April 4, 2019 – 17:00
Klaus is in desperate need of water. Fortunately, he has been gifted a water bottle to the face. Unfortunately, he is tied up, in pain, and barely conscious. He tries to scoot to get a better angle and is rewarded for his effort with a lack of air and no movement.
"You can do this, Klaus." Ben says on the sidelines.
Klaus tries to roll to his side so his hands will be free to unscrew the cap. He flobs his shoulder up and over but the pressure on his ribs sends him into searing pain. White spots dance before his vision and he passes out.
.·.0.·.
Klaus regains consciousness after a time. He groans and tries to lift his head.
"Hey, Klaus." Ben intones.
Klaus moans in response.
"You have been getting some practice in lately. Think you can try to make me corporeal? We can try to make a run for it before she gets back."
"Like you can actually run."
Ben gives him a look.
"Yeah," Klaus pants out. "Give me a-"
Klaus squeezes his eyes shut and his body tenses. His hands glow slightly and waver before returning to full strength. Ben tugs at the duct tape but realizes he has no way to cut it. He plops the bottle into his hoodie pocket instead and gently hoists Klaus to his feet. Klaus's feet are bound as well. Movement will be difficult but if they can get out of here, Ben can find something to cut the binds off. Ben takes one step and Klaus's knees buckle. Ben catches him and scoops him up in his arms. Klaus's head lolls.
"Stay awake, Klaus! I need you to stay focused."
Klaus nods weakly and Ben carries him to the end of the warehouse and out into the sunshine. The grass is overgrown and the area surrounding the place is desolate. Ben heads into the tree line for cover. The duo get a few hundred feet before Klaus passes out again and Ben switches back into incorporeality. Klaus lands heavily on the ground and cries out, woken from the sensation of falling. Ben hovers but is unable to interact with anything outside of his own person. He spots a sharp rock and points it out to Klaus. Klaus nods but cannot move. Ben grasps for the rock, hands slipping through each time until he finally makes contact.
Ben looks over at Klaus. He is sweating profusely and breathless from the exertion. Ben starts to saw at the tape on Klaus's hands. Once they are free, he moves to Klaus's legs as Klaus stretches his arms and sits up against a tree. He reaches a shaky hand to the fallen water bottle. Klaus's hands shake so badly he cannot remove the cap. Ben finishes with the restraints after a few minutes and carefully takes the bottle out of Klaus's grasp and uncaps the lid. Ben moves a hand behind Klaus's neck and tips the bottle to his lips. Klaus drinks greedily, excess water streaming down his chest and creating a trail through the dried blood. After he downs the whole bottle, he sits back and struggles to catch his breath.
"You need to get further away." Ben reminds him.
Klaus grips the tree behind himself and rises to his feet. He takes a step off before pitching forward and collapsing, face-down, on the leafy ground.
