Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When the expendable was sent down here by UrbanShade, they thought they would just be going through the facility to get the crystal and leave.

They weren’t expecting to be chased by a giant fish-mer-thing. They tried hiding in a locker only for it to be bashed repeatedly causing their hands to ache. Eventually they had to let go and duck under its side to avoid being caught by its third arm.

As they passed through door 16 they decided to try another locker. If only to get a break. The moment the locker was slightly opened a dark mass of void and eyes latched onto the expendable pulling them in. The mass quickly hid them, the fish came up to the locker ripping open the doors.

When it looked in, it looked around the locker before apparently not seeing the expendable right in front of it. They were not released from the Void Mass until it apparently deemed it safe for them to leave their hold.

Thanking the Void Locker the expendable sets out to find some more loose assets, heading 9 more doors down they come across a room that was split in 3 different directions ahead.

Heading to the right they come across an office far more vibrant than the rest of this facility. Looking around the EXR-P finds some more data, some food and water (it was surprisingly edible…) as well as a flashlight.

As the prisoner goes to leave the office the sound of shuffling and items falling over becomes prominent now that they are not searching. Looking out they are met with the sight of the fish guy scrambling around trying to find something (most likely the EXR-P).

Coming up with a plan the expendable decided the best bet would be to run to the door off to the left. Straight shot out of there. They quickly ran trying their best to avoid being caught by the fish. Once getting to the door the prisoner shoved the door handle down about to run in only to be met with something else.

A meat ball (so to speak) with a smiling mask can be seen in the next room. Immediately it’s masked face whipped towards the now opened door. Throwing its clawed hand out just barely missing the EXR-P and whacking the monster behind them, successfully pushing it back and dazing it.

When they looked back at the now closed door the number was replaced with writing. ‘We apologize for Sebastian’ Sebastian? Was that the masked flesh? Something told the expendable that it was most likely the monster chasing them.

Deciding it was time to high tail it out of there the EXR-P ran to the only other working door off to the next room. They didn’t stop till a few more doors down, currently looking around an observation deck out into the deep ocean.

Finding a bit more data they move onto the next room. It’s a huge tunnel with glass on one side, as well as a few lockers and drawers on the other. Looking through the drawers they found a battery and $25 more worth of data. Looking back in their bag they had about $748 worth of data.

They took a glimpse out the window into the dark void of the ocean only to see a slight green glow in the far distance. Turning back they look through the lockers looking for one with a Void-Mass in it. Out of the 4 lockers in the hallway there was only one with a Void-Mass in it.

As they are about to leave for the next room, banging can be heard coming from the last room EXR-P was in. Scrambling for the Void Locker they go to jump in only for a clawed hand to smack the door closed. Sebastian is back, and it starts chasing them around the room. They jump over boxes and scramble to not fall.

When Sebastian finally corners them, they're in front of the locker back pressed against it. The expendable closes their eyes awaiting the inevitable crash of claws against soft skin. They wait… and wait… and finally open their eyes.

Sebastian who was towering over them is now slumped against the ground near the window. Looking around they can’t find what might have caused this. Then looking out the window the expendable is met with the sight of a massive shark staring them down.

Looking away quickly they go to check on Sebastian, as much as they disliked the creature they can’t blame it for being mad at anyone that comes down here. Looking at Sebastian the EXR-P deem his sleeping posture to be too uncomfortable.

Quickly they go to lower its top side more to the floor, then moving the tail around to its head making it act as a pillow. After the prisoner goes to look at their handy work, it looks adorable in their opinion, kind of like a cat curled up on the windowsill.

The urge to pat its head becomes prominent only to be stopped by the giant shark tapping its nose on the window. They get the feeling it’s telling them not to but the urge gets the better of them. But again they were stopped only this time by a voice.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you.” Looking around the EXR-P can’t find where the voice came from. They hear giggling as they look around only to give up a second later, they sigh attempting to go back to patting its head only to be stopped again. “WHAT DID WE JUST SAY?!?!?” They gave up after that.

