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Helena gripped her staff tightly. Naib's cries echoed across the map as his rocket chair flew away. She trembled.
She was the last survivor standing.
All the ciphers had been decoded. They had been so close...
She hid behind the wall. Trying to keep her breathing as quiet as possible.
She didn't know how close Jack was too her. At any moment she expected him to come and knock her down. Tears formed in her eyes.
She could go to the dungeon... but she had never been on this map before. She didn't know where it could be.
She could risk opening the gate but Jack was likely patrolling the gate.
But if she stayed still... the crows would appear round her and Jack would find her.
Her breathing fractured.
What could she do?
She should move.
She should run.
She needed to move and try something because doing nothing would only guarantee her fate.
But her body refused.
She remained frozen in place. Unable to move. Unable to run. Fear paralysing every part of her body.
More silent then a grave. Her tear drops made stars on the ground.
She felt her heart beat grow louder.
He was coming.
Move.
Move.
Move
MOVE
She couldn't move. Her body remained frozen in place. Tightly gripping her cane.
This was it.
"Miss Adams." A voice. A... familiar voice. It wasn't Jack. But she was the last survivor how-
"Sh sh. Quiet now." A gentle gloved hand was placed on hers. "Stay very quiet now."
His voice was warm. A gentle melody, yet it had hidden pain beneath its warm tone. It was... beautiful. Despite all its pain.
"We're here." He said quietly. She felt his touch wipe away her tears. "Are you alright?"
His voice was so warm. Like a gentle summers day. His touch so kind and.. it reminded her so much of her father-
She choked back a sob.
Her father. Who she hadn't seen ever since she came to the manor. Who had done all he could to care for her and now-
She began to sob. The most she could do was restrain herself from being too loud, but the torrent of emotions broke down the finals strings holding her together.
The stranger was too kind. Too much like her father. And she missed him too much. She wanted to go home. Hold her father once again.
The stranger didn't say a word. Only gently guided her into a fatherly embrace, which she desperately accepted. Clinging onto his shirt as she felt him pull what she guessed was a around her as he held her. He gently took of her glasses so she could cry more comfortably. Gently pat her head as he hummed a lullaby she had heard many times before.
She wanted to go home. See her father again. She wanted her dad. She wanted to hold him again. To hear his voice and feel his smile and pride even though she could not see it.
She wanted her dad.
The tears eventually ran dry. Snot and tears covered her face. He handed her a tissue which she quietly took.
She opened her mouth to speak. But he spoke first. Placing her glasses back on her face.
"It's quite alright Miss Adams. You should go back to the manor now. The Doctor will tend to your injuries." He took her hand again. Guiding her to the edge of the dungeon.
She heard Jack's footsteps start to approach. The hand gently pulled hers. Softly leading her away. Away from Jack.
They walked on dead silence. Helena didn't know where he was taking her. He wasn't Jack. Her heartbeat was returning to normal. Even when the hunters were friendly her heartbeat pounded when they were near.
Was he a survivor? No he couldn't be. Naib... Naib had been the last survivor standing aside from her. How....how.... it couldn't be possible- and he could talk-
"We're almost there Miss Adams."
She clung onto his hand before letting go as she jumped down.
Victor was waiting quietly in the hunter's lounge. "Sir. A letter for you."
He held out a white letter, sealed with the mark of the manor. Jack took the letter. Victor nodded before walking away. Disappearing like a ghost.
He carefully opened the letter.
'Dear Jack,
My apologies for my intervention in your last match. But, I could not pass up such an opportunity.
Worry not, I have a marked the match as a flawless victory and treated as a full elimination, as I have no doubt you would have effortlessly eliminated The Mind's Eye.
But if you would like further compensation please write to me. If reasonable I shall fulfil it.
Signed,
Your Dear Host.'