#duskwood alan

[miss-celestia13]

The Ending You Deserve

Jake x MC - Duskwood One Shot

I wanted to practice angst and creating suspense. This happened. It has a touch of humor, a hint of fluff, and other things! Sassy MC. No smut for a change. It feels weird 🤭

Can Jake run from death and make it to MC?

Or will his demons win the race?

MC isn't named or described as it was more for the emotions. It's all from Jake’s POV.

Pain. 

Aching. Cold. Hot. Burning, burning, burning. It rolled through him in waves.

He couldn’t breathe.

He couldn’t see.

Dread wove through his internal organs and strangled him from the inside like an invasive vine had taken root in the core of himself.

Smoke and ash choked his airways as he stumbled and tripped through the mine.

His heart rattled savagely against his ribs.

It felt like a creature in its death throes, trying to break out of his chest.

His foot collided with a jagged, jutting rock and he went down like a house of cards. Crumpled and folded as he rolled and rolled.

Hissing as tiny sharp stones cut into his face and hands.

Ash ridden sweat trickled down his face and stung the many small slices leaking blood as he lay on his back panting and cursing himself as the ominous orange glow of raging flame inched along the underground tunnel.

The air grew thinner and thinner.

The smoke grew thicker and thicker. 

The gasoline fueled fire was a monster bearing down on him and he scrambled to his trembling feet. Taking off at a staggering jog, one hand braced on the rough, dirty wall.

A pinprick of light opened up far ahead and a jolt of adrenaline surged through his bloodstream. He hurried, panting and terrified, breathing too shallowly as the rising heat nipped at his neck.

He knew he had a choice to make.

It was death by fire or FBI.

Neither option appealed to him, but as he looked back and saw the swirling, furious flames licking nearer and nearer. He knew he had to decide.

It wasn’t fair.

He wasn’t innocent or free from any wrongdoing. But he didn’t deserve to die like an animal, run over and left bleeding out and twitching on the side of the road until he grew cold and stiff. 

No one would miss him.

No one would look for him.

He was all alone. It was a surety. He was always, always alone.

That’s not true though, is it, Jake?

It hasn’t been for a while now.

The voice in his head made his breath catch, and his heart pounded painfully in his throat.

It felt as though someone had reached inside his chest, broken through his flesh, muscle and grasped his bones to pry them apart, an invisible fist that gripped his pulsing heart and shoved it in his mouth. Forcing him to swallow it.

It beat there like a Wardrum. Marching him to his death. 

It throbbed and choked and filled his mouth with copper. He couldn’t stand it. The pain was corrosive as it ate through his nerves and left them exposed to the heat and acrid taint of smoke.

She is waiting for you. Don’t let her down.

You PROMISED.

A soul deep sigh huffed through his nose as his feet sped up, pebbles and broken glass crunched under his boots as he raced toward the gradually growing dot of light.

The roaring fire and echo of his escape bounced off the stone and haunted him as he ran for his life.

Four years of running.

Four years of searching and shame and seclusion. Running had been his gift. His lifeline. 

Yet he felt wholly unprepared for this last sprint.

He was tiring.

Steps shortening faster than his scalding breath as black smoke slithered overhead and wrapped its insidious tentacles around his body.

He would not make it.

He would not see her after all.

The thought felt like a poisoned blade sinking into his chest. He could feel the barbs of it twisting and cutting through sinew.

He would soon bleed out without a sound.

The fight left him as the intangible knife punctured his hope and foolish dream of having a love he didn’t deserve.

They’d been writing their own story, filling the pages with dreams and fragile, flourishing love.

He felt like coming here was akin to him tearing out those pages and ripping them up.

It broke him so completely he almost stopped and let the flames embrace him.

He could already smell the sickly sweet and pungent scent of his blistering flesh. Like tanning leather over a flame.

He was going to burn.

It would hurt more than he already did.

It would roast through his flesh, flay it from his bones and incinerate muscle and blood to dust.

He could already feel it.

Creeping closer, singing the hair on his nape, and filling his nose with the cloying scent of dangerous smoke.

No one would know it was him.

Nothing would remain for her except blackened bones and the memory that he had gone to the mine instead of her.

She would blame herself for this.

It would destroy her.

And it was all his doing.

No.

Never.

He wouldn’t be a cause of her pain anymore than he already had.

A burst of fresh speed and determination glittered through him as the fire drew so near he could feel the flames whispering in his ear.

Too slow, Jake. It’s too late.

You can’t run away from this.

Your luck has faded.

He forced it aside and sobbed through his clenched teeth as the dot of light swelled and came toward him.

His legs were heavy. Growing weightier with every leap over fallen support beams and shattered rock.

His rabbit heart raced faster and faster. It deafened him to the groaning, popping wood as the fire devoured it.

Tears streaked through the soot and blood on his face. Leaving pale tracks through the grime and coating his chapped lips with brine.

His vision blurred as his emotions broke free of the locked and coded vault he’d stuffed in the back of his hive mind to come here.

He attempted to shove them back in.

It didn’t work.

They spilled out and utterly overwhelmed him.

He’d spent years locking them down. Beating them into submission, so they listened to him and not him to them. The steel and stone fortress he erected around himself had already crumbled for her and there was nowhere left to hide.

He’d given her everything he had, and it wouldn’t be enough.

You always knew you weren’t enough. Let’s not think too highly of ourselves.

She deserves better than this.

Better than you.

That is a truth you will never escape.

His heart fractured as his mind fought against him and his flagging spirit frayed further.

She deserved better than this.

He was failing her. Had failed her since he let her in.

He’d always known he’d cause her future hurt.

He just hadn’t expected it would come so soon. That he wouldn’t get to watch from afar as she healed from his vanishing.

They had always lived on borrowed time.

And now, the fire was so close sweat slid like rivers down his back and legs, eating away at his nerves as they flared wildly under his soaking skin.

Jake knew it was futile. The ball of light in his vision seemed to run away from him as his eyes blurred and cleared repeatedly. His hands curled into two tight fists and he fought the urge to punch the wall in fury.

He bit down on the inside of his cheek instead. Biting down hard until the skin gave and blood welled over the tattered edge, glazing his tongue with the buttery, metallic taste of it.

It acted like a stimulant.

His eyes focused and his heart pounded fiercely as he ran and ran and ran.

Feet pounded stone as fire blazed through the mine. He had to outrun it.

He would outrun in it.

There was no other option as his blood pressure skyrocketed and his breath became harsh, shallow.

The fire sucked away the air before it could go in as he tried to gulp it down.

There was no oxygen.

His insides kept writhing and twisting.

They knotted up and up so tightly he swore felt something tear. Something that made him cry out as the air was crushed from him.

He could see shadows in his periphery. Specks of darkness and sparks of light as his lungs ached and screamed for oxygen. For rest.

Resting meant dying.

