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Elliot remembers the first time he had laid eyes on them.
1x, the very epitome of hatred. The one who had been despised by everyone, hated to the ends of the earth. They were known as cold, cruel, ruthless… They slaughtered the survivors brutally, without any hesitation. Out of all the killers, 1x was known as the worst one. At least the other killers weren't as ruthless, giving them some form of mercy before the end. Elliot had died by their hand so many times, to the point he had already lost count. And everyone dreaded being placed in the same round as them—especially Shedletsky. The rounds against them almost always ended in failure, with the occasional few survivors barely managing to scrape by.
But that was a strange thing, wasn't it? For someone so ruthless, Elliot had found them to be the kindest, somehow. The most merciful of the bunch.
Most killers targeted him first—because of their shared past and personal ties, or just as an act of strategy. He was the healer of the group, after all. His slices of pizza were what kept the others alive, often undoing the damage the killers had worked so hard to inflict. The longer Elliot stayed alive, the more of a liability he was towards them.
When the killer realised that, that's when everything had begun to change. Round after round, he became the first target. He was the one who always ended up dying first, no matter what he did. He almost wanted to give up entirely, but he couldn't.
The others had begun forming their plans around him—coming up with ways on how to protect him from the killer’s wrath, how to make sure he survived long enough to make it to the very end. Their strategies shifted from protecting each other, to revolving around how to keep him alive.
He should have felt grateful—and really, in a way, he was. Seeing the lengths the others would go to protect him…
He should feel warm, seeing how much everyone cared about him. But all it did was make him feel worse, like he was useless.
In their eyes, he must be a burden. Honestly, the team was wasting valuable resources on someone who couldn't even defend himself properly. And he hated that feeling. Sometimes, it was worse than dying, because he knew he couldn't do anything about it.
But that's when he began to realise a pattern. Out of all the killers, the only one who didn't target him specifically was 1x. They treated everyone with the same cruel indifference—well, everyone except Shedletsky. At least he wasn't targeting Elliot anymore… and because of that, he could finally do his job properly, and heal the others.
He could finally feel wanted. Needed. Like he belonged, like he had a purpose amongst them, rather than just being a damsel in distress.
He would never tell anyone the truth, though. He could never confess to the others about how he really felt. Because this supposed act of mercy didn't excuse their actions. They were still cruel to the survivors, just like before.
But rounds with them felt like a break from all that chaos. It was a brief escape from the feeling of constantly being chased and hunted down first. It was a chance given to him, where he could actually heal the others rather than desperately trying to survive with a target painted on his back. When 1x was the killer, Elliot could finally contribute to the team, and be useful. He wasn't just a fragile survivor that needed to be protected. No, he was a part of the team.
And now, here he was again… facing off in another round against 1x.
The match had gone horribly wrong. There weren't many survivors left, and 1x seemed especially on edge today—they were more violent than usual, eliminating the others quickly, within minutes.
Elliot checks the list of remaining players.
007n7. Shedletsky. And himself. Elliot.
I swear there were more people alive earlier… I should check whether anyone needs healing.
He clicks on 007n7’s name, checking their health. A tight knot forms in his stomach when he realises how low it was—it was definitely lower than he expected. They were just doing fine a few minutes ago. What could possibly have happened?
He knows that the both of them weren't exactly close, especially after what had happened between them. But that didn't mean Elliot didn't care about them. He still did, even if they had done awful things in the past.
Elliot couldn't hesitate now—they were probably injured pretty badly, and hiding away in a corner somewhere.
Immediately, he picks up the pace, nearly breaking into a run as he tries to search for them. He needs to find them and give them a slice of pizza, before it's too late. They must be inches away from death right now.
And he knows that Shedletsky probably wasn't doing great either. He should give them a heal after, just in case. But they should be fine for now, right? They still had their fried chicken that they could use to heal up. Plus, he could always stun the killer with his sword if things ever went wrong.
But 007n7?
He was probably defenseless right now. His abilities could help him get away, sure, but they weren't enough to last him that long.
As Elliot dashes across the map, his heart begins to pound harder. With every turn he makes, he feels increasingly nervous. What if they weren't there? What if he couldn't find them in time? What if it was already too late?