Sitting on the floor they start pouting now that they were stopped again. Looking around again they still can’t find where the voice came from. Judging by how the voice starts laughing at the expendables' failed attempts at finding him- (We’re they a him? Sounded like a him.) he finally introduces himself. “Well then dear friend my name is Painter! The giant shark is Eyefestation, it's the one who knocked out Sebastian.”

Making a ‘o’ face they go to look at Eyefestation only to be stopped by Painter again. “Unless you want to pass out in the open I would move closer to the Void-Mass Locker.” Abiding by Painter's request they moved closer to the locker, leaving just enough room for the doors to open.

Now that they’re not running on adrenaline they can feel the effects of looking at Eyefestation. Looking again EXR-P can feel themself fall asleep to the green eyes of Eyefestation. Before they could fall asleep they felt themselves be moved into the locker and for Painter to comment “Goodnight expendable have a nice dream.” The expendable believes they might actually have a nice dream.

Chapter Text

Upon waking up they realize that they're much more refreshed than they were before. Tapping the Void-Mass they attempt to get out. Void-Mass quickly realizes and gives the expendable a sort of hug and lets them out.

Looking around they notice that Sebastian is gone, as well as Eyefestation. Continuing on they make it 3 more doors before they run into a dark room, before walking in they hear Painter's voice again through what they're going to assume is the speakers.

“I can’t light up this room so you're going to have some help from the Squiddles. Funny little things, they don’t like light though so don’t use a flashlight!” And the speakers are back off…

Sighing the expendable starts walking through, bumping into a few things here and there. Suddenly they walk face first into apparently solid darkness, watching it flash white before it apparently realizes their human. 

The Squiddle from what they can assume held out its hand almost beckoning them to grab it, which they did, it pulled them along navigating the dark far better than the EXR-P had been a second ago. It was a silent walk, calming, but silent.

From time to time the Squiddle would stop as if trying to renavigate itself. The expendable swears they see some sort of glowing eyes following them from far behind, but it must be the dark playing tricks on them.

After passing a few more drawers (which the Squiddle allowed them to check) the two of them finally made it to the door, waving goodbye, they opened the door to the next room. Thankfully this room is lit so they can see.

Checking the room they found a few USB’s and a flash beacon thing. EXR-P doesn’t understand how this would be useful but keeps it just in case. As they go to the door to head to the next room screeching can be heard making its way towards them.

Panicking they jump into a locker slamming it shut as the lights flicker a bit. Waiting they peak out a bit just in time to see an Angler thing swimming down the tunnel. He quickly makes his way down the hall, phasing through the wall going into the next room.

They grumble as the lights are out, taking out the flashlight they look around before going to the next room. After a few minutes of looking around they were only able to find some more data before realizing they were being watched… 3 big cyan eyes stare down at them.

Bolting they aren’t able to make it far before tripping over the massive monster who is sitting in front of the door. Their only exit was blocked and there was no way to get passed it. Thinking quickly they hoped that the same logic as the Squiddles worked on the fish man.

Grabbing the flash beacon they aimed it before firing at Sebastian. The terrible screech makes them nearly pause before remembering to run for their life. Quickly bolting for the door they run down the halls not even attempting to grab any data.

It took almost 7 more doors for them to finally get to a Void Locker. When it was finally in reach they slammed it opened and allowed themselves to be pulled in. Sebastian made it to their locker far faster than they expected.

Aggressively it shakes the locker trying to get them out, but the Void-Mass keeps them from even hitting the sides. After a minute or two Sebastian finally realizes that this is going nowhere. Finally it leaves. The expendable is left sitting there waiting for the Void-Mass to let them go.

They made it 4 more doors before coming across another glassed tunnel with Eyefestation waiting for them. The expendable was just going to pass but when they went to open the door, the voice of Painter cut through.

“Nuh uh uh you won’t be leaving until you rest! Besides, the door will be locked for a few hours” of course…

Sighing they go back to sit in front of a Void Locker before staring very intently at the massive shark. Finally dozing off they hear one more thing before falling unconscious.

“Do you think they’ll be able to help us? … yea I guess so.” Then they were out.

