She stood there trembling as she felt her heart beat faster, seeing the approaching red light. In the whole match she hasn't found a single survivor nor hunter, her small tracking pad indicated the other 3 still alive but it didn't help that she couldn't find any of them. Breathing heavily, she held her ground standing in the locker. She saw Mary wonder around the cipher machine and left the building, once her heartbeat finally went back to normal, she climbed out. Quickly getting back onto the cipher machine happy to finally have it primed. Running as fast as she could out of the building, feet stomping in the snow as she stopped at a corner wall to hide. Getting scared to her shits a owl showed up flying around her, landing on her shoulder to be pet and cuddle the female.

"Hello popo." She let out a relief gasp as the owl just dug herself further into her warmth. "Where's Eli?" She asked, standing up with the owl on her shoulder. She perked and pointed her head towards the closest cipher machine, the herbalist stood up walking slowly towards the glowing light of the cipher machine. Seeing Eli stand there typing away, he didn't even notice her presence until popo chirped.

"Ah!" He got shocked by a calibration, he quickly moved his head up to see his owl sitting on his friends shoulder. "Let's get out of here before mary comes over." Eli quickly grabbed her hand and ran off into the shed building running down the stairs into the rocket chair rooms.

"Thank you popo." He pat his owl as he shuffled through a chest to find some tape or anything for his injury.

"Are you okay?" ______ asked as the man pulled out some medical tape.

"I got hit once but was able to get away thankfully. Mary is so difficult to run away from." He gasped out as the girl wrapped his hand and wrists in tape. Another machine primed as the alarm sounded in the distance.

"Who else is here?"

"Uh, I saw Naib, he's probably kiting Mary as we speak, and Um, Freddy." The girl froze in her work, Freddy was the one that told her that she had a match today despite her starting to show signs of getting sick for the past few days.

"God damnit it's always Freddy." She crunched her teeth as she finished patching up Eli, rubbing some extra ointment on his other injuries.

"Let's get going, there's only 2 ciphers left." Eli stood up pulling up the girl as they walked up the stairs in a hurry. Slowly peaking out the open doors, the 2 slowly walked over to the next cipher. Eli quickly began to type away as _____ slapped the machine, for god forsaken no reason it works. The cold air was beginning to hit the girl hard as the cipher popped longer, breathing heavily, she tried her best to stay conscious enough to get out for Emily to fix her up soon. As Soon as 2 minutes have passed, the machines light shined as another goes off, the alarm for the exit gates go off loudly.

Eli glances at the trembling girl in concern, he held her hand signalling she'll be okay. He was worried sick for the past few days noticing her worsening condition praying to the non existent gods she doesn't end up in any matches until she's full recovered. The female glanced upwards giving him a small pity smile as she began to walk off towards the orange keypad from her tracker pad. Her tracks were getting slower as they progressed further, arriving at the gate, Freddy was clicking away as Eli held up the girl with his arms.

"Hurry up! I can't kite her forever!" Naib's voice was yelling from the distance. The sound of our heart beating was getting louder as Naib approached us a bit, Mary striding fast behind. The exit gate finally opened as Freddy quickly slipped through without thought of anyone else, Naib quickly running through soon after leaving the 2 others alone with Mary. As ______ took deeper and harder breathes, she realized Mary was very close, without thought she quickly shoved Eli off of her body pushing him towards the exit where he disappeared unable to help her. She can hear him screaming her name off the top of his lungs as she crouched on the snow. Mary stared at her in confusion, she never once encountered her this entire match to have her resulting in this reaction. She was sure she would run out the exit but it seems she can barely stand her ground. Out of pity, Mary surrendered the match resulting It to be over. She picked up the girl and started walking out of the exit carrying her.

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Eli paced back and fourth, Emily has been in her room for a good hour or so now and everyone was upset at Freddy for forcing her into a match despite everyone was clearly well aware of her upcoming sickness. Luca and Kevin has their 'fun' giving Freddy a punishment which involved many electrocution shocks and being tied down to a chair as everyone continued to yelled at him. After waiting for so long, Emily finally walked out giving a heavy sigh. Eli quick to turn to her face ready to unload his entire concern.

"She will be fine, she isn't going to participate in anything that will over exert her body for a week understand? Also don't touch anything that's attached to her body, make sure she takes a pill every 6 hours, the bottle is on her nightstand." Emily blurted our and walked away not ready to put up with anything else for the rest of the day. Eli glances at popo sitting on his shoulder, as he opened the door without knocking.

