Nathan burst through the door armed with a flare on a stick. He turned, and with considerable effort closed the door on the deadly vines behind him. Panting slightly he faced Audrey and the scared people beside her. His heart sank as he noted the date by her side and he tried desperately not to make eye contact with the man.
"Audrey I've come to get you out of here, I've got three flares and I've already used up one coming this far – " he explained.
"Nathan I've got it." she interrupted.
He watched on as each couple held hands and started to walk out through the vines. Finally it was only him, Audrey and Chris left in the room. Nathan could only watch in dismay as she took Chris' hand and left. For a second Nathan felt a pang of jealousy, hurt and anger. It was enough. The vines shot out at him, clawing at his arms and face. For once Nathan was glad that he couldn't feel pain; the tough roots were leaving their marks. It was as struggle to re-load his flare stick but once he did the vines withdrew. He took a deep breath and started to make his way out. The vines tugged at his back but he couldn't feel a thing. Finally he staggered out into the light and started to make his way back to the police station.
"Nathan?"
Recognising Audrey's voice he pretended not to hear her. For the moment he wanted to be alone. The footsteps running up to him however brought no such luck.
"Nathan you're bleeding."
He was not terribly surprised.
"I'll be fine."
"Nathan I could see the blood running down your back from a distance. Please see a doctor." She put her hand on his shoulder. He let out a yell of pain. "What is it?"
"I can feel your touch. That time I felt a bit more of myself with it." he gasped in shock.
"Sorry." She said, taking away her hand. "Just promise me you'll go to a hospital."
"Okay you've convinced me. Now go, I don't want to spoil your evening."
Audrey glanced back at her date.
"See you later." she said to Nathan.
He started to trudge in a new direction hoping desperately that it'd eventually lead him to Audrey's heart.