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Chapter Text

The round had begun, and everyone was tense. It never took long to figure out who the killer was, considering it chases anything that breaths with nothing but bloodlust. But this time was different… Dusekkar hadn’t encountered the killer once, despite sticking around multiple survivors. At this moment, Taph was practically glued to his side, deciding to stick with him after the main group split up. Even through his cloak, he could tell he was shaking. He wished that he had wings like the demolitionist, so he could wrap one around him and keep him close. Instead, he placed a hand on top of Taph’s wing, gently running his fingers through his jet black and gold tipped feathers. At first, he jumped at the sudden physical contact, but upon realizing it originated from his companion and not the hands of the killer here to bring him back to the lobby, his body relaxed. Dusekkar couldn’t help but smile, relieved knowing his friend was a bit more at ease.

The two stopped in their tracks upon seeing a lump in the distance, coated in blood and viscera. Coming closer, Dussekar recoiled, fighting the urge to throw up, despite it being impossible. He was no stranger to corpses, even before being brought to this realm. But this, this was horrendous… The corpse was covered in blistering burns, clothes charred and skin bubbling. Guts spilled out from a deep gash in the abdomen, giant bites taken out of its flesh. Limbs were ripped off, internal organs and bones revealed to the world. The body was so… desecrated… Dusekkar couldn’t even recognize who it was! It looked more like a mauling from a giant predator than one of the killers; no killer had ever killed like this before. The only one that could burn like this was C00lkid, but the worst he had even done was turn someone to ash, nothing like this! The most brutal Dusekkar had witnessed is a body without its head, but that was clearly dethroned now… Discerning from the plethora of disgusted and flabbergasted emojis Taph was using, he shared a similar sentiment, covering his own mouth despite his cloak already doing so.

“Who could have caused such a sight!? Perhaps 1x and their vicious might.” Dusekkar exclaimed, trying to solve who their shockingly stealthy killer could be. He wouldn’t have but it past 1x to mutilate a corpse like this, with how much burning rage and disregard for life they held, but he simply didn’t have the means. A sword couldn’t take bites out of someone, though again, he wouldn’t put it past 1x to start using that skull of theirs. But he doesn’t burn, he poisons… Taph shook his head, clearly coming to the same conclusion he had. 1x was far too calculated to do something like this. “6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣❓” Taph suggested. Guest 666 was quite new, they didn’t know quite how he killed. Of course a demon would have access to some form of fire magic, and they were the most animalistic of the killers. But how could he hide from them so effectively, he was giant! Maybe Noli, his almost entirely black body made him incredibly hard to spot in the darkness, and shockingly stealthy. His Void Star has quite the explosive power, but nothing close to what they had witnessed here… Well there was no reason to stick around, who it was doesn’t change that a killer was after them, and Dusekkar wasn’t eager to go through whatever this unlucky survivor had to become that thing…

Dusekkar tensed, feeling the air around them grow warm. Sure, he was always warm, having a head made of fire, but this heat was coming from outside… Taph seemed to sense it too, wings unfurled with panic. He could hear a growl, a rattling, like bones clanging against each other. Dussekar lifted his staff, preparing to cast whatever spell he needed, but he wasn’t fast enough. A blur flew past him, so fast he couldn’t make out what it was, let alone react to it. What he could make out was fire, a giant trail of flames bombarding his body with heat, before vanishing into the thick brush behind him. He could feel claws graze his cloak, missing him by less than an inch. He staggered, whipping around to see what just lunged at him. Instead, there was nothing but the grass and trees around him. He looked to where Taph was standing, and realized…

He was gone..

No noise, no struggle, no fanfare, not even a chance to run. He was just gone, cast away into the dark by the blur of fire and fang. Dussekar began to hyperventilate, eyes darting around to find any trace of the killer. But there were no signs that anything had even occurred, just the memory of a blaze flying past him, and the lack of his bird companion. He rushed into the brush there the killer had fled, hoping to find Taph still intact somewhere. But all he was met with was more foliage… Fight or flight began to set it, head whipping in every direction. It had to be somewhere, it had to be close! He could feel its presence, yet he had no idea where it was. His fur stand on end, his mind racing as he tried to find the killer in the lurking darkness before it found him… He felt like prey, stalked by a predator he could only run from, destined to be devoured. Perhaps that was just his deer side acting up.

Dusekkar felt eyes on the back of his head, a chill running down his spine. Once again, it became unfathomably hot, like standing inside a wildfire. Fear deprived his lungs of air, the smell of smoke filling his senses. It was here… As Dusekkar whipped around to confront his stalker, his body was slammed into, knocking him onto the ground; hard. He yelped as his back slammed into the dirt, claws pinning him down and digging into his shoulders. He looked up at his attacker, finding the skull of a deer staring back, jaw agape with a panting breath. A mane of fire licked and lapped at his skin, an uncomfortable heat turning into a burning sensation. The arms pushing against him were nothing but skin hanging to bone, yet deceptively strong, unwavering to his struggle. He thrashed, Cervidaen legs kicking against the beast’s gut. His hooves bash against its ribs, only skin between him and its bones. It looked as if it had been starving for months…

Adrenaline flowed through his veins, face to face with the one responsible for everything. The corpse they discovered, snagging Taph from his side, picking them off from the shadows with no idea who the danger was… And yet staring up at it, Dusekkar was met with an uncanny sense of familiarity. The green, branch-like antlers. The long, almost black dark brown hair tied in locks. The hind legs of a deer with an uncharacteristic limp… He knew who this was, deep in his bones, deep in his soul. It was the kind of intuition and love only a father possessed. The words slipped out, as if the wind itself drew it from his mouth.