Dying meant failing her.

Failing her was never an option before.

It couldn’t be one now.

He put his head down and ran.

He jumped over another wooden beam as the light ahead broadened and he landed atop aged wooden boards.

He only had time to scream as they broke under his weight and their age.

Jake fell. And fell and fell.

He screwed his eyes shut before he hit the ground.

The impact was so brutal, he almost wished it had killed him.

He hit the ground with a resounding whack.

His head cracked off the stone. Pain, blinding and bleeding, radiated through his skull and brain, frying his rationality completely and leaving room for fear to consume him wholly.

Warmth seeped across his scalp and his hand came away, stained in crimson when he reached to feel the damage. 

Head wounds bled worse than they were and the gash didn’t feel too bad once the stinging pain subsided a little. He internally surveyed the rest of himself. Finding nothing broken despite his ribs feeling as though a giant had stomped him flat.

Dirt and blood coated his teeth as he wheezed and coughed. Choking and spluttering as he tried to get a handle on himself.

He’d bitten through his lip, and it bled like a bitch.

Something was stabbing into his shoulder. 

As he stared up at the hole he fell through, a sensation like a thousand razor blades slicing down his skin moved down his spine, coiling in his lower back. It swirled there, a ball of cutting, primal fright that soon bled through the rest of him.

A rickety ladder leading up and out offered a small ray of hope.

He clung to it and calculated how long it would take to climb in his current condition. 

Fire scoured over the opening and left no place for him to escape.

His hope died with a breathless whimper.

He barely even heard it as agony rippled through his bones and he rolled onto his knees, panting.

“Fuck!” He spat. The word was more like a vicious curse as it rebounded off the mine walls and into his ears.

Mocking him as he squinted into the darkness and tried to figure out what to do next.

The fire would keep the police and FBI away from the mine until it burnt out. They wouldn’t rush in until it was safe enough. He knew that.

He could use that.

Jake kneeled on the filthy ground and schemed.

The temperature rose and rose as he shuffled through his thoughts.

He neatly ordered and arranged everything, thinking of his brain like a filing cabinet.

He could slide one drawer open and find a treasure trove of data and memories.

Some would get stuck as he tugged at them. Rusty and dusty, hardly ever opened for fear it would cut off his ability to feel nothing.

He pulled at one that had eroded so much he had to kick it and smash it to smithereens to pull the files out.

It was like opening Pandora’s box and expecting sunshine to pour forth. 

A veritable flood of emotion, memory, and agony spilled free of the mental drawer and absolutely annihilated his hold on himself.

He’d forgotten what it was like to feel everything so fully.

Everything of the last few years had felt like he was competing against time itself. And time was humanity’s greatest enemy. There was never enough of it and it actively fought back when you tried to beat it.

It was a losing game and in order to keep playing, he’d become a ghost.

He muted everything that made him human in order to survive.

Calculated.

Clinical.

Cold.

Jake was all of that.

Now, he felt everything.

He wanted to survive. He wanted to live.

Lingering as a phantom on the periphery of reality no longer appealed to him. He wanted to feel and touch and be. He wanted everything life had to give.

The bitter and the sweet. The hurt and the relief. All of it.

Jake just wanted.

And when Jake wanted something, he got it.

He pushed up on his hands. Curling his fingers into the gravelly dirt and ignoring the bark of pain as his nails cracked and split.

His blood mingled with the muck, and he clambered to his feet.

Everything ached and bled and felt so heavy he could barely put one foot in front of the other as he carefully headed down the tunnel he’d dropped into.

His throat was raw. Torn to shreds from smoke and screaming. His hands quaked and his mouth was so dry his tongue curdled in his mouth as he smacked his lips together and tried to create some lubrication.

It was useless. He needed water.

He needed to rest soon, or he would pass out in sheer fright and exhaustion.

It’s too late, Jake.

Give up.

Only fools persist in fighting when the odds are stacked.

Jake’s head throbbed as he thrashed it, as if to dispel the sinister crooning, and muttered, “The odds are always stacked. It’s how you play the system.”

The voice went quiet again, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he tripped over rock and wood, hands scrabbling at the walls to ensure he wouldn’t get himself lost.

He risked taking his phone out of his pocket, scowling at the shattered screen as message after message came through.

MC: Jake. You can’t just tell a woman you love her and then ignore her!

Answer me.

Please.

Just give me a sign. A smoke signal. Send a damn carrier pigeon if you have to! They’re saying there’s no way in or out. But I know better. You’ll find a way. 

Keep going. Please don’t give up. You’re not alone in this. I won’t allow it.

If you die, I will hunt you down, drag you back and kill you again. You must live, Jake. Not for me, not for Hannah or Lilly, but for you. You will make it back to me.

He swiped them away. Deleting them. They made his heart shiver and fracture more. The rubious fissures would leave silver scars behind. He groaned as another came through and he immediately memorized the coordinates she gave him. Deleting the message once he had. He put all his remaining energy and will into planning his escape.

His mind wheeled with memories from before.  Prior to being forced into hiding, he had experienced a life of color and fluctuating joy. It wasn’t a perfect life, but it was his. The day he had to leave it all behind, he’d severed all strands of his old life and assumed the identity of many and none. 

He’d learned a lot about humanity and its cruelty in that time. He knew how it worked.

Life was a battle against human cruelty. It always was and always would be. Wisdom, strategy, and hope were the only factors that could hope to gain over cruelty.

And his hope lived on. 

Hope, he understood it lived with her now. He’d given her it and she had offered him her own. He would not waste it.

He flicked through his brain and memories, shelving what didn’t matter and keeping what did. Everything that made him ache, he kept. Everything that made him feel safe, he lost.

If safety meant being alone, lost in a mine until he either burned or starved to death, he didn’t want it.

He reached into the mental vault containing their chats. 

Their conversation about her coming here was the most potent file he had, and it would fuel him to make it out.

She had complimented his research on the mine and he’d told her about some entrances/exits.

He informed her of the ones he thought were most likely to get him caught. It was a manipulative decision, so she wouldn’t get the stupid idea of following him.

He kept one exit loaded like a bullet in the back of his mind.

It was risky.

It was idiotic. 

Still, Jake took off running for it. 

The tunnel was narrowing as he traveled along it. He had to duck before long.

His heart still frothed behind his sternum. Relentless and out of time, with his sawing breath as the walls closed in on him.

He had to crouch now. His head scuffed off the rugged ceiling and he bit back a shout as the pain merged with that of the wound still leaking blood on the back of his skull.

He felt drained. His body became so weighty, he was grateful when the tightening passage forced him to his hands and knees.

Jake crawled and crawled. Palms scraped and searing as sweat irritated all his grazes. His eyes prickled with fresh tears as a draught of fresh air snaked into his nose.

