Chapter 318
“As someone who’s been through it, I’ll tell you… it’s better not to hold onto such futile hopes.”
“What?”
In the darkness, Helga had a stern expression. She even seemed angry.
“Rose, I understand you’re confused, having just arrived here… but do you know how long I’ve been here? Can you imagine how many times I’ve had hopes only to be crushed?”
“……”
“Of course, someone might be desperately searching for you and missing you right now. But eventually, they’ll give up and continue living their life.”
“……”
“Rather than spending a lifetime searching for a family member whose fate is unknown, it’s far less painful to bury them in their heart forever.”
After finishing her words, Helga returned to her bed. She covered herself with the blanket from head to toe and didn’t move.
I watched her for a moment, then buried my face in my knees again.
Helga had spent sixteen years in this place. For her, the best comfort wasn’t the idea of escaping this hell one day, but simply getting used to it.
How many hopes had she abandoned? And how ridiculous must I have seemed, only here for a few days and already talking about hope in front of her?
I couldn’t blame her. I had no right to complain in front of Helga. I couldn’t bear the weight of the time she had endured here.
But even so, my belief that Claude would find me soon didn’t waver.
Because, as the strongest person in the world, there’s no way he couldn’t rescue me. Despite all my efforts to push him away and run, he always managed to find me and keep me by his side.
So, if I send out a telepathic signal with all my heart, he’ll eventually find me.
All I could do was pray.
Come quickly.
This time, I’ll be the one waiting patiently.
***
That’s how each day continued for a while.
Some days were bearable, but most were not. I was in so much pain that I blacked out and couldn’t tell how much time had passed when I woke up.
Since there were no windows in the room, it was hard to gauge the passage of time. The only clue was the twice-daily meal rations, but even that I stopped counting.
The Guides didn’t know how long they had been trapped here for no reason.
“Rose, are you okay…?”
Donna asked cautiously as I sat crouched weakly. I buried my face in my knees and barely nodded.
But with my body covered in bruises, saying I was okay wasn’t convincing. Donna continued to hover around me, anxiously.
Suddenly, Donna started to cry.
“What are they trying to get from you…?”
Right, what do they want from me? What are they expecting from me, someone who can’t even guide because I’m imprinted?
It seemed that those who caused Claude and Daniel to have guiding allergies were the same people here. If so, are they trying to develop even stronger d***s to prevent them from receiving guiding again?
The reason I was okay, even ready to die, was because I hoped Claude would find a new Guide to replace me someday.
But he probably doesn’t even know how his illness came about. If he ends up with an illness that can never be cured again because of me…
Then maybe I should rather…
As I reached that thought, tears started to trickle down my face.
I don’t want to die. It’s terribly painful and terrifying. The mere thought of his death makes my heart sink.
Still, I don’t want to cause him more harm just to prolong this miserable life of mine.
My mind wavered. One moment, I was determined to endure until he found me, and the next, I felt like giving up.
If this drags on, will I be able to hold out? Wouldn’t it be better to give up now? Not just for me, but maybe even for Claude…
Just as Donna and I were both sobbing—
The firmly closed door suddenly creaked open.
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