Chapter Text
Run.
The single word pounded constantly in Second’s brain as he blindly stumbled through the trees, branches whipping past his face. His lungs were burning like fire, his legs screaming with pain, but he couldn’t stop. He had to get away from Rocket Corp. Away from victim.
Away from the mysterious sticks who raided the place.
Chosen!
A gasping moan burst from his throat. His older brother was probably in the hands of those ruffians by now. What would they do with him? Would they treat him worse than what victim had?
victim.
The searing pain in his code was a constant reminder of the treatment he had experienced at victim’s hand. The tearing sensation he had felt through ever line of code as they searched and pried through the smallest parts of his code…
Don’t think. Don’t feel.
He focused his gaze on Lime who was running ahead of him. The stick ran through the trees with ease and the short distance between them was rapidly increasing. He needed to hurry. He had to keep up.
Second’s foot caught on a root and he fell face first onto the ground, knocking the air out of his lungs. He pushed himself up onto his knees, gasping for air, but his elbows gave way and left him with his face planted in the grass.
He couldn’t shut out the pain. It was too much. Tears prickled in his eyes and a sob escaped his throat.
Upon hearing Second’s weak cries, Lime ran back to his fallen friend and knelt by him. “We have to keep going,” his voice was filled with urgency.
“I-I can’t… t-too f-far…” Second let his head fall limply forward and wearily closed his eyes. The soft, coolness of the grass on his face was a welcome change from the pain. It had a somewhat calming effect.
He heard Lime drop down beside him, panting heavily. For a few moments, the only sounds that could hear was their breathing and the occasional trill of a bird.
“Primal, what are you doing?!”
Second had never dreamed the mercenaries would betray their boss or that Agent would just leave victim alone to his fate. The whole takeover had been a clean sweep, with no chance for victim to escape. If Lime hadn’t already infiltrated Rocket Corp disguised as an employee, he would have been taken captive as well.
The Colour Gang! Had they escaped? He was sure he had heard Green and Purple's voices before.
Please, please, please tell me they made it.
Second moaned weakly as he pushed himself to his knees again. The world spun around alarmingly and his brain felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. He pressed his hands to his head, trying to steady himself.
“I’m sorry,” Lime said finally.
Second blinked a few times and focused on Lime’s faint voice. Everything sounded so distant and foggy. “What? You saved me.”
“I couldn’t save your brother though.” Lime looked down at the ground.
Second’s eyes took a distant look as he stared blankly at a tree. “You were just trying to save me,” he mumbled.
“I know… but I could have done more,” Lime drew his knees up to his chin and hugged his legs tightly. "The others are going to kill me when we get to them..." he mumbled under his breath.
Second remained silent for a few moments. “We need to find them,” he asked finally.
Lime straightened. “You’re right! They’ll be worried about you.”
“What if they didn’t make it out?” Second swallowed hard. “What if they got captured?”
“I’m sure they’re okay,” Lime’s voice was anything but convincing. He stared at Second for a moment and a concerned look passed over his face. He reached out and gently rested his hand on Second’s arm. “Does it hurt bad?”
Second looked down at himself and finally noticed the many bruises, cuts and burns across his body. He gingerly touched his face and flinched as his hand brushed against a nasty burn on his cheek. Part of him wanted to assure Lime he was fine, but he just felt so tired. Tired of being strong, of all the pain… of everything. “Everything hurts,” he finally mumbled.
“I would carry you, but… I’m not that strong.”
“No, no.” Second grabbed hold of the tree and pulled himself to his feet. His code seethed painfully from the effort and he bit back a moan. “I-I’m ok-kay.” His knees buckled and he plunged forward.
Lime caught Second by the arm and steadied him. “Easy…”
“I told you, I’m fine,” Second sounded mildly frustrated.
Both the sticks froze as they heard the sounds of something… no, someone crashing through the trees.
Second was nearly knocked off his feet as Lime yanked him into a bush. He crouched down beside his friend, holding his breath.
This was it. They were both going to be found and taken back, left at the mercy of the unknown group and the mercenaries. Shivers ran up and down Second’s spine at the thought. He didn’t want to go back there. What if they were worse than victim?
Could anyone be any worse?
Please don’t find us, please, please!
“Second! Lime!”
Relief washed over Second and he slumped back, letting himself breathe easy again. “Red!” he called.
Moments later, Red crashed through the thicket and Second was wrapped in his tight embrace.