______ was out cold, sleeping peacefully, a IV attached to her arm as a cold towel laid on her forehead. Popo quickly flew to her side, snuggling against her cheek before settling herself down to lay with her. Eli gave out a relief sigh, he's never seen ______ out cold like this before. It angered him that she felt the need to push him away to save him just for her to be sacrificed. Not much after the match Mary dropped by to give her condolences and gave Eli a few packets of tea as a apology for not surrendering sooner.

Eli pulled a chair nearby to sit down beside her, starring at his pet owl then glancing at the IV attached thinking that he can speed up her waking just by glaring at the things that's suppose to help heal her. He didn't know what to do, for once being a seer didn't help his situation. He laid his head on his arms as he sat there quietly, the nerves never leaving him. He can hear the yelling in the main lobby as everyone gets further upset at Freddy. _____ was the type of person who got along with everyone, except for Freddy. She was sweet and caring with every new survivor that arrived, especially when Luca showed up with having a hard time with his memory other then this great machine, she helped him fit right in just fine with the rest of us.

Eli felt guilt, he came here to fix his financial situation with his fiancée, but at this point, it feels like he can't even leave after months of being here. He felt bad that he lost all feelings for her, the numbing of not being in contact should've made him lovesick but it wasn't the case here. He felt, empty, that now he's no longer with his abuser who yelled and nitpicked his actions on a day to day basis, Eli for once wanted to try something new. Before he knew it, he fell in love with the herbalist laying in front of him. He quietly held her hand, the coldness of the room beginning to seep it's way into his body as time goes on. Clutching gently, he let himself lay his head on his arms as he drifted off into sleep with _______ and Popo.

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She felt gross as her consciousness came back, blinking her eyes as she rubbed the sleepiness away. Pushing herself upwards, ______ felt something fall off her shoulder to see popo collecting herself.

"Oh my, I'm sorry popo, I didn't know you were here...." She stopped her actions to pet the owl, she cuddled under her touch enjoying the pets she was given. _______ was surprised to see the IV drip attached to her arm, giving off a quiet sigh, she turned my body to her right to get out of bed before realizing something was holding her left hand. Turning her head, she saw Eli passed out on the side of her bed clutching tightly on her hand. Her heart started to pound seeing the male quietly napping away, but food came first. She hasn't eaten anything since lunch time from how many days she's been out. Gently removing Eli's hand, she took the IV drip stand with her as popo stood on her shoulder walking out of the room.

"Ah! _____ you're up!" The said female turned around to see Luca slight jogging towards her, squeezing the girl as he reached her. "How are you feeling?"

"Better...how long have I've been out?" She asked, scared to hear his response.

"Uhh, hold on lemme- Ah! 39 hours!" The brunette said proudly, shocking the female. Her body went limp a little bite upon hearing his answer.

"I've been out for a day and a half...." she said quietly resting her forehead against the wall.

"No worries! Everyone is helping to cover your matches right now, Emily put you under strict no matches until a week later."

"A week..?" She said weakly as the 2 walked down the stairs to reach the dining hall. Seeing everyone enjoying breakfast of whatever things we can come out with. Luca held the IV drip as ______ gathered something pancakes and scrambled eggs, thanking him as he got his food. The duo said hi to everyone as they walked back to ______'s room, Luca opening the door, he saw Eli still sleeping on the bedside out cold.

"Dang he's still out?" Luca questioned as he help his friend get back into bed.

"What do you mean?" The girl asked confused, as she stuff her face with food.

"Eli did around 14 matches yesterday, nobody knows why and I thought he was in his own room passed out not in here sleeping." Luca genuinely looked confused, but he simply bopped Eli's head with his hand to have no response. "Oh well if he's going to sleep let him sleep. If you need me just knock on the wall!" Luca walked out of the room waving as he closed the door leaving the 3 alone yet again. Silently eating her food, popo was snuggling against her head as she chirped in enjoyment of the comfort.

Minutes g by as the 2 enjoy the quiet, _____ letting out a sigh as she put her plate to the nightstand and grabbing the pill bottle. Popping the lid, she slide a singular pill out and grabbed her water swallowing the hard pill. After that was done, she laid back down, the owl rolling into her lap demanding pets.

"Alright you mischievous bird." The girl said quietly, rubbing her fingers against the forehead of the owl. This went on for a long time, by the next hour, the man sleeping finally woke up. Eli was quick to quickly stand up noticing that hes not holding someones hand. He shook his head to see _____ and his owl staring at him in confusion.

