Cabin in the Woods

"Anyway, we should decide what to do over the next 24 hours," Eduj continued. "Should we plan another trip out? And if so, how soon and how many of us should go?"

V"Did you even manage to accomplish anything out there? Or would you not know because you ran away like a bunch of fucking chickens?"
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*Before anyone can answer, Eve finds herself thrown to the ground with a searing pain in the back of her head. She can't see what's going on with the others, but she can hear scuffling in the leaves & a ringing noise. At some point, she realizes that the flashlight has been dropped some distance down the road, so half of its beam now illuminates a narrow stretch in front of Eve. The Shadow Man flits in front of it for a second before disappearing again.*

Eduj did not answer as he had not gone with them. Stefan lay down on the floor by the couch.

*Eve inches towards the flashlight*

<(Roatha....Thirea...Nero..?)>
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Cameron:<Well, we didn't die. That's something.>

Azuma: "That's not really an accomplishment."

Taiyo hesitates for a moment before returning the hug.

Taiyo: "You're welcome."

"Can you tell us anything that might be important, like something that may have happened to the others? Or what they may have said?" Eduj directed his question in the direction of Cameron and Stefan. Stefan did not answer.

*Cameron shrugs*

Cameron:<I honestly wasn't paying attention, too busy trying to stay alive.>

Eduj furrowed his brow, "It seems that we don't have any idea of what to do or what the situation is, and at least two of us are unfit to head out. We should wait here for now."

V"Like Hell, Christophile has been dodging questions this whole time. You there, with the flashlight, find him & kick his ass until he starts talking."
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E"Hey, I didn't want to say anything since the power went out, but it doesn't look like it'll be coming back any time soon, so...are you hungry?"
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*The ringing becomes deafeningly loud as Shadow Man's "face" looms back into the flashlight, a few feet away from Eve. The piece of glass covering the light bulb cracks & the bulb itself begins to flicker.*

Azuma: "Man, I don't even know who that is. I don't even know who you or half of these people are. I feel I should know some names before kicking the ass that belongs to that name."

Mimiru: "Like you could do such a thing."

Taiyo: "A little..."

"This isn't some kind of interrogation," Eduj growled, looking in Vanessa's direction.
"I don't know anything," Stefan spoke up, sounding both tired and angry. "I was just running away too. I just... remember Nero running ahead and the others chasing him... then I fell and that's it."

V"Oh, so you're not evasive, just useless. And speaking of useless...who says this isn't an interrogation? Why should I listen to you? You're the guy who always takes orders from that bossy prick who tried to set the place on fire, talk to dead people, let a monster in here to kill us all, & threaten to send me to jail for stopping him, in that order. And what do you 2 have to show for all of the shit you've made us put up with? The hope that the guys your loser friend ditched in the woods will actually accomplish something, because you sure as Hell haven't."
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E"Maybe we should go out & get something to eat...oh, but then again, I don't know if you'd be able to support my weight...."

Taiyo: "I'm sure I can. But umm, I have to go to the bathroom..."

"I notice for all you have to say about the efforts and use of others, you have done nothing but complain, scream and take up the bathroom," Eduj retorted, letting some venom into his voice. "I honestly don't care what you have to say, since you only seem capable of scorn, and that won't help us get out of here."

V"Macing your idiot friend seemed to get that thing away from us. Wanna see if it helps a second time?"
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E"Go on ahead, I'll be right here when you get back."

Taiyo climbs off the bed and rummages around for her flashlight in her bag, turning it on and leaving when she does.

In the bathroom, she closes the door behind her and sets the light down on the counter, turning the sink on.

I can't always depend on her. Mimiru said she'd protect me if Euryale couldn't, but I don't want to burden her like I am Euryale. I should be able to look after myself. I'm a big girl. An adult. I should do things on my own.

She splashes the cold water on her face.

I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to hurt Euryale or anyone. Especially not anymore than I have.

Taiyo backs away from the sink until hitting the wall where she slides down into a sitting position, knees to her chest.

She starts to cry.

"I'm not going to exchange stupid threats with you," Eduj said flatly. "Does anybody else have anything to say?"

Azuma: "I think you two should just fight already."

At that inane remark, Eduj turned and walked down the hall, heading back into his room.

*Euryale just lays there, waiting for Taiyo to come back & get her.*
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*Taiyo can hear the fading sounds of the end of the fight, & then Eduj stomping down the hall.*
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"You 2 sound like you have some basic common sense. Can I count on you to keep an eye on those jackasses if I have to go out & finish the job myself?"

Azuma: "Sure?"

Mimiru: "Whatever."

Mimiru goes down the hall. At the bathroom door, she knocks.

Taiyo: "J-just a minute."

Taiyo gets up and splashes more water on her face before turning the taps off and drying her face off before opening the door.

Mimiru: "Hey."

Taiyo: "Hi..."

No one shining a light in the other's face, Mimiru picks up on Taiyo's voice.

Mimiru: "What's up?"

Taiyo: "N-nothing. I should get back to Euryale."

Mimiru: "All right."

Taiyo scampers down the hall back to her and Euryale's room.

Hector's was writing in his notebook again, and hardly noticed Eduj coming into the room. Eduj took a seat and yawned.

*Eve decides the flashlight just isn't worth it, and staggers to her feet. She starts backing away, slowly*

Eve:<G-guys?>
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*Tirea sits down near the couch*

Tirea:<She does have a point. He is kind of a Christophile.>

Monu:<Whatever makes people happy.>

*Euryale is, of course, laying on her side, waiting for Taiyo.*

"Welcome back."
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*Someone manages to grab the flashlight & make a run down the road, shining the light back every now & again in a blatant attempt to grab the monster's attention. Every so often, the monster disappears into the night, but the light returns to reveal it a step closer. Eve feels herself coming close to the hill, her hearing still strangely muted but for the loud ringing.*

Taiyo: "Hi. Ready to go?"