“Wanwood..?”

He wouldn’t get the chance to say anything else, as the teeth of its skull curled around his head, crushing it with ease.

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Survivors bustled around the main cabin, a cascade of voices washing over Dusekkar’s senses like a river’s current. Everyone was trying to spend their downtime wisely, unsure when the next round would begin. It was impossible to truly relax, knowing yet another chase for your life would begin at any moment, but it was an adjustment they all had to make. Routine formed out of necessity, as natural as a fox dropping its red coat for the snow white of winter. Bonds formed from strangers, rivalries bloomed, and all the in-betweens to be expected from 13 people in house together with the inability to leave. Interesting dynamics are bound to develop from life-or-death-situations. But this was all just a blink of time for Dusekkar, people that will leave his life as soon as they appear. What’s a moment in time compared to the hundreds he has lived through? He was happy to have his fellow admins here through this hell at least, those he’s been side to side with for longer than most of the other survivors will be alive combined. It will all pass in time, and these folk will exit his life. He was not eager for new companionship.

Dusekkar decided to pass his time reading, grazing his eyes over words he has seen thousands of times before. It was less for the act itself – he had already read every book in this accursed place cover to cover by now – but more to make the clock spin faster. It was grounding, a distraction, a way to cleanse unwanted thoughts and harmful emotions. The symbols on each page ceased to have meaning, nothing more than something to focus on. He would push up his glasses, held up onto his face by nothing but a golden chain connecting the rims to his antlers. It turns out having a ball of fire for a head doesn’t aid in your vision. His thoughtful reading time was interrupted by a commotion, various survivors spilling out the door towards something attention-grabbing. He couldn’t help but feel quite curious as well, lifting himself off from the chair and floating over to the doorway

Beyond the cabin walls was a person that he hadn’t seen in this realm yet, struggling to push themselves off the ground. Guest had attempted to get close, offering a hand of assistance, only to be swiped away with a growl. Even from a distance, it was easy to tell they were overwhelmed, swarmed by strangers at every front. Being an admin, it was only natural for him to take charge. “Give our new friend some space! Allow them to get use to this place.” Dusekkar commanded, stomping his staff on the wood to grab the crowd’s attention. Immediately, the boggle of about 5 to 6 survivors scattered like oil touching water, parting for the imposing Sorcerer. Even Builderman took a few paces back, trusting him to handle this more. Now with some proper space, Dusekkar could get a clear look at the stranger… or at least he thought she was a stranger at first.

Dusekkar was face to face with one of his own kind, a Faun. A normal seeming robloxian at first, until you notice deer-like hindquarters and ears, occasionally a pair of antlers. He struggled to recall the last time he saw another, memories clouded in thick smoke. The reason she was on the floor was quite apparent, as one of her legs was wrapped in bandage, sticking out at an odd angle. Each time she tried to push off of it, her whole body jolted, forcing her back onto the ground. The two met each other’s gaze – or at least he thought she was looking at him, her eyes were covered by a mask in the shape of a maple leaf. Memories rushed to him like a flash flood rapid, slamming against his body and threatening to drag him under. He knew her… he knew who she was, and he could sense she knew him too.

“Dad!” she lunged towards him, pushing herself up off the ground with her functioning leg. But without the other to keep her upright, she was bound to reunite with the dirt. Instead, she stumbled into Dusekkar’s outstretched arms, catching her as if it were second nature. “Wanwood, my little doe! Oh, how much you grow!” He couldn’t hold her name is his mouth any longer, pouring out his joy in gleeful coos. He couldn’t believe he forgot her, even for a second. That big smile she made whenever she got a spell right, those bright eyes full of wonder and excitement, the feeling of her head against his chest when things became too much, the sound of her laughter and her cries. He embraced his daughter, grabbing onto her as if she’d slip away the moment he let go. Wanwood reciprocated, clinging to his robe and pressing her face into his chest. The whole world seemed to disappear around him; no woods, no cabin, no other survivors to protect. The only thing that mattered right now was her...

“Where am I, how did I get here, what happened… where did you go..?” Wanwood’s small voice trickled out, just loud enough for him to hear. Dusekkar was slammed back into reality, the reality of where she now was, and what he left behind. She was here in this hell with him, forced to run for her life from monsters. How many times would he see her bleed? How many times would he hear her scream? How many times would he have to watch her die..? The thought made him grab her tighter, unwilling to lose her. “I don’t know, and… I was here. I thought about you every day, my dear.” Dusekkar wasn’t sure if that was a lie or not, he wanted to believe it was true. How long had she been alone for? How long had he even been here..? Years flew by him like leaves in the wind, he would blink and the seasons changed. For Wanwood, it could have easily been decades… He ran his fingers along her tender cheek, wiping the warm dampness and strands of hair away from her face. He filled himself with the familiarity, the nostalgia, the longing. Oh how could he have ever abandoned this life?

“Alright, are we not going to address the elephant in the room here, that the pumpkin has A FUCKING KID?!” Their touching reunion was interrupted by Chance, reminding Dusekkar there were other people here. He couldn’t help but exhale a chuckle, this all must have been pretty jarring. Looks like there’s a lot of adjustments to make.

