Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He was the first to step foot into the empty cabin.

A place where the birds don't roam the sky, where there are no fish beneath the water in the lake. A place where the wind never changes its direction, where the moon looks dead and reflected nothing. Where the sun and moon would never meet, the stars stay for eternity.

The Spectre, whom Elliot had finally gotten the name of, had told him ever since the beginning of his arrival that an exit simply does not exist. There is no escape, and Elliot had tried to prove them wrong multiple times. Ended up in splitting headaches that made him want to bash his head against the wall until it eventually stops. Hands holding him by the neck, pushing and ripping his skin apart with its nails that are sharper than a knife. Agonising pain, all that just for punishing his attempts at leaving the place.

There was no telling of time, of how long he had been abandoned and locked in this forsaken place.

"Why am I here?"

The Spectre never seemed to answer, eyes bored into the blond's with an unreadable expression yet one would be able to see pure mischief and calculation in those eyes.

Ah, those eyes that reflected nothing but the red that runs in Elliot's veins. Sending chills down his spine.

Here they are, Elliot sat awkwardly at the porch of the cabin. The Spectre seemingly bending down, staring directly at the individual before speaking with a voice that would send anyone down onto their knees in fear.

"Entertainment."

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It has been months, or maybe even years. Elliot would not want to guess, he would not bother asking the being that would do nothing but mock his internalised misery.

That was- until he heard the wooden door swinging open. Well, that was more of an exaggeration. The door was actually pushed open by possibly what he thought to be the wind. Until he saw a hand gripping onto the knob as if their life depends on it.

Elliot immediately got up from the couch, eyes wide and focused on the individual stepping right through the door with a nervous stance.

The two met each other's gaze, though the stranger quickly averted, looking away as if he was trying to focus on anything else other than the pizza delivery man standing alone in the cabin looking like a mad man.

Elliot's hair had grown longer without him noticing, despite the fact that time does not move, he remembered when Spectre had approached him when he was on the verge of absolute meltdown. The other ran their hand over Elliot's medium length hair, saying something about.. it looking better if it was longer.

He really wanted to puke on them right there and then.

".. Wh- who- sorry, who are you?"

Elliot was too stunned to speak, one might say. He has not gotten any human interaction for quite a long time now. What expression should he be making? What should he say? What should he do? How does social cue go?

The stranger didn't seemed to be doing a better job either. He was freaking out internally and externally. The nervousness was completely visible on his face for the whole world to see. It took maybe a solid five minutes of silence before he eventually took a deep breath.

"I'm.."

--

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He was on the grass. The sky didn't look like his typical dead sky that he would see when he watch the 'stars' from the porch of the main cabin. He was on the grass. A pillar next to him, a place that he didn't recognise.

"Welcome to the Glass Houses." An awfully familiar voice whispered into his head like it was smiling, he could hear it grinning eye to eye. His only response was a click with his tongue.

Now that he was finally awake enough, he turned to the side and saw a pizza box. He hasn't seen that for ages, needing to reach out and touch it a few times to make sure it was real. He couldn't exactly trust his own vision very much with how much influence and isolation had taken over his system. It felt so surreal to see something that he had used to work with to end up.. right back into his hands. Like it was never gone from the first place.

The sound of a chainsaw roaring into life was what snapped him out of his stupor. That was new. He had never heard anything like that- especially in this hellhole that he was dragged into.

Elliot quickly stood up, getting onto his feet so fast that he nearly stumbled. Cursing softly under his breath, he regained his balance thanks to the pillar he had woken up next to. This was hell of a way for the Spectre to show off locations in their humble abode. It's still unsettling how he was uninformed of-

His thoughts were immediately cut off by a loud scream coming from a distance to his right. Specifically, from the large building at the far corner with two stories. There was only ever one other person here, without any hesitation, Elliot ran off towards the direction with the pizza box clenched in his right arm.

Before he was able to step foot into the building, he heard a loud thud followed by a low groan by his side. Noob was on the ground, his left arm seemingly injured by.. a chainsaw. That must've been what he had heard when he first awoke from whatever the hell that was.

Noob looked at Elliot with eyes filled with panic and fear, "We.. we need to go! We need to run!" Leaving the other confused as he forced himself off the ground when the sound of chainsaw had grown louder and louder the more time they had wasted. Noob did not even give Elliot any time to register the amount of blood that he was losing, and still continued to stream down his skin with how quickly he had scurried off.

A gush of wind was what stopped him from moving. Next to him, he saw a figure jumping down from where Noob was previously on both their feet. A chainsaw in their hand, a hockey mask worn yet failing to hide the ever so bright eyes that were locked on Noob.

They completely ignored Elliot, pushing past him as they continued to pursue the other as if they were playing a game of cat and mouse.

Alright, this doesn't look good at the slightest- Noob might die! He can't lose someone that finally made him feel even the slightest of sanity in this place so quickly. It has not even been that long since Noob had arrived.

"You know, he's going to die if you do nothing."