Still, he persists. He tightens his grip on the strap of his pizza delivery bag, and he keeps one of his hands poised, ready to throw a slice at any moment’s notice.
Elliot could only hope that he could find them before 1x did.
After a few more minutes of searching, he finally sees it. In the distance, he spots a shadow, running across the map. He squints, trying to get a closer look—and turns out it’s 007n7, bloodied and distraught.
“Hey, wait up!” Elliot calls out, hoping to get his attention. 007n7 instantly stops, and turns towards the sound of his voice. A look of relief flashes across his face as he begins to head towards them instead. And as he moves closer, Elliot can finally see the full extent of his condition.
It looked… pretty bad.
007n7 was clutching at his abdomen, desperately trying his best to stop the blood from leaking out of his wounds. His other arm is blackened, with veins of that familiar green and black corrupted code spreading across the skin, trailing upwards to his shoulder.
“Th-Thank goodness, you’re here…” 007n7 chokes out, his voice hoarse from the pain.
He really doesn't look too good. I just hope I’ll be able to heal him up properly.
“Wait, let me give you a slice," Elliot murmurs, hoping to reassure them. Within seconds, he turns to his side, and opens his delivery bag, intending to pull out a fresh slice of pizza for them.
007n7 offers him a slow, grateful nod. "I appreciate it…”
Elliot can't bring himself to say anything in response.
In the past, he hadn't been as kind to 007n7—especially considering everything they had done to the pizzeria. But now, Elliot could no longer find it within himself to hold onto that feeling of hatred anymore. They had more important things to worry about, like surviving this hellish realm. They could talk about things later, and try to work out their differences once they were out of this place.
Even when he knows it’s perfectly reasonable for him to hate them, he really doesn't. Elliot… didn't hate 007n7.
But that didn't mean he had forgiven them entirely, either. He just needed time—to heal, to move on—and that was a luxury they couldn't afford right now.
And Elliot’s just about to hand them a slice of pizza, when something suddenly makes his blood run cold. Call it instinct, intuition, or whatever—but something heavy drops in his stomach, and a chill runs down his spine.
Something’s wrong. I know it is.
Elliot leans forward, and shoves 007n7 to the ground. They let out a yelp, partly from surprise and pain at the sudden movement, but that confusion quickly turns into a look of horror.
At that very moment, a green and black sword whizzes through the air, mere inches from where they had just been standing. The sword barely nicks Elliot by the shoulder, but cuts through his skin nonetheless. The fabric of his work uniform tears apart, exposing his skin to the insidious poison coating the blade. He reaches for his shoulder, gripping at the torn fabric, and winces as the burning pain spreads almost instantly. The strike sends the delivery bag flying from his hands, with the box of pizza skidding far across the floor, and out of reach. But that's not what he’s worried about.
If Elliot hadn’t reacted in time…
The sword would have gone straight through 007n7’s skull.
Before he can open his mouth to speak, to urge them to run, or suggest a plan for an escape, a familiar voice interrupts him, seemingly as cruel as ever.
“Look at what we have here.”
Elliot recognises it immediately. That's the sound of 1x’s voice. He turns, glancing towards the direction of the noise.
And there they are, emerging through the trees, surrounded by that bright green and black aura. Their glowing red eye pierced through the darkness, locked directly on both of them.
But what were they doing here? Shouldn't Shedletsky be—
Oh. They must’ve died.
Elliot’s heart drops. He’s been too careless with his slices of pizza, to the point he had become almost complacent, and let the team down. Maybe he had grown rusty from spending so many rounds focusing on running away from the killer, instead of properly healing his teammates.
Part of him wants to check the survivor list again—he just wants to confirm Shedletsky’s death, and see how much health 007n7 had left after the entire ordeal—but there's no time. He has to focus on escaping for now… he’ll check later, when all of this is over, and they’ve found a safe space to hide.
“Urgh…” 007n7 groans, his voice filled with pain. Elliot glances back at him, quickly checking on their condition.
Somehow, they looked even worse now. The poison has spread further up their arm, creeping towards their neck in lines of corrupted code. And yet, despite all of that pain they’re experiencing, their eyes are only focused on Elliot.
