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Taph moved slowly through the twisting paths of the map, their footsteps light but hurried as they searched for any sign of the others. The area felt too quiet, the kind of silence that made their skin crawl. Earlier, they had been working on a generator with Elliot, sparks flying as they tried to bring power back to the place. But Elliot had left in a rush to help the rest of the team, leaving Taph behind.
Now, Taph was alone.
They didn’t know where anyone else was. They didn’t know who was still alive. And that thought made their chest tighten with unease.
They paused near a cluster of trees, scanning the distance. Their ears strained for any sound of voices, for footsteps—anything that could tell them they weren’t the only one left wandering the map.
This round’s killer was 1x1x1x1.
Everyone knew the name. Everyone feared it.
1x1x1x1 never hesitated. Never showed mercy. Once he spotted a survivor, it was only a matter of time before they were gone.
Taph had swallowed and forced themselves to keep moving. They couldn’t stand still. Standing still meant being found.
They picked up their pace, boots crunching softly against the grass. Their heart beat faster with every corner they turned, every shadow that looked too much like a figure waiting for them.
Then they turned one corner—and froze.
Shedletsky stood in the clearing ahead of them.
For half a second, Taph had felt relief.
Then Shedletsky collapsed.
His body had fallen onto the grass, completely still, as 1x1x1x1 stood over him. The killer’s sword lowered slowly, and he stared down at the motionless survivor with something that looked like satisfaction and full on glee.
Taph’s breath caught in their throat.
They had seen people get eliminated before. They had grown used to it over time. But seeing it happen so close… so suddenly… had made their stomach twist.
1x1x1x1 lifted his head.
His glowing gaze locked onto Taph.
For a moment, the world had felt frozen. No wind. No sound. Just the two of them staring at each other across the clearing.
Then the killer’s expression shifted. Almost amused. Almost pleased.
It was as if he had just found a new toy.
Taph took a step back.
Then another.
Their breathing sped up. Their mind screamed at them to move, and suddenly they turned and ran.
They didn’t look behind them. They didn’t watch where they were going. Branches slapped against their arms as they pushed through bushes and tall grass. Their lungs burned, and their legs felt weak, but they kept running.
Faster.
Faster.
Their foot had caught on something, and they stumbled forward—but before they could recover, a strong hand grabbed the back of their clothing and yanked them backward.
Taph cried out in their mind and tried to struggle, but it was useless.
Pain shot through their arm as something sharp struck it. A strange numbness spread quickly, making their fingers tingle and their vision blur. Their knees buckled, and they sank to the ground, dizzy and shaking.
They had looked up weakly.
1x1x1x1 stood over them, sword in hand.
“Calm down, little one…” he said quietly, his voice oddly unsure. “…I just need… um… a small favor.”
Taph had blinked.
A favor?
Their head felt way too heavy to think clearly. The world swayed slightly as they tried to focus on him.
Then he spoke again.
“Can you… braid my hair?”
The words didn’t make sense.
Taph stared at him in silence, unsure if they were hallucinating from the poison. Of all the things he could have asked… this was the last thing they expected.
Slowly, and awkwardly, they nodded.
1x1x1x1 stepped back and sat down on the grass. The tension in the air shifted into something strange and quiet.
Taph sat too, their right arm throbbing and numb. Their fingers shook as they reached out and touched his long, white hair. It felt soft, nothing like they imagined it would.
They carefully separated the strands and began to braid, moving slowly so their weakened arm wouldn’t give out. Each motion took effort. Every pull of hair sent a faint ache through their shoulder.
Still, they try to stay focused.
They made sure the braid was neat. Tight enough not to fall apart. Something small and oddly peaceful in the middle of chaos.
When they finished, they leaned back slightly, exhausted.
1x1x1x1 stood up and touched the braid, testing it.
“…Thanks,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “…I guess.”
Taph managed a weak thumbs-up as they pushed themselves to their feet. The world still felt unsteady beneath them.
“So…” 1x said, looking at them. “You want me to end this quickly?”
Taph had hesitated.
Then they nodded.
They were tired of running. Tired of being scared.
They just wanted it to be over.
And then it was.
When Taph opened their eyes again, they were back in the cabin.
The warm light felt strange after the cold silence of the map. Their legs wobbled, and they stumbled forward, barely staying upright.
Guest rushed over and caught them before they could fall.
“Hey—are you okay?” Guest asked, concern clear in his voice.
Taph had nodded weakly, letting themselves be guided to the couch. Their arm still felt strange, even though there was no wound anymore.
They had sunk into the cushions, staring at the wooden wall.
No one else had seen what happened.
No one knew about the moment of silence in the grass. The braid. The strange favor.
It felt unreal, like a dream they couldn’t fully remember.
Taph leaned back and closed their eyes, trying to calm their racing heart, wondering how something so terrifying could end in something so quiet.