The voice spoke once again, somehow audible even with the loud chainsaw in the background that was rapidly getting further and further away, yet closer to Noob. Elliot felt his entire body freeze up in fear when he got a clear sight of the blades touching Noob's skin, piercing through the surface and slowly down onto his muscles.. bones... then a loud crack.

"Ah. What a shame. He could have lasted longer."

Before Elliot could even utter out a response, the masked figure turned around, their eyes locked onto Elliot as he began to hear a faint ticking sound.. of a clock. Is it- counting down?

The pizza delivery man snapping himself out of his own thoughts once again, he needs to stop being so distracted with his own mind. This was getting out of hand. What is it with him today? This isn't like him. He shouldn't be stuck in his head, he is in danger. Noob had just died. He can't just die like this when he had suffered isolation for so long. Not like this!

Even if he was so against the idea of death, the hockey masked killer wouldn't stop their pursue. In fact. with each tick, he was getting closer and closer. As if taunting the blond, as if he was giving him a head start.

That was all he needed to turn his back towards the killer. His shoes rubbed harshly against the grass beneath his feet as he twisted his entire body around to make a run for it. At first Elliot did consider running towards the high platform he saw earlier on his way to find Noob but decided against it since it was steep- he shouldn't spend his energy when he doesn't need to. Now that he thought about it, he could get cornered if he were to run up there blindly. He needs a distraction.

An idea came into his mind, like a light bulb suddenly flickered on as if it was never busted at all.

Elliot opened the pizza box, running towards smaller rubbles where the killer would not have direct vision of him, at the same time he could catch a small break before running for the pillar.

When the footsteps had gotten closer, he pulled out the pizza and threw it directly at the killer's face. Obstructing his vision long enough that he could make it into a safer area. He doesn't know what kind of sick game Spectre had planned, for all he knows, he could be stuck in this place with a murderer for eternity. In which he would prefer to have stayed in the cabins in isolation.

Beggars can't be choosers.

The trick seemed to have worked as the footsteps stopped approaching for a moment. Something soft hitting the ground, probably the pizza.

Elliot made a sprint towards the white walls in the corner, it seems like a good place to hide rather than the big glass house that has no doors and simply too transparent to hide someone- especially him who is wearing red. It's like asking for a bull to run into him head on like it's a mockery.

The ticks seemed to become louder, slower.. even. It got slower as time went on, the same footsteps rapidly approached his direction when he made a sharp turn into the corner walls. Hiding behind, his back against the wall for support as he took several deep breaths. He needed to be quiet, he can't move, he can't breathe too loudly or the killer would hear him.

Soft noises- as much as he could make them out to be whispers, were close. As if they were right behind him between the walls.

He hitched his breathing, a hand coming up to cover his own mouth.

His heart was beating fast, he couldn't think. He could hear his own pulse with how quiet he was being, with how much this situation was actually dawning on him that he was going to die. He was shaking, he could feel it. Yet his body was completely still as if it has a mind of its own and it is scared of being discovered.

The chainsaw was all it took to get a scream out of him. It pierced through the wall aggressively, missing him by an inch. The other seemed to struggle a little to pull it back out. Elliot took the chance to run, a killer without a weapon is less threatening than when they are armed.

Almost tripping over his feet, he decided that if he was going to die. He might as well delay it- or hope for the slim chance that he could do something about the killer.

A bold decision to run towards the platform which he had avoided earlier, the fall seems to be high enough, but he knows he can land without breaking anything. He doesn't have anything to carry, all he needs to do is to focus his strength on his legs to avoid any head damage. The killer however, need strength to carry the chainsaw.

If his calculation is correct.. he is more likely to get out of there unharmed than the killer. He could recover quicker too.

His legs were giving up on him, but the murderous roar of the blades were pushing his determination to run forward. He was running purely on adrenaline at this point.

When they reached the platform, Elliot skipped a few steps on the stairs to gain extra distance, sacrificing his stamina but it will be worth it.

The killer stood right behind him, catching up, dangerously close to slicing him apart.

Before he could even do anything, the killer gripped Elliot by the arm, forcing him to face him instead of the other way for the sake of his recovery from the fall in advance.

Elliot bit his tongue, struggling to pull away as he felt the edge of the platform under his shoes.

When he fell. The killer followed. Chainsaw dangerously close to his face, right between his eyes.

And it all went dark.

Chapter Text

The world was quiet, the sky looked alive, the water was flowing with life as fishes swim happily along. The grass seemed greener than what he was used to, the colours were returning to the his world. Finally. It has been so long, even though time may have gone slower than how he perceived. It still felt like an eternity since he felt alive, it's like having a taste of freedom from the strings that always held him. It's like when the puppeteer finally left the stage, when he finally could catch a breather from performing.

Yet, despite it all, the colours were being drained once again as he held a laugh. A familiar laugh that makes his blood run cold yet filled with anger. There was no sugarcoating it. He despises that voice, he hates it so much that he wants to break the hell out of the Spectre's vocal chord. To rip it completely out of their throat.