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Wanwood had been mostly integrated with the other survivors. Guest and Elliot tended to her injury, despite her aggression and distrust. He made sure to stick by her side, so she knew she was safe. Her leg has been like this for as long as they have been together, but whatever sent her here caused it to be significantly worse. Walking will be a struggle, running even more so, but beyond that she was ok. Dusekkar was both relieved and concerned, considering running was the one thing the survivors consistently had going for them. Would she be able to keep up with everyone, would she be able to evade the killers? Perhaps now was a good time to teach her that levitation spell. Alongside all that, Wanwood decided to cabin with their now second newest assailant Veeronica, slowly building up her own space. Despite that, she wasn’t found anywhere near the cabins, or even the main one. If she wasn’t outside, she was practically attacked to Dusekkar’s shadow. Some things never do change. But right now, he had other matters to handle.

Dusekkar approached the other admins, Builderman and Shedletsky conversing near the fireplace. “I hope I don’t sound rude, but I wish for us to speak in solitude.” Dusekkar requested, getting glances from the duo. Builderman gave him a nod, and the three slipped out of the main room and onto the upper floor, far enough to where the others weren’t likely to hear them. Not exactly private, but it will work. “So, let’s start by addressing the obvious… You have A KID, and you NEVER TOLD US?!” Shedletsky barked, clearly having held that in for a while. Dusekkar was expecting to get a lot of this, no one would have expected him of all people to have a domestic life, especially not his close friends. “That statement is true; I simply wished to keep my private life away from you.” Dusekkar replied, brushing off Shedletsky’s bluntness.

“Soooo, who’s the lucky laaady~?” Shedletsky cooed, leaning in close with that cheeky, shit eating grin he always makes. Dusekkar recoiled away from him, looking back with an appalled expression. In reality, he found his immature and teasing antics amusing. “John, seriously?” Builderman riled him back, face wrinkled with tasted patience. “Oh no, I don’t have anyone in toe, I simply found her long ago.” Dusekkar corrected, swatting Shedletsky away with little regard for his teasing. The winged admin simply laughed, smiling so hard he was worried he might tear his face. He reflexively began to pace, listening to the rhythmic tempo of his hooves against wood. “So, why did you call us over here, Matt?”

“I have a request to ask of you two… You must keep Wanwood away from what is true. I have already harmed her enough when she was abandoned, so… she must not know I am an admin.” Dusekkar couldn’t help but hang his head at the suggestions, clinging at the strands of his cloak. Shedletsky seemed a bit more alert now, wings puffed up with an intrigued expression. Builderman narrowed his gaze, somehow even more stern than he usually is. “What? Why!? I’d be a GREAT Godfather!” Shedletsky leaned back onto the wall, wings fluttering with pride over his own pun. Builderman was fighting back the urge to cringe, letting out a sign. “This isn’t a good idea, Dusekkar. She’ll find out eventually, its only a matter of time.” Builderman warned, slowly approaching the nervous pumpkin. Dusekkar didn’t want to look at him, he knew what he was doing was wrong, but it was necessary.

“We both have our secrets to keep, and people we have to protect. The consequences I shall reap, even if this is not correct. Surely you understand, Shedletsky, the mistakes we cannot flee.” Dusekkar looked back at Shedletsky, who’s aloof and nonchalant posture was suddenly a lot more alert. He stood up straight, a rarity for the admin, the two staring at each other for what felt like hours. Eventually, he approached Dusekkar, roughly pulling him close by his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, your secret’s safe with me! Me and you, nothing but two guys trying to survive in a cabin in the woods, nothing nefarious going on here!” Still as chipper as always, he gave Dusekkar a few pats on the back of the neck before scurrying off to whatever funny business he has on his mind. “You’re a terrible liar, John…” Builderman huffed with disappointment, following him down to the stairs.

Stopping in front of Dusekkar, Builderman paused, looking back at his employee and good friend. “I’m not going to stop you, it’s your decision to make. You’re making a mistake, Dusekkar.” He scolded, his always stoic and composed face showing concern and distaste. He couldn’t bare to look at it, to see the prophecy his eyes foretold. They both knew it, but what other choice did he have left? She had already lost so much, and he had already taken everything from her. I know, Builderman… I know…

Chapter Text

Wolves. She could hear the gnashing of teeth, snarling of up-curled lips, paws crunching leaves and killing grass in its wake. She could feel their eyes on the back of her head, its breath hanging on her neck, drooling and craving to sink its canines into her flesh. Every direction she turned, eyes stared back, stabbing each nerve in her body. There was no escape, she was trapped, completely trapped. A fence held her back from the forest she craved, a lake as endless as the sea quells any thought of escape on what hails the other end, and in front of her… A pack of wolves. She was an injured fawn in a pack of wolves; her fate sealed in the grinding of bone. A trail of blood, a limping stride, there was no future where she escaped their watering maws. Her purpose was clear, she was prey. It is her destiny to be devoured.

Wanwood stared at the doors to the main cabin, as if some ferocious beast was going to burst out at any moment. She hated the feeling of confined walls, no different than a cage in her mind. Denied the soft feeling of dirt and grass around her hooves, the sensation of wind against her skin, the soft sound of rustling leaves that comforted and grounded her. The wilderness was all she knew, the mother that held her when no one else was there. To be ripped from it was her biggest nightmare, to be surrounded by some disgusting imitation of it was somehow even worse. Yet even outside, she still felt claustrophobic, the environment itself constricting around her. She was just as trapped out here as she was inside. No trees for cover, no wind to center her worries, no stars to guide her. This wasn’t “outside,” just a bigger prison around the first one.

