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Liam was all alone. At first, he felt almost triumphant seeing Airy dead. But the more time that passed, the more he regretted that feeling. Liam sat at the computer in the cave, trying to decipher the nonsense on the screen.
Then little thought started whispering in his head.
What if Airy was lying? What if destroying the computer would bring everyone back home?
No… It’s too risky.
Airy was only saying that the computer needed to be functional so he could continue his awful game.
Would it be worth it?
What’s the worst that could happen?
Liam turned towards the Plane, looking at the remaining contestants. They were so tiny compared to him. So vulnerable. They couldn't live like this. Not any longer. Liam was sure that Airy must’ve lied to him. If he destroyed the computer, it would end the show. Everyone would go back home. Right…?
He had to set them free.
Without giving himself a few minutes to think about this idea, Liam set off to the woods on the cliff, where he tried to kill Airy with the ax. He carefully walked across the wood plank that bridged over the rushing waterfall and made his way into the woods, quickly spotting the ax and bringing it back into the cave.
Ax in hand, Liam glared at the computer in front of him. He was sure this had to be the right choice. He glanced back at the Plane. It looked so small from where he was. Hell, it felt small when he was there. He felt so trapped there… he couldn't let his friends feel the same way anymore.
With a deep breath, Liam swung at the computer.
No more waiting!
Then he swung again.
No more games!
Then again.
I’ll set them all free!
Tears started pooling in his eyes. He swung at the monitor. He didn’t realize that he started screaming. Then he swung at the keyboard, the table, then the computer again.
Then he saw a flicker of light next to him.
Liam turned to the Plane again. The light that was emitting from the little planet was now gone. The planet was also moving.
It was falling.
Liam dropped the ax and thrust his hands towards the little planet helplessly. From where he was standing, he was too far away from the planet, and he couldn't run due to his shoddy cast. The planet fell to the floor with a thud.
The planet slowly rolled towards him.
Then he heard a crunch.
Liam felt his heart drop.
He carefully pushed the planet away with his casted foot, hoping to whatever ruled this planet that what he heard wasn’t what he thought he heard.
There was a tiny blue scented candle, it’s glass was shattered. The soda bottle right next to it was flattened, along with the now flattened piece of moldy bread and an exploded tub of whipped cream. A little subway seat lay cracked, ready to shatter into pieces. And the red lunch tray was warped beyond repair.
“Bryce…? Amelia..?”
Liam’s voice quivered. This couldn’t be it, it can’t be! He was so sure that this would work! They can’t be dead! They can’t be!
It all came crashing down on him. This was a mistake, a god-awful one. Liam sat there, shaking as more tears pooled in his eyes. Thick tears fell onto the floor. If only he had just been patient enough and had taken the time to figure out the computer, he might've been able to bring them home. But now they’re all dead, lying before him as corpses. Liam sobbed.
This was a terrible mistake.
Another thought whispered in his mind.
You put them out of their misery.