Such violent thoughts. When did he become like this? Even back when he worked at his pizza place, when he had to deal with annoyingly frustrating customers, he never had any thoughts like this.

Just what exactly has the Spectre done to him?

Elliot would freeze up, his face tensed as a pair of hands was wrapped around him, pulling him away from the world with colours as if he did not belong. No- not that he doesn't belong, it was taking him from it as if he was the danger. He was the anomaly. That's not true. It cannot be.

He didn't dare to turn around, all he did was gripping against the hands that held him. Clawing at it with his nails until he would see red, yet black was all he saw when the blood began staining his own skin like poison.

Soon. His vision followed along. The world was colourless and dark.

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"-lliot! -rry.. I d- you- dead!"

There are words that he could not make out, his ears were ringing like there were thousands of needles piercing his skulls at a rapid rate where he could barely feel pain but only stings. It's like a tension headache. He wished he didn't have the conscious to comprehend what he is feeling at the moment. Maybe going back to sleep and become one with the earth would do him more good than leaving the light in the tunnel. Oh, how warm that light must have been when he was so close.

The unfamiliar voice spoke further more, each time filled with more and more panic as if the person was going to have a meltdown if he doesn't open his eyes at this very moment. Honestly? Sort of valid. He would hate it if the person he's trying to wake up is dying on purpose. What an asshole thing to do, if he does it as well.

Elliot slowly opened his eyes, the light bulb above his head greeted him like the sun through his curtains when he has an occasional break from work. He winced at the brightness, pulling up his hand to cover his eyes. A sigh of relief was heard from his side when he moved on his own, indicating that he is indeed alive.. and unwell.

"T-thank... goodness."

It was Noob, it was strange considering that he died back there but guess this is what heaven feels like!

...

Wait what?

Elliot shot up from his previously unconscious lying down position, in return, headbutting into Noob who was unluckily directly watching over him like he was his guardian angel. Except now he has what looks like a giant tomato smudge on his forehead with how aggressive Elliot was with sitting up.

"Ow! A- AH! You're okay! Wait no! Your forehead! Wait, I think I- I have some bandages.. some.. somewhere?"

The other seemed to not care that he himself was headbutted, he just wanted to make sure that Elliot wasn't flying up to the heavens again.

"HOW ARE YOU ALIVE!?"

Noob was caught off guard as Elliot gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his skin unintentionally out of pure adrenaline and shock. He couldn't answer as Elliot opened his mouth once again to cut him off of whatever answer he was going to provide- well, answers that he could possible give that he himself understands at all.

The truth is, he doesn't know either.

"I.. watched you get sliced into half by that masked man! You were bleeding all over, you were barely even-"

Elliot was shaking, his voice getting louder the more he spoke. He couldn't control his own volume, he just wants to understand how exactly did Noob- no, not just Noob. How they both are right here and well, with their hearts still beating as they would before getting murdered in cold blood.

He watched as the other flinched with how loud he was, eyes frantically looking around as if to hide himself away from the pizza delivery man's questioning gaze.

With a soft and shaky voice, ".. I don't know.. I woke up here.. and saw you beside me.. you weren't breathing for.. a moment but then you started.. mumbling.. and gasping.."

He had to calm down. His grip on Noob loosened, as his arms dropped to his side in confusion. None of this make sense at all. Then again, they are in Spectre's territory. Nothing makes sense. He has to talk to that bastard to get an answer.

His thoughts were interrupted by Noob opening his mouth once again. He shut himself up so that the other could get a few words in.

"I also.. need to tell you something.. uhm.."

He sure was taking his sweet time with his words.

"..." He took a deep breath, ".. Someone- no.. two people.. came through the.. front earlier.. while you were out.. they.."

The rest of Noob's voice muffled as Elliot stopped listening halfway through. More people? Did the Spectre bring in more people to torment? Why? Does that mean that there are more of those killers around if there are more of these innocent people in the cabin they stay? What does this mean for them?

Just when he was going to ask where the two are, he heard pairs of footsteps approaching from upstairs, two men that he.. sort of recognises had stepped into his view.

One with a construction hat, and the other had curly hair as he wore a white shirt, looking much casual that he already is.

They look awfully familiar but he couldn't put a finger on it.

"Ah, he's awake. Uh.. assuming we could talk about what happened earlier now?" The one with the hat spoke first, his voice held a crazy amount of nostalgia and warmth that Elliot had not experienced in such a long time. Did he know this person? He has to- or at least not personally.

Before he could speak, the other man cut in with a much lazier tone.

"I don't know man, he looks pretty beaten up. You really think he can keep up with the serious conversation you were gonna give?" Shrugging as he leaned against the railings.

"Don't say it like that- well.. if he isn't in good condition we could always wait. I'd prefer if we don't wait any longer though."

This is where Elliot should interrupt their one-on-one conversation.