“Just run…” he whispers weakly, before his strength gives out. It seems like 007n7 has already accepted his fate, that he was ready to meet a miserable end.
Elliot turns back to look towards 1x, watching as they begin to approach the both of them. With every step, the threat of impending danger draws closer. He can't keep hesitating—who knows what will happen if he does. But he can't just leave behind 007n7 like this either… there has to be something he could do. He wouldn't just run away, like he always does, and leave them to die a horrible death.
And besides, 007n7 had a better chance at surviving against the killer. They could use their abilities to teleport away, and escape from their grasp. Meanwhile, Elliot could only dash a little faster, and hope that they wouldn't catch up to him. But they always did… he couldn't hope to run from them forever. And he’s already made up his mind. He had to ensure that they lived—this was the only way they could win the round.
Elliot would rather die, than sacrifice someone else just so he could live.
With that, he begins his desperate search, and his eyes dart around, looking for something that could help him buy some time for 007n7 to escape. In the chaos, his gaze lands on his pizza bag—the one that had been flung several feet away, completely out of reach.
He has to get it back, and give them a heal. It's the only way 007n7 could possibly survive this. But it's too far. Even if he runs, 1x would probably try to stop him by striking him down.
Or maybe… if he could just buy enough time for 007n7 to recover, and ready his teleportation, they could escape. There must be a medkit still hidden around the map somewhere—or at least with that added time, they could find somewhere to hide.
I’m not letting you die. Not like this.
“I’ll handle this," Elliot mutters under his breath, already trying to piece together a plan.
007n7’s eyes crack open slightly. They still look weak, overcome by pain. "Elliot…? What are you…”
But he doesn't hear them. He’s too busy formulating an escape for them, a way that they could make it out alive.
It looks like he’ll have to try distracting the killer for now, and get to the delivery bag somehow. Then, he’ll throw them a slice, and just pray that he can manage to buy enough time for them so they can escape.
Elliot takes a slow, deep breath, in an attempt to calm his racing nerves.
I hope this works. If not, then I don't know what I could do.
He never knew what to expect from them. Some killer taunted him, mocked him for being weak, and made him their first target. But 1x was different—and that made them impossible to read.
Still, despite that hesitation and fear threatening to swallow him whole, he persists. He knows what he has to do… he just has to get their attention.
“Forget about him!" Elliot shouts, forcing himself back onto his feet. “I’m the one you want, right?"
1x’s gaze slowly turns away from 007n7’s injured body, and lands back to Elliot instead. For a moment, they simply stare at him, observing what he could possibly be doing. Then, without any warning, 1x grabs Elliot by the collar, and yanks him into the air, with no effort at all. He barely has any time to gasp, let alone breathe.
“How childish,” 1x remarks coldly. "Do you really believe such silly taunts would work on me?”
“Let go of me!” Elliot protests, kicking and thrashing wildly in an attempt to break free from 1x’s grip. He just needs to get a reaction from them, to make them forget about 007n7, and shift their focus onto him entirely.
But it’s useless. 1x is watching him, sure—but their grip around his collar remains as tight as ever. And somehow, despite all of his struggles, they’re still able to keep 007n7 within their line of sight, leaving them with no chance to slip away.
Elliot grits his teeth, distraught. Maybe distracting them like this wasn't the best idea… they didn't seem like they were planning on leaving 007n7 on his own anytime soon. He’ll just have to make a run for the pizza box instead, and hopefully throw 007n7 a slice before it's too late.
But how? What could he even do? He’s nowhere near strong enough to overpower them, let alone free himself from their grip. What else could he do to fix this…?
At that very moment, an idea pops up in his head. It’s a risky one, sure. Probably insane. Definitely.
But it just might work. And he might as well try it—he has nothing left to lose.
Suddenly, Elliot stops struggling against their grasp. He goes completely still, in the hopes that 1x will let their guard down because of his change in demeanour.
“Given up already?" 1x sneers. “I expected more from you, pizza boy—"
Elliot lunges forward, and bites down hard on their hand.
The first thing he tastes is bitter iron. It must be the poison, leaking through their veins. But he doesn't have the time to think about that, or the possible repercussions behind such an impulsive action—he needs to act now, and take advantage of the opportunity he’s made for himself.