Wanwood felt her chest tighten, breathing becoming harder to do. Despite the aching in her leg, she began to pace, subconsciously following the dirt path that laid before her. She relished the pain, despite its agony. It told her she was still alive, still breathing, still feeling. Despite the world closing in on her, despite her own breath’s attempts to strangle her, she was still alive. She could still feel, feel the sensation of her clothes rubbing against her skin, and her hair tickle the back of her neck. So she kept moving, just so she could feel the pain, to assure herself she’s still breathing. Wanwood struggled to keep her balance, using her staff to keep herself from tripping over herself. She often used it as a walking cane, perhaps even more so than a magical implement. She had carved it herself, curled and textured for this purpose. So despite the strife, she pranced in a circle, like an ant colony stuck in a death loop.

She only stopped when something grabbed at her shoulder, making her jump. She whipped her head around, preparing to bat away another nosy survivor she had no want in converse with, but immediately softened upon seeing jack-o-lantern eyes gazing down at her. She felt all her anxiety and panic melt away to the warm glow of his face, like the last remnants of winter giving way to spring’s first rain. “You know what I’ve told you about that habit, hopping around like a tipsy rabbit.” Dusekkar gently spoke, wrapping an arm around her to keep her steady. The building smoke in the corners of her vision dissipated in his presence, the once spiraling world slowly coming back into focus. No longer did ash strangle her lungs, allowing her chest to ease and relax. “You must come indoors and rest, it is for the best.” Dusekkar encouraged her, strutting in front of her with an outstretched hand. She stared at it hesitantly. “I can’t stay with you..?” She winced, sinking into his shadow like it had a leash around her. “Sadly, I cannot, but it won’t be for long. You’ll find it in time that you belong. I’m sure it will be an ache, but I promise I’ll be here when you awake.” Dusekkar assured her, kneeling so they were at eye level.

It was hard to understand what he meant sometimes, he always had such a confusing way of speaking. Sometimes Wanwood wondered if he angered a petty sorcerer in his youth and was cursed to always speak in rhymes and riddles. It was comforting to her, hearing him speak in cryptic assurances that were needlessly complicated and a bit awkward at times. It was something only attached to him. She didn’t want to go, leave him out of her sight. She was scared the moment she turned around, she’d look back and he would be gone. She didn’t want to jinx this; she didn’t want him to leave again. She felt a squeeze around her palm, forcing her to look back up at the pumpkin. She relaxed her stance, letting out a shaky breath and a small smile. “Alright…”

Like a shepherd herding his flock, Dusekkar led his lamb to the smaller cabins, circling the edge of the clearing, closing them in a set place. He stopped at the cabin farthest right, turning back to face the younger faun. “Go make yourself at home, so you don’t have to roam.” He reached a hand towards Wanwood’s face, weaving around her ear and twirling strands of hair around his fingers. He loved to play with her hair, and she adored the feeling of his touch. She learned to ration every ounce of physical affection and care, like a squirrel preparing for winter’s harshness. He’d stay for a while, and then leave again, as sure as the seasons change. Like the sun rises and sets, and the moon wanes and waxes, she learned to live without him. And yet, she clung to him, afraid to watch him go, unsure if he would come back this time. As he began to float away, she tightened her grip, wanting to hang on just a bit longer… just in case… It was only when he squeezed back that she finally let go, hesitantly trusting he’d keep his promise. Goodness, she felt so immature, clinging to her dad like a little kid, it was embarrassing. At least no one was around to see her so vulnerable.

Wanwood turned around, opening the door to the side cabin. What met her face immediately made her freeze; a fireplace, and chair to its side. Luckily, it wasn’t lit, and she hoped it stayed like that. The entire building was made of wood, hell, EVERYTHING was made of wood! It wasn’t hard for her to imagine the whole clearing going up in flames with no possible exit… She inhaled through clenched teeth, trying to push the thoughts away. It was going to stay unlit, if she had any say in it. She kept her gaze on the soot as she passed, as if her glare kept it ice cold, cautiously entering the side room. The first thing she noticed was a lack of a door. It was just a doorway with nothing attached. That was… really weird. Was the door taken off? The idea of someone barging in unopposed made her shudder. At least the front door had a lock, but it still made her uneasy. The second thing she noticed was the sheer contrast in the room. There were two sides to the room, a single bed and nightstand for each. The right side was bare, untouched, a stark difference to the left. It was bright pink and very glittery, making her flinch slightly at the sheer saturation. There was a curled slab of wood with wheels on the bottom, covered in various symbols all over the surface. A pair of shoes also with wheels was perched beside it, flipped with the wheels towards the ceiling. The wall was covered with various pictures of things and people she couldn’t recognize, a book plastered with equally puzzling things and just as bright pink lying on the nightstand. She didn’t look at it for very long, unable to take the overstimulation.

Wanwood sat down on the bed, dark and brown, far less jarring on her eyes. All it had was a nightstand, a drawer below its flat surface. Curious, she grab at the knob, pulling it open. She stifled the urge to gasp seeing what was inside. A couple small blocks of wood stacked neatly, and a set of carving tools. She reached for a block, hands grazing over the tools by second nature. Finally, something she enjoys, something to take her mind off of all of this. Wanwood turned the chunk of wood in her hand, thinking of what to turn it into. That odd plank she saw had an interesting shape, and it would be easy to replicate. She easily slid into work, sketching out the parts she had to carve away. Yet she kept looking over her shoulder, nervousness creeping around her. The doorway was consumed by her blind spot, unable to see anything that might come through it. She was really starting to hate that it lacked a closable door… It was impossible to smother the worry, no matter how hard she tried to focus. Well, at least she wasn’t bored.