"I'm fine. Who are you? How did you end up here?" His voice sounded raspier than it usually is, he sounded much more exhausted than he thought. Maybe he was nervous, he had only been talking to that god-awful being and Noob for the past time after all. He hasn't exactly had any actual interaction with anyone else who isn't directly threatening his mental stability or someone who freaks out at every little thing he does.

To be fair, he does mumble to himself a lot, that probably freaked Noob out very badly especially in the middle of sleeping hours.

He couldn't help it. Talking to himself makes the silence quieter, he had to keep himself sane somehow. Humans need social interactions, and he is one of them. He needs this as much as anyone does despite not being one to yell during parties to hype the crowd. Any company would do just fine as long as it is.. not a certain someone.

"Builderman. This one here is Shedletsky." The shorter one would introduce in a simple manner, a gentle smile on his face to keep the friendly demeanor up. As if he was trying to make sure that the two blonds don't panic or fall back into a bad mood, Noob had probably told them all about what happened before he was awake.

There is a lot to unpack. He wasn't sure where to start, and he's pretty sure that the two newcomers already know his name.

However, for the sake of having manners.

"I'm sure.. Noob has already introduced me. My name is Elliot. Nice to meet you, Builderman and Shedletsky."

The names are so familiar. So why couldn't he remember a single thing? He was so sure that he's heard of them.

It seems that his nervousness and confusion was seen right through.

"Hey- we can take a breather. Noob told us what happened, but if you need the time we could always wait to talk. We just want to understand the situation and come up with some conclusions."

It's impressive how Builderman was able to stay calm in a situation like this. However Elliot has to remember that they just got here, of course, his own mental state was demolishing like an overgrown tower.

Elliot responded with a small nod, he wasn't exactly sure why he was freaking out over not remembering people that he probably has never met officially but has heard of. This was getting a little out of hand, but it's fine. He can push through this. They can push through this.

He sucked in a deep breath, calming his nerves. If there are no more surprises today, it'd be great! He just needs time to comprehend everything that has happened and is happening. Is that a little too much too ask? No! But Spectre thinks otherwise.

"Yeah. Yeah.. I'm good. Don't worry. Just- tell me what you know. I'll explain as best as I could.."

Elliot's gaze was focused on Noob who almost fell off the chair- is he okay?

Noob is fine.

Both Builderman and Shedletsky exchanged a look, as if they were talking to each other telepathically. Before turning to Elliot and guided him towards the dining table where they could have a talk.

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"So you're telling me that there's a demon- or whatever being that's kept you here and now us too? I don't know, that sounds a bit overkill." Shedletsky commented with a bored look, but still tries his hardest to understand Elliot's words and explanations. He crossed his arms, leaning back against the chair as his gaze focused on the pizza delivery man that's looking much more anxious than Noob at the moment. His eyebrows raised, glancing over to Builderman, who looked equally as concerned as he is but his expression was much more controlled.

Elliot sighed, as if he was tired of trying to win them over to his side of the story. Which is fair, considering the whole explanation took about half an hour of their time- if the clock is even working correctly at this point.

"We believe you, Elliot. We really do." Builderman spoke this time, his voice quieter, trying to be as reassuring as possible. "It's a lot to take in.. but it does sound real." As real as this place could be.

Shedletsky continued to observe the other two in the room, Noob seemed to be listening to the conversation but was actively avoiding becoming a part of it. Elliot looking anxious, hints of frustrations behind those eyes as he held eye contact with Builderman for the conversation.

He can't exactly understand Elliot's feelings towards the situation as he has not been here as long as he did, plus they're two different person entirely!

"I know. I just.. can we talk about this next time?"

The blond was desperate to end the talk. Receiving a nod from Builderman, knowing that they shouldn't cross Elliot's boundaries especially when they have just met not even an hour ago.

He'd have to look into this. Alone.

Chapter Text

"May the Spawn bless you." Two Time's voice broke the silence, making the unaware Elliot almost jump from where he was sitting. He turned around, eyes immediately locked on darker manic filled ones. Though- the other seemed to be harmless.. at the moment at least.

It has been over a few days since Builderman and Shedletsky's arrival, what they never expected was for someone else to immediately come along.. in one of those killer rounds too. That's what they had began calling it, a round of games where they'd have to deal with the same masked killer on their tail. Constantly killing them over and over again without a single word, or either the killer just really did not feel like talking. No one really asked the guy, who in their right mind would do that?

Two Time happened to somehow appear in between the rounds, while Shedletsky was busy sword fighting the killer, in which they have figured out that they have some kinds of abilities or some sort to use in those games. The first to figure it out was Noob, surprisingly, however not because he managed to figure it out. It was simply the fact that he got too nervous during the match and turned himself into some sort of cremation when he mistook a random potion for his soda which he always drinks when he's nervous.

When Noob wasn't getting hurt at all, even the killer was confused, but they seemed to have recovered from confusion when the cremation effect wore off after a while.