Chapter Text

When they woke up they immediately panicked, completely forgetting where they were. Struggling they try to get out of the Void-Masses grasp back into the open. The Void-Mass quickly set them on the ground trying not to hurt them.

Of course luck is not a common trait in expendables, so they rolled their ankle. They were able to outrun a 10 ft sea monster, but roll their ankle from their panic. The world is cruel in the HadalBlack Sight.

Feeling the confusion from the Void Locker, the EXR-P waves to them as if to say they're okay. They get up only to nearly fall face first into the metal floor (thank the Void-Mass). Putting less pressure on the swollen ankle they start to make their way to the next room.

Upon making it into the next room they got a bit of luck by finding a shiny coin with a skull on it. Only their luck didn’t continue if the flickering of lights and screeching coming down the hallway was any indication.

Quickly making it to a locker just as the entity made its way into the hall. EXR-P believed that it was just another one of those Anglers only for a glob of eyes to stare them down from outside the locker. It started banging on the locker attempting to get in.

After a full minute of holding the door closed, the thing finally stopped and just stood there. It was as if it was waiting for them. Begrudgingly they got out of the locker, nearly falling over in the process. It checked them over as if seeing if they were hurt.

Soon it found their swollen ankle. (it most likely would heal wrong with being in the Black Sight) It looked at them again before searching around the room. A few minutes later it came back disappointment radiating off it. Making a sighing noise, it lunged at them. It killed them. A pretty painless death, but still a death.

They didn’t wake up at the pearly gates or the front door to hell. They were in a dark void, a limbo of sorts. They didn’t stay in pure darkness for long as a yellow glowing bulb came into view. Soon they were sitting down at a desk, a lamp illuminating the surface.

Slithering can be heard in front of them and soon the expendable was met with the sight of their most dedicated chaser. Sebastian stood there looking down at them.

“Hm…you died…terrible timing by the way.” Looking to the side they scoff. How were they supposed to know it would kill them?

“Hey it’s not my fault you're incompetent.” If glares could kill him he would be dead where he stands. (sounds like a guy… guy? Guy.)

“Soooo let’s see, oh you died to Pandemonium?” Huh weird name.

“How did you not die to me, but to the one who keeps the injured from continuing?” They peaked up at him, surprised that he was explaining why they died.

“Anyways, just have a med kit if he shows up or hide your injury well. You should be okay if you do that.”

… Yeah they're confused right now. Why was the one who actively hunted them down sitting down explaining how to counteract him like they were going to come back?

”You can either use that coin to come back, pristine condition with nothing at all. No data, and no items you’ve collected, or you can start from the beginning. You’ll be able to buy stuff from the pregame store which has been forcefully added to help you. So which will it be?” That’s why.

Thinking about it, it definitely will be harder to start from where they died with nothing. But if they started at the beginning they could get what they needed with whatever currency was needed (they're sure they have it…) not only that they could get a thorough sweep of the place better than last time.

“So you're starting over? Probably for the best. Have fun! Hehehe.”

Soon everything went dark again. Then they were falling over from literally being thrown into their starting sub. Okay, the expendable is definitely not questioning life right now. They had 50 seconds before they got there so they looked for the store.

Finding it they bought a flash beckon and a med kit. Having just enough they bought a battery as well. Now all they had to do was wait for the sub to get to the Black Sight…

Chapter Text

To say they were worried was an understatement. What if the other entities remember them coming through? What if things changed? What if they died again?

Unfortunately they weren’t able to continue those thoughts as the sub finally made it to the Black Site. Shuffling their way out of the sub they start grabbing whatever they can. Quite a bit of data, they’re paid for supplies, a battery, and of course the keycard.

Hesitantly making their way to the door they unlock it and run in quickly. Unlike last time though they aren’t met with a raging sea monster. So exploring quickly they grab whatever they can and move on.

This goes on for 10 more doors until finally the flickering of lights can be seen. Jumping into a random locker they wait out for whatever fish runs down the halls. Said fish ends up being the first Angler they saw.

