Beyond the Bus's Corridor

It happened exactly a week after that fruitless exchange.

<I hereby confirm today's close of business for the Sinners.>

Thank you kindly. Starting now, you all will be given a maximum of 12 hours to partake in sleep and rest; the duration is subject to change. Have a good night.

Faust gives the same instructions as always. In response, Sinners groan and stretch like usual.

……

Except this time, one Sinner stuck out of that normalcy like a sore thumb.

…What now?

Leave him be, Ishy~ It's not the first time he's all grumpy like that, is it?

And Heath~ Make sure to simmer down before you get in your room, 'kay? All that grumbling thunder in there keeps me awake, y'know~

…The Sinners' rooms - their lodging, personal space, and cell - reflect their state of mind, or so I've heard.

Each room's floors, walls, and overall ambiance are shaped after the Sinner's personality, and the view through the window changes depending on their emotions and mental state.

Though, all I've seen were distant glimpses through the window, so I don't have all the details.

…The room Heathcliff enters would sometimes­ - actually, rather frequently - emit wuthering and stormy sounds.

…Tch.

Usually, he'd snap back with a "Why should I?" or something like that, but he only clicked his tongue.

I suppose he doesn't feel like arguing.

Thanks to that, he stood in the corridor until all the other Sinners (save for Faust) went into their rooms, staring down the passage with a frown. Maybe he was relieving stress this way.

…Oho?

And that right there is where the incident began.

…Huh? Oi, what's with all those doors down the aisle?

Heathcliff pointed in the same exact direction I did a week ago.

Those doorways were beyond the "no trespassing" line blocking the way.

Heathcliff, I recommend against walking farther into the corridor than necessary.

Huh. That sure makes it sound awful suspicious.

There is nothing of which to be suspicious. You are better off listening to Faust.

What, you keep treasures or somesuch in there?

Faust's secretive attitude was enough to rouse his curiosity…

Heathcliff. Do not do it. You will regret your action.

…Got well emotional and gobby, eh, Ms. Cleveress?

It's like… you're actually hiding something there!

He sprinted into the dark before we could stop him.

…!

<What's in there - >

Just as I was about to ask Faust an obvious thing to be concerned over…

GAAAAAAARGH?!!

Heathcliff's sharp scream echoed from the unlit area far into the corridor.

Dante, now is the time to take my left hand and run with me.

<Wha, huh?>

I won't be able to get him out in time on my own. I may be engulfed myself if I don't act quickly.

Before I could process what she meant, Faust ran off in the direction Heathcliff disappeared.

<Ah… Shuckaroonies! W - Wait for me!>

As we crossed the line and proceeded deeper into the corridor, we came across a three-way crossroads.

<I think I heard screams coming from the middle…>

However, without a moment's hesitation, Faust darted for the left aisle.

<F - Faust! I know you're in a hurry, but… are you sure this is the right way? I could've sworn I heard his voice coming from the center path…>

I know.

Without elaborating further, Faust continued running.

At another fork we encountered, Faust chose the right path.

Right afterward, she entered the fifth door on the left side of that hallway.

<What… is this?>

Right as I entered, another hall came into view.

Its end… was like a cliff.

To be more precise, I felt some kind of gravitational pull trying to get me to fall to the end of the hallway.

<Heathcliff!!>

Then I saw him; he crawled toward us with all his might from the middle of the hall.

As if he might fall the moment he lets go…

What… the hell is all this… and this place…!

Even though I couldn't see much in the dark behind him, I definitely felt some presence in it.

<Faust, what's over - >

Dante, I want you to hold the knob of this open door tightly. Firmly grip my hand as well.

Holding my hand securely, she gradually approaches Heathcliff.

<This hallway… isn't tilted or anything, is it? Why does it feel like we're hanging off a cliff?>

That… is because we're in a 'corridor', obviously. Dante, do not let go.

Reminding me to hold fast, Faust extended her other arm while holding her zweihander.

Heathcliff, grab this if you would.

Are you mental?! My hand'll get gashed if I try grabbing that giant blade!

…You'll much prefer deep wounds on your palms to what you can suffer down there.

Baffled, Heathcliff looked at the sword and then the darkness behind him…

Bugger… Kgh, gaaahg…!

Dante, pull him up. Might and main.

<…G - Got it!>

Grrgh, knngh…

<Huff, hoogh…>

Right as we pulled Heathcliff up…

No, I'm not sure if it's even right to say that we pulled him "up", but nevertheless… Faust hoisted his unconscious body by the legs and started rushing, saying that we need to return the way we came.

Following her lead, I supported his arms and trailed behind, keeping his head from dragging along the floor.

After burning some time…

…Phew. Let us say that it is fortunate he wasn't lost in a deeper area.

Dante, you will have to turn the clock.

<Heathcliff's… gonna be okay, right?>

The psychological damage is likely to be severe. Our work will be encumbered if he loses his mind.

<Sigh…>

I didn't have a choice.

Good work back there, Dante. While it is unfortunate that we have lost a portion of our limited break time to this…

<Faust. Just what's in there? Where does it lead?>

<Can't you tell me at this point? I've… seen that stuff now.>

It was only natural that I want to know. What resides there, and what was chasing Heathcliff?

Moreover…

Why did it never show itself to us, and why did it vanish instead of chasing him any further?

These questions were driving me crazy, but alas…

……

As stated earlier, there are limits to what Faust can elaborate.

…Yep, I honestly didn't expect much.

The corridor, you I.F.

Ryōshū muttered with a cigarette in her mouth, walking past us both. She must've left her room while we were out on our rescue mission.

However…

Faust proceeded as if not a soul had just walked by, as if nothing was just said.

<Huh?>

You did prevent a sudden vacancy in the bus department.

Though I wouldn't exactly call it a reward, I do suppose it isn't a bad idea to inform you of one thing.

<Ooh… L-Lemme hear it!>

The unexpected boon had me rubbing my hands together. Right, what will she tell me now…

…Dante, when you traverse a road you have never walked before, what do you do?

<Hmm? I mean… You use a map, obviously?>

That's right. Then, even if you don't have a map, your brain will form images to serve as one.

From there, on that map… there will be a starting point and a destination clearly marked. When you return from your trip, you will trace back through that way.

It's so obvious, I don't need to verbally answer. I just nodded along.

…Hopefully that makes it clear enough.

<Huh?>

This is why you should remember where you've started in the corridor, especially when you open a door.

Flabbergasted by the abrupt end, I blurted.

Now then, Faust has grown tired. Do take care…

She walked through the door before I could say something, leaving me with a riddle.

<Of course it would go like this…>

I sighed out of frustration, but not a breath of air is expelled from my pitiful clock.

Still, left powerless…

All I can do is boot up this electronic notebook and piece together what little information I have collected.