1x immediately drops him, recoiling in visible disgust. And the very second Elliot hits the ground, he rushes into action, scrambling towards the pizza bag.
You can do this, Elliot. Just keep going.
But 1x recovers quickly. Far too quickly. In a burst of anger, they draw another blade, and hurl it directly at Elliot’s leg.
1x’s aim rings true, and the sword hits, causing him to collapse to his knees. A broken cry escapes his throat as the world beneath him gives out completely.
But he doesn't stop. He still forces himself to crawl forward, bit by bit. Even as the blood continues to pour from his wound, growing heavier by the second. Even as the vicious poison burns through his arm and his leg, he doesn't stop.
I can't give up now. I have to save 007n7.
They were their only chance of making it out alive. And Elliot would do anything—he means it—to make sure they did, even if the cost ended up being his own life.
Slowly, painfully, Elliot continues to drag himself towards the bag. Everything burns, far beyond comprehension. His arm trembles violently, struggling to hold his weight. His injured leg is rendered useless as the poison crawls through his body, but he forces himself forward anyway, despite all the suffering he was experiencing at that very moment.
I can't think about the pain. I can't think about 1x, and why they’ve suddenly stopped attacking me. I just have to move forward. The bag, it's just barely out of reach.
I’m almost there. Just keep crawling, Elliot.
Eventually, his fingers close around the strap of the bag. He nearly let out a sigh of relief—he had finally managed to reach it, after all that struggle. He just needs to pull out a slice, and throw it towards 007n7…
Crack!
Elliot’s blood runs cold. Horrified, he turns around, towards the direction of the sound.
All he sees is 1x, standing over 007n7’s body, with a sword driven straight through his skull.
Elliot simply stares in shock.
No. No, this can't be—
Despite all of his best efforts, he had failed to save them. He should have known that 1x wouldn't have been merciful. He was a fool for believing they would have let 007n7 escape so easily.
“No…” is all Elliot can manage to mumble out. He remains there, frozen in place, even as 1x pulls the blade from 007n7’s skull, and slowly steps closer towards him.
Just like that, his last bit of hope is gone.
Within a few steps, 1x reaches him. Elliot is practically lying at their feet now, barely able to move. 1x lowers their sword slightly, looking down at him. Shakily, he glances up, trying to read their expression, only to lock gazes with that cruel red eye staring right back.
“Tell me, pizza boy… why do you continue to struggle, when you know it will all lead to nothing but failure?”
They pull out their other sword, pressing it against the skin of Elliot’s neck. It’s sharp enough to nearly draw blood—if he moves just an inch, he’ll be cut.
“You hate that survivor, don't you?" 1x questions, pushing the edge of their sword right beneath Elliot’s chin. They tilt it lightly, forcing his head upward so they can study his expression more closely. “So why would you do that?”
"Do what…?” Elliot asks weakly, too dazed to fully understand the question, or what they truly meant. Maybe the poison has a stronger effect than he initially believed—after all, it’s already affecting him to the point where he couldn't really comprehend what was even going on around him. “What are you even talking about?”
“I’m asking why you went to such great lengths to save them, you fool. You know they didn't deserve it… shouldn't you despise them for what they’ve done to you?"
He can hardly hear them clearly anymore. Everything is already starting to go dark, with the world being nothing more than a fading dream. Black spots begin to dance across Elliot’s vision, and his thoughts grow sluggish and distant, like he isn't quite there anymore. But even in that haze, he can tell that something about their question feels… wrong. He just doesn't know why.
Wait, why are they even asking him all of this? Why now, just when he’s on the brink of death?
Still, Elliot answers them anyway. He has nothing better to do—maybe this could help shave off some time off the clock, and let him live a little longer, to see another day.
“Just because I might hate him,” Elliot starts, before stopping to cough up some blood. When he continues, his voice comes out weaker, more strained underneath the pain.
“…that doesn’t mean they deserve to die.”
For the first time ever since the round began, 1x pauses, clearly caught off guard by Elliot’s words. They mutter something quietly under their breath—a confession that they probably never meant for him to hear. But he picks up on it anyway.
“I wish he had believed the same."