Dread rose to swallow him, but he kept going. He didn’t know what awaited him on the other side, but it was better than dying alone, never to be mourned or found.

The fear of being arrested was so strong it almost halted him as he squeezed through the ever shrinking tunnel and felt like he was caught in a vice.

If he got stuck—No, he couldn’t think it.

He had to turn his fear into a weapon. Run from this place and reclaim his name. The sweat on his brow, the blood running through his veins; it was that of a survivor.

This was just another glitch.

He told himself that over and over as he army crawled through the crushing mine.

He was blind.

The darkness entrenched him.

It would entomb him if he allowed it.

His coat snagged on the rough wall and dragged him back. He shook his sore body as much as the tight space would allow and panted through his clenched teeth.

It kept sticking. He had stretched his hands ahead of him.

There was no room or way for him to tug the fabric free.

His heart stopped dead in his chest.

Helplessness stole his flagging fight, and he slumped into the dirt, hiding his filthy face in it.

Abruptly, Jake started sobbing like a child. Great, gasping cries tore from him and his entire body shuddered with it. So violent and soul destroying he couldn’t temper it.

No matter what he did, it went against him. He’d never worked with such horrendous odds. His brain was a mess of emotion and regret.

He wished he’d written everything he felt and hoped for them down and mailed the letter to her before he entered the mine, but he’d been cocky then. Too confident in his ability to escape any trap or cage.

Jake gave up and accepted his fate.

If he died, if that was his due, there was no stopping it. He’d been living off begged and borrowed and stolen time for years.

It had finally caught up to him.

He was so lost in defeat. Consumed by it. His throat contracted, and he felt like he might be sick.

He hoped he choked on it.

Make it quick.

“I don’t want to die,” He whispered without meaning to and his mouth kept moving, the words kept falling from his bloodstained lips, “Not like this, anything but this.”

His heart shriveled and went cold as he struggled and tried to shuffle forward. He couldn’t breathe properly. All his weight was on his front. His ribs felt bruised and cracked, every tiny inhale felt like a sledgehammer blow.

It is over, Jake. Feel that? The cold creeping in? Soon, it’s all you’ll know. This darkness? It’s all there is. All there ever will be. It’s what you –

“-- I don’t deserve this.” Jake growled with a certainty he’d never known.

Adrenaline coursed through him, lighting up his veins and filling him with new trembling energy as if someone had injected him with a drug.

He rocked and shook his body until his bones jolted and his skin felt too tight. He forced what little breath he had out through gritted teeth and felt the tendons in his neck straining as he dug his fingers into the dirt and put all his strength into pulling himself free.

The sound of fabric ripping caused his heart to start beating again.

He gave a laugh like shattering glass.

Unhinged and desperate as the momentum of his coat coming free shoved him forward a few feet.

From there, it wasn’t easy. He felt like a clumsy serpent as he slithered through the mine.

He kept laughing. His heart kept pounding.

The voice in his head was silent as his hands connected with something that fell away as he shoved at it.

Glorious, clean night air hit his sweaty face, and he gulped it down as he pulled himself out of the horrible tunnel.

It seemed to cling to him. Like invisible hands tugged on his ankles to keep him trapped. He refused to allow it.

Damp earth, long green grass, and dried leaves crunched under his hands as he lay on his back on the forest floor and stared at the starry sky.

He considered the spectacle of stars as the greatest gift he could have received. He analyzed it, finding the North star and thinking of the co-ordinates MC had given him. He quickly checked them on his phone before he threw it away, and was relieved when he discovered it wasn’t too far to make it there on foot.

If he headed in a North- Easterly direction, he could make it there at sunrise.

He didn’t bother looking toward Duskwood, didn’t need to know how close his pursuers might be or he’d lose his nerve.

He shakily got to his feet and started walking.

Time meant nothing to him as he traipsed through forest and open fields. He stayed away from the roads he knew were always busy.

In his current condition, some good samaritan would call for help thinking they were aiding him when in fact they’d be signing his death.

He was so tired. It clung to him like a shroud of smothering fog he would never break out of.

He kept moving. 

Through shadow and moonlight, he kept walking and ignored the pain in his body as best he could. 

There was no end to his exhaustion as pink tinged sunlight shimmered through the pines.

The sun was rising.

How strange, he thought, that his world could burn down around him and yet the sun still rose.

He eyed it and felt strange, like it was an abstract painting absolutely out of place in this world of cruelty, death, and flame.

No matter how deeply or irrevocably the world burned. No matter how thick the shadows grew and the amount the freezing darkness consumed, the sun would always rise.

It filled the world with light, warmth, and color and precious hope.

He felt the soft warmth kiss his hurting face, and it energized him as he broke out of the cover of trees and came to a halt in a motel parking lot.

Jake frowned, glancing around in suspicion and doubt as he failed to understand. Why would she send him here? He hadn’t stayed here. It was too out of the way.

And just how did she know of it?

He stood straight and fear thickened in his throat as his attention snagged on a window. The curtains had moved. He was sure of it.

He moved as though to sink back amongst the trees, but the creak of a door opening made his head snap toward it.

A small, slender hand poked through the gap in the door, beckoning him. He was moving toward it before he could give his feet the command.

His heart picked up speed again. His pulse and distress ratcheting up and infusing him with tension like someone was turning a screw too tightly.

He was only a few steps away from the door now. His skin felt too sensitive and everything hurt in some way. His throat felt like he’d been eating sandpaper and gravel.

The shake in his hands intensified, flight or fight. His nervous system couldn’t decide.

As he hesitated, a female voice trailed through the open door and it was like a salve on his exposed nerves. He had heard that voice, he could recognize it anywhere.

His heart raced for an entirely different reason as he listened to it.

“It’s safe. Come in and I’ll explain.”

Jake didn’t care about her explanation as the adrenaline left him so suddenly he drooped and nearly dropped to his knees.

He tripped through the door instead.

She didn’t give him time to rake his gaze over her the way he wanted to. She gripped him and forcefully dragged him into an embrace, causing him to groan in pain as it aggravated his many minor injuries.

She instantly pulled back, grimacing and apologetic.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think. Here, I have supplies. I figured one of us would get shot or stabbed or maimed. It felt important to be prepared. Thankfully, the worst injury I’ve had is paper cuts. You don’t look like you’ve been so lucky. Are you bleeding anywhere? What do I do first? Are you burnt? You smell like someone roasted you over a spit! Are yo-”

Jake chuckled roughly at her babbling. Touched and amused by her care and thoughtfulness.

It was the first genuine laugh he’d had in years, and it turned into a cackle before long. It just slipped out of him and sounded more like crying by the end.

His gritty eyes closed as emotion swallowed him and he welcomed the darkness they offered.

It was familiar.

It was safe.

He woke hours later very confused and so stiff it felt like he was breaking his bones to sit up. His grunt of pain escaped his teeth as a lilting voice cut through the static in his mind.