“Heeeeey rooomieeee!” A high-pitched and loud Valley Girl accent suddenly invaded her personal space, nearly making her jump to her feet. Her hand clenched, taking off a far larger shaving of wood than she was planning. At least it wasn’t her finger, thank goodness. Wanwood whipped her head around to confront whoever thought it was a good idea to sneak up on her, flashing an annoyed snarl. She flinched back seeing just how close she got, face nearly inches from hers. She flinched back with a hiss, causing the stranger to lean back. She looked to be a younger woman around her age, staring at her with a face that… wasn’t a face at all. It was a weird box with a hat on top, displaying facial expression in an uncanny matter. She thought having a pumpkin for a head was weird, but this easily took the cake. Just as uncanny was her light pink skin; yellow she’s seen, but certainly not pink. She wore a bright red hoodie and baggy black pants, some form of padding on her knees and elbows. Her whole appearance was just unfamiliar and strange, boggling her brain to process. Despite her disturbance, she was racked with curiosity. Did she have a head underneath that, or was it her head?

“Whoops, sorry, didn’t mean to spook ya!” She apologized, taking a step away from Wanwood. She approached her from the other side, a bit more relaxed that she was out of her blind spot. “It’s so good to finally meet you, everyone’s been talking about this aloof deer girl. Aaaand, you’re my roommate!” She brimmed with excitement, Wanwood swearing she saw what looked like a tail wagging? There wasn’t any fur on it though and was as thin as a twig. She just got weirder the more she looked at her… “I’m Veeronica! You can call me Vee if you’d like, since we’re rooming together.” A hand was extended to her, Wanwood flinching away from it. Goodness she was loud, did that screen have a volume button on it anywhere?! She hesitantly took her hand and shook it firmly; it was only polite; something that seemed foreign to her new roommate. “Wanwood.” She replied sharply, shifting her focus back to her project. The mistake was easy to fix, all she had to do was make it slightly shorter, but it still frustrated her…

Wanwood did her best to drown out the curious nagging of the newly acquainted Veeronica, who seemed to not understand what personal space is, nor what being left alone means. “What’cha doooooin’?” Vee asked, leaning closer to the wood between her hands. “Carving.” She replied bluntly, hoping that answer would satisfy her sociability... Nope. “Where’d you get that shawl, did you make it yourself, it looks stunning!” “Is it true that you lived out in the woods, how’d you deal with the bugs!?” “Woah, you’re antlers are so cool! Are they, like, attached to your head or just an accessory?” Wanwood only picked up on small bits and pieces of her comments, trying to drown her out and focus on her work. That was until she noticed a hand reach towards her antlers. She quickly swatted Vee’s hand away with a growl. “H-hey, quit that! How’d you feel if I started grabbing at your… weird antenna things.” She hissed, batting at her odd metal protrusions from her hat. She backed up from her grasp, still smiling. “Ok, no touch, gotcha!” She chuckled, sitting back on her own side of the room. “Maybe I should start asking YOU a bunch of stupid questions, like… Your head is so… weird! Who has a head like that!?” Wanwood tried to give her a taste of her own medicine, but it only seemed to make her roommate laugh even more. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s not every day you meet a girl with a tv for a head!” She remarked, hitting the side of her metal head with a curled fist.

There was something about Veeronica that she couldn’t help but cling to. Despite the annoyance, she felt safe to put her guard down around her, that the worst she’d ever do is tease her. Her carefree attitude was contagious; her smile killed all the tension in the room. Where alone she would have to cover her flank and eye every exit, with Vee in the room, she could relax. Someone else could look over her shoulder for a moment, she could see things where she couldn’t. Despite how much she got on her nerves, Wanwood was relieved Veeronica was the one she would be sharing a room with. She was the only other women in this place, at least to the extent of her knowledge. If it was one of the other, an older man bigger and stronger than her... Watching her sleep, locked in a room with no witnesses and only one exit... The thought made her skin crawl. It was a form of solidarity she just couldn't achieve with anyone else. She was annoying, sure, but she’d rather be annoyed than scared. It was something about how unbothered she was by everything. If she could act like everything was fine, then perhaps it was safe to just… relax a bit. She could trust Vee would have an eye on the door, if she even had eyes.

“They are real, by the way…” Wanwood mumbled, averting her gaze away from her roommate. She ran a finger tenderly along the velvet, its branches small and sparse. She was always insecure about her antlers, malformed because of her injury. She did her best to hide them behind the branches of her mask, but it hadn’t seemed to work for Vee. She didn’t want others to get the… wrong idea about her. She grabbed ahold of one of them, and gave a firm tug to prove they were, in fact, attached. Veeronica looked on with curiosity and wonder. “Well, I think they look nice!” She replied, causing Wanwood to smile, just slightly. Did she really think that, or was she just trying to be nice? She felt her face warm up, quickly redirecting her attention back to her project.