Before Elliot can say anything—to ask the reason behind their actions, what they could have possibly meant by those words—1x presses the sword in a little deeper, now no longer intending on offering any mercy to him.
This… must be the end for me. There's nothing I can do to escape this. I just have to accept that I’ve lost. That I failed my teammates, that I couldn't even protect the others. Ah, I wish I could have done something more…
Elliot closes his eyes, waiting for the inevitable kiss of death.
A few seconds pass. Nothing happens.
Even as the poison continues to seep through his skin, bleeding into his veins, making him feel more disoriented by the second… 1x refuses to strike. Instead, they ask him a question—one that leaves him completely speechless.
“Do you believe… that I am worthy of such forgiveness?”
Elliot’s eyes instantly snap open. What kind of question was that? And why were they asking him of all people?
He had brutally slaughtered the people he knew countless times, never offering mercy in their rounds. Considering everything they had done, in past and present… How could he possibly say yes? What was he even supposed to say to something like that?
Maybe I should just stay silent, even if I risk invoking their wrath. I just… I don't know what to say, really.
The round was already a lost cause anyway. There was no hope for a last-minute win left, not without 007n7. At this point, Elliot was only alive because of their strange, unexplained act of mercy.
Maybe this was just another sick, twisted game to him, like some form of amusement they could derive from his misery before they eventually ended up killing him. Honestly, Elliot doesn't have a clue. He’s far too exhausted from everything—from being stabbed in the leg, to suffering from the effects of the poison—to be able to think clearly anymore.
But 1x does not grant him the mercy of silence. “Answer me," they demand, waiting for his response.
That fear makes Elliot speak. He doesn't want to imagine what other methods of suffering they have planned for him.
"Well… I guess everyone deserves a second chance.”
He doesn't say that they don’t deserve forgiveness—he avoids the word entirely. But he doesn't say that they do deserve it, either. He pauses, trying to think about what to say, how to possibly explain things to them that wouldn't get him killed, at least not in a brutal and painful way. And when he’s thinking, his mind ends up drifting back to the past, to what he thought of 007n7 before all this happened.
Elliot… should probably hate them.
They had a painful history together, with 007n7 making mistakes that couldn't be undone. He had burned down the pizzeria many times—the home he loved and cared for deeply—all to satisfy his need for destruction. Memories like that couldn't be erased so easily. At first, he had been furious when he saw them transported in this realm. He has wished the worst for them, even though he knew it was wrong.
But over time, Elliot had learned how to live with that feeling of anger. And eventually… he learned how to move on from that, too.
He had seen how hard 007n7 had tried to change, to fix his mistakes from the past. While Elliot couldn't say he had forgiven him completely—and he doesn't think he ever will—that didn't mean he stopped caring about them. He still did, despite everything. And that's why he had tried so desperately to save them, even when all hope was lost.
But he ended up failing. Just like always, he had become useless.
“If you truly are sorry," Elliot continues slowly, the world around him beginning to spin into an indiscernible blur. "Then… I don't see why not.”
“Hm,” is all 1x says in response. They simply study him, seemingly deep in thought. Strangely enough, their glowing red eye no longer looks cruel. If anything, it seems like they’re reflecting on his words, trying to see the meaning behind them.
They tilt their head curiously to the side, still watching him.
“Give me a slice of your pizza.”
Elliot blinks, confused by their sudden request. Of all the things they could ask for, why would they ask for that?
“We don't have all day,” 1x urges, lowering his sword slightly so that Elliot could move more freely now. With the tip of his sword, he pushes the delivery bag, nudging it closer to Elliot.
He should really learn to stop questioning them by now. They’ve already asked so many strange and unexpected things of him, that this might be the least surprising thing on the list.
Reluctantly, Elliot obeys, picking up the bag with trembling hands. Every movement he makes feels heavier now, and his body has grown sluggish from the poison spreading through him. Still, he somehow musters up the strength to reach for the delivery bag in front of him, before pulling out a slice and offering it to the killer.
However, 1x doesn't take it. They just look at the slice expectantly, like they’re waiting for some miracle to happen. Elliot tries his best to give it to them, and he even attempts placing it into their hand, but it's to no avail. 1x simply clicks their tongue in irritation, before withdrawing away from him.
