couldn't deny that she knew what she was doing.

"You really think I'm going to chop off all your hair?" Nevaeh laughed, shaking her head. "I'm not one of those crazy people running around here."

Bella blinked, startled at how Nevaeh seemed to read her thoughts. Then she remembered—someone had said that Nevaeh could read minds now. That meant there was almost nothing Bella could hide anymore.

"I guess so," Nevaeh said smugly as she crossed the small space and took the scissors.

Bella sat herself down on the cushioned bench, straightening her back straight, silently playing that Nevaeh wouldn't butcher it.

"You've missed quite a bit," Nevaeh said casually, snipping away. "Bryce and Emma are officially together. Total bummer because he's so hot. Esme and James have this fling, and apparently Jade is actually in love with Esme."

Bella barely heard the gossip. Her thoughts were tangled in Jason, struggling to understand how something so familiar could now feel distant. They were together again, yet it wasn't the same. The love remained—burning and real—but beneath it lay a heavy guilt, dragging at her chest.

"There," Nevaeh said, holding up a small makeup mirror.

Bella took it. The scorched sections were gone. The rest of her hair, though a little uneven in places, fell cleanly down her shoulders. She let out a quiet sight of relief. Shorter hair would've brought black memories she'd rather forget—like disastrous haircut back in the sixth grade.

"Do you know about this situation with Divina?" Bella asked quietly, her eyes drifting to the scars a long her hands.

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

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 to leave the trailer.

"I'm pretty sure Scarlett didn't teach her religion, plus she's out with her father and uncle," Nevaeh said with 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 noticed Nevaeh seemed to be digging her thoughts for an answer. Bella didn't know the whole truth about what she asking. That was why she needed 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 replied 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. And you know how Cindy is."

Since the storm, she hasn't been on good terms with Cindy. They were constantly at odds, mainly about her own selfish desires 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 had chased her own selfish desires, just like in school—when popularity meant more. She had used someone she loved. Just like Scarlett and Greyson had once done to Emma.

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

Nevaeh froze, eyes wide. "Are you kidding?"

Jason had already left with Cassandra and Greyson, leaving Bella alone with her thoughts. The more she sat in silence, the more memories of the cabin and everything that had happened resurfaced. 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've assumed you'd be the cheerleader," Nevaeh said.

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

Was her redemption going to be death? Would giving up herself—her body, her life—finally free her from the cycle of guilt and mistakes she couldn't seem to outrun? If Divina chose her as the ultimate sacrifice, then 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 into 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, but 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 as he walked away.

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

Bella didn't say anything for a moment.

"Are you guys dating?"

Emma's entire face turned red as she looked off to the side before slowly nodding.

"We started after the split," she said nervously. "He just likes to tease a lot."

There was a smile that spread across her lips.

"He's helped me so much," Emma rubbed the side of her arm. "It sometimes feels surreal."

Bella felt a darkness loom over her.

Emma seemed so happy and content about being with Bryce. It made Bella think that since she's been back, it hadn't felt that way with Jason. She couldn't make up for all times she asked him to stay when others needed help.

Bryce was different than Jason though.

Jason could help anyone in need when they asked.

Unless Emma was involved, Bryce rarely did anything to help out. He had been nonchalant when he squeezed Bella's hands that were completely burned. He made snarky comments or used sarcasm to ease tension.

Never once did he leave Emma alone.

The beginning with Jason had been that bliss until she left.

With only a note.

She could've come back with Bryce, Emma, and Esme and apologized to Jason. She could've said she was wrong and then told him about the isolation.

But she hadn't.

Emma never judged Bryce for his delinquent antics he does with the crackheads.

Bryce never made Emma cry intentionally from all his teasing.

"You love him," Bella whispered.

Emma basically jumped up from her chair.

"I... uh..." she looked around nervously then covered her face. "I've been nervous to tell him."

"I was too when I told Jason," Bella said quietly. "I have dated guys, but I never felt that way about a boy before."

Emma slowly nodded and chewed her lip. "Yeah..." she said.

Bella let out a small breath. "I have a question about something," she 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 this means death, right? That you'll leave everyone behind," Emma said, sitting up. "Divina will take over your body. You'll have no contact with everyone. You aren't a follower or anything. Your body becomes a weapon to fight against Ashley."

"I know the followers haven't all been defeated yet," Bella whispered. "But I'm the one who has to do this."

"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 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 alone can't redeem me," 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.

Bella glanced back and saw Emma exit the tent to walk toward Bryce. His eyebrows were raised and he was wearing that charming smirk he always wore.

They didn't kiss.

They didn't even hug.

Bryce grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her close. He placed a hand on her cheek and she smiled up at him.

True love.

The love Jason deserved and she didn't.

"Choose me," she whispered, a single tear sliding down her cheek. "I deserve to die."

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

"The four of us?" Stick asked, glancing between James, Mallory, and Angel.

"Esme ran off," Zane said, scanned the horizon as if she might suddenly reappear. "I've got Jade looking for her."