Wanwood continued to carve, passively talking with Veeronica as she worked. Apparently, the object she was replicating was called a “skateboard,” something she used to travel faster and do neat tricks on. What she thought was a tail was actually a “plug,” and a “TV” is an electronic device that displays videos and makes noise. Whether her head can do the same thig is knowledge she is yet to obtain yet… She didn’t pay attention to much of what she was talking about, her voice turning to background noise for her to focus. By the time se finished the last shavings and final details, Veeronica was already asleep, and had been for a while. She slowly turned the carving in her hands, feeling every smooth and textured surface with her fingers. She felt pride in creation, to hold something that she made in her hands. Now what to do with it… Well, it was Vee’s skateboard, and she is the reason it got messed up in the first place. Getting up from her bed, she silently walked over to Vee’s bedside, hiding the small carving between the books. In the dark, it was far more tolerable to look at. Hopefully she enjoyed it, whenever she found it. Wanwood decided it would be better to clean up in the morning, as much as she hated leaving things unfinished. The last thing she wanted was to wake up Vee on accident. She had a feeling she wouldn’t get much sleep, continuing the eye the empty doorway every chance she got, but at least she wouldn’t be alone.

Chapter Text

Wanwood wasn’t sure what she was expecting to happen in this realm. People murmured nervously of a “round,” what that meant or entailed wan an enigma to her. Was it some form of game, a competition, a fight? Well, whatever she was expecting, it certainly wasn’t THIS! Wanwood was left running for her life through the front lawn of some giant mansion, a stocky man covered in torn layers of cloth hot on her tail. Swinging a machete towards her, it barely missed her, leaving a gash in her trailing cloak where he intended to draw blood. It was becoming clear she couldn’t run from him for much longer, but she had a plan to lose him. Wanwood rushed up the stairs to the porch, gritting her teeth as she was forced to push off her lame leg. Rushing through the doorway, she made sure she was out of the killer’s sight, bolting to a dark room inside the mansion. She glued her body to the wall beside the doorway, clinging to her chest in a desperate attempt to silence her heavy breathing. As if by instinct alone, she moved her staff as quietly as her body allowed, causing her body and everything it touched to go see-through. It wasn’t perfect invisibility, but it was better than nothing.

Wanwood felt like she sat there for hours, mere seconds stretched into lifetimes as her heart pounded in her ears. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the cloaked head and masked face poke through the doorway, scanning the room in search of his prey. Wanwood froze completely, holding her breath to make no sound. If he noticed she was in there, she was certain to die. She squeezed her eyes shut, mentally preparing herself for the feeling of metal piercing her ribs, but the sensation never came. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes again, finding the killer no longer in the room. Slowly, she inched closer to the door frame, glancing past it to check if the coast was clear. The killer was gone, he probably thought she ran through the back exit instead of hiding in one of the rooms, deciding to continue his pursuit outside. After a few seconds to be sure she wouldn’t be heard, she expelled the air in her lungs hard, panting heavily.

The adrenaline running through her body died down, replaced by pain so intense she suppressed the urge to scream. Blood seeped from a deep gash in her side, staining her clothes red so deep it appeared black. Far worse was her leg, lame with overexertion. Somehow it was both numb with pins and needles, and completely enveloped in searing, overwhelming pain. It wasn’t built to be used like this, the bone healed in the wrong shape, malformed and weak. Walking was a struggle, running felt impossible, and yet running was the only thing she could do. Her body begged for rest, but stopping made her a sitting duck. That… thing would be back; it will find her eventually. A fox caught in a snare is willing to gnaw off its own limbs if it guarantees survival, so despite the horrendous pain coursing through her, she continued moving.

Movement was difficult, practically dragging her beaten form across the dirt. She held a hand on her chest, breathing heavily. She felt like her heart was trying to break through her ribs, still racing from her near escape. She felt so helpless, running for her life from an enemy she couldn’t fight. Normally, she wouldn’t even been scared of this weirdo. She’s fought cryptics and monsters far stronger and scarier than some broad-shouldered man in a hood. But she had her magic then, nature itself bent to her will, she was the master of the forest. Yet every time she tries to recall a spell, a pattern of staff strokes she learned so long ago and practiced like religion, she drew a blank. She could remember summoning vines at her feet and flickering flames in her fingers, yet the method always proceeds her. That invisibility spell was done on impulse rather than conscious thought, she didn’t know if she could replicate it. All the power and confidence she held was stripped from her, leaving a cowering and scared fawn in her place. She was supposed to protect people, yet she could barely even protect herself! She can’t even walk or see correctly, how would she do anything? She was prey here, nothing but prey.

The sound of footsteps and yelling snapped Wanwood out of her spiral. Despite her poor vision, she could tell who it was even from a distance. No one else had a TV for a head, but even if she didn’t, the bright red hoodie was a dead giveaway. Veeronica blitzed towards her, impressively fast on her skateboard. Skidding to a halt and knocking the skateboard into her hand, she looked her up and down with relief. “Woah, you’re still kicking? That’s like, really impressive, newbies usually don’t last very long.” She commented, just as non-serious in this dangerous place as she was back in the cabins. She couldn’t help but feel disgusted, how could she be so calm and jovial in such a serious situation?! The bright but shaky smile on the screen shifted once she got a good look at Wanwood’s disheveled form. “Oh boy, you look… horrible, actually.” Vee said, her joking attitude deflating like a balloon. At first Wanwood thought she was just insulting her, until she pulled out a white box from inside her jacket. She knelt down, opening the case to reveal different medical supplies inside. “Let help patch you up.” She offered, reaching for bandages. Wanwood tensed up.