“Oh, good. I was worrying. That’s nothing new, but you look like someone just dug you out of your grave. I cleaned and patched you up as best I could without stripping you. I thought I’d let you buy me dinner before we got to that stage!”

Her tone was light and filled with humor, but there was an edge of despair and anxiety in it that told him she’d fussed over him the entire time he slept.

His sluggish heart resided in his empty stomach as she approached him slowly like she thought he was an injured animal and she was afraid to spook him.

“Where are we? Why are you here? You promised to stay away.” He managed as he accepted the glass of water she offered him.

His fingers left dirty streaks on the glass as the dirt mingled with the condensation. The water was cold and crystal clear and he gulped it down to clear the sour taste out of his mouth.

She huffed at his words and waited for him to sink the water before she responded, “Typical. I come and help you and you scold me. Well, shove it.  If it weren’t for me and Alan, you would be dead or rotting in a cell. And I did stay away! I didn't go to the mine, did I?” 

His gaze flew to her indignant face, lovely and open despite the fury razing hell in her narrowed eyes.

He felt shocked that he could speak because his tongue felt so thick in his mouth. “My apologies. I’m still—I’m sorry... Alan? I thought he would be more interested in helping them catch me?”

She smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she sat down beside him.

“That was until I ripped him a new one. The fire helped most, but Alan is currently playing down your involvement to give us time. He’ll make contact with us once we find a safe place to stay.”

He opened his mouth to demand she go back home, and he’d message once he was safe, but she flung up a hand to silence him.

“None of that. I’ll explain better once we know the scope of the fallout in Duskwood. But I am coming with you. No, if ands or buts about it, Jake. I make my decisions, not you. The last time someone tried to decide for me, I bit them. Don’t make me bite you too. Are you in?”

Her eyes were hard and unwavering, not a sliver of doubt to be found.

Everything inside him protested against dragging her into his mess, but he was tired.

He was tired of being alone.

He was so tired of losing everything.

Four years of fatigue and depression sank through him like a millstone and he hung his head in defeat. He was in no condition to run alone, anyway.

And he didn't want to. It was selfish. It was daft. But he didn't care.

He hadn't expected to survive this long. Plus, she had been his reason to make it out. He sighed and let his shoulders curl inward. Having someone else to protect would keep him sharp and ready for anything. She must've sensed his resolve weakening. 

She reached out and threaded her clean fingers through his muddy ones, dark and light; he thought stupidly as his skin tingled at the contact.

It had been so long since he’d been touched gently. With obvious affection and because someone wanted to, not because they had to. 

He was used to bruises and hurt. This was — this was what he'd survived for. 

He’d forgotten what it felt like as he met her gaze and felt his stomach fluttering with something that felt like excitement.

It felt like hundreds of tiny birds had taken flight in his abdomen and a frisson of tentative anticipation filtered through him. 

Her eyes glittered and his mouth twitched with the want to smile as he gave his response.

“I’m in.”

—————————

Thank you for reading. I hope it was worth your time despite this being done so many times before me. Oh, and if you leave a comment or reblog, thank you. It is appreciated ❤️

[satveek]

Jake X MC

Jake: what are you doing here MC? MC: You were hiding here, so i came here. Jake: You want me to help Phil? MC: Nope, I helped him. He ran away. Jake: You helped Phil run away? MC: Yes. I did. Jake: You know it's a crime. MC: Yes. I know. Jake: Where is Phil? MC: Behind you! Jake: Police will arrest you both. Phil: That's why we are here. MC: From now onwards you won't be on the run alone, we will be accompanying you. Phil: All for one. MC: One for all. Jake: I am most experienced in hiding, I will be leading you both. Phil and MC: Aye aye captain.

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

[hacked-by-jake]

new crack meme collection over here :)

[jellrp]

I love them so much I just wanna *CHOMP*

[reality-exodus]

Broken promises

Ch. 1 Lost and Found

Pairing: M/c x Jake, Words: 1280 Summary: What if m/c went to the Grimrock mines to warn Jake of the police?

I had promised him I wouldn’t go but he tricked me, I would have gone to the mines just like Michael Hanson requested, however Jake has other plans.  I must admit it was really sweet that the group had asked of me not go. Well only Thomas encouraged me to do so. I am obviously not mad at him, I could understand how he was feeling, the devastation and the fear that was dominating him when it came to Hannah.

I was so scared, Jake kept talking to me, keeping me updated on what was going on in the tunnels, what he was seeing. He kept texting every motion he would make even though the signal was getting weaker and weaker until he said someone was coming and went offline. I felt my knees go weaker at the thought of the culprit getting to him, I haven’t even seen his face but in my head, my last call with Richy keeps repeating, this time though it is Jake who falls in blood. God! I don’t even know his face and yet I don’t want to lose him.

Once I realized Bloomgate was on his way there I picked up my stuff and took my bike on the mines as well. I was most likely going to be late, nonetheless I was unable to sit down and just wait for Jake’s reply. I was staying at the motel. No one was aware of that not even the man without a face apparently or perhaps he realized only now.

I was riding as fast as I could, my eyes fixed on the road, taking small breaks only to stare at the navigator of Duskwood made sure I had on my device. Suddenly my phone rang… I was Alan Bloomgate.

“Hello, Nellie… I have gotten to the tunnels of the mines” He sounded older than it felt on the text messages.

“Owo, good job chief. How did you find this information all by yourself?” I asked making sure the mock and sarcasm in my voice was distinctively highlighted.

“You did a good job.” He spoke up and then gasped, there was a pause in his voice “There is a room full of files, archives. And there are pictures of all your friends…” He told me.

“Really Sherlock? Maybe there’s an envelope with my name a big sign saying revenge and plethora of raven graffiti?” I wondered and panted lightly, the freezing breeze of December was hitting my skin like many small stab wounds. It was Christmas and I was probably riding my bike to my death. I hoped that Alan wouldn’t notice the back ground noise of my bike and my dragged breathing.

“How do you know?” he asked me, his tone surprised. I was rather satisfied that he didn’t see many of these facts coming.

“That’s what we wanted you to see at the Hanson old residence.” I explained and braked abruptly.

“Are you outside?” He asked me and I didn’t reply. “If you are thinking of coming here, change mindset, it is too dangerous.” He started off.

“Too late for that chief.” I spoke and parked my bike. I was wearing heavy clothes that wouldn’t allow me to move freely, I kept my beanie and scarf. “the culprit threatens me quiet sometime now and today he told me that he would let the two go if I came at Grimmrock waterfall…” I unriddled my ponders leaving Jake out of my speech, he was already in there somewhere. I was in danger running towards a trap and all I could think of is how close we are to each other for the first time.

I strolled over the area, it was a really impressive and beautiful place, I was to the place I was supposed to meet with Micheal Hanson but he seemed nowhere around, I had started shivering without really realizing it.