Though, despite the circumstances and lack of knowledge, the poor guy was saved by the newcomer who immediately dived their dagger into the masked killer's back with impressive agility and speed. That was enough to distract the killer to get Noob out of danger.

"... Why do you do that?" Shedletsky, who was sitting on the outside of the couch raised an eyebrow as he turned to look at Two Time. No, he didn't exactly say that in a mean way but more of a literal 'why' and 'why..?' way. Either way, it is the confusing way.

Speechless. Even.

"Is my ability to break the ice bothering you, chicken man?"

"Well no, but- WAIT WHAT DID YOU CALL ME-"

"That's what your shirt implies."

The 'argument' went on for minutes before Elliot finally managed to tone it out by simply staring at the window, the other side were the cabins they would individually sleep in. There are a couple more vacant ones, he's assuming Spectre was bringing in more victims. He hasn't gotten the chance to speak with them, it seems like they were purposefully not letting Elliot have his way at all.

Which was incredibly annoying.

Elliot sighed, watching as the two kept bickering on and on, seemingly without an end any time soon.

There was also another thing that they have discovered, the fact that Elliot could somehow heal someone with his pizza was an insane discovery to him. The way the one thing he lost became the hope for everyone else. But he wasn't sure why this is the case or how it does work. At this point, he had stopped trying to connect the dots in this realm. Nothing is supposed to be realistic. The way they get cut down by a chainsaw repeatedly, yet wakes up inside the main cabin as if it was simply a nightmare. No scratch on anyone's body, nothing at all.

Thinking about it is giving him a mild headache and he means it.

The healer stood up, deciding that the bickering between the cultist and the former admin- who finally introduced himself properly during their 'interaction' during one of the rounds where Shedletsky panicked and started talking about being an ex admin who should not be defeated by a greater evil, which left everyone especially Elliot confused.

He headed towards the kitchen, Spectre usually would be standing there with ingredients for him to cook something with. Surprisingly, there were moments where he felt at peace, but he convinced himself that he was simply getting brainwashed the longer he stayed in this place. He was a prisoner and nothing more. He needed to remind himself every chance he's got.

The counter is empty, empty of the Spectre that is. They have been absent as of late, now that Elliot is being entertained by the others who have been held prisoners here as well. More are coming and he's sure of it.

He sighed, looking at the ingredients on the table. It's strange and slightly hilarious that the Spectre would give him different recipes and ingredients to work with every day as if they were even eating with him. Now that he thought about it, if the guy is some sort of god.. or whatever, why can't he just make food appear out of nowhere?

In all honesty, he didn't mind in at all. Cooking kept him entertained, he actually has things to do that is connected to his life before being taken away from it forcefully. He didn't even remember how he ended up here, his memories have been fuzzy for quite some time now. He'd remember some things such as the basics, his name, his job, maybe a bit of his family. Yet their faces were blurred, he could hardly remember their names. This has been a rising concern but he wasn't sure where to start with looking into it. It's not as if he could remember things just because he oh-so desperately wants to.

If he has a choice or any power at all, he wouldn't be here right now.

"Hey kid, you're alright?"

Ah, Builderman is here. Has he been watching him stare off into the unknown for the past minute? That's a little embarrassing.

"Oh yeah, I'm good. Something wrong?"

Elliot turned around, meeting the other's gaze. Builderman has been calling everyone kid, aside from Shedletsky. Honestly? He doesn't exactly mind it, not that he would get any older than him with their situation with time itself. Even if they really do age, he doubts that their bodies are actually registering any of that fact. It's like they're all already dead.

That can't be it.

"Noob said you look like you were having a migraine. So I came to check on ya." He shrugged, walking towards Elliot with some medicine obviously painkillers. "Figured you might need 'em, I found some in the cabinets and they were stocked up."

Not suspicious at all. Nope.

"Thanks- where exactly did you find them?" Elliot took the painkillers, eyes filled with suspicion but it was a mutual understanding that it wasn't towards Builderman but at the being who conveniently placed it where someone could find WHEN someone is having a headache. This is getting ridiculous.

Builderman simply gestured towards the storeroom at the back, "You can check it out after you've rested, it's been a long week after all."

It wasn't a request, that is what Elliot knows.

However, he has one excuse.

"I need to cook dinner for everyone, I'll rest after that."

"Shedletsky can take over."

"No, I can do it-"

"He will take over. I'll tell him."

... It was worth a try.

Elliot sighed in defeat, grabbing a glass of water as he swallowed two tablets of painkillers. Well, he didn't exactly read the labels but he doubts that it matters either way in this hellhole. Plus, most painkillers he had took in the past usually are two tablets instead of one. So he really does not think an overdose is even possible at this amount-

"You done?"

"Yeah." That was an autopilot response, earning a nod as Builderman went off to inform Shedletsky that he's gotta be the chef tonight. Elliot just knows that the other would somehow manage to pull some fried chicken into the menu even without ingredients. He's really not sure how he's doing that but that could be easily countered with his own pizza logic, as they do appear without him physically needing to do anything as well. Though, they only appear in those games.

