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He did not waste time when he had seen them running. Where was he even going to hide? The firewatch wasn't a good place since they had seen the fucking flash. Oh, yes, let's just keep the flash on so the mob of cultists in the distance who were…sacrificing something, would inevitably see him.
So fucking wonderful, it was painful.
Either way, he sat within the gloom as the first thudding footsteps matched with his racing heart. Only one had shown up, but surely there would be more. He couldn't think that they had simply just brought only one. Not that he had much going for him.
Jack waited, and hurried his way into the dark, recalling the direction of Connor's tower. He had to hurry to him and make sure that he was okay. And once he did inevitably find out, then he can drag him down and they can escape together. Because what in the ever loving fuck was even going on?
It had to be adrenaline coursing through his veins or something. That had to be the reason, because he was actually shaking it utter fear, but he was also confused. He didn't know which emotion was actually winning hear. Either way, he had his evidence.
Jack made his way through the dark, trying not to make too much noise. While he was also afraid other wildlife, he was more scared of the cultists. They could know the paths and the trees more than he did, but right now, he wasn't really thinking correctly as he hurried his way through. He took a few breaks to catch his breath, but also to hear whether someone was following him in the dark, or if someone was hiding. Maybe hiding was a viable thought since no one should be in this area of the woods anyway.
He shook his head of his wandering thoughts and continued making his way toward the tower. He was already past the lake where he had seen the cultists. He figured he'd see far more in the area, but he hadn't stumbled upon anyone. That was a little unnerving to say the least.
"Almost there," Jack murmured to himself.
He waited when he reached the tower, hoping to see if anyone was around and waiting for Connor to come down, or if more cultists were going to take him out. That would be pretty bad. He brushed the thought away before hurrying his way toward the metal stairs, ignoring the loud sound of his feet whilst he climbed the stairs all the way to the top. The cold bit at his fingertips as he gripped the railing as he reached the top.
He knocked on the front door, almost trying for the doorknob before the door was unlocked and it opened a bit.
"What are you doing?" Connor asked, annoyed.
"We're going to fucking die," Jack said, barely able to hold back his panic now that he was with Connor. He had grasped his shoulders, pushing him back inside before making sure to lock the door.
"What are you talking about?" Connor asked, yawning and stretching his arms. They stood in the dark, a small light had been turned on, and the stove had a few logs beside it.
"I saw some people by the lakeside," Jack whispered, giving Connor the camera. "Cultists, I think."
Connor glanced at him with a measured look. "Are you okay, Jack?"
"Yes! I am okay."
"Then…" Connor nudged Jack to the side, opened the door, and tossed the camera.
Jack's mouth had fallen open at what Connor had just done. When he closed the door, his own heart was thudding away inside his chest, mind reeling of what was even going on now. Connor might've been confused, but Jack was more confused thna he was a moment ago.
"Why the fuck would you do that?" Jack asked him. He needed a new damn camera now.
"You're tired, you're scared. You're seeing things where there isn't anything," Connor said with a sigh. "The camera didn't have anything on it, Jack. It was empty. You should head back, try to sleep."
"No! Connor, I fucking saw them. I saw them by the water, they…they were sacrificing something, like a fucking weird cult!"
"You're having nightmares too," Connor sighed dramatically. "I can't just take you back like a child and tuck you in, you know. That isn't how this works for us."
Oh fuck, Connor wasn't making any damn sense either. What the fuck was even going on?
"The…the SD card, if I can get it and upload it, then you'll know that I wasn't just seeing things," Jack said, about to turn, but Connor grabbed his arm.
"How about you stay here with me. You're obviously scared, and panicking over nothing. I can help you, you can even take the bed for tonight."
Jack grimaced. "You're not making any fucking sense, Connor!"
"Welcome to my world," Connor muttered, shaking his head. "I get that you're scared. I'm offering you my bed. Come on, I'll keep the door locked, there's some food in the fridge. Just stay here for tonight. Get some shut eye."
What was going on? Why was Connor telling him to go back and now telling him to stay? He threw his fucking camera outside, it's probably broken. But the memory card, he can get that, he can make Connor see that he wasn't hallucinating or having a nightmare.
Connor, was unfortunately, a little persistent. He had Jack sit on the bed, taking his shoes off, then laid him down. He asked if Jack wanted something to eat, but Jack stared at him as if he wasn't really seeing the man. Even if this was their first time meeting each other.
"I'm not tired."
"Yes you are," Connor told him, patting his shoulder. "I'll make sure no one comes after you, okay?"
"Connor…what the fuck?"
By the morning, Jack found his camera, and the photo's he had taken from the other nihgt, including the sunset, were gone. Utterly deleted, the evidence he had gotten, what had almost possibly killed him. He had looked up at the tower, curious of Connor's involvement of this.