“Anything I touch is bound to be corrupted," they explain, averting their gaze away from him. “Just forget what I said. I was naive to think something like this would work."
“Oh."
Right now, all Elliot can do is stare. Even as 1x turns away, he still can't help but sneak a few glances at them, though he’s barely able to process what they’re saying. They couldn't eat the slice of pizza? That's… really sad, honestly.
He looks back towards the slice in his hand, just waiting to be eaten. Due to the rules of the round, he wasn't allowed to eat his cooking. But wouldn't that mean he would have to throw it away?
I couldn't do such a thing. Maybe if there was another way…
He tells himself that he just doesn't want all the effort that he put into this to be for nothing. That he doesn't like wasting food, and throwing away such a tasty slice of pizza was practically a crime in his books. Deep down, he knows it’s more than that, but Elliot doesn't say anything. He doesn't dare name the feeling that's begun to rise in his chest, a familiar yet unwanted sensation, all at the same time.
Despite the violent shaking in his arms, from both the fear and the pain, he somehow finds the strength within him to lift that slice again.
“I’ll feed it to you.”
1x immediately glances back at them. They look genuinely startled by his suggestion, like they never expected him to say such a thing. And they have no response, no words to offer him. They just silently bend forward, moving closer to him, their expression returning into something unreadable.
Elliot takes it as a sign of agreement.
He brings the slice closer to them, taking extra care not to let it slip from his weakening grip. Throughout the process, he makes sure to keep his hands steady, while holding the food up for them to eat. 1x leans in hesitantly, almost as though they’re afraid to frighten him off—it’s the first time he’s seen a killer so docile, that it seems more like a dream, if anything. But it's not. The feeling of the killer being so close to him, waiting for him to act is very, very real.
He moves a little closer. Without another word, 1x takes a bite. The cheese stretches for a moment, before snapping apart, allowing them to speak once again.
“…it’s warm.”
Elliot silently watches them chew, unable to understand why something that seemed so ordinary like a slice of pizza could drastically change such a ruthless killer. Somehow, when they said that, their voice sounded kinder, which was unusual coming from someone like them.
Unexpectedly, 1x goes quiet. Their expression grows distant, like they’re lost in thought, seemingly somewhere far away from this place, rather than standing there, leaning over a dying man.
“I haven’t felt this way in a long time,” 1x admits, before glancing down at the slice still resting in Elliot’s hands, with their eye narrowing slightly. “I had almost forgotten what that memory felt like."
“I always used to wonder why the other survivors were so eager to eat something like this," 1x murmurs contemplatively, their gaze still lingering on him, and the slice in his grasp. “Even in the middle of such chaos, they would still race to get one, saying how it reminded them of home."
“...but now, I think I finally understand why."
Elliot swallows weakly. He really isn't thinking straight. Before he can get his thoughts in order, and realise what a horrible offer he’s making, his mouth has already started moving, saying something he will probably end up regretting later. But it’s that urge in him, the one that wants to help others—to bring them joy, no matter the cost—that is nagging away at him, refusing to let such a damning revelation slide.
"If you want, I can always make more."
Why is he even saying that? He must be out of his mind. Or maybe it's the poison talking, not letting him snap some sense into himself. Why was he even offering a killer something like that, especially considering everything they had done to him?
At that moment, he remembers his father’s words. He doesn't remember when exactly he said it, but that's the very thing that comes to mind. Though it was said in passing, their words still ring true, even to this day.
You were always too kind for your own good.
Thank goodness 1x doesn't accept his offer. Elliot doesn't know what he’ll do if they did—but when he sees how visibly unsettled they look upon hearing his words, there's a pang of something unfamiliar that rises in his chest. Guilt, maybe, for not staying true to himself, and wanting to help others. Or relief that he would not become complicit with the one who had hurt so many before him, including himself.
“Don't fool yourself," they mutter bitterly, but their words come out as more of an afterthought, if anything. “I have no need for your kindness.”
Elliot opens his mouth to say something, to respond to their words, but his attempt quickly devolves into a violent, uncontrollable fit of coughs. He presses his hand against the wound in his leg, trying to stop the bleeding, though it's a fruitless attempt. It looks like he’s getting worse… the poison’s spreading faster than he initially thought it would.