Stick's stomach twisted. This wasn't how he imagined things would go wrong. He thought he'd be staying behind—safe, useful, but far from danger.

Was this another test?

Another step toward redemption?

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

Stick pressed his lips into a thin line. The thought of killing followers sent a cold shiver 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's voice cut through the air as she sprinted toward one of the base tents.

The group rushed out from behind the RV. In the clearing beyond, a crowd of followers stood silently.

Oscar, Helena, and Alfred raised their pistols.

They fired.

The shots should have dropped the followers.

But they didn't move.

The bullets disappeared into their bodies.

"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 slowly extended her own hand, lowering it to the ground. A white light emanated from her palm, pulsing faintly against the dirt.

"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 froze as their eyes met.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

For a moment, he couldn't move.

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 the moment 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 shirt was 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 from the illness. He wondered if Finn had found 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."

The followers raised their palms toward the empty field, and beams of white light shot out, converging on the dirt.

"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 outside; spread out from each other."

"Can we trust them?" Yara asked.

Zane didn't hesitate.

"We don't have a choice."

He turned to the four of them.

"Head to the highway. Find out what is going on."

Stick's eyes landed on Mallory. She was nervously twisting her fingers, her gaze darting toward the horizon. He felt a sudden weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. They 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 slung his heavy backpack over his shoulders. The straps dug into his skin. Tall, wet grass brushed his legs as mud clung to their boots.

"Did Cassandra make the bubble transparent on purpose?" Mallory asked.

They stopped at the barrier's edge. On the other side, people stumbled through the chaos—bleeding, limping, screaming.

Adults. Real adults.

And they were looking right at them.

Reporters and camera crew buzzed around, voiceless behind the invisible barrier. Caution tape fluttered in the breeze, marking off the whole perimeter.

"Seems so," James said.

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

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

"Cassandra did something more," James stated.

"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, hesitated for a second—then bit into it. Juice burst across his tongue.

"Real," he said.

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 need to tell Cindy," Angel said. "Zane has to send people here."

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

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

"Why make it see-through?" Angel asked. "The sky's already pink sky."

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?

Jason struggled to keep up with Greyson and Cassandra. Maybe it was his shorter legs—or maybe they just didn't bother slowing down.

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

They walked down a gravel road toward the power plant. From the side, Jason could see the barrier containing the real world. Most of it looked like streets and buildings, but he couldn't be sure. Suddenly, something hit him in the face.

"I don't see Ashley," Cassandra said, holding a piece of grass as long as a bar stool.

Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "Spacing out," he muttered.

Cassandra twirled the 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 people got hurt," Jason said.

Cassandra's eyebrows furrowed. She looked like she was trying to understand the weight of what she'd just done—or maybe she simply didn't care.

"Are all adults stupid?" she asked.

"Yes," Greyson replied bluntly.

Jason glanced at Cassandra. She seemed unfazed by everything, casually playing with dead grass. Despite looking like a teenager, she was only a few days old—and somehow, that made everything she'd said worse.

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

Heather was his mom. She worked at Uden Academy before everything went wrong. Now he realized she had kept the secret about him and Greyson being twins.

"Now, have you come to kill us or die?" Cassandra called, spotting three followers nearby.

"Kill you," one of the boys spat.

"Go!" Cassandra shouted.

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 fired the first follower, nothing happened—the light passed straight through.

Cassandra lifted a hand toward the second follower, while Jason quickly redirected his a im and struck the third.

Two sharp pops split the air. Both followers collapsed into that strange substance before dissolving into nothing.

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.

The last follower didn't burst.

He simply disappeared.

No sound. No trace.

"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 volunteering to sacrifice themselves?" Jason asked, disbelief in his voice.

"Yes," Cassandra said, shrugging. "But it won't happen until all the followers are gone or convinced. I don't know who already has, but... I feel like someone has. Once Divina gets a body, Ashley can still wreck things with whatever power she's got. I can't stop Ashley alone, but when Divina has a body..."

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

"And whoever gets chosen... they die," Cassandra said, cutting him off. "The rest of the volunteers? They get to go back to normal."

Jason swallowed hard. Everyone wanted this to end—but he wasn't ready to give up his life.

He had already learned that he couldn't fix everything—but that didn't make it easier to accept that someone had to die.

He didn't know who would step forward.

"So... we fight now?" Jason asked.

"I don't know what Divina wants besides killing Ashley," Cassandra said, one hand on her hip.

"You think Ashley's gonna do something," Greyson asked.

"Yeah," Cassandra said, shoulders tense. "She's scared of me, which is why she's killing early."

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 going after the volunteers," Cassandra said, pressing her lips together.

It 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 barrier 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 took over her body the moment she fell into the ditch.

She 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 said quietly.

The words sat heavy in his chest. On one end, it frees Ashley, but that doesn't necessarily mean she'll survive.

He'd given up saving her months ago—when that thing took over of her body.

But this was different.

"Time to kill the rest of these followers," Cassandra said, rolling her shoulders. "Then we find that idiot who thought fighting Ashley alone was a good idea."

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?