With that, the pizza deliverer left the kitchen as quickly as he entered earlier. Passing through the main lobby and into his own cabin.

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There's a lake in this place, if that's considered a lake. He wasn't exactly sure what's the difference between the water bodies, not that it matters or he cares at all.

Dinner went well, he got the fried chicken he wanted. Noob ate it and ran off to do his own things again, Two Time prayed to the.. Spawn as they were going to eat, Builderman ate as usual but looking a bit concerned for their healer who almost missed dinner.

If his estimation is correct, there should be another person joining them in at least a day or two, it seems like the time between arrivals have been getting shorter and much more random according to Elliot.

As of now, he hasn't figured out as much as he'd like to within the time frame. Builderman found something out but was trying to keep it confidential, hiding something at the least. Two Time is just.. they're alright, a little particular but at least they're not a troublemaker. Noob disappears so much that Shedletsky has given up on trying to get any information on him at all.

Elliot? He could only find out so much before he was eventually stuck.

The former admin groaned in frustration, burying his face into his hands as he sat by the port. Wherever his human ears were, they were replaced by wings. Tidy brown wings that covered his eyes as if that's going to give him any extra clues in this eternal damnation.

Maybe the slightest comfort from himself is what he needs.

"Alright, alright, I can do this."

Shedletsky slapped his own wings as they morphed back into his glamour. No signs of them ever existing as human ears took their place.

"Stupid David. Stupid Elliot. Stupid masked killer that brings a chainsaw to a sword fight!"

More groans.

This is a valid crashout in his opinion.

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He couldn't sleep. Even after a fulfilling dinner, he laid awake in his bed staring at the ceiling. He should have gotten used to sleeping on time even when he isn't tired since he had worked extremely long shifts back then, almost twelve hours a day for six days a week wasn't exactly for the weak at all. Fast food workers really have it hard.

Now? He wasn't thinking of anything at all, in fact his mind was finally quiet. So quiet that the silence was becoming louder as time passes.

Elliot stirred in his bed, maybe it was his sleeping posture that's causing this inconvenience. That shouldn't even be the case at all but he is actually trying to get some rest just like Builderman had advised.

But nooooo the Spectre decided let's give Elliot insomnia!

...

Did he actually do that?

Could he actually do that? That's the bigger question.

Frustrated, Elliot sat up and stared down into his blanket for a few moment. Taking a couple of deep breaths to calm himself down.

"This is fine, it's fine. I could just pull another all-nighter, no big deal. Not at all."

"Really?"

Not that he was expecting a sarcastic remark from the air at all but- wait what?

He had goosebumps, slowly turning to his left as he saw the culprit who caused all of this.

The being covered in codes, purple eyes staring deeply into his own without any signs of threat yet the alarms in Elliot's head was going off, telling him to run despite having to be around them many times before.

This is the effect the Spectre has.

His ears were ringing, the tinnitus was beyond comprehension as the other began inching towards him like his first encounter with the killer. However, this was something different. The way Spectre moves slowly and calmly, knowing its prey would not run no matter how many corpses and blood they may have witnessed the other caused.

The way they know Elliot will not run.

"I heard you have been wanting to see me, yes?"

At that moment, Elliot could not speak. His throat felt tight, his ears were ringing so loudly yet somehow able to easily make out the other's mocking voice, he was seeing colours yet purple stood out on purpose.

A smile curved onto the being's face.

"I've missed you too."

Chapter Text

Elliot has been out of it lately, he had blanked out to the point where even Shedletsky couldn't get a response out of him. He had accidentally bumped into Builderman several times while mumbling quick and panicked apologies, staring so deep into space that even Two Time couldn't compete, not even Noob's nervous tapping on the shoulders were enough to bring him back to his senses as quickly as they should have.

They had tried to ask him what was wrong, he brushed them off as if nothing ever happened at all with that stupidly convincing smile that he had mastered due to his work.

He's hiding something. That is what's on everyone's mind.

Instances where he would flinch from a sudden noise and touch, as if he was expecting something to come out of the walls and eat him alive. Usually, it would be normal for someone like Noob to have these sorts of reactions to being surprised. However, it is Elliot. The way his actions were immediate and different from one singular night was abnormal. Extremely concerning.

When they realised that it is impossible making the pizza deliverer to give them any answers, they had stopped persistently asking but decided to simply observe from afar. An idea from Builderman.

Shedletsky must admit, maybe his way of trying to force an answer out of the other was not a good move. Seems like keeping their distance was enough for Elliot to recover, not completely but it is something. So he will take that.

Now that's out of the way, he should focus on the round that's happening.

He had woken up alone, seems like no one is in any danger just yet. So it was just him and his sword, and his fried chicken. Telamon knows how he even get these, but he had stopped questioning it a long while ago.