Quickly getting out of the locker they used their flashlight they found 3 doors back to head to the next room. The new room is a normal straight room with a few lockers and drawers. Looking around one of the lockers has a Void-Mass in it, waving to it they continue looking around the room again.

Unfortunately the sound of loud thudding can be heard making its way toward them. The EXR-P wraps up what they're doing and runs to the Void Locker, unfortunately they must have remembered wrong because they ended up with an empty locker.

The expendable didn’t want to risk getting caught so they just huddled in the corner not making a sound. Soon after the sound of items can be heard being swatted from side to side in the hall they were in.

Peeking out the crack of the door shows that it was the monster making his way through the halls. Now that the expendable got a better look at the fish monster they realized that his eyes were a bit more green than when they died. He also seemed to be a bit more feral than when they talked to him.

They decided that it might be best to stay in the locker for now till he passes by. He searched around the room moving things out of the way and listening for any sound he could.

Soon a few seconds turned into a minute, then two, then it became unbearable to sit in the locker anymore. Toppling out of the locker they sit on their knees for a moment trying to catch their breath and fix their tunneled vision. Surprisingly the giant snake didn’t attack them at all, only stared.

After finally calming down the serpent seemed to snap back to reality as he was now making his way toward them. Lowering he stares at the expendable as if he was contemplating something. Bringing a clawed hand he pokes at their face then stomach. (that one definitely hurt…)

Sighing he raises himself back up and starts getting ready to attack them. Immediately the expendable dashes out of the room sprinting for the door and onto the next room, running through they snatch anything useful that they run into without allowing the massive fish any time to catch up.

When they finally get to door 23 they hesitate at the tunnel of water they’ll have to traverse. The slamming of a giant fish behind them though is a good motivator to start moving.

Quickly the expendable puts their gear on and jumps in. Surprisingly the tunnel is a lot smaller than they thought, almost having difficulty turning around. They ventured down following the green lights till they got to a relatively large area, looking back they could see the greenish-blue sclera of the sea monster making his way toward them.

Soon his head popped out then an arm and then another. After that though he tries to pull himself through, except, he’s stuck. Somewhere between his third arm and the ground a rock is wedged between.

First he tries to pull himself through, then tries to push himself back. Neither worked and now he’s thrashing in anger trying to break his arm free. After a slight pause he goes limp, only to immediately shoot his head up looking around.

The expendable who was still watching this just stares at him, only after a clawed hand goes to tear at the rock around him do they finally realize his eyes no longer look green, their cyan. Looking back at Sebastian's dilemma the EXR-P realizes they could probably help, if he’ll let them.

Swimming towards Sebastian they go to duck under his arm making their way to the rock. The opening was just big enough for them to get through so it wasn’t a problem.

Finally they get there, attempting to wedge the rock out of place, which fails but they are able to chip off a bit of it. The chipping was working a bit better than just flat out pulling it so gradually they worked off bit by bit. Once Sebastian was free they moved back out into the large room.

He soon after shimmy’s his way out of the tunnel. Sebastian grabs the expendable bringing them to the surface, placing them on the ground he goes to speak only to cough over his own voice.

The prisoner goes to pat his side only to be stopped “No no I’m fine just been a while…” looking at him confused he sighs before trying to push them onto the next room. Incoherent screeches of protest can be heard as they are being pushed on their way.

This ended up turning into a back and forth of pushing and running. After a bit Sebastian finally gave up trying to get them to leave. Of course this resulted in the expendable falling flat onto the ground. Sebastian stifled a laugh before regaining his composure.

“So…why won’t you leave?” They looked at him deadpanned.

“Right right stupid question. You really should though. Don’t exactly know when I’ll go ’feral’ again.” He did have a point… and they didn’t exactly know how much more time they could stay here.

Finally giving in they started heading toward the door, waving to Sebastian on their way out. All they heard behind them was “Good luck and don’t die again!”

AHHHHHH

Chapter Text

Making their way through the past 4 rooms proved to be pretty easy as they were just some straight rooms. They were able to collect some data and another battery. Totaling up to 1 flashlight, a flash beacon, medkit, 2 batteries, and around 400 data.