“N-no, don’t touch me!” She barked, practically snarling at her. Vee flinched away, freezing at her response. Wanwood took the medkit herself, fumbling with the supplies until she got ahold of some bandages. Tenderly lifting her cloak up, she wrapped the bandages around her stomach, stopping the intense bleeding. It immediately began to feel better, no longer exposed to the chilling air, yet the pain still burned through her body. It wouldn’t have anything to aid her leg, but she didn’t really expect it too, it was far better than nothing. She glanced up at Veeronica, she stayed knelt by her side, looking around with skittish vigor. She felt a tang of guilt for her outburst, Vee only wanted to help after all. But she couldn’t accept it, she couldn’t accept help from anyone. She was already so weak, so helpless. She wanted to hold onto the little power she had, she couldn’t trust anyone with it. Relying on someone else… She just couldn’t afford to.

Wanwood caught Veeronica’s expression change, eyes wide as she seemingly looked past her. “Oh shit…” She muttered under her breath, wasting no time turning around and running. Wanwood didn’t need to turn around to know what it was, but she did anyway, just to look it in the eyes. The killer had returned, this time revving a chainsaw. She swallowed the forming bile in her throat hard, scrambling to her hooves as fast as her body allowed. She wasn’t far behind Veeronica, despite her head start and significant speed. Did… did she lag behind to make sure she got away? She couldn’t help but scoff, her altruism wasn’t going to save either of them, it was just going to get them both killed. With two bridges as their only path forward, an opportunity arose. The killer could only go for one of them, so when she notices Veeronica gunning it for the further bridge, Wanwood quickly turned for the closer one. Part of her hoped it would choose Vee over her, but she knew it wouldn’t, she was a far easier kill. At least then she would be helping, Vee could do a lot more than she could.

Wanwood ran across the bridge, eyes darting around for the best path to safety. Her first priority was to get as far away from Vee as possible to keep her out of harm’s way, who was across the farther bridge. That would prove to be difficult, once she noticed she was running towards her. “What are you doing!? RUN AWAY!” Wanwood yowled, completely baffled by what she was witnessing. Was she mad, did she have a death wish!? Distracted, the killer was able to get a good swing on her, knocking her back onto her flank. She looked up as Veeronica leaped at man, gripping her skateboard tightly as she swung with all her might. She bashed her skateboard into the killer’s hooded head, causing him to stagger back in pain. Wanwood was dumbfounded by the display of sheer strength and recklessness in front of her. Now the killer’s attention was fully on Veeronica, switching out his machete for the chainsaw anchored to his back. Wanwood struggled back onto her hooved, nearly giving out as the scene unfolded before her. She flipped through the pages of her mind like the many spellbooks she studied, desperately searching for something to use, anything that could save her! But each page was blank, much to her frustration and dismay. The only thing she could do was watch.

The noise of metal grating against metal forced her eyes shut, unwilling to bear witness. Once the noise dissipated and she was able to open her eyes again, she wished she never did. Veeronica’s body had collapsed on the ground, what was her head sawed in half and rendered to nothing but trash. All she could do was stare, frozen in place despite how badly she tried to move. She felt like a deer in headlights, about to meet her maker. God, why couldn’t she move, why couldn’t she cast any spells?! She couldn’t even keep Veeronica safe! She was useless, completely useless! Whatever this masked killer had planned for her, she deserved every inch of it. She had accepted her fate, staring down the blade that was surely going to butcher her. She bowed her head like a prisoner awaiting execution, averting her gaze to the ground. Where she expected the sensation of ripping skin, instead she felt magic ripple through her body, making her stiffen. The blade of the machete clashed against a shield, barely missing what would have been her neck. The sheer shock was enough to jump start her body into cooperating, stumbling back with stifled breaths. She turned behind her to see who had cast the spell, relief washing over her upon seeing a familiar pumpkin face looking over her.

Dusekkar stood by her side, multiple others she couldn’t recall alongside him. They raced forward, arms raised and guns blazing. Wanwood had a feeling she wouldn’t have to worry about that guy for a while having to deal with those wild men. Arms wrapped around her, leading her away from the ensuing chaos. It was only making contact with another person that she realized, she had been shaking, and hard. Her whole body quivered like a leaf in the wind; she was shocked she was somehow still standing. She was gasping for air, fighting back against her own exhaustion and pain. She felt like her legs would buckle and give out at any moment, each step becoming harder and harder. Dusekkar grabbed her arm, hoisting it onto his shoulders to keep her upright. She leaned into his side, savoring the comforting warmth of his body. Even emits all of this, just being by his side made her feel a little bit safer. She was able to calm herself, knowing she would be safe in his grasp. She could put her guard down… a big mistake.

Dusekkar expression changed slightly, but it wasn’t enough warning to save her. Before she even knew someone was behind her, a blade plunged through her back, emerging on the other side covered in blood. Her eyes widened, every sense bombarded with horrendous pain. She tried to scream, but instead of noise, blood bubbled up from her throat and out of her mouth. All she could see was Dusekkar’s horrified expression, powerless to prevent what was surely going to happen to her. The moment she was granted security, this happens… of course… Her vision began to spin and blur, nausea taking over her senses. She fought to keep her consciousness, but it was a losing battle. If she could just hold out a little longer, maybe it would all be ok… But of course she couldn’t, she couldn’t do anything. Soon enough, darkness enveloped her, numbness replacing the pain and the world fell into itself.