The former admin made his way over to the closest generator that he could find, kicking it to get it started, all of these wires were going to give him a headache- it wasn't that he's any bad at it! No! It was just so repetitive that it really becomes an eye sore after a while. One might even forget what's the colour of a red wire.

Ah, how he'd pay to see someone crash out over the wires live. It would be a cinema.

It didn't take long before he was done fixing the generators. Honestly? He should be given a medal for completing it so swiftly on his own!

The internal celebration didn't last long, an unfamiliar sound that reached his ears made him immediately turned his head towards the general direction of where it came from. There was no mistaking it.

It was a gunshot.

.

.

.

That can't be right. No one has a gun as far as he knows.

Elliot thought as he sprinted through the maze of Planet Voss, the walls were hindering his vision but it wasn't really a big deal. He had learned how to navigate through these unconventional areas. As much as this place is good against the killer, slamming into walls every few minutes really is not fun. Too many walls also obstruct Two Time's ability to stab the killer as they would like, the cultist did complain about it a couple of times when they have had enough of not being able to do anything during the rounds in this specific maze of a location.

"Dear pizza man, would you happen to know why there is such a foreign sound currently bursting our eardrums?"

Speaking of the devil, the cultist had appeared next to the running Elliot towards the direction of the gunshot. Unlike Elliot's motions, Two Time was running slightly slower and had a less tense of a stance in general. Their dagger carefully clutched in their dominant hand, the same grin they would wear is ever so visible to the public's eye. They ran with their hands clenched into fists rather than opened like Elliot. Maybe that matters in terms of how fast they could run because of that?

This really isn't the time for physics.

Two Time's comments are usually.. interesting, but this time Elliot would also love to know the answer. He's sure that everyone is confused, but they all know the answer. Someone new could have been sent here during the middle of the rounds. It happened to Two Time, and it is happening again.

Why now?

".. It should be someone new. If they fired a shot, that means Jason in near."

They had figured out that the killer has a name, well not exactly, they just thought the man really looks like someone who would be named Jason so they decided to him that instead of killer everytime.

At this point, Elliot wonders if Jason ever gets tired from being the only killer currently.

Now that he thought about it, would there ever be any new killers like how they are more of them.. survivors?

Two Time hummed in response, as if they were thinking of something but decided to keep their mouth shut for now. Their eyes staring blankly towards the front as they pulled Elliot along with them when the other had nearly ran straight face into a wall.

That wouldn't have been good.

In fact, that would have been downright embarrassing.

When Two Time finally came to a stop, accidentally yanking onto Elliot's arm a bit too hard. The blond had to bite his tongue to not make a pained noise.

The other seemed to have noticed before finally letting go, mumbling an apology that sounded very sincere despite the ever so manic gaze in their eyes.

The two hid behind one of the walls, now that Elliot took a quick look at their surroundings, he realised that the area had some- no, GREAT renovation. The layout had changed quite a lot.

In the center, there was Jason who stood silently as always, menacingly even, but he seemed to have been stunned by something. He held his arm where one could see him bleed if they focus hard enough. Blood trickling down the killer's arm as they made their way to stain his sleeves.

A stranger stood across from the killer, the smoke from the gun was still visible, as well as their stance. They held the gun with their left hand, a confident grin worn on their face. Shades covering their eyes. They look a bit too fancy to be in a place like this.

"Phew! That was close!" The newcomer had spoken to break the silence, their cheery voice was one that Elliot has not heard for a while. There was something about it, how carefree the other may have presented themself to be was simply refreshing to him.

Yes, Shedletsky was close to being carefree but the attitude and atmosphere was different.

This was something new- not to compare the two of course. Their personalities are different and they are two entirely different people. It'd be rude to say one's better or worse than the other.

Plus, there was only ever one.. or maybe two people that he heavily dislikes, not fond of.

The 'peaceful' intermission was immediately broken when Jason recovered from the bullet that pierced through his arm. Began pacing towards the newcomer menacingly, chainsaw roaring like there was no tomorrow.

Despite the stranger wearing shades, it was easy for even a child to tell that the fella was absolutely cooked. Utterly fucked. Royally dead.

They broke into a sprint, not knowing where they are going so they are basically running blindly into a certain direction. Elliot prays that either Shedletsky or Builderman is able to help the poor guy out- actually wait.

Elliot turned to look at his left, where Two Time was.

Keyword. Was.

The cultist was long gone, causing the pizza deliverer to panic and look around frantically, only to find them sneaking behind Jason to maybe give the newcomer more time to run.

.

.

.

Now they sat around the main living area instead of the dining tables at the back.

So this is how the event had gone, Two Time managed to stab Jason allowing the newcomer to gain distance. It took a while for them to finally find a safe place to hide. However, it did not take long until the masked killer found them again.

The newcomer ran for quite some time, almost beating Two Time's record for distracting the killer until the round ends.

When Shedletsky went over to help at the last couple of seconds, the newcomer turned around with an extremely determined and confident look. A gun in their hand once again, pointed directly at the killer.