Going to the next room they were met with the sight of a hanging walkway with two offshoots on the right side. Looking around there were 2 lockers (both of which were empty), some desks that had data in/on them (which were quickly grabbed).

Opening one of the drawers they found something a bit odd, a wind up light. It’s definitely useful to say the least, they won’t have to carry around batteries with them. They wont have to worry about it dying either cause they can just crank it.

Leaving the flashlight they snatch the crank searching for more goodies they end up finding nothing else. Moving on there about to go to the next room but the sound of a crackling radio can be heard around them.

“Ahem *cough cough* expendable at door 30, expendable at door 30.”

The speakers turn off.

… what-

The tell tale sound of screaming can be heard coming down the hallway. Quickly they jump into the closest locker and slam it shut, instead of the normal angler Pandemonium can be seen speeding through looking through the other locker in the hallway, it then makes its way to the one they were in.

It goes to rip open the doors upon seeing them, this time they allow it to grab them. Quickly it looks them over for any injuries, when it finds nome it takes their bag and looks through. When it sees the medkit it stares down at them and in some way grins even more than it was before.

Tossing the bag back (somehow), it does a little wave with one of its fins, they wave back at the small gesture. Left to head to the next room they take their leave.

Said next room consisted of a step incline and some destroyed stairs, there was also a window that showed the dark abyss of the ocean.

Annoyingly since the steps were broken they had to go up the steep slope. Tripping over small rocks or just getting not enough traction they finally made it to the halfway mark. Resting for a bit they look out the large window, which now has gotten 10x darker than it was a moment ago.

Going over they tap on the window expecting nothing to happen. Instead something does happen and now they are looking at the large eyes of Eyefestation. Quickly looking away they tap on the glass again and gain its attention and wave at it.

It’s almost funny how confused it was if it wasn’t for the fact they knew why. Attempting to not stumble like a buffoon they make their way to the top of the slope. Now being outside of the sharks peripheral vision they wave their hand where it can see it so they can see each other without the effects of its eyes.

Once it’s confusion slightly calms down the EXR-P experiences what could only be called a rave effect from the shark, its eye changing in an order of green, red, green, purple, red, purple. Nothing happened for a while until the static from the speakers can be heard.

“Why hello again!” The AI was back! Painter was it?

“Oh look at this! Our little friend is back! Didn’t you die though?” Wow okay so he might have watched them die. Cool.

The shark did another strobe light effect, which then Painter answered back. “Oh they were dead? Huh so how’d you get back?” The expendable has no idea how so they just shrugged at the camera they now just found.

It’s silent for a moment then Painter comes back sounding confused “That’s odd…” both the expendable and Eyefestation were confused which Painter seemed to notice. He goes on to explain how even when he goes back to the spot they died at, there is no body at the site.

“It’s weird… I saw you die, and saw Pandemonium leave you. I never saw anything take your body. It’s almost as if it never existed.”

Chapter Text

After catching up with what has happened in the site from Painter the EXR-P made their way through the next 5 doors. They had just found a code breacher and we’re looking through their stuff recounting what exactly they had.

So far they have a crank light, a flash beacon, medkit, 2 batteries, the code breacher, and around 675 pieces of data. Not so bad for being at door 36.

*THUD*

… Looking behind them they see what looks to be a piece of wall. Except it’s in the shape of a person. The thing had fallen over a opened drawer, it had no arms and didn’t seem to be able to get itself back up. Walking over to the thing they help it stand up, the EXR-P was starting to question if everything here was just abnormally tall or if they were just really short.

The thing made a weird echoey chirp noise, even when it was hunched over the expendable was only slightly the same height. Sighing in defeat the EXR-P makes their way to the next room. Except the thing followed them, like a shadow it stayed behind them only letting them see it when they fully stop.

This was definitely going to be hard to get used to… when it made a weird crunching sound they whipped around to look at it. This time though it stayed where it was and made a chirping noise. When the expendable turned back around the thing stayed closer to their side instead of right behind them.

Moving onto the next room they continue with their normal routine of finding a void locker and getting whatever they could. Except now they also found a empty locker nearby for the wall thing and looked at it whenever it made a crunch noise.

