sorry for Darla

They stood frozen, unable to move—staring at the spot where Tony had just been dragged to hell. The silence was deafening, pressing down on them like a physical weight.

On the other side of the glass, Darla banged with growing desperation.

“I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!” she screamed. “They made me do it! I’ll be good, I promise!”

She clawed blindly at the glass, eyes squeezed shut, her nails scraping against the smooth surface as she braced for the return of the hound.

Then—whoosh—the glass vanished just as quickly as it had risen.

Darla stumbled forward, landing hard on her knees. She rubbed her fingertips together and murmured, “It was so hot over there… too hot… Ricky needs me… We need to be together.”

Mike’s eyes narrowed as he stepped toward her. “Who needs you, Darla?”

“Ricky,” she said more clearly now. Her gaze grew distant, then sharp. “If she was down there… wouldn’t you?”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

Maggie rushed to Darla’s side, wrapping her arms around the trembling woman.

“There, there, child. You’re safe now,” she whispered.

Charlene silently stepped away from the group. Her heart thudded with a strange mixture of sorrow and guilt. She pulled her hood over her head and turned her back to them.

“ReNew, we need to talk,” she whispered inwardly.

In her mind’s eye, the spirit answered. “What’s wrong, Char?”

“When I was with Argun earlier… he told me Darla was on her way out. I’m feeling guilty. It might be my fault.”

“No way is that your fault, Char. She made her choices.”

Charlene hesitated. “But what I did to Tony—was that necessary? I lost control. He made me so furious.”

“Was it necessary? Maybe not. But justified? Absolutely. You saw his chart. Rapist. Pedophile. Murderer. He was standing there fantasizing about hurting you.”

“You felt that too?”

“Yes, all of us did. Don’t waste another tear on that dog food.”

Charlene wiped her face, taking in a deep breath.

“What about Darla?”

“Watch her. She's fragile—could be fracturing. But it’s not your burden. Do your job. Let’s move.”

Charlene turned back toward the group, her hood falling from her head as she stepped forward.

Mike met her with a cautious expression. “Charlene… can I ask you something?”

The wind picked up again, scattering daisies into the air like confetti.

“Why are you killing us off?”

The question cut deep. Charlene placed a hand on her heart.

“I didn’t kill anyone,” she said softly. “Yes… I severed Tony’s arms. But the rest? That wasn’t me.”

Stay calm, ReNew warned. Don’t get pulled in. Just answer. No emotion.

Mike’s voice sharpened. “You’re the only one here with powers. What else are we supposed to think?”

Charlene’s tone hardened.

“Then maybe when they were alive, they should’ve lived better lives,” she said, pointing at the ground. “So they wouldn’t end up here, in this nightmare.”

Darla and Maggie flinched. Maggie stepped in, pulling Mike back by the arm.

“You don’t want to end up like Tony or Ricky,” she warned.

Charlene spoke again, her voice lower but firm.

“Listen carefully. I am your guide. Nothing more. Tony and Ricky chose their paths. Do you remember the White Room? You were warned: every decision matters. Every word, every thought, every action—this is the result.”

She extended her arm. “Can we please continue?”

They hesitated but obeyed, walking slowly past her, eyes still on her warily.

I don’t blame them, Charlene thought. I wouldn’t trust me either. Not after what they’ve seen. But I’ve been told—don’t interfere. Just guide. That’s what I’ll do.

They walked for a long time, yet no one grew tired or hungry. It was one of this realm’s many strange effects.

ReNew spoke again. “Charlene, maybe it’s time to talk to them. Most of the major events—good or bad—happened when no one was communicating.”

Charlene sighed. “Who first?”

“Mike was killed by bullies. Maggie—old age. But Darla… the chart’s strange. Car crash. But there’s a pattern. Accidents follow her.”

Mike walked up beside her, his steps a little faster now.

“Hey… I’m sorry about before,” he said.

She nodded. “I’d be asking questions too.”

“You’re human, right?”

“Half.”

“How do you have powers?”

“Long story.”

Mike chuckled softly. “I get it.”

Trying to stay professional, Charlene continued. “You’re young. From what I see on your chart—”

He leaned in, trying to peek at the document.

She quickly folded it inward.

The scenery around them shimmered. Grass faded into sand. Dunes rose up, and in the distance, the soft sound of crashing waves began to echo.

“What’s my story, you mean?” Mike asked.

“If you’re ready to talk, I’m ready to listen.”

A few paces behind, Maggie and Darla had stopped. They removed their shoes. Darla rolled up her pant legs and slung her tied laces over her shoulder.

She smiled faintly, but Maggie noticed the pain in her eyes.

“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?” Maggie asked softly.

Darla nodded.

Then the wind whispered—“Darla…”

She jerked, eyes wide.

Again: “Darla…”

She turned her head toward the beach.

“Ricky?” she breathed.

Suddenly she bolted—sprinting down the dunes, sand spraying with each footfall.

The voices grew louder.

“Darla!” “Ricky!” “Daddy!”

Familiar cries. Some full of love. Others full of pain. People she had lost. People she had hurt.

All calling her name.

The three remaining watched in stunned silence.

Charlene clenched her fists.

“Should we stop her?” Maggie asked.

“No,” Charlene whispered. “Not yet.”

Let her run… but not too far.

Something was waiting on that beach. But whether it was salvation or a trap?

Only time would tell.