Everyone tried to gather their strength while staring daggers at Koby who was trying to recollect himself with Kai and James by his side. Some had uttered their opposition to letting Koby stay alive, but none was bold enough to talk to Koby directly, because they were still afraid of him.
"Kai,did I hurt anyone in my rampage?" Koby finally asked having had enough of the cold treatment everyone was giving him.
"Well, technically…"
"Don't lie, tell me the truth. I can handle it." Koby assured. Before Kai could answer , Rory came into the conversation.
"Six people died, not many injured."- he said to Koby-" luckily the representatives kept you from killing more at the cost of their own lives."
Koby let out a heavy sigh, clearly disturbed. He looked up to see everyone looking at him, fear and anger vivid in their eyes.
"I'm shocked you didn't kill me, considering the harm I had caused." Koby said to Rory.
"Believe me, I considered it. Even attempted it. You should be thanking Kai that you still have your head. He saved you, selfishly." Rory said glancing at Kai.
With a nod of thanks, Koby showed his appreciation to Kai.
"Noone is going to trust me anymore. I've become a liability." Koby said, anger evident in his voice.
"I'm afraid you're right. But we do need to know what happened to you first, just in case it happens again." Rory confirmed.
"I was just possessed by something, certainly not the shoggoths. It was something much more powerful." Koby explained.
"What did it want?" James asked.
"It said it wanted to help me survive the world that the supreme beings had laid out for us."
"If it's help by killing everyone in sight then it's doing a good job at that." Rory quipped.
"I did tell you that Koby wasn't at fault." Kai frowned at Rory.
" Still doesn't help matters. Koby is compromised and even if I were to support you all, everyone else is still against him. There's noone on his side." Rory replied.
"We're on his side."Kai said.
"It doesn't matter." Rory tried to reason but just then, Luna arrived and headed towards Rory.
"Rory, everyone is waiting for you for the representatives meeting." She said.
Rory then turned his attention to her, following her out. Koby made to follow them but was blocked by Luna.
"Look, I only agreed to keep you alive because I owed you one for saving me. That doesn't make me stupid to see that you're compromised." She said without facing Koby.
" So what am I supposed to be doing?" Koby asked.
" Just stay put." Rory answered.
While the representatives convened for the next strategem, Koby and his friends tried to figure out what would happen next.
"Things don't look so good." James said.
"For good reason. It's the right decision for everyone to be wary of me."Koby replied.
"For all we know, you may not go berserk again since Raya already got rid of the corruption." Kai sat down.
"True but I don't see why we still need to take chances." Rachael said.
"Are you even on our side?" Raya frowned at Rachael for her statement.
"Sorry but, I'm borrowing Koby's words. We need to survive. As it is, it's not guaranteed that he won't go crazy again." Rachael explained.
"What are you even saying?" James looked at Rachael with concern in his eyes.
"I am just saying the truth as I see it." Rachael said.
"I understand what you mean, Rachael. I'm sure they do to, it's just deep feelings clouding judgement. I wouldn't blame you if you don't trust me. I wouldn't trust me either if I was in your place."
"Well, that's good because I will be joining another group." Rachael dropped the bomb.
Koby sighed. He had definitely expected it. He didn't hate her for her choice but it still hurt.
"What do you mean?" Raya asked..
"I'm joining up with Luna's group since this group isn't safe anymore." Rachael clarified.
"So you're abandoning Koby right now?" Kai asked.
"I need to stay alive…" Rachael said said as tears dropped down her eyes.
"Saving your own skin. Classic." Kai interrupted her before she could explain herself.
"Shut up, Kai." – Koby uttered as he moved towards Rachael, putting an arm on her shoulder.-"You shouldn't cry. You're doing the right thing. Like you said, I'm unpredictable." Koby said as he gave her a smile to reassure her that she was making the right decision.
"You're not mad?" She asked wiping her eyes.
"Why would I be?" he said.
"You know, in all honesty I think you'll survive just fine without me. I've sen the way you handled the situation at the White room and Britney being possessed. I will be rooting for you." Rachael said as she hugged Koby.
"Raya, you should join her in Luna's squad." Koby suggested.
"I don't want to." Raya said looking away from Rachael.
"It's the safest choice." Koby said.
"I'm not leaving my friends." She said.
"And I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'm not going." She said taking and squeezing Koby's hand.
"I'm sorry, Raya." Rachael said before leaving.
The gang was already crumbling. Koby didn't feel like he would miss Rachael's absence that much, seeing as she was mostly Raya's friend. But it still felt bad.
"So what now?" James asked
" I'm going into the woods." Koby revealed.