Chapter Text
Hope was like a stubborn candle that refused to be snuffed out.
Even in an place like this...
The bell of the elevator rang again, signaling that it was time to step off. The sole occupier of the elevator sighed, adjusting their cap. Their shoes squeaked against the floor as they stepped out into the stale air. How many rounds it has been, always appearing in the same dusty hotel? They lost track.
And no matter how many times they died. No matter how many times they were brought back to life. No matter times it tried to plunge them into a sea of darkness.
It was never pleasant.
But even that has made way for numbness.
It's been awhile, they know. They tried to keep some track of time but it felt useless when it was just going to reset again. There really was no use in dwelling on anything in this place.
They shook their head to clear of the thoughts, checking their pockets before moving towards the counter. Thankfully, they had a small gift in the form of their lighter. There wouldn't be any wadding blindly in the dark for them... Until the fluid ran out at least. Guiding Light twinkled faintly in the distance, they were grateful for its presence as well. Their lips twitched into a soft smile, following obediently.
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry. I'm going." Just as they were about to duck under the obstruction, a mumbling sound reached their ears. Their head instinctively snapped up to the noise, scanning around the room as if something was about to get them. What was that?
They stood once they were inside of the reception area, now distrustful of the safe room. Maybe they had misheard?
There weren't supposed to be any entities here.
Another sound answered them, this time in the form of a crackling voice, as if it was coming through a speaker. "...What the hell was THAT?!"
They spun to the source so fast they swore they heard a crack in their neck. It was... coming from Guiding Light? Their body instinctively moved closer to the sprite, having never heard any human-like speech ever since they got stuck here. They haven't spoken with anyone in probably years now. "H-hello?"
One thing was for sure, that was definitely not from Guiding Light.
"I think this thing's busted, Seb." A sigh and then, muffled protests from a different voice. They couldn't quite make out what the other was saying. "Damn it, you're scamming me at this point. I shouldn't have bought this crap from you."
Maybe somehow they got contact with the outside world? It was a silly thought but something about it made just the slightest bit of hope bloom in their chest.
"...Can you hear me?" They hesitantly sat next to Guiding Light, unsure of what else to do. Something about this seemed as unnatural and strange as the walls around them. The silence stretched on for a good while, a sense of dread pooling in their stomach with every second. They were really going insane here, they're starting to hear voices in their head.
The question is... was that really a bad thing?
"The f*ck, there's someone talking– Hey, hey! I can hear you." The same gruff mutter answered, their swears punctuated with a beep. They sighed with utter relief at conformation that they weren't actually imagining things. "I actually heard something this time... I KNOW signal doesn't reach down here, I'm not sh*tting you, dumb*ss."
Oh wow, he had some... very crude language.
"Uhm, hello? Well, wait, I already said that..?" Their statement ended up curling into a question from their own confusion about this whole situation. What should they say? They haven't had a conversation with another human being since being here. Was he even human? "Who.. are you?"
"Can't say I like that question but you can just call me Expendable." That... wasn't a name. But they did notice that Guiding Light was starting to grow more illuminated when the man talked, as if responding to his voice. "Let's get to the point, are you anywhere near Norway right now and if you are, please contact someone– sh*t, anyone."
...
"I.. Uh, don't think I can't help you. Not that I don't want to! If I knew where Norway was, I swear I would help but it's just..." They looked around at the lobby of the hotel, wondering just what to say. "I don't even know where I am right now."
"Great. That doesn't help." Disappointment dripped from Expendable's voice.
Ouch. They knew that feeling well, almost too well. Though, they weren't expecting it in this realm of all places.
"Sorry to disappoint." That must've sounded pitiful.
"Save the apologies, whoever you are, I don't care." He huffed and then a noise they didn't recognize the source of crackled in the background. Whatever it was it sounded like metal clashing together. "I don't really give a sh*t if you believe it or not either."
"If it's not rude to ask, why do you need to contact somebody?" They prompted.
He chuckled, although it was directed more towards himself. "You wanna know why? I'm stuck in a facility THOUSANDS OF STUDS UNDERWATER and I'm stuck in a time loop inside said facility in which I die infinitely."
"...I believe you." Hesitantly, they added, "My situation is pretty similar actually."
"Sure, buddy. Sure." They get the impression that Expendable didn't trust other people very much. This sudden shift in the looping routine would've put them on edge as well, if it weren't for the fact they couldn't stop smiling like an idiot. They were actually talking with someone else in a conversation. God, they were lonely here.
"Sorry, it's just... I haven't spoken with anyone in so long." That traitorous bit of hope appeared in their chest again. "There's not many things I can talk to in this place, I thought I was going to go insane."
"Look, it was good talking to you and all.. but I need to go." Sound clattered in the background and Expendable cursed under his breath.
"Hey, wait! Hello??" They repeated a few times before realizing that they weren't going to get an answer, especially when the noise faded into static. Way to go, scaring off the one person they could talk to in this godforsaken place. They should've expected much. "...I'm such a disaster."
They started to get up from the floor, dusting off their pants. Maybe they should go and give the doors another try. Who knows, it could be that this time is different.
"Self-loathing is dangerous. Don't say such things." They nearly jumped from the scratchy voice that suddenly boomed from Guiding Light. "He would want you to love yourself as He has to you."
"What..."