They did find it exhausting but found that they were much more alert than usual. Perhaps the natural ambience was being tuned out to them after so many rooms. Having much more appreciation for the wall thing they continued on through the next few rooms.

After 3 more rooms they were searching around for any more data when the lights flickered, shoving the wall thing into the empty locker the expendable runs over to the only other locker with a Void-Mass in it. As they jump in they catch a glimpse of what looks to be a different variant of Angler, this one looked like a frog.

As it passes the tell tale screaming follows suit and the lights go out. Jumping out the EXR-P waits for any possible difference this one has. And when the screaming comes back the way the frog thing went they jump right back in the locker.

This time when it leaves through the door a loud thud and screech along with some other noise can be heard from the direction it went. Deciding that sticking around wasn’t the best idea they go grab the wall thing and head to the next room.

The next room consisted of what looked like a testing room. There was two tubes and an observation platform surrounding the two. One of the tubes was smashed open, having glass scattered around it. Obviously whatever was in it had broken out, and if the little bits of blood around was any indication then the thing was possibly dangerous.

Looking around the deck they found a unmarked file along with some more data. Thinking about it this one did not say [CLASSIFIED] on it so maybe they could look in this one without getting in trouble?

Quickly they try to open it only to be stopped by some green mist, looking through the file as quickly as they could they were able to make out one thing before it completely shut.

Trying to pull the file back to them proved to be impossible and more green mist was forming along with the silhouette of a hand. The next thing to come was a very disturbing voice that seemed to be coming from the mist.

“Do not dwindle in situations you don’t know about.”

Then the file was gone. Almost sprinting they run out of the room and only stopped when they heard the wall thing make a screech from being left behind. They weren’t so frightened by the disembodied voice as much as they thought they would be but what they read scared them even more.

[Eradicated] is controlling subject Z-[], if you run into this subject run the other way.’

Chapter Text

It had been a bit since the unclassified folder, and so many questions were running through their head where any past family or friends might have been shocked. Right… family and friends… that’s why they’re even here to begin with. 

They had just been looking around for any items or data when the tell tale sound of crunching could be heard from their wall friend. Looking back at it, it makes a chirping sound before going back to its hiding spot. 

The expendable decided that having the wall thing learn to hide was a better risk than what might happen if it gets caught by the Angler or its variants. So leaving it to get back into the locker they continue to look around for any other data they may have missed.

But again they were interrupted by the lights flickering. Except this time the screaming came MUCH faster than they were expecting. Almost tripping the EXR-P jumps into the locker just in time for a blueish angler to rush into and out of the room, waiting a moment to see if it will come back proves to be unnecessary as the silence fills the room.

Jumping out they go to find their wall friend without bumping into the now spawned Squiddle’s which was easy enough as the thing made a chomping noise when the expendable came into view. Of course they had to immediately look at it before whatever it inevitably did.

Getting the help of the Squiddle they make it to the door onto the next room.

Chapter Text

The first thing they notice in the next room is that they almost have to immediately hide as the lights flicker once again. Pushing their wall buddy in a clear locker they run off to get into their own. 

Just as they jump in the iconic screeching is accompanied with the angry faced frog angler, when it first leaves they jump out to get a quick breath of fresh air and immediately jump back in as it runs by again going back the way it came.

When it’s fully left they get out of the locker to again hear a large bang and screaming. Quickly they grab their wall friend and scavenge the room as fast as they could, tripping a bit they end up being unable to get out of the room.

Whatever the frog had done had caused the door to be jammed, luckily though the red flash of a nearby camera caught their attention. Waving at it until the slight noise of speakers turning on do they stop. 

“Whhhaaaaattttt!” The exasperated sound of Painter’s voice echoed through the dark room along with a drawn scribbled face on the Navi Path.

Pointing at the door while still looking at the scribbled face was a pretty good indication for Painter as his next words made obvious.

“Huh? Oh. It’s broken isn’t it? Alright give me a sec I’ll fix it, I don’t think there’s any vents in here… wait why do you have a wall dweller???”