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Air was violently forced back into Wanwood’s lungs, coughing and sputtering as consciousness returned. She sat up, desperately trying to catch her breath. What just happened? She just died; she was sure of it! Her hands clung to where the blade had exited her chest, checking if it was still there, or if there were any signs of first aid or rescue. Nothing… It was as if it never happened at all, which baffled her even more. Was it all some kind of nightmare, was she in some weird afterlife? Wanwood whipped her head around, trying to get her barrings on where she was. It was the main cabin… How did she end up back here? What was happening!?

“Welcome baaaack~” The overly cheerful and instantly recognizable voice of Veeronica rang out, causing Wanwood to fling around in her direction. Surely enough, there was Veeronica, leaning up against the wall of the cabin with a cheeky grin on her face. She too was in perfect condition, no evidence of the gruesome sawing she witnessed anywhere in her body. Wanwood tried to respond, but all she could utter was confused sputtering. Veeronica couldn’t help but chuckle at her perplexed display. “Hey, no worries, I was super confused my first time too! No, you aren’t dead, you’re back at the cabin all safe and sound.” She replied, not even phased in the slightest. How was she always so calm!? Wanwood was going to reply, but was interrupted. “As for how? We have, like, no idea. Some sick guy just really likes to watch people run around being murder and stuff.” She waved it off as if anything she was saying was normal in the slightest. Wanwood had stopped paying attention to what she was saying at this point.

To be honest, she was relieved to see Veeronica alive. Watching someone bet brutally murdered in front of you who you were trying to protect in an attempt to save you that would end up all in vain isn’t exactly… pleasant. As the sheer shock and confusion from the past three-ish minutes faded away, it was replaced by the simmering embers of rage. Wanwood lunged at Vee, slamming her into the wall she was up against by the shoulders. “WHY DID YOU DO THAT!?” She screamed, fury as hot as flames escaping her sneered lips. Veeronica squirmed under her grasp, looking up at her with flustered fear. “W-what was I supposed to do?! That thing was going to kill you if I didn’t do anything! I-I wasn’t just going to let that happen!” She stammered, a slight blush to her cheeks as she looked up at her. Well, it was more a couple of small lines where her cheeks would be if her face wasn’t projected on a tv screen, which she could only assume was flush. This answer only made her dig her nails in harder.

“I was trying to keep you safe; couldn’t you tell!? I was trying to lead it away from you, but you had to come over and fuck that all up!” Wanwood snarled, holding her down like a hungry animal. She felt so much frustration and anger at herself for letting that happen to Veeronica, all she was trying to do was pay back her good deed and protect those around her. Instead, she watched her get sawed in half by a god damn chainsaw! She was useless, so useless. Three times she stared death in the face, three times people went out of their way to protect her, and she still died. She was a pointless hunk of meat! Her body simply couldn’t contain all the hatred, so she lashed out at the only person she could, the one she held responsible. Right now she had power, she wasn’t the one quaking in fear with someone else towering over her. She was the one with the power here, and it exhilarated her. She didn’t want to let go of this, to be weak again. She wanted to hold onto her forever.

Wanwood waited for a response, some form of retort, for her to start yelling back at her, anything! Yet she received nothing, only making her angrier. “Why am I worth protecting, worth saving at all!? WHY!?” She pressed her harder, voice trembling. She was on the verge of tears, and doing everything she could to conceal that; thank god for the mask. She was so confused and overwhelmed, she just DIED for crying out load, how was she suppose to react or process any of this!? She watched someone die in front of her, and now they’re alive, and underneath her shaking grasp. She didn’t understand any of this! The only way she knew to react was aggression, a wild animal left cornered and wounded. The only thing she could do is snarl. All she had was her fangs.

Wanwood was expecting aggression back, honestly she was hoping for it. But instead, Vee just laughed. She was so caught off guard that she dropped her, stumbling back slightly. Was she laughing at her, mocking her, how could she be smiling through all this!? “Wow, you really are like them!” She chuckled, relaxing her stance now that she wasn’t being forced into a wall. Who was ‘them’, did she even want to know? “Because, we got to have each other’s backs! Girls gotta, like, stick together and stuff, and it’s only the two of us. So I’m going to help you out, whether you like it or not! We’re roomies, remember, it’s the least I can do.” Veeronica wrapped an arm around her, being the one to pull her in this time. You wouldn’t be able to tell she was pinned against a wall mere seconds before, still as cheerful as ever. Wanwood wasn’t sure if this was meant to be reassurance, or some kind of threat. It was as if she had tossed a whole lake of water onto a bonfire, extinguishing her rage in a matter of seconds. From the smoldering ashes, guild rose like billowing smoke, shrouding her mind. She wanted to apologize, meeting each act of her altruism with fear and aggression, but her mind simply wouldn’t allow it. Perhaps it was stubbornness, pride, embarrassment, a desperate attempt to hold onto what dignity she could muster, or something else; probably all of the above. So, she decided to say something else instead.

“Thank you…” Wanwood murmured, barely above a whisper, concealing the shame. She couldn’t look her directly in the eyes, or where her eyes would be, averting her gaze to the ground. She peeled away before Vee could reply with something cheesy, eager to reach the door. “I’m going to go lie down.” She announced with a heavy sigh, truly exhausted from the physical and emotional roller coaster she just endured. She needed some time to think, some time alone. A part of her wanted to stay for when the others returned, so she could see Dusekkar again, tell him that she’s alright. The look of sheer horror on his face the seconds before she lost consciousness was burned into her mind. But she didn’t know how long that would take, and frankly, she didn’t have the energy to care at the moment. Leaving one last guilty glance at Vee, she slipped out the door without a trace.