Everyone thought that it is guaranteed escape and a quick end to the round. Only for them to hear a gunshot and nothing else. Jason did not stop moving- heck, even he was confused how he wasn't shot.

Whoever was present turned their heads towards the shooter before realising he was the one on the ground. His face blasted by the gun explosion, it was really.. a gruesome sight but at this point, they didn't have the time to stand around and question their own sanity.

".. So, would ya like to introduce yourself?"

One thing that Elliot had noticed was that Builderman would slip up on his accent ever so often, much more than before. Shedletsky had shrugged it off as the man being much more comfortable around the others, and honestly? That's a great thing to hear.

The stranger looked extremely confused as they adjusted their tie and their hat, those things were supposedly blown off by the explosion previously but they all seemed to be perfectly intact as if whatever happened was never real to begin with.

"Ah! Yes, of course!"

The man cleared their throat.

"Name's Chance, now may I have the honour of knowing what the hell is happening?"

Funny how they said hell.

That almost gained a chuckle out of Elliot if he wasn't already disorientated by what happened.

While the others were talking and giving answers to everything, he had zoned out. The statics in his ears were growing louder and louder to the point where the others' conversations were drowning out completely. His hands would clench into a fist as he stared down at the table.

Another one.

The Spectre did not answer anything that night. Literally nothing at all. All the being did was being so sickeningly indirect with his questions, answering with riddles to mess with his head for the pure joy of watching him suffer in an existential crisis. Just for his reactions. Just for his entertainment.

Of course, that wasn't all that had happening. There were more. Details that he would not like to remember.

Codes were not supposed to be tangible, he was not supposed to feel those cold touch that held his face in a gentle motion, yet a grip so tight that he could not afford to look away. A puppet could not resist a puppeteer's command after all. When they pull a string, he follows. That's how it is. That's how it always have been.

There was no protest as the other would lead him onto the stage that he had been forced to adapt to. There were never really any audiences, but this time, he was afraid that he would see the others among the empty silent crowd. He fears for the day where they would find out that he has some sort of ties to the creature that brought them all here to simply make them suffer.

The guilt would eat him if he catches the glimpse of their expression. All he knows is that they'd be disgusted, eyes filled with hate and anger.

The Spectre would love to see that.

"Elliot?"

Of course that absolute abomination of a being would love to see him fall. It doesn't matter how many times. They would watch him tear his own wings out again.. and again, and again. And again-

"Uhm.. Elliot?"

Not like he ever cared for him at all. He's simply a plaything for him, his favourite toy until the end of time. Even an abandoned toy would not be thrown away if the owner is a hoarder. A treasure will forever remain a treasure if he's limited. Forever kept in a cage, a songbird forever to be encased within the 'safety' of this damnation.

"Kid?"

It's infuriating. No matter how much he wanted to resist, his body would not listen. All of his determination melts away with a single touch, it's not even- it's not how it's supposed to feel. Not at all. He should hate them. He does hate them. So why is his mind filled with that creature as if that's the only thing that truly matters-

A firm grip on his shoulder was enough to pull him out of his misery. It was also what made him notice the tears on his face, slowly streaming down. Ah. How long has he been-? This is bad. This is- this isn't about him. There was a newcomer and he's making all of this about himself.

"Sorry- sorry. I blanked out." Elliot quickly covered his face with his arm, wiping off the tears, acting as if nothing happened.

He knows the others had exchanged glances, be it in pity or in confusion. He doesn't want to see that.

It took barely a second before he had wiped that pathetic look off of his own face.

"I'm fine- did you guys need me for something?"

Noob looked the most worried out of all of them, Elliot chose to avert his gaze from the other. Eyes now on Chance and Builderman instead.

"That can always wait, 's fine kid. You look like ya need some rest."

"No no, it's really nothing. Really."

Builderman sighed, he had dealt with Elliot's stubbornness for the longest time that he's been here. He knows that the other would always wear the same mask even if it has been revealed.

"We were going to ask ya about the... what was it, the Spectre? We didn't exactly get much info last time." He crossed his arms, leaning back against his seat as he pulled his hands off of the blond.

With that, Elliot's expression paled, looking as if he had seen a ghost.

"Hey hey, it's fine! I was just curious that's all! We don't need to talk about whatever that is." Chance tried to damage control, waving their hands around as if it would allow Elliot to focus on something else rather than the thought of that being.

He couldn't utter a single word out. He could feel his heart beating faster than usual, cold sweats forming around his forehead as he took several deep breaths. He could catch a glimpse of Builderman getting up from his seat so he could do something to help, but Elliot beat him to it.

"I.. I'll be back in five."

Scurried off his seat as if his life depended on it, leaving the cabin as quickly as he could without tripping.

The others could only watch. Some with guilt, some with worries. Some with suspicion.

"If I may, I could speak with him in case he attempts anything deemed 'unsafe'?"

The cultist was already standing, gaining a sigh from Builderman.

"Just.. make sure he's fine."