At the indication of it being talked about, the expendables wall buddy made a crunching noise. Promptly the EXR-P looked at it really quickly before turning back to Painter and shrugging. In turn Painter rolled his eyes at them before getting back to work.

Not long after the emergency red lights went on along with the sound of the door turning back on.

“Welp, that fixes that! Better get going, you're getting pretty close to something big so I would just watch out for our big fish friend! Hehehehe!”

Rolling their eyes they wave goodbye to Painter smiling at his antics. Something big huh? Wonder what could be so big to even piss off the big fish man hehe.

Chapter Text

Moving onto the next room they weren’t immediately berated with the flickering of lights. Deciding that now would be a good time as ever to check how much data they had they took off their backpack. 

Looking through they found that they had a crank light, a flash beacon, the first medkit, 3 batteries, a code breacher, and around 1549 pieces of data.

Satisfied they put everything away and slung their backpack back on. Proceeding they grab whatever pieces of data they could find adding to their massive collection.

The room was pretty interesting to say the least, it was a sort of garden with humanoids made of vines. It would have looked quite nice if it wasn’t for the creepy way the vines were shaped.

Just as they go to look out the window loud crashing can be heard coming from the previous rooms. Quickly helping the now dubbed Wall Dweller into the locker it was struggling to get into, they ran back to find a void locker. 

Obviously as stated 6 chapters ago, luck is not a trait expendables acquire in their lives. With that being said, there was no void locker. The only void thing was a void door but that didn’t look very hide-able, with nothing else to do they hid behind the large tree in the center of the room.

Waiting for their inevitable demise they listen in anticipation as the loud crashing noises get closer to them. Slumping down against the tree they curl in on themselves thoughts running thousands of miles per hour. They knew for a fact they would most likely come back after but the thought of dying was still very real to them.

They have no idea if it was a 1 time or 3 time thing. They might not come back this time… they could really die, never able to see their family or friends again. They knew they probably deserved this but it was still terrifying, their mom and dad would believe that they just died to death row, not that they suffered through horrors that shouldn’t be possible.

They didn’t think about it till now but they really could die. Oh god they could die here… and if they just kept repeating they would just be stuck here to rot forever. They don’t even know if UrbanShade will let them leave now that they know what happens here.

Thinking back to their trial they remember the betrayed and ever angered faces of people they would have died or killed for. They don’t even remember how they ended up on that stand being asked how they plead. They pleaded innocent, they tried so hard to prove themselves, but they were seen as guilty.

They don’t even know where this evidence was from, they don’t even know who told the cops it was them . They just remember the betrayed faces.

…what even was it… what were they-

The loud crashing finally came to a close as Sebastian came into the room. His face was more angry than usual, but nonetheless he still stood tall searching the room for the expendable. At least that’s what they assumed.

Looking down he finally realizes the floor is covered in grass and vines. The EXR-P had been careful not to touch the grass or vines, but now watching as Sebastian reel back as far away from the vines makes them wonder what exactly it does.

With Sebastian being far more careful walking around the room they had a moment to look around and see that the walkway they used is now covered in the vines, some of the statues seemed to be trying to cover up where they are hiding.

There were some vines that seemed to ever so slowly spread across the room toward the giant fish man. Said fish man was so invested in where he was moving, slithering? Where he was slithering that he didn’t notice the vines until they touched his tail.

If you could actually jump out of your skin, Sebastian definitely perfected it as the upper part of his body actually jumped.

As this happened the expendable was coming up with an idea, first they had to test how the vines would react to them. Moving to the walkway, all of the vines moved out of the way allowing for a path they can walk on. Looking back at Sebastian they realized he was still occupied with the ever moving vines which made this the perfect time to get their wall friend.

Said Wall Dweller was poking what would be its head outside the locker as a way to see what is happening. As it spots the expendable it makes a little chomping noise while heading over to them. The EXR-P quickly looks at it then starts running to the door once Sebastian sees them.

Enraged he tries to make a break for them except the vines have trapped him. Finally the expendable and their wall friend make it to the door. Leaving behind the enraged Sebastian, they head onto the next room.