Nightshift 45: Main Hallway, 1-Center

[petalwitch]

[from here.]There seemed to be a lot more options here, Aerith noted as she passed a few doors along the way. Maybe she'd come to center of the building? It was hard to tell, and her sense of direction wasn't fantastic. She was lucky if she'd remember the path she'd taken so whimsically to get here. Stopping in front of a particularly large set of

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[damned_monsters]

The high-pitched laughter echoed through the otherwise quiet hall. It was that of a child, light and soft and playful. The sylph tweaked a lock of the flower girl's hair, letting it go with just a light touch.

If the flashlight beam lit upon anything, it would be on the vague outline of a little girl, but that was iffy. The creature moved in mist, with light steps. It really just wanted to play.

[Jen]

[petalwitch]

Aerith had seen numerous battles in her brief time with AVALANCHE. Even when she'd lived in the slums, she'd dealt with her share of monsters and thieves. Like she'd told Cloud when they'd first met, she was used to danger, and she certainly hadn't dismissed the notion that there might be some danger laying in wait here.

That said, Aerith started, stifling a sharp cry when she felt ghostly fingers in her hair. The eerie laughter of a child could be heard, a chilling sound when she'd thought she was alone in the hall. She fumbled with her flashlight, eventually shining it in the direction of the sounds. The beam of light illuminated the hazy form of a child, faint against dark backdrop. Was this some sort of ghost? For the second time that evening, Aerith wished they'd left her some materia with their little care package.

"Hello?" she called carefully, unsure if the creature meant to attack her or not. It had certainly had its chance earlier. "Can you hear me?"

[damned_monsters]

It certainly could hear her, but the only reply was that high, eerie laughter. The sylph had gotten exactly the response it wanted, which meant playtime was definitely on. It tweaked a ringlet of Aerith's hair for a second time as it moved up to her again.

If the air felt a bit thicker? That was just a side effect.

[petalwitch]

Was it getting harder to breathe? Aerith couldn't tell if it was just a figment of her imagination or not. It was possible that sitting around helpless in such a creepy atmosphere was getting to her, but she couldn't rule out the possibility that this thing was dangerous. Wary, Aerith took a step back in order to put a little space between her and the creature.

"Can you give me any answers? Maybe just point me in the right direction?" She shook her head, a hand clasped against her chest. "I hate to say it, but I really have no idea where I am... Anything you can show me would be a big help."

[bprd_fishman]

[ From here.]

How strange, nobody was here. Did they know something he didn't?

[longlivetehking]

[From here]

Scar cautiously headed further down the hallway, his green eyes peering into the darkness to try and catch any sort of movement that may or may not be there. He would be lying if last night hadn't left him shaken, and it wasn't an experience the former lion wished to repeat. Ever.

The sensations he had felt during the day, as if telling him the thing could locate him whenever it wished, was something he tried to push back far into his mind, as he did with everything that happened in this place.

And as his feline eyes continued to peer in the darkness, he finally located a form. A form that soon revealed to be a fellow patient. Finally, a person! It would seem heading down here had been a wise choice for tonight.

"Hello?" he called out, figuring that, after last night, this would be a better way to attract someone's attention.

[bprd_fishman]

Abe jumped--not a single hint of his presence. This still took immense getting used to. He turned, hand going to--to his empty holster, of course. Funny how donning the outfit immediately set him back to his old habits, perhaps next he'd be groping the air for his bookcase.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. Are you going this way?"

[longlivetehking]

Great, his call had managed to startle the other. Though the man had a better response as opposed to the insolent female last night, he had to wonder why people wandered around with their guard down so often. It was a surprise they hadn't been eaten yet by those creatures lurking in the darkness.

"More or less," the former lion responded, keeping his tone neutral. "Considering it is unwise to travel these halls by yourself, I am looking for a traveling companion."

He had been here for quite some time, and he still had to resort to plucking random individuals from the hallways. There was a certain danger in this, because not all the patients could be equally trust. But for now, it was better than having to travel alone. Some patients could function as meat shields regardless of their other uses, and he was in no position to be picky.