“There’s someone there.” Alan said and his voice got quieter.

“Be careful, do not shoot…Can you hear me?” I asked as I saw the screen glitching. The damn reception of that place… I forgot where I was standing, I was only scared that he would fall face to face with Jake.  I raised my gaze to see the culprit 50 meters away from just staring blankly and I gulped.

“Mrs. Donford.” Alan exclaimed and I looked at the screen. He had found Hannah.

“Find Richy” said she immediately before the call was over.

“Notifying the police wasn’t part of the plan.” The man without a face said, his voice still altered.

“Many things were not in the plan and yet, here we are, aren’t we?” I asked and hoped to stall him as long as I could so the rest would come out of the mines and find me.

‘Bloomgate found Hannah, she is safe...’

‘And I am standing face to face with our cute little legend.’  I texted the groupchat and I saw everyone coming online immediately.

‘What do you mean?’ Lilly asked.

‘Awe some one ran out of braincells, Nellie, WHAT THE HECK?’ Dan texted.

‘Get out of there’ Cleo was next.

‘Please, please, please, Nellie, you can still leave… There’s Jake and now the police too.’ Jessy tried convincing me and I sighed.

‘Nellie where are you?’ Lilly asked as I couldn’t reply at that point, the legend was laughing but thankfully not walking, he kept the distance between us and this offered me some sense of security that I couldn’t really explain.

‘Answer, please don’t scare us like that’ Jessy added.

‘Guys give her time.’ Thomas tried to be the common sense .

“What do you want from me?” I yelled loudly as this staring contest was unnerving me, I made sure to press voice record and sent it to the groupchat. “Why did you involve me?” I yelled even louder. However, he seemed unphased. “You are scared of me, but I do not know why… I only came here for two months and suddenly I am tangled in this mess because of you… You just stand there… You want to scare me? Well congratulations you’ve made it…”

“You see, this mine stopped operating after a great explosion, many innocent people died back in the day, therefore the cause of the explosion isn’t still known… This is how it works, explosion usually has causalties.” He spoke and I inhaled deeply.

“You didn’t…” I breathed out in disbelief.

“Or maybe I did.” He said and I felt wings on my legs as I sprinted down the entrance and I saw him chase after me when Alan’s voice was heard and maybe a few shots. I don’t know if he was still after me. I soon found myself on the ladder Jake showed me and started climbing down, if he was after me he would have made it to the entrance cut down the ladder and I would already be dead… Right?

“Jake!” I exclaimed and my voice echoed all through the tunnels. I started running and running I was lost by now. My phone bombardised with concerned messages while I was looking everywhere for him or the explosives. Not that I would know what to do with them.

I was out of breath, I have no idea how long I have been running around those tunnels, it must have been twenty minutes and I was in denial. I was lost. I paused in a fork path and took a deep breath when I heard a crack from the floor and I felt a pair of hands pulling me on a narrow tunnel. I was out of breath I felt a pair of hands pulling me on a narrow tunnel. It was over my mouth and pressed over my neck. I couldn’t escape or scream… I froze.

A/N: Hey, I replayed the whole game and I feel pretty confident into staritng a small fic again. There will potentially be more chapters on the way. I accept requests of duskwood characters and I would also appreciate your opinion.

Have a great day:)

Yours, silvermist

[angie-01040]

SOOO... GROVE SPRINGS YOU SAY?!?!👀

[digital-corruption]

Alan knocks on MC's apartment door. MC opens the door.

Alan: MC.

MC: Alan. I didn't realise it was that time of the month again.

Alan: There have been reports he's been in the area again.

MC: Well I haven't seen him.

Alan: No? You haven't seen him at all in the past nine months?

MC: Nope.

Alan: ... Shall we talk about the elephant in the room? Or should I say in your uterus?

MC: What? Oh my God, I'm pregnant! When did that happen?

Alan: That’s what I am wondering.

MC: An immaculate conception?

Alan: Try again.

MC: Ok, fine. I met this guy at Aurora.

Alan: Uh-huh... And his name was Jake?

MC: No! It was... let me think... J-ack? Yes, Jack!

Alan: Jack? And does this Jack have a last name?

MC: Geez, do you remember the last name of all your one night hookups?

Alan: I just assumed you'd want him for child support.

MC: Oh, uh, no, I'm good.

Alan: Or maybe baby Jesus would like to know his daddy.

MC: Mighty bold of you to assume it's a boy!

Alan: You have bright blue icing on your cheek.

MC: That could be anything!

Alan: So if we check your apartment right now, we won't find any evidence of Jake?

MC: Really, Jake who, am I right? Tell me you're not going to be searching my place for the rest of my life! Cause if you wake the baby, there's going to be hell to pay!

Alan: You know it's either me or the FBI. You agreed to comply to random checks.

MC: Ugh, fine, can you get it over with quickly? You've had me standing for like an eternity already and my cupcake is still waiting for me. You shouldn't provoke pregnant women like this. Take too long and we're going to have a situation on our hands.

Meanwhile, Jake, hiding on the exterior fire escape stairs: Who is Jack!?

[lyon-amore]

Ok, I'll make this list based on my opinion

Characters with a good development:

Jake, Lilly and Dan

Character that has not needed development:

Jessy

The character that has not had development:

Cleo (a sincere apology to Jessy you were missing, you offer Richy a cake but not to Jessy??)

The character that decays each chapter:

Thomas

The ones I would love to have more interaction:

Darkness and Phil (We all know we want to tease Jake with our friendship with Phil 🤣🤣 I need the joke about him hacking his phone to come true)

Daddy Character that should return to solve our doubts:

Alan

Character that if I meet him again I throw him into the river with his feet with cement:

Richy (Zero grudges of course 🤣)

[hacked-by-nymos]

"𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚?"

"𝙉𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪"

"𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝘽𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩"

DUSKWOOD EPISODE 10

[zmayadw]

Promise Of A Fool In Love

▫️ Duskwood Oneshot ▫️

‼️ CONTAINS EPISODE 10 SPOILERS ‼️

Characters: Jake / GN!MC / Alan Bloomgate

Words: 2694

Warnings: Beside containing ep 10 spoilers, some swearing and I believe nothing else, but as usual, if you stumble upon something, please let me know 😊

A/N: Ok, I'm sorry, but I just cannot come to terms with not knowing 100% what happened to our beloved hacker at the end, so here I am! 😁

Oh, and this is the first time I am writing a GN!MC, so please, if you see any mistakes concerning that, do let me know so I can correct it :) Also, thank you @yuvon-augold79 for your advice and help!

A/N2: Ok, please, I beg you, as you read this, just don't go searching too much credibility for the mine events part, this is just fiction/fanfiction after all, and I just wanted to give me some concrete closure, be it possible or not. Thank you in advance! Hope you will like it! 💚

Jake: If I could deactivate the fake stream and transmit the cameras' real images instead

Then that way we might be able to find Hannah and Richy.