It’s really over for me now, isn't it?
He can practically feel the corrupted code crawl beneath his skin—it burns deeper through his veins, sinking into his bones, dragging him down into that darkness, bit by bit. His vision is already wavering, and the world around him has become nothing more than an indescribable blur.
Even now, he’s barely able to hold on. It won't be long before he meets his eventual end. With every passing second, the effect of the venom spreads further through his body, causing his health to chip away, bit by bit.
There's no fixing something like this anymore. The only way he makes it out is if some miracle happens, at this very moment. But that's impossible… there was no one left but him to face the killer’s wrath.
“I—"
1x never gets to finish their sentence. In the darkness, a sudden glint of light catches Elliot’s eye. It seems to be from a familiar-looking blade, one that definitely wasn't from 1x.
That must have been Shedletsky’s sword. But how…?
He doesn't have any time to question them, though. He watches as they drive the blade straight through 1x’s chest, piercing it directly through their core. 1x lets out a sharp, ear-piercing cry—one born out of pain, now twisting into something that sounds almost like absolute despair. Elliot’s never heard them make a sound like that before.
"How dare you…!” 1x shouts furiously, wrenching the sword out of their chest.
Without any hesitation, Shedletsky rushes towards Elliot, ignoring them entirely. He kneels beside him, trying to figure out how he could best help him.
"Come on, Elliot!” Shedletsky urges him, trying to help them up. "We have to run!”
But it’s too late.
Elliot isn't as strong as the other survivors, and now that his health was dangerously low, it meant that there wasn't much hope for him left. His chances for survival were low, considering how the poison had already taken its place within his veins, draining whatever strength he had left.
“Hey, you can't give up now! You have to wake up—”
But before Shedletsky can say anything else, or suggest a plan for them to both escape, the world goes dark. Just like that, Elliot has been swallowed up by the night.
The round ends in a loss.
Shedletsky wasn't able to hold out long enough. It was an impossible feat he had been given, a burden he could not carry when he was alone. Although Elliot had initially presumed them to be dead, they had somehow managed to survive their earlier encounter with 1x—but he had no way of knowing unless he had checked the list of survivors, which he didn't have the time for. But that realisation wasn't what bothered Elliot most—it was the fact that he failed everyone. Again, he was unable to save even a single person from the hands of death with his heals.
He should feel guilty. Horrible, honestly. What kind of teammate was he, constantly needing to be protected, and letting the others die?
And yet, somehow… he doesn't feel as guilty as he believed he would. No, that wasn't what was preoccupying his thoughts right now—instead, he’s too distracted by what had happened that round. He keeps thinking about that question 1x had asked him, when they had been in a seemingly vulnerable state of mind.
Do you believe that I am worthy of such forgiveness?
Why would a killer ask a question like that? And why did they look to Elliot as though he could be the one to grant them some kind of mercy with his words, like he had bestowed upon them a great act of kindness with something as simple as a slice of pizza?
He needs answers. And he knows exactly where to find them… from the survivor that had ended up being the last one standing against them.
I need to talk to Shedletsky.
Elliot knows that they have a shared past together, some awful history they don't dare to bring up. When they first encountered 1x in a round, Shedletsky had described them as a creature most heartless, like a terrible mistake born out of another former admin’s own arrogance. They were deemed a cruel being, and known as a killer who would never show mercy, let alone to someone weak and pathetic like Elliot.
And yet…
Those words, that question, their shared interaction—they still linger in Elliot’s mind, refusing to let go. No matter how hard he tries to brush those thoughts aside, he can't.
I’ll find out the truth, one way or another. No matter what it takes.
And that's how he ends up talking with Shedletsky shortly after the round. In the beginning, Elliot tries his best to tread lightly, asking simple, careful questions about their past, in hopes of finding out the secret they could be hiding from the rest of the group. But Shedletsky manages to dodge most of his questions somehow, avoiding them by replying with vague answers that give him no clues about the truth, or just quick, half-hearted suggestions to change the subject in an attempt to dissuade Elliot from his mission. Still, despite all of the pointless responses they gave him, he manages to get at least one direct answer out of them.