[arc_wrench]

[From here]

After a boring period of nothing to do but follow the same route as always through the halls, HK arrived to find... more nothing at the RV point.

"Observation: She is not here. We seem to be early." That was somewhere between irritating and a relief. Among other things, it would mean that if SubZero turned up, he would probably be the late one. And then HK could insult him from a position of superiority.

[ruthless_hunter]

Lance followed HK, keeping close so they wouldn't lose each other in the dark. This place was as black as a coal mine at night. The builder couldn't have been bothered to at least put some windows in this place?

This was starting to look like the setup of some horror movie. All they were missing were some airhead white girls with big tits.

"So, what's the plan when she gets here?" Lance asked.

[arc_wrench]

"Answer: We will likely head for the basement. There are some unusual things hidden there, which we have been exploring." He scanned the hallway, looking for potential targets or the other assassins.

"Query: Do you still believe that this is a normal psych medcenter?"

[ruthless_hunter]

"And why exactly are you draggin' me along for the ride?" He asked. "Thought you said I didn't usually go with you." HK had better not be planning on killing him for not being his precious Lockdown. Lance had an axe and he wasn't afraid to use it.

He raised an eyebrow at the younger man. "What else would it be?" Sangamon had mentioned the whole "the doors open at night" thing, but that was it. As far as Lance knew, there was nothing else weird going on. Sure, the doors opening by themselves was bizarre, but there was probably some rational explaination for it. Real life wasn't some horror flick.

[scarefaux]

[From here.]

The Scarecrow progressed down the hallway, heading for the front of the Institute. He considered continuing down the hallway, but he could do that after he checked the waiting rooms and entryway for Mele. He looked at his map again. Entry room, Waiting Rooms, eastern hallway, then he'd go through the Sun Room and check the Library, Music Room, and the like. He could tell this search was going to take a while, but at least he'd be getting to see the rest of the Institute, and possibly find another way to the second floor. Oh, how he hoped she wasn't in the Horrible Hallway. Against his better judgment, he decided to save that particular hall for last.

He stopped in front of the door his map said led to the Entry room, clicking on his flashlight before giving the doorknob a try.

[scarefaux]

[To here.]

[scarefaux]

[From here.]

Closing the door behind him, the Scarecrow took a seat next to it, rubbing his aching side. He was frustrated that there was seemingly nothing he could do for Mele, but he couldn't just let the Wizard Landel get away with this!

But what could he do?

The former strawman sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He felt helpless without his friends, but he couldn't let that get him down. He was on his own now, and his friends were in trouble. There had to be something he could do!

He got to his feet, his body still complaining from the blows he'd received. He headed down the hall, still trying to think of what to do next.

[scarefaux]

[To here.]

[byname_bynature]

( Being chased from here!)

Sean picked up speed, clasping Chris' hand tighter. Schuldig was chasing them--chasing them. Calling Sean 'Arty' again. He wasn't going to stop until Sean gave him what he wanted, was he?

His heart was pounding, terrified of what would happen if Schuldig caught them. Was he already 'running into trouble' by going against what Schuldig wanted him to do? Was he going to corner them and torture Sean or worse, Chris, until Sean decided out of desperation that he'd be Artemis again? And now he'd dragged Chris into this as well. God, what was he supposed to do?!

'Stop this! He's right, you're going to run into something you can't handle right now--stop and go back!'

"I don't know," Sean answered, still pulling Chris along. "Somewhere we can be safe!"

[faithful_frost]

Chris was bleeding again, he could feel it starting to run down his leg, but he kept up with Sean. He had plenty of practice ignoring pain after all...

"What about another room?" Not all the rooms were locked, right? Some other ones have to be open and maybe they could slip in there and hide. Why was he so scared anyway? Weren't they friends? Or ...

What were they going to do?

[byname_bynature]

(Skipping Schuldig with permission.)

( To here.)