"Are you okay?" she asked moving a hand towards his shoulder, Eli quickly sat back down planting his face into the mattress. Popo flapped her wings to stand on her owners head as he grumbled to himself, turning his head to the side to face the female.

"Sorry, I just, I thought you were out in a match again..." The man admitted quietly, despite wearing eye coverings, the girl can tell hes still in distress. She sat up to pat his shoulder to calm his nerves.

"I'm fine now Eli, I just can't believe I allow myself to get it this bad..." Eli quickly stood up to sit at the head of the bed to be next to her.

"It's not your fault, its Freddy's. Everyone saw your worsening condition and he can't even realize how bad it got for you before the match even started. Kevin and Luca took care of everything after the match though." Eli was gripping her hand tightly to assure everything is fine now. He didn't know what to do, hes exhausted from all the matches he did the previous day to cover and fill for people to release his angry. Eli was always the quiet type and took his angry out quietly or through actions unnoticed by others.

"Are you sure you aren't tired as well? Luca told me that you did 14 matches yesterday." Eli's breathing just stopped, he didn't want her to know that so quickly.

"I'm fine, I just needed to...let out some anger.." he said quietly. Eli never once opened up to anyone about his issues, his life, or anything. They just know he can foresee things and have a owl who can help. Popo got upset and started to flap her wings against the poor mans face from his response, _____ quickly grabbing hold of the bird to calm her down. The seer touched his face realizing that the cover was starting to slip.

"Eli...is there something you aren't telling me? Because this is the first time in months I have seen Popo get agitated at you. Is something the matter?" _____ put the bird down beside her who seemed to have calmed down enough to not attack anyone.

"It's, something really personal..." Eli admitted quietly, he gave up trying to cover his eyes and thought its now or never. Untying the back of his Ouroboros bandanna, he let the piece of fabric fall off his face, pull his hood down right after. Underneath was 2 pools of sparkling sky blue eyes, face markings running from his eyes resembling tear tracks with another paint crossing from his eyes crossing the bridge of his nose. Short brown scruffy hair fall flat against his face from the impact of the hood being pulled. "For the longest time _____, I never wanted things to change. I came here to be fix the problems from my old life. I never told anyone here so don't tell anyone ok?" Eli hand both of her hands as he stared sternly into her eyes. _____ was still in shock from simply seeing his face, shaking her head, she gave a quietly yes to his response.

"I came to the manor to fix my financial situation. My Fiancee wasn't happy with the small amount I made and not much after, I got the letter. I thought it was a good idea to come here to get that money to please her, but...at the rate this place is going, we may never see the light of freedom. I felt, disconnected, the freedom I got from not putting up with her words everyday was such a big relief that I'm glad I don't have to see her anymore. I started....to feel true love again....with you..." Eli admitted quietly starring into the others eyes. His words were the most sincere thing he said in the past few weeks. ______ stared back at him in shock of what he said.

"This is a confession right? I'm sorry I'm just trying to process everything at once..." she said quietly holding onto his hands more tightly. The poor girl couldn't tell if it was her fever making her body more hot or the sudden confession from the man she's been crushing on for so long. They sat in silence as the girl leaned forward, landing her head on Eli's shoulder, the 2 slowly moving their body's to hug each other.

"I love you too Eli...for the longest time too..." the girl whispered quietly, holding tightly onto the male, trying her best to avoid any position to make her IV drip make it uncomfortable. They stayed there for who knows how long, enjoying the silence that was their embrace.

Eli was the first to pull away, the warmth disappearing from his chest as he looked into the girls eyes, holding her cheek with one of his hands.

"I love you so much, let's get out of here together shall we?" Eli's eyes were glowing in the slightly dark room as he bumped his forehead against hers. _____ took her own hand to hold the others on her face, leaning into his gentle touch.

"Let's do it Eli." She replied quietly closing her eyes. The said male leaned forward, his lips touching his now girlfriends lips. The 2 enjoying the oh so short moment they had as a loud bang sounded the room scaring them.

"Ha I told you this would push them!" A voice boomed, Eli and _____ glancing over to see Luca smiling widely as Naib and Emma stand behind them.

"You better make me the god mother!" Emma yelled as Eli tried his best to push everyone out, embarrassed that they saw everything. The girl laughed to herself, she was happy that everyone was getting along so well, and happy that Eli was hers now. The man looked so panicked as he finally busted everyone out, sliding down against the wall giving a sigh in relief.

"I am never stepping foot outside this room ever again."

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