His body screamed in agony from the touch and he couldn’t keep back a cry of pain. Red immediately drew back, regret shining in his eyes. “I’m so sorry! I forgo- I didn’t mean to…”
“I-it’s okay,” Second spoke through gritted teeth. He slumped back against a tree and squeezed his eyes shut.
Don’t cry. You’re stronger than this.
A gentle hand rested on his arm and he opened his eyes to see Blue kneeling by him, his eyes full of sympathy. “How bad is it?”
“Everything feels like it’s on fire.” Second shuddered.
“Inside or out?”
“Both.”
Blue looked perplexed. He reached into his inventory and drew out a potion. “This might help with the physical stuff, but I can’t really do anything for your code.”
Second gratefully took the offered potion and gulped it down. The pain in his limbs eased somewhat, but the burning in his code remained the same. “Thanks.”
A moment of silence stretched between them.
“Soo… are we going to talk about those dudes, or no?” Red asked finally.
Blue’s brow furrowed. “Yeah, who were they? And why did they take over Rocket Corp? Did you hear anything about them, Sec?”
Before Second could answer, Lime stood up abruptly and cut him off, “We have to leave, now. They will find us if we stay!”
Second, Blue and Red stared at Lime, bewildered.
“Do you know them?” Blue asked.
“It doesn’t matter. With all three of us, we should be able to get Second to safety. You two help Second and I’ll scout ahead. If you hear me whistle, hide quickly.” Lime bolted through the trees.
Red and Blue exchanged looks before helping Second to his feet; each of them with one arm around their friend to support him. They followed after Lime at a slower pace.
~ ~ ~
Darkness.
victim grunted softly as he put his hand to his throbbing head. He could feel a bump the size of an egg on his forehead.
Where was he? Why wasn’t he…?
Oh…
Everything came flooding back wave after wave. Primal’s betrayal, Agent abandoning him, all his workers turning on him. The last thing he remembered was Primal’s death like grip around his throat. Instinctively, his own hand went to his throat and a sigh escaped his lips. He could feel the slits in his neck from Primal’s nails.
How had he come so low? Where was he even?
victim’s eyes had adjusted somewhat to the darkness. He pushed himself to a sitting position and looked around the room. A stab of fear shot through him as he noticed a dark figure towering above him.
He scrambled back, his breathing coming in terrified gasps.
The faint outline of a cursor.
The walls closed in. His chest tightened and he was feeling lightheaded.
“When you think you see a Cursor, focus. Test it. Make sure it’s real. Cause it probably isn’t.”
victim swallowed hard. His nails pressed into his palms as he got to his feet. He took a step towards the shadow.
Blinking a few times, he focused on the outline. Now that he was closer, he could make out the faint outline of an outstretched hand.
Was it…?
He approached the figure and recognised the Chosen One.
He isn’t there. He isn’t there.
victim’s knees buckled and he crumpled to the ground, gasping for air. His lungs burned like fire and he felt weak.
You are weak.
He didn’t know how long he stayed in that position. It didn’t really matter considering he was clearly trapped in here. He needed answers! There had to be some clue as to who was behind this, or maybe even a way out.
victim finally pushed down his previous fear and got back on his feet. He placed his hand on the wall and walked along it, his hand bumping along the rough brick surface.
He walked the entirety of the room. Once. Twice. Three times. Each time, his anxiety deepened and panic got a stronger grip on him. As he came around to the door for the fourth time, he tried to open it again.
It wouldn’t budge.
victim sank down with his back against the wall, his hands gripping his knees.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
Nnnot in control.
Nnot-not not not in control.
Not in control.
Not in control.
NOT IN CONTROL!
victim clutched his head, desperately trying to think on something… ANYTHING else.
You will always be the v…
victim balled his one of his hands into a fist and struck his other open palm. It stung badly, but immediately his brain began to refocus.
Idiot! You are the head of Rocket Corp. Is this how a CEO acts? Do something. Anything. Don’t think.
He got to his feet once again and walked along the wall for fifth time. He raised his hand higher than before in hopes there might be something he missed.
Soon, his fingers touched a strange indent and he paused; straining his eyes to examine it in the darkness.
There were markings etched in the wall. With each one, there was one line crossed through four others. They were strewn across the back wall.
victim’s code sank as he put the pieces together in his mind. Prisoners usually marked days this way.
He was in for a long wait.