His throat was clogged. No matter how much he swallowed, he couldn't get rid of that ball of nothingness.
'Aesop,' Emily began. 'Are you alright? If you're panicking, it's not too late to surrender.'
'No, Emily, I'm fine.' Aesop wanted nothing more than to flop into his comfy, organized bed. But that would mean surrendering to the Hunter, and he still had pride.
Emma was crouching beside him, taking care of the rocket chair. Perhaps it was her making him nervous?
'The Hunters have been awfully quiet…' the Gardener pointed out.
'Strangely so…' Emily agreed.
Aesop pretended to not have heard them. He was well aware of one Hunter already; Joseph Desauliner. The cameras set up gave that away the second the match started.
The Embalmer wasn't scared of Joseph himself, but more scared of his angry side. However, whatever they were doing seemed to keep the Photographer and the other Hunter at bay. Aesop prayed that him and his fellow Survivors continued to do whatever it is they're doing.
*
The peace didn't last. Aesop felt his heart begin to beat harder, faster and louder. He dashed for the closest locker, not knowing where else to go as he didn't know which direction the Hunter would come from. The Embalmer was hoping to see the unknown Hunter, but instead it was a certain blonde.
Joseph swung his sword down at Emma, who dodged just in time. Aesop could see his face twist with anger. As Emma ran, Joseph chased her, knocking down everything she tried to stall him with.
Emma couldn't run forever.
Joseph was faster than the girl. As soon as he caught up to her, he swung down twice. Emma groaned in pain, clutching her head and trying to crawl herself away from the angry man above her. Joseph caught her and wrapped the balloons around her waist, carrying her to the rocket chair she had messed with earlier.
Between the gardener's struggles, Joseph could see the damage. 'You…' he sighed, turning away to head to another chair. As quick as he was when angered, he was very slow trying to find a chair; Emma managed to escape and find herself a hiding spot.
Aesop sighed with relief; he felt so bad for not being able to help her, but she got herself out of the situation!
The relief was short-lived.
Joseph made eye contact with Aesop.
Aesop froze. He had forgotten how close he was to the Hunter still!
Joseph's smile returned as he made his way to Aesop's now discovered hiding spot. He swung the doors open, 'found you~' he cooed, his smile growing.
Aesop stared into his blue eyes, completely terrified.
'Make it quick, Joseph!' The other Hunter—Hastur, it sounded like to the embalmer—yelled from the other side of Moonlit River Park. 'They're on either side, opening the gates! I'll take care of the ones here.'
Joseph nodded, his smile fading.
He looked … hesitant. At least, that's what Aesop thought.
Joseph backed away from the locker. 'Go.' He said simply, walking off to the closest gate.
Aesop stood confused. The photographer is letting me go? He thought. He didn't wait for him to change his mind. Aesop ran to the other gate—the one Hastur said he'd be at—and by the time he got there, Hastur had just put Emily in a rocket chair. However, the gate was open.
Aesop looked at Emily, a look of sincere apology all over his face. Emily just smiled and nodded.
As Hastur dashed at Aesop, the embalmer ran through the gate as the only survivor.
~~~~~~~~~~
I apologize for such a short chapter.
I know I said I wouldn't post for a while … but my school's closed for 2 weeks after March Break, so I will have nothing to do. I guess I'm back for 3 weeks.