Jake press send on his chat with Mc focusing quickly back on the comptuer in front of him. He already spent way too much time in this room but if he succeeds doing it, the chance for him finding Hannah and Richy grow exponentially.

MC: Oh, you haven't heard yet

Alan just escorted Hannah out of the mine

„What!?“ he blurts out not believing his eyes and grabs his phone.

Jake: Hannah is safe?

MC: Yes :)

Closing his eyes for a moment, he takes a deep breath and exhales relieved that Hannah is finally safe. But she wasn't the only one they needed to find.

Jake: But what about Richy?

MC: Alan will find him

Jake: All right.

I must leave this mine immediately.

~ ~ ~ ~

Reluctantly, he peels his eyes from his phone screen and tucks it to his pocket. It was time to get the hell out of this place. And fast.

Unfortunately, that is not going to be an easy task.

With no knowledge in what part of the mine Michael might be exactly, the map of the mine on his phone being of no use and the hatch at the Grimrock  locked, it's going to be extremely hard to leave this place.

Not to mentione that most likely all the known exits are probably guarded with cops, or the FBI agents, it's going to take a miracle for him to leave this place unnoticeable.

But that's not going to stop him from trying. He made a promise to Mc, and there was nothing that's going to stop him from keeping that promise. Especially not now when he finally managed the courage to confess his feelings to them.

It's been so long since the last time he felt like this – since he felt so alive. With everything that happened to him, he forgot how good that feeling was, how everything gets a different meaning when you have something to look forward to. Or rather to say someone.

And it is amazing how fast one can get used back to that feeling again, especially with the right person. So damn right he will do everything he can to get out of here alive.

But first thing first – he needs to get back to the higher level, it will definitely be more probable to find a way out from there. And even if it was a big risk, he should try to use the same ladders he took to get down here. Finding a new set of ladders blindly might take him way too much time.

Reaching the ladders, he carefully starts climbing. He tries to focus his hearing for any signs of movement, but the sound of his own heart beating uncontrollably made it hard for him.

While climbing, he remembers he saw a side tunnel not that far down from the beggining of the shaft. He should try using it rather than going back all the way up and risk getting caught immediately.

When he reached the side tunnel, he carefully takes his phone out from his pocket, holding the ladders tightly with his other hand. He turns the flashligh on and points it at the tunnel.

The side tunnel was definitely used in the past – there were still wires with the lights on each side of it, and that kinda gave him some hope that this tunnel could maybe take him to some other useful part of the mine. Hopefully.

There was only one way to find out.

Not even a few steps in, he had to get into an uncomfortable half-crouching position to continue through it, slowing him down. He just hoped it won't take him long to reach the end of it – this place was very unstable, it was hard to keep the thought of this tunnel collapsing out of his head.

Luckily, he soon found himself reaching the end of it, ending up in what looked like another main tunnel. Streching a bit, he notice that the lights on the wall in this part of the tunnel are working, and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. But what he did know was that he needs to keep moving.

The tunnel had only two options – either take left or right – and if he calculated correctly by the position of the shaft and the side tunnel, it would be better to continue on the left and make some distance from the Grimrock entrance.

The eerie silence of the tunnel was not helping in making him any less jittery, and the sudden thought how he told Mc earlier about the catastrophe that happened here all those years ago, and allegedly 'calls of the deceased workers' still being heard echoing through the mine makes his skin crawl.

Get a grip, Jake, and focus! he scolds himself and shakes his head with a low chuckle, focusing back on the path in front of him. He knew better than to believe in some old ghost stories, but he couldn't deny the fact that this place was definitely creepy.

„Oh, fuck!“ he curse outloud after a while, coming to a dead end. The semi circular room he reached was blocked at the other end, and after a bit more thorough examination, he had no other option but to retrace his steps.

A sudden loud boom of an explosion cuts through the eerie silence of the mine.

„What the...“ his eyes turn wide, both from fear and unexpectedness of it. What the hell was happening? He better ask Mc what is going on, and make sure everyone is fine.

But the moment his hand went for his pocket, the whole place started vibrating, immediately followed by a violent shaking, and he barely managed to keep himself from losing his footing.

The walls around him began to crumble, and he had just enough time for the thought how, after everything, his promise to Mc might end unfulfilled. And that thought pained him extremely.

Then everything went dark.

~ ~ ~ ~

His eyelids fly open and he gasps for air, instantly followed by the rapid coughing attack. His mouth were full of dust and he definitely didn't want to swallow any of it.

When his cough subsided and his eyes adjusted to his surrounding, he tries to sit up and immediately wince in pain clutching his shoulder. He had no idea if his shoulder was dislocated or just extremely bruised, but the pain in it was strong. He desperately needed his backpack.

Being on a run for all these years at least thaught him one thing – always keep some essentials in you backpack. So knowing that he had some strong painkillers and a bottle of water in it relieved him a bit.

Pushing some rocks and debris of off his legs, he was able to move more easily. Slowly, but not withouth some more painful wincing, he manages to take the backpack off his back.

Thankfully, the water bottle survived and he immediately takes two painkillers with as little water possible. He had absolutely no idea how long he might be here, so being cautious with his water consumption would be a smart move.

Allowing himself a moment, he close his eyes and leans on the wall waiting for the painkillers to do their magic. He was aware they won't help completely, his shoulder was pretty beaten up, but it was better than nothing. And he couldn't actually believe how extremely lucky he was to come out of this with only a beaten up shoulder and some negligible cuts. It really is a miracle he is still alive and kicking. Well, not kicking maybe, but close.

Few minutes later, he reach for his pocket only to take out his completely borken phone. He snorts at the sight of it - he was already lucky enough as it is, so something was bound to go against him.

Taking the flashlight from his backpack, he push himself against to wall to stand up. This place was now even more unstable than before, and he definitely didn't want to stick around here more than it was necessary. Turning the flashligh on, he start to inspect the place.

His hope in finding a way out of here soon began to fade the more he looked around - no matter what side he turned to, everything was completely blocked. But when he turned his gaze up, his heart jolted with excitement.

The collapse revealed a hole in the ceiling of the wall, or he just didn't had a chance to notice it before, but that was irrelevant now.

Upon taking a closer look at it, he saw that there were some kind of a wooden boards, placed conveniently to resemble a ladder, and surpisingly looked pretty sturdy, too.

Now, he only had to figure out how to climb up there, and fast - the pain killers did start to work and his pain bacame much more bearable, but he was positive that won't last for very long.

With again some unknown luck on his side, there was just about enough stones and debris laying under the hole already, so it didn't take him too long to add some more and make sure it is safe enough for him to climb it and reach the boards.

