Chapter 22: Shadows of Truth
In the silence between heartbeats, truth crawled out of the darkness.
Some wounds were cut by enemies — others, by friends.
The Shock
Liona's voice trembled as she stared at the unexpected betrayer. "Why…? After everything we went through?"
The traitor only smiled, cold and unbothered. "You never understood. Jayson promised me what none of you ever could — a way out."
Johnson clenched his fists. "A way out of what? Loyalty? Humanity?"
"Of weakness," they hissed.
Clara's muffled sob echoed through the gym. She struggled against the ropes, tears streaking her face. "Please… stop this. You don't have to do this!"
But Jayson only laughed, his shadow stretching long in the flickering light. "Oh, she's right — they don't have to. But they want to. That's what makes betrayal so beautiful."
The Battle
Nelson charged forward, fury blazing in his eyes. "You're done, Jayson!"
Jayson dodged, grabbing a broken bat from the floor and swinging it hard. Nelson blocked, pain flashing through his arm, but he didn't back down.
Liona rushed to untie Clara, while Peter tackled the traitor, both crashing into the dusty bleachers.
"You think you know pain?" the traitor growled, pinning him down. "You have no idea what Jayson went through!"
Peter gritted his teeth. "That's no excuse for destroying others!"
Johnson grabbed a rope from the side, circling behind Jayson. "This ends now!" he shouted, trapping Jayson's arm before he could strike again.
The Turning Point
Liona finally freed Clara, pulling her into a tight hug. "You're safe now."
But Clara shook her head, voice weak but urgent. "No… not yet. There's something you don't know."
Everyone froze.
"What do you mean?" Nelson asked, eyes narrowing.
Clara's trembling hand pointed toward the traitor. "They're not the only one helping Jayson."
The group turned slowly — confusion and dread mixing in the air.
"W-what?" Peter stammered.
Clara's eyes filled with tears. "There's another one… hiding among us."
The room fell silent. Even Jayson stopped struggling, smirking. "Finally," he whispered. "The truth crawls out of the dark.
Trust shattered.
One lie uncovered another.
And as the dust settled, they realized…
The real enemy was closer than anyone thought.
End of Chapter 22