Leo hadn't returned for a while. I wanted to go out to look for him. But it was no use. I tried the door, but it wouldn't open.
Meanwhile, I heard the sounds of a man approaching my door. It must have been him.
—Leo! Did you come back?
—Who is that?!
It wasn't him.
I looked at the man through the keyhole; I could only see his body. I couldn't see his face. He pointed his gun at the door. Leo's words had come true once again.
I moved away from the door, but no matter where I went, since the room wasn't large, every door was in my field of vision.
There was a bathroom, but it was locked; I probably needed our room key to open it, and Leo had it with him.
So, no matter where I ran, depending on the angle of his gun, I would be shot. And I was terrified of that possibility.
—Don't! I'm unarmed! And I'm not exactly religious! You won't gain anything here by sacrificing me to your god!
I said. I believed that what Leo said was true and this is a cult where people want to sacrifice others to their god so that way they will reach god.
—What nonsense are you talking about? What religion? What sacrifice? Are you sick or something? You crazy woman…
He said.
—Aren't you the crazy one?! Threatening a defenseless pregnant woman with a gun!?
—Pregnant? My wife was pregnant too! Until she was killed in a mass murder last week! I have to bring her back…To do that, I have to earn the right to make a wish…And to do that, I have to be the only one left alive here! So you and your baby can quickly go to heaven or whatever that thing is after death! Life is cruel! Cruel to everyone!
—What nonsense are you talking about! You filthy bastard!
—I'll show you what 'filthy bastard' is!
His voice cut off. I heard a gunshot. Leo opened the door. He was covered in blood. He must have shot the man. I panicked, but he was very calmly trying to get us out of here quickly.
—That's not your blood, is it? Are you alright? I asked. I wanted to confirm my information. —No. It's not. Don't worry.
Leo took off his jacket. And he was using it like a bag to carry about 10-15 guns.
—What is this?
—Everyone was trying to get more guns than they were allowed. When I saw them trying, I did what I had to do.
—Did you steal from people!?
—No. There were dead people. I mostly took from them.
—Leo. You did something to that man who was talking to me, didn't you?
—I had no other choice. I just protected my family. I did what any man would do, you see. —That man was talking about something…
—He must be talking nonsense. Don't worry about him.
—Back then,you covered my ears When an old man was talking. What was he talking about? Why did you cover my ears?
—It doesn't matter. As long as we're both safe, why does it matter?
—Tell me! Or I'll leave through this door!
—Are you threatening me with your own life? —Yes! Doesn't it work?
—It does work very well. Sit down here, Melisa. I'll explain. This is a strange cult.
—They're not a cult!
—They are!
—What does one wish mean?! That's what the man at the door said earlier.
—It's about a gift given to those who survive. It's something related to the cult.
—I don't believe you. I don't think you're telling the truth.
—Melisa. We'll have one wish when we survive. I'm telling the truth.
—What kind of wish are you talking about? One wish for each of us?
—We'll have one wish in total.
—Can we wish for an island or something?
—I have a wish in mind. You don't need to think about it.
—So you'll be the one to use it? That's unfair…
—I'll wish for the best for both of us!
—What is that? What kind of wishes? Money? —Yes…
—Money? Do we need money? But the other man said something different… He's going to bring his wife back. Are you lying to me again?!
—They're crazy, Melisa. Don't worry about it too much. Besides, yes, we need money. I have debts.
—What? How? Did you gamble?
—Sort of…
—Idiot!
—You're not the one to say that to me. I gambled, and you're an addict. We're a perfect match, aren't we?
—…
—I'll get both of us out of here. Trust me.
What he wanted would help me too, so I trusted him. I also have some debt to pay off. With his wish, I could pay off my debt. That's why I had to let him make his wish. But I was confused. I didn't think he was a type of person to gamble. Was he lying to me?
—That man also said that only one person can get out of here.
I asked,
—Two people like us can get out. But only one wish is allowed.
—Are these people crazy?! Let one of us make a wish and we'll leave! Wouldn't that be better?
—No. Maximum two people. And maximum one wish.
—We are three people… Me, you, and…
He laughed,
—That doesn't count. Don't worry. Our baby is still too young.
—Okay. What are we going to do now?
Leo closed the door with the closet. He opened the closet.
—There are 11 clothes. 6 women's clothes, 5 men's clothes. There must be one for each of the 1332 people.
" But since we'll be sharing this room as two people, we can change our clothes whenever we want.
—I feel bad.
—Why?
—Right now, a lot of people don't even have their own rooms. We're sharing this room as two people…
—Melisa, do you think this room looks like it's for eleven people? The other rooms are even worse. They're so small! For example, not every room even has a sink! At least we have that, even if it's small. We have a refrigerator, a television! This is the best room, and even this is in this condition, it's so small, Melisa. Don't worry. We can't trust other people right now. Do you remember the man who spoke to you? Do you remember how good his diction was? He looked so proper too. He was like a true gentleman. But he wanted to hurt you.
—Okay…
—It must be late. The square, that big corridor we see when we come out of this door, seems to have its lights off. They call that the square. The place where you first woke up.
—What are we going to do?
—We're going to sleep. Are you hungry? There's food. They've put snacks in every room.
—No.
I was trembling, and he held my hand.
—Are you okay? Was today very traumatic?
He said.
I was starting to feel worried. It was like I should have done something but couldn't.
—No… Can you hand me the food?
I asked.
He handed it to me. There was a cake. I took a spoonful and started eating. Suddenly, my appetite disappeared. I felt nauseous and like I was going to vomit, so I ran to the bathroom. I vomited in the toilet, which was a terrible feeling. My throat burned. Atlas came to my side and comforted me.
—My Melisa… It will pass. This nause will end in about few months. Endure it for our baby."
He must have thought I was vomiting because of my pregnancy.
What Leo didn't understand was that it wasn't the baby doing it. I was going through withdrawal symptoms.
I felt it deep down. I needed it... Had I brought it with me?