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no more sacrifices

Summary:

Fictober Day Twenty Four: "There's not enough time."

 

On a time limit, Eloise faces a difficult decision.

Notes:

day twenty four fictober

wrote eloise pov because she's been in surprisingly few of these, she was mentioned briefly in a few fictobers but only actually appears in day nine fictober. here is eloise content for the eloise fans

 

honestly i didn't think the eloise + ulysses tag would exist so i thought why not add another story to it. here is elosses content for the elosses fan(s?)

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Eloise drags him upright, pulling him along with her to safety. Her knee nearly gives out, her injuries not yet healed, so she's forced to duck into one of the empty dorm rooms, shutting the door behind them both. The two of them hold their breath as Mara storms past, still looking for survivors. 

When Mara's footsteps fade into nothing, Eloise turns to check Ulysses. He's still clutching at his right side, the fabric around that area soaked red.

"There's not enough time..." He leans his head against the wall, fighting to stay conscious. "Eloise...don't let me slow you down. Escape while you still can."

 

Maybe the Eloise of the past would have been tempted to leave Ulysses behind and go home. But after six trials, Eloise is tired of death. Tired of leaving people behind, and being abandoned by those she thought she could trust. Looking around the deep pink room, seeing the make-up and the various conditioners, hair products, perfumes...Eloise is reminded of another person who she had wanted so desperately to save. Someone who had sacrificed herself to save everyone else. She wouldn't let Ulysses suffer the same fate - disregarding his health, putting more effort into keeping his notes safe instead of protecting himself.

"I'm not leaving without you." Eloise holds her hand out for Ulysses to take. 

He looks displeased by her decision, but nevertheless doesn't waste a second in taking her hand, straightening enough that she can pull his arm over her shoulders and lift him up all the way. Eloise places one shaky hand on the door handle, ready to leave.

"W-We have to run, okay? Run as fast as you can, and don't look back. I'll deal with her if she cuts us off."

Ulysses nods slowly. Against her, she can feel his blood spreading onto her shirt - and fears he'll die before they can make it to safety. With her knee, and his injury, if Mara catches them they're dead. If Mara catches them, she reminds herself. If she reappears and finds them, which has a terrifyingly high chance of occurring - but it's not a certainty

 

So Eloise pushes open the door, and they run.

Notes:

day twenty four fictober