Collecting his stuff, he slowly starts up the pile and peeks head first into the hole. Straightening up, he see that the first board is at the level of his hips, wich made it much easier for him to start climbing considering his shoulder injury.

Carefully making his way up, the thought that his climb will soon end in another dead end scared him. And that was exactly what happened.

Screaming out every possible curse that he could think of didn't really help in changing his sittuation, but what else was he suppose to do.

And when the place once again rapidly began to shake, there was notthing else for him to do but to laugh "I guess my luck finally ran out."

The pieces of the wall crumbling and hitting him gradually became larger and larger, one of those hitting at his injured shoulder almost making him loos his grip of the boards. Not that it would matter anyway, because if the shaking doesn't stop he is screwed either way.

Unfortunately, the shaking just intensified, but that was actually a good thing - because in that moment another hole opened up above him, and without giving it much though, he rush towards it, and soon fills his lungs with a breath of fresh air.

Hastily, he pulls himself out taking a few steps away from the hole just to be on the safe side before collapsing to the ground.

Turning on his back he tries to calm his rapid breaths, and finally, as he gaze at the starry sky above him, it hits him that he made it out alive and kicking.

Not a second later, he again begins to laugh, a bit hysterically this time, not noticing that the tears started rolling down his face "Piece of cake."

🟢 🟢 🟢

TWO MONTHS LATER

„Hello, Mc.“ Chief Alan Bloomgate answers his phone without bothering to check at the caller's ID. He knew who it was the moment his phone started to ring - they've been calling every day, at the exact same time in the evening for the last two months, inquiring the same thing. And each time his heart sank lower for giving them the same damn answer.

They might had a shaky begining, but he grew more fond of them with each passing day. Not to mention, that he did feel bad for not believing them from the start of this whole thing with Miss. Donfort, but what's done is done, he can't change any of that.

And nothing of that can change the fact that he had no new information to tell them. Not yesterday, not today, and probably not tomorrow.

He takes a deep breath „You know, Mc, maybe you should head back home for a while, hmh? I understand, you want to be here in case something changes, and I know you think you're doing what is best, but you're just torturing yourself like this.“

He couldn't bring hiself to say exactly what he meant, but he knew Mc were smart, and they perfectly understood the hidden meaning behind his words.

It's been two months, and with the rainy season that started in Duskwood, it would take them forever to safely check every part of the mine that collapsed. And lets be honest here, how long can one survive in such harsh conditions after all.

„Thank you for your concern, Alan, but I think I'll just stick around for now.“

Ofcourse they will, he already knew that was the answer he will recieve from them. And honestly, he couldn't blame them, he would probably be the same if the roles were reversed. He himself knew very well how difficult it was to give up on something. Even harder on someone.

„Very well, Mc. 'Till tomorrow, then.“

~

At the other side of Duskwood, Mc desperately lowers their phone on the bed after the call with Chief Alan. It's been three weeks since they arrived here and made Mrs. Walter's motel their temporary home.

They knew Alan was right, but how could they just leave!? No, that is out of the question! The chances might be close to zero, but until there are some firm evidence, they are staying right where they are.

They grab back their phone and opet the chat with Jessy - some distractions would do them good, and they were positive Jessy would feel the same.

Just as they were about to start typing, the screen of the phone turns completely black. "What the hell!?!" they protest, pushing nervously on the side button in hope to make the phone working again.

Suddenly, the screen flashes and a familiar symbol appears on it.

They stare in awe at the Nymos eye floating on their phone screen, grabbing the phone tighter with shaky hands as the loud sound of their heart frantically beating echoes in their ears.

The screen flash once again and Nymos eye disappears, but there was now a pointer flashig and the letters begin to appear on the screen.

I apologise for my lateness

:)

But it is as I promised you

We shall see each other in Duskwood

They waited nervously for another message to come on, but the screen stayed unaltered. Frustrated, they groan out loud "Arghh, what's that suppose to mean!?"

A few seconds later, all the previous messages disappear and another one starts forming.

Knock, knock, Mc :)

They watch even more confused than before as the screen gets back to normal as if nothing happened. But when a knock came at the doors of their motel room, in a flash they cross the distance to it and open them abruptly.

With one hand on the door, and placing the other defiantly on the hip, they glare at the young black-haired man in front of them "You're late!"

The young man nods his head respectfully "My apologies, again. But there were some...inconviniencess I had to take care of first."

Mc raise their eyebrow "Inconviniences you say. All right. And is that over and done now?

"It is." the young man shortly comments.

"Good." Mc replies. "So, what now?"

"Now" the black-haired starts taking a step closer to them, his eyes flashing with a devilish glow "I will ask you one last time."

His closeness made their skin crawl with goosebumps, and his eyes were so hypnotizing, it was hard for them to concentrate. Swallowing hard, they manage to find their voice "Ask me what?"

The young man smiles "Do you still want to be with me?"

Mc smiles back and close the remaining distance between them, wrapping their arms around his neck. Before their lips finally met, they softly whisper "Always."

[jakescomputer]

im bit late but um.. here's what halloween custom the duskwood characters would have.

2022 edition

--------

jessy would 1000% be something cute and fairies are really popular right now and she'd look really cute as a fairy with her red hair

cleo, hannah, thomas i feel like cleo hannah and thomas would go as alvin and the chipmunks. cleo would be simon, hannah would be theodore and thomas would be alvin.

lilly lilly would either be something funny or something basic. no in between. my guesses are either a police officer or i've seen a traffic cone costume and i think if lillys in a mood for fun she'd do that.

dan funny costumes all day every day i can especially see him being a pirate. especially wheelchair dan, he can transform the wheelchair into a pirate ship with just some cardboard and the groups help and voilà.

richy richys sense of humour is a bit dry. like, i can see him dressing up as a mechanic for halloween. he's gonna be all like "i didn't even have to spend any money and i got an awesome costume. it's a double win" BUT if and i repeat IF he decides to dress up as something else he would either have a couple costume with jessy and make it really cheesy (peanut butter and jelly sandwich or like something supernatural related [jessys idea]) or something funny but basic like...a hot dog.

jake jake wouldn't dress up. he's too serious for that. (mc bought him a computer costume and forced him to wear it. don't tell that to anyone tho, he's embarrassed) if he HAD to pick a costume by himself he would probably buy an anonymous mask (like a basic white boy) or have mc or hannah paint his face like that fryboy dude. he would cover his face tho whichever costume he was wearing.

phil would dress as a prisoner. because he is one.

alan would put his everyday uniform on and call it a day.

darkness a skeleton. simple, basic, creepy when done right it's just perfect.

[she-x-wolf]

... what's with the men of Duskwood and unloading all their emotional baggage on me?