“Why do you hate them so much?" Elliot asks Shedletsky, trying to appear as nothing more than curious. They’ve probably caught onto what he’s doing by now—he’s already asked so many questions that it must have seemed suspicious to them.
Shedletsky clicks his tongue, visibly annoyed. It kind of reminds him of 1x’s mannerisms as earlier, even though it wasn't the same. It seems like they’re trying to stay calm and collected during their conversation, and not let anything slip, but it's obvious that the topic has hit a nerve within them.
“Don’t you get it?” Shedletsky snaps, crossing his arms in frustration and finally letting their true emotions show. "1x’s a killer. They deserve to be hated, and they definitely don't deserve forgiveness."
“Hell, they wouldn’t show you the same mercy, so why should you?”
Shedletsky takes a deep breath, before letting out an exasperated sigh, and that initial feeling of frustration has now faded into nothing more than exhaustion. “Just forget it," he mutters quietly, hoping to change the subject. He seems almost apologetic, like he didn't mean to snap at Elliot or react in such a manner. “Let’s talk about something else, yeah? Something lighter, to lift the mood."
Then, he tries to force out an awkward, uneasy joke after, clearly attempting to ease the tension between the two of them. “Man, I must be hungry! I’m already wonderin’ what we’ll be having for dinner tonight…”
But Elliot’s mind is already far, far away from something as mundane as dinner. He only listens to them partly, pretending as though everything between them was fine, even though his thoughts have begun to lead down an impossible spiral. In the end, he simply nods along, and agrees with whatever Shedletsky ends up saying.
He knows better than to push any further. He can't afford to lose their trust. At least, not right now.
After that topic, Elliot barely says much at all. When Shedletsky finally finishes talking about fried chicken for the millionth time, he takes it as a cue to leave. He quietly thanks them for their time and the conversation, then leaves them, claiming that he was planning on heading off to bed early to get a good night’s rest before the next round.
But the second he reaches his cabin, he just collapses onto the bed, completely exhausted and lost by everything that has happened so far. No matter how hard he tries to get his mind to quieten down, his thoughts won't stop racing, rushing in his head.
Elliot has so many questions. So many doubts that have now begun to plant themselves in his mind. However, he has so few answers, that it just leaves him feeling more puzzled than ever. He lies there in his bed, unable to fall asleep, his head plagued with all sorts of thoughts.
Does 1x really deserve forgiveness?
They had hurt so many people. They should be hated for what they had done, for the sins they had committed towards others. Everyone should hate the killers, because they weren't good people. They did horrible things, atrocities that turned them into the way they were now. They weren't like the survivors, just trying to make it out alive.
The answer should be no. But Elliot can’t tell anymore—he isn't sure if that was the right answer. He doesn't even know 1x at all, so how could they have expected him to be the one to judge them? Honestly, he doesn't even understand why something as insignificant as this matters to him this much.
Forgiveness… an act one can only seek out, the very thing only the wronged could grant. A long time ago, Elliot might have agreed with Shedletsky’s view, without any further hesitation. But now?
He wasn't quite sure. Especially not after seeing 007n7, and what this hellish realm had done to all of them. They had been trapped in this purgatory, doomed to remain here for the rest of eternity. And this place, it changed people, for better or for worse. Some got better, like 007n7, and used their past to become a better person. But some got worse, becoming twisted by the thought of an endless punishment in this place like this, for past sins they did not believe themselves guilty of. And the only reason they had managed to hold out this long was because of each other. Without this, they would have been lost, and let this situation turn into a hopeless one.
It was just all so… strange. Things were so confusing, and this world had become something Elliot could never hope to understand. He’s seen too many things, to the point that he can no longer confidently say that he feels the same way anymore. He knows that out of all the survivors, he must be the most naive one. He’s ignorant to so many things, with events being far beyond his control.
He doesn't know 1x or Shedletsky’s past, nor what secrets they’ve kept buried from the rest of the survivors. And he doesn't know what could make someone like 1x ask him such a heavy question, one that looked like it had no place slipping past their lips.
I just wish I could understand you.
That night, sleep does not come easily to Elliot.