One in the S(h)ame - Chapter 3
With a feral growl and the swiftness of a well oiled car, there was the sound of slamming and a grating noise of nails on metal. In front of John Doe was 007n7, who had turned himself around, holding the metal slab in front of himself yet.
007n7 didn't even know what the metal was, based on the curve of it, and the shape- it was likely at least part of the hood of a car. Thick metal, and plastic as well as other unknown materials inside of it. Making at least 3 inches of solid barrier. To most it may not be much, but it was better than absolutely nothing.
Bracing himself for impact, the ex-hacker closed his eyes by instinct. Though it likely would have been a bad idea. However, it was human nature. Anyone normal wouldn't have wanted to see what may happen or was yet to come.
The metal of the car caved in instantly under the weight of Doe's slamming limb, the sharp claws tearing through with little to no resistance.
007n7 let go of the slab of metal, if he didn't the claws of the creature manifested within the other man's skin likely would have tore through and plunged his claws right into his chest. He couldn't afford to die, not here, not now. Even if death felt so temporary in this stupid, wretched place- death was death all the same. It wore on their psyche and tormented them. Even after the round was over. Because that's what suffering was.
The former hacker slammed his legs into the metal the second the impact from John Doe's arm started to propel it forward. Upon impact, he used this momentum to launch himself away, as far as he possibly could. With such a move that required body weight to shift for extra force, Doe wouldn't have a choice but to be stalled for a couple seconds.
With the momentum, and his driving legs that used it as a beacon of hope- 007n7 was sent flying backwards at an alarming speed. Slab metal forgotten, and nothing in hand- the next instinct was to curl up to protect his insides. With so much on the ground, there was nothing but opportunity for him to get stabbed with objects that lie around.
Everyone that had been waiting was shocked. 007n7 wasn't usually nearly as athletic, nor as determined to make a stance against the killers. The shock only increased when they saw the pure speed that 007n7 was thrown back at. It was alarming and had there been any walls nearby, likely he would have been slammed right into them. Who knows if he would have survived such an interaction.
Shedletsky, still being the closest to 007n7, dropped his linked sword before rushing toward 007n7 with a few long strides. He aimed himself intentionally to catch the other's upper back so there was a minimized risk for spinal damage.
"Damn 007n7, I didn't know ya had it in you..!" he grunted as the other slammed against him, immediately knocking them both back even further. Skidding away from the monster burned a bit due to the weight and speed, making the former admin grunt in discomfort. Shedletsky grit his teeth as his legs dragged against the grass below- some loose rocks and dirt causing immediate burning sensations in his shins and knees.
There was the lightest familiar sensation of wetness spreading over his shins- but he ignored it. Sticky warmth that quickly started to turn into an uncomfortably cool, dried sensation in the ample night breeze.
007n7 scrambled to his legs after catching a breath, getting back to his feet and running again. "Worry about that later, he's in pursuit again!" he could hear the shrill howl of John Doe once, more the creature aggravated from the daring escape. "Get running..!"
He pulled Shedletsky up with himself, not giving the other time to adjust because the soreness in the others legs were probably enough to slow him down. Barely managing to grab the others linked sword back up from the ground as they broke into another frantic escape.
"Whoa, Whoa Whoa man, I can run- chill out-" Shedletsky quickly made pace, both of them launching themselves forward with a big, emboldened stride as they got close enough to the door that would free them from the round.
All of the other survivors had been yelling for them to hurry up- namely Shedletsky, as the other was a good source of primary defense, and his close relationship with at least half the other survivors. 007n7 quickly let himself fall behind Shedletsky again just in case John Doe got too close to escape a second time.
With a burst of energy and the looming form of the monster neared, 007n7 grunted, and closed his eyes. "He's gaining fast, brace yourself!"
"Brace myself? What are you- augh-!" suddenly, the former admin felt himself getting shoved forward with an ample force- pushing the other through the door that lead to the lobby as everyone else had just made their way through. The action was far from graceful, but it made sure that the chicken obsessed Robloxian got to safety quicker.
007n7 also leapt forward, the corrupted claw of John Doe once against honing down on him, slamming on the ground just behind 007n7 as the survivor made his narrow escape- leaning forward with a clumsy lurch to avoid the longest finger of the monstrous hand. There was the faintest feeling of a burning sensation in 007n7's back, quickly drowned out by the adrenaline that consumed his very being.
The entire air of the surroundings changed in an instant. The warmth of the fire flooding his cold skin, the smell of food somewhere nearby. The sound of the little cat that often slept next to the shelf in the lobby.
Safety.
Safety at least, for now.
That was all they needed to heal from this hellish encounter. To try and gain some of the energy back so they could be ready for the next round.
This round felt so steady, compared to the last minutes of it. Smoother sailing, and quick generators until the last. Then, afterward, everything was hell, delving down to the fiery pits of which made up their experiences here.
Builderman looked over and somewhat rushed over to Shedletsky, followed by Dusekkar. Both of them looming over the winded former admin. "Your legs are scratched up. Go sit on the couch so we can take care of it." the older Robloxian commanded gently, pulling out a med-kit.
"Come on man, it's just a little scratch, I'm not a-" The brown haired man went to object, before Dusekkar leans forward, the pumpkin-headed entities eyes boring down to the other.
"Not for debate."
With a bit of a sigh, Shed nodded before grunting, and hauling himself over to the couch, sitting down with a careless flop. Curiosity getting the better of him, he looks down at his shins- blood almost somewhat gushing from a few large gashes in the flesh. This only earned another wince from him.
"Damn... I.. didn't think the ground got me that good..." he admitted with a small huff.
Dusekkar and Builderman started to patch up Shedletsky, lightly nagging on him for being so reckless.
"David, Matt- chill out..!" The former admin put up his hands, waving them around as he grunted. "Listen, I know it was reckless. I appreciate you patching me up but I'm good. It's just a scrape."
The noises around them drowned out in the background as 007n7 got up and walked upstairs. He remained upstairs most days in the lounge cabin. His back was starting to hurt a little bit again, most likely because he ended up pulling something when he ducked away from the killer in such a way.
With a small flop, 007n7 flopped down on the floor, back against the wall as he closed his eyes. Letting all the loss of energy finally catch up to him. He had never run that fast or that long in his life. He felt like he was going to vomit. Every bit of suspended fear, and exhaustion was catching up to him quickly.
007n7, tired from the escape and drained from all of the endless running quickly lie his head back where he sit- passing out no sooner than the second his head touched the pleasantly cool surface of the wall.
((To Be Continued))