[hacked-by-jake]

H (E R O) A C K E R

[robbybarnes]

~DUSKWOOD~MEME~

Alan: Stop right there MC! You're under arrest. Everything you say can and will be used against you in-

MC shouting from the top of her lungs while an officer takes her away: JAKE, HANDCUFFS, MUZZLE, WHIP, CHOCCOLATE SYRUP!

Alan looking at Jake: ...t-that's not...

Jake: Don't look at me...i'm the one who's going to be used against her in tribunal...

[reality-exodus]

BROKEN PROMISES

CH.2 a way out

Pairing: Jake Donfor x reader

Words: 1.5k

Check out the first chapter on my masterlist

It was over I pondered; this would be my end. The feeling of helplessness seemed to swallow my being, thankfully the common sense was slowly rising from the ocean of the panic that almost dominated my head. Michael Hanson was injured, shot two times by Dan. I stretch my back and I felt the figure behind me disorientating lightly, so I shoved my elbow to his side and I heard a groan and the grip around my neck loosened and I seized the opportunity to stepped away. I saw the man with the mask, it was loose over his head.

He only stared at me and I found myself taking steps backwards, away from him, he didn't react, he only sighed and slowly brought his hand in the back of his neck and gently started to remove the mask. I couldn't believe my eyes as the mask fell to the ground, the man without a face had two faces apparently...

"No" I breathed out.

"I am sorry Nellie" he mumbled and didn't attempt to move.

"You... You are sorry? This is all you have to say?" I yelled at him, I felt tears, I didn't know if it was from anger because I was outsmarted and played, from the betrayal I felt or the hurt... It was Richy, the person who was supposingly helped us get the legend, helped the rest hide. He attacked Jessy, twice... The person he was 'in love' with.

"You were right you know... About everything" He started off ignoring everything I was saying. "About everything pretty much, But you missed one thing. There were three people that night" He started saying and he slowly broke down as he narrated everything he did the past weeks, how he was with the girls the night of the accident, and how he lured Hannah to the Hanson residence. I was left looking at him, speechless. He didn't say anything, he couldn't.

His phone suddenly started to ring. I saw Jessy's picture. "I'd like to see how you will tell her. She was shattered when I told her what I saw happen to you..." I spoke.

"Leave" He stated and I laughed lightly at his demanding tone that seemed to be confident enough. "I was serious about the explosives you know..." he spoke and it felt like a punch in the throat. Jake, I had to reach him first, how could I forget him.

"One last thing..." I spoke "Why my number? Why me?" I asked loudly and he simply shook his head.

His gaze blank as he looked at me, his black eyes weren't cheerful and sweet as the way I had met him, he was dark now. He didn't speak, I walked towards him and pushed him. He took out a knife and placed it under my chin and I stayed still. "I wouldn't waste the few minutes I have left MC" He spoke and once he removed the knife from my neck, I took some steps backwards before finally running off that specific tunnel. I got notification on my phone, to join in Richy and Jessy's call. I was sad, she was crying hysterically her sobs echoing in my head. She definitely didn't deserve this, the hurt in her voice when she realized he marked her and attacked her, I was listening to them as I called Jake's name.

'Who else did you tell about the mine?' Alan asked through a text message. He hadn't realize where I was.

'Why do you ask?' I texted and paused, it sounded important and maybe if I moved the reception would be lost again.

'The FBI just arrived, and I do not think it is for Mrs. Donford...' he replied and I panicked.

"Shit shit shit" I repeated "Jake?" I yelled and texted him as well. My voice echoed as I decided to call him. It was the first time I did so, the circumstances didn't allow the butterflies to fly around, even though I had to admit there were plenty hints of enthusiasm and happiness despite the sticky situation we found ourselves into. A few seconds later I heard the Nokia 2000s ringtone, I couldn't help but giggle. My heart was beating fast and for several seconds I forgot about the explosives and the FBI. He was behind me.

I finished the call without turning around.

"Nellie" spoke Jake, his voice calm but shaky, echoing at the dark alley.

I slowly turned around and faced him, he looked oddly like Hannah in many ways but he also didn't. He was wearing a black hoodie with a star wars emblem and a jacket, I scanned his appearance unintentionally, I only had to take in his vision. He had brown hair, messy.

"What are you doing here? Nellie you said-." He begun to preach me and I simply run and wrapped my arms around his neck only to realize how much taller than me he actually is and more fit than his looks. I could tell he was caught off guard, he slowly wrapped his arms around me and held me close for some moments before a buzz on my phone struck me back on reality.

I pulled away. "Well, there's shitty signal. And I really had to talk to you... for several things that tend to get higher on the number each time I have a notification." I spoke and I saw his confused gaze at me as I was staring up at him. "First things first... Hannah is safe, out of here with Bloomgate." I announced and I saw the relief upon his features and I smiled at him.

"She is safe?" He asked and his voice was bass but soothing. "How about Richy?" Jake asked. I clenched my jaw, he slowly brought his hand on my chin wiping some blood. "You encountered Michael" He realized. "I came here, so I would keep you safe Nellie, so you wouldn't have to undergo even more danger. I can't have you running mindlessly into jeopardy." He spoke and I rolled my eyes. It felt oddly familiar.

"Michael is indeed dead, Richy is behind everything you know. But this doesn't really matter now does it? I mean, Friendly Bureau of Information is here and Richy also mentioned some explosives... and something about only a few minutes. So we can run so you can preach me about my carelessness and thank me about saving your life." I smiled, seeing his struggle to catch up with my sassy babbling, it was oddly satisfying

"We need to get out" Jake spoke and took my hand.

"You think?" I asked as I ran beside him holding his hand just as tight. "FYI we don't have to worry about Richy and Bloomgate" I smiled lightly.

"Oh I only have one fear right now. Trust me it neither of those." He said.

"Care to share your fears Jake?" I panted lightly as he paused the run abruptly looking at his map and I stumbled on his back before stopping myself.

"Left to the shafts." He spoke and took my hand again. "Getting you out of here. I offered to come so you would be safe." Stated Jake. His thoughts were stuck on getting me out of there and to be honest I do not know if this angered me or had me melt.

"Let's just say that I always am a step ahead of you." Said I and winked. I could tell he was mad despite his smile at my expression.

"Of course." He spoke and looked at me with maintaining his smile. Once his gaze was removed his jaw clenched.

We were running, our pants echoing in the narrow tunnels. His flashlight finally reached the ladder when massive sound was heard. I paused and looked behind us to see the rocks falling and a wave of fire approaching. The whole mine shook and we started running from the inevitable. Jake was holding my hand so tight, I felt that he would smash it.  

A/N: Hey there readers thank you for reaching this point. I hope you liked the chapter, there will be more soon. I always appreciate comments (or dms if you are too shy) and impressions good or bad (as long as we are not mean to eachother) as they motivate me to keep going.

Have a good rest of the day or night and dont forget to take care of yourself.

Yours, silvermist

[angie-01040]

My two brain cells during the conversation with Alan: