Shawna followed Nire’s fading lantern light into the dark, her breathing rapid and shallow, not just because of her jogging. She wasn’t sure why she’d touched Adlai’s face, only that it felt right. Now, running to catch up to Nire, she found herself feeling confused. All her feelings were jumbled up again, and the adrenaline only exacerbated her confusion.

Nire stopped for a moment to allow her to catch up, a rare kindness from the doctor. Hearing her breathing however, Shawna wasn’t sure if the researcher meant to stop for her. Nire’s breathing was pitiful, wheezing breaths pushing their way in and out; her face shone with sweat and her chest was heaving with effort.

Still, the researcher doggedly moved forward, coughing with each step. Shawna couldn’t help but feel bad for the pitiful state of the researcher.

“Do you want me to help carry some stuff?” Shawna asked.

“No, no. I’ll be fine.” Nire wheezed, her eyes locked forward to a destination Shawna couldn’t see.

Another rattling cough shook her frame, and Nire doubled over, taking in deep gasping breaths. Before Shawna could offer again, Nire held out her hand and shook her head.

The researcher mumbled something to herself and began to walk again. “Nearly there darlin’. Nearly there.”

Their pace was slow, and the ground only got wetter. Each step they took was enunciated by a splash, and Shawna could feel the water creeping into her shoes. Nire was unfazed by this however, soldiering on towards the picnic.

An orange pinprick sparkled in the dark, and Nire quickened her pace, her wheezing even louder. The pinprick grew in brightness until they found themselves standing around a glowing orange torch, fueled by whatever lighting Nire had used in the hut. Nire set her payload on the ground gingerly before collapsing onto the ground.

“Shawna, grab a few jars of fuel and pour 'em into the pit. Please.”

It was eerie to see someone formerly energetic and lively reduced to such a state. Nire looked like a skeleton in the light, her cheeks sunken in. Shawna grabbed three jars of fuel, walking over to the torch. The stench of fuel hit her nose and she gagged. Peering over the edge she couldn’t see anything but darkness in the pit. She threw the first jar over the edge waiting to hear the sound of smashed glass. A somewhat muffled crash met her ears, and the smell of fresh fuel rose up.

After throwing in the next few jars of fuel, Shawna walked back to where Nire had been. The researcher was standing now, albeit unsteadily. She had one jar of fuel in her hands and a frown on her face.

“He should be here by now.” Nire coughed, not bothering to cover the blood flying out of her mouth. “Hope they didn’t get him.”

Shawna stayed quiet, her face impassive. Her knuckles were white however; her fingernails were digging into her skin. She needed him to come back alive. Another bout of coughing caught her attention. Nire flinched slightly, trying to avoid Shawna’s gaze. The coughing gave way to a raspy shout, then a full fledged scream. It was Averi.

“AVERI!” Shawna took off towards the sound of Averi’s screams, only to find that they were coming from somewhere upwards, as if she was suspended. Like bait. Shawna ran back towards Nire, her chest filled with rage. She lied.

Shawna grabbed Nire’s coat, lifting her up into the air. “WHAT DID YOU DO?”

“Bait…” Nire gasped, her labored breathing even raspier. She weakly batted at Shawna’s hands, a desperate attempt to breathe. Shawna dropped Nire on the ground leaving the researcher gasping for air like a landed fish.

“AVERI?” Shawna called.

Averi attempted to speak, her words slurred and cut off by tears. Shawna ran towards the torch, only to see a wave of blue heading towards the pit. Towards them.

“Shit, shit shit shit shit-” Shawna desperately searched for where Averi was, but she couldn’t find where she was hanging from, and Averi couldn’t muster much more than a croaky shout. The girl must’ve been drugged by Nire and hoisted up to be used as living bait.

“You’re not gonna find her on the ground,” Nire rasped. “She’s safe up there.”

“Why would you do this? You bitch!”

“You’ll see. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” Shawna asked incredulously.

Nire didn’t respond, only mumbled to herself before breaking down into another coughing fit. Shawna couldn’t spare a moment of hatred, sprinting towards the edge of the pit, knowing Adlai was coming. The blue wave had grown and she desperately searched for Adlai’s silhouette. Averi had stopped crying, only the occasional whimper exited her lips.

The scent of fresh fuel filled the air and Shawna stared at the wave of needleworms. A dim flash lit her vision, and Adlai was revealed for a moment. He seemed to be almost skipping forwards, one leg asleep. The wave, momentarily stunned, began to wake again. Shawna nearly screamed with frustration. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. She needed to save both of them.

Shawna searched frantically around the dim light of the torch for something suspending the girl. She was torn. On the one hand, Adlai was facing impending doom, clearly having been bitten by a needleworm. On the other hand, Averi was suspended from somewhere Shawna simply couldn’t reach. Her heart pounded as if it was her running from the needleworms. Shawna paced frantically, her eyes locked on where Adlai was running. He would never forgive her if she lost Averi, and that scared her more than losing him.

Shawna called up to Averi. “Averi? Averi, listen to me, I’m gonna get you down from there. How did you get up there?”

Averi tried to talk again but her words devolved into teary gibberish. Shawna searched for Adlai again, hoping with all her heart that he would still be there. There he was again, his figure backlit by the glowing wave which had almost completely recovered from the flashbang. He limped doggedly forwards, the blue wave catching up to him. She could feel her heart jump to her throat as Adlai slowly made his way to the pit, the needle worms getting closer and closer. Time seemed to slow as he finally hobbled up to the edge of the pit. Shawna squeezed her hands even tighter.

“ADLAI!!!” She screamed, all her pain and frustration behind it.

His head whipped towards her, and she could see something change in him, his exhaustion melting away. He staggered back a few feet, each step matching Shawna’s thumping heartbeat. Then, he started to run; his face only lit by the lantern he carried. Once he reached the edge, he leaped as gracefully as he could, clearing the pit. Almost. Adlai’s chest thudded against the side of the pit, and he scrabbled for grip.

Shawna leapt towards him, her hands grabbing his. The stench of fuel filled her nose again and she looked up to see Nire besides her, dripping wet. She held a lighter in her hand and stared ahead blankly.

“I’m sorry.”