Resonance

Cove skillfully arranged the plates, making sure they were aligned with precision. The worn-out tablecloth, adorned with a cheerful yellow and white checkered pattern, added a touch of nostalgic charm to the scene. He placed simple white disposable kitchen paper neatly beside each plate, ready to be used as makeshift napkins. The forks, though cheap and showing signs of age, were meticulously cleaned, glinting softly under the dim light of the room. The plates, with a faint fake gold border, gave an illusion of elegance.

Sage, having handed Nima his crutches earlier, watched as the young boy navigated his way to the dinner table, his determination shining through. Despite Nima's initial hesitation, he managed to settle into his seat without assistance, a small triumph that brought a smile to Sage's face. Raven, though outwardly appearing disinterested, had been quietly observing Nima's journey, his vigilance ever-present. He maintained a stoic facade, ready to step in should Nima stumble or need support. Nima, now comfortably seated between Raven and Sage, couldn't help but offer a warm smile to the latter, a silent gesture of appreciation for his unwavering presence. Raven, lost in his own thoughts, kept his eyes fixed on his plate, his guarded expression hiding a myriad of emotions swirling within.

Sage took a moment to appreciate the sight before him—a group of young boys, each with their unique struggles and stories, coming together in this suspended sanctuary. The air was thick with a mixture of uncertainty, resilience, and a shared determination to find solace amidst the chaos.

On the opposite side of the table, River and Finn settled into their seats beside Cove. River, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, gestured towards Finn with a playful smirk. "Heating duty was all Finn's, so if these dumplings taste like shit, don't blame me", he jested, maintaining his infectious grin. Finn chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I highly doubt anyone can ruin canned chicken dumplings", he replied, his tone laced with lighthearted sarcasm and genuine affection for his friend.

"Well, bon appétit", Cove said with a perfect French accent, lifting his fork. The chorus of "Enjoy!" echoed around the table, each voice filled with the simple happiness of satisfying their hunger. Even Raven managed to mutter some indistinguishable word of courtesy before eagerly diving into his plate, consuming the food as if he had never eaten before.

Nima watched Raven in surprise without saying anything, his eyes widening at the voraciousness with which the brooding boy devoured his meal. Nima himself approached his plate with a gentler touch, cutting his dumplings into precise pieces, savoring each bite as if he was unwrapping a precious gift. Sage observed Nima with a soft smile, appreciating his deliberate and measured approach to the meal. Across the table, Cove found himself stealing glances at Sage, his eyes discreetly admiring the boy's captivating beauty, careful not to be caught in the act.

"They're not too bad, right?" River posed the question to the entire table, his eyes scanning each face in anticipation of their response. "Not like City Wok's, but still", he added, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. Finn's brows furrowed in disbelief. "Are you serious?" he exclaimed, a mixture of concern and astonishment in his voice. "I got food poisoning from City Wok! Their chicken is so old, it had to renew its driver's license with a quill pen!" he deadpanned, his tone conveying a serious and worried demeanor. The other boys erupted into laughter, the shared amusement filling the room with an infectious joy. Finn joined in the laughter, his eyes crinkling with mirth.

Raven, however, remained oblivious to the jovial exchange, too engrossed in the act of satisfying his hunger, his focus solely on devouring the dish before him.

Raven, finishing his meal before everyone else, leaned back in his chair, his posture rigid and tense. The jovial atmosphere was abruptly shattered by his question, casting a shadow over the room. "Is this fireplace wide enough for a person to climb up?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on Sage, the one who had provided him with information about their predicament.

Caught off guard by the unexpected inquiry, Sage paused for a moment, contemplating the dimensions of the fireplace. He shrugged uncertainly, his brows furrowing. "I'm not sure", he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of hesitation. "It's possible, but if you're wider than that briefcase, there's a risk of getting stuck", he replied, his words laced with a touch of concern.

Nima, sitting nearby, couldn't hide his worry as he interjected anxiously. "Raven, what do you want to do?" he asked. His eyes darted between the boy and the old door on the other end of the room, envisioning the potential dangers that lay ahead.

Raven's response was firm and resolute, his icy gaze freezing anyone who dared to meet his eyes. "I'm not staying here, it's quite obvious", he deadpanned, his words cutting through the air with a chilling intensity. A heavy silence settled over the room, the weight of his determination lingering like an unspoken challenge.

Sage, offering a courteous but concerned smile, excused himself from the table. He gathered the plates of those who had finished their meals, and walked towards the counters. With each clatter of the dishes in the sink, the gravity of their situation seemed to intensify.

River attempted to lighten the somber mood that had enveloped the group. He spoke up with a touch of levity. "I understand the sentiment, it's not exactly the Hilton. I also wish I could leave, but it seems like we'll be stuck here for a while", he remarked.

Raven's response reverberated through the room, freezing the atmosphere like a gust of frigid wind. "I don't wish I could leave, I CAN leave", he stated with unwavering determination, his words echoing with a sense of defiance against their confined circumstances. His resolve, unyielding and resolute, sent a tremor through the hearts of those around him.

Finn sought to reason with Raven, his voice steady and composed. "Look, do as you wish, but I'm fairly certain you won't be able to open whatever is sealing the entrance from the inside", he cautioned, his eyes meeting Raven's with a mixture of concern and understanding. "Moreover, the fireplace is narrow, and attempting to climb it alone would be risky. You'll need someone to assist you if you get stuck", he added, his words carrying the weight of cautionary wisdom.

Undeterred by Finn's words, Raven's tone turned even more resolute as he rose from his chair, his eyes fixed on the door that hid the dark, foreboding corridor. Determination burned in his gaze, fueled by an unwavering belief in his own abilities. "I'll be the judge of that", he declared firmly, his voice resonating with a conviction that left no room for doubt.

Nima, driven by a mix of fear and concern for his friend's well-being, cried out with all the strength he could muster, which unfortunately wasn't much. His voice carried a desperate plea that hung in the air, hoping to reach Raven's ears. "Please, Raven, have some sense!" he exclaimed, his words tinged with both frustration and genuine care.

At the precise moment Nima's voice faded, a striking, ear-splitting roar reverberated from above, unleashing a bone-chilling wave of terror through their beings. The floor quaked beneath them, a violent tremble that shook away even the faintest sense of security.