Natasha shivered as the sea breeze tickled her arms. She took another step forward, and the ice cold water licked her toes. She gasped, but gritted her teeth, continuing to move forward.

“You will not find what you are looking for out there.”

She whipped around. An old man stood behind her, his timeless eyes boring into hers. She would recognize him anywhere - his photograph was plastered on every wall in the city. Leader Jeff. She had never met him. She only knew of him through the stories told, extolling him as a god. But here he was, just a man.

“You think that there is something beyond the horizon. You’ve begun seeing visions of a better world. That world does not exist.” He said. She froze. That’s exactly what had happened. He took advantage of her moment’s hesitation and continued.

“They call themselves the Muses. But I call them for what they are - demons. Demons who invade vulnerable minds, poisoning them with visions of a so-called better life. Visions designed to lure them to their death. It is dangerous propaganda. Luckily, we can cure you of this ailment, but you must return with us to the city to do so.” She suddenly saw dozens of eyes leap out of the darkness of the forest behind him.

“Stay away from me.” She took a step backward into the water and he quickly took one forward.

“You are sick, Natasha. Very sick. Let me help you.” He said.

Vulnerable mind.

She remembered being struck with the fire stick in training a week ago. She remembered screaming, the fire ripping through her body. After Jonah had struck her, he had jumped on top of her. She thought he was trying to help, but he just pinned her arms as the fire raged through her. He had leaned down and whispered into her ear, “Soon, you’ll understand. Trust what you see.”

The next thing she remembered was waking up in the hospital. Something was different. Everything looked and felt like it was decaying. The walls were stained and crumbling, the people were half-skeletons.

Every night after that, she dreamt of an oasis, with endless meadows and full green pastures, brightness and freedom. All those dreams would start with her flying beyond the horizon.

She had pretended everything was fine and normal, but she felt a deeper and deeper depression each day, seeing the dreariness and decay of everything around her. She felt an inherent distrust of everyone around her, and felt a strong revulsion at every painting of Leader Jeff.

It didn’t help that Jonah had disappeared. She couldn’t tell anyone what was happening. She decided she needed answers and couldn’t continue living like this. That’s what took her to the edge of the ocean that night.

“No,” she said, “you’re the sick one. You’re all sick.” A flash of anger struck his eyes. He was not used to any challenge. As he took another step forward, Natasha felt a soft hand caressing hers. It was comforting. She heard a melodic, motherly voice in her head.

“Come.”

She didn’t hesitate. In a graceful, swift motion, she leaped into the water and didn’t look back.