Arthur didn't even hesitate the moment Francis was suddenly out of sight. He raced out of the door, not even minding the fact he wore only jeans and no top garments that could protect him from the chilling snow outside. That didn't matter. The only thing that did matter in his mind was Francis.

"Francis! Francis!" The Brit screamed into the night, following a path that was made by two unusual looking footsteps and a body trail.

"Help! Help me, please! Arthur! Arthur!"

The desperate yelling was faint but it was enough to send Arthur in full speed.

He dashed through the trees once more, hopping over outgrown tree roots. He ducked beneath low branches, occasionally having to dodge other random things that blocked his way.

Soon, the trail came to a halt at the edge of a small ledge. There was no more yelling. No more sounds of movement. Arthur panted where he was, emerald hues darting from left to right for any little sign. Squinting, he gasped.

Francis was seen at the bottom of the small ledge crawling to grab onto something. Looking harder, the faint sight of what looked like a sharp, bony hand clawed at his back. He was too far to hear but still very clear to see.

"F-Francis I'm coming!" Arthur screamed. The response given was a voice cracking scream as Francis was pulled out of sight.

Time was running out. It was draining between the Brit's numbing fingers.

Without thinking, Arthur jumped off the ledge, tumbling down the hill. He grunted and yelped as rocks and twigs jammed into his sides and face. It was painful, but the pain didn't seem to reach him. His adrenaline was too high and the goal at hand was far too important to be waited upon.

Fortunately— or, unfortunately— there was a new trail to follow. However, it wasn't a trail he wished to see.

Droplets and smears of blood wiped across the pure white snow before him like a paintbrush. It was without a doubt Francis's blood. The mere sight made Arthur want to scream. Yet, he didn't. He simply pushed that reaction away to deal with later.

Just a moment ago, the two were sharing an unforgettable time together in that cabin. They were in each other's arms, sharing nothing but love. They were warm against one another with the crackling fire beside them. No worries, no problems. Just simple bliss and desire to remain forever in their embrace. Such a special moment that was supposed to last. However, it ended faster than it was meant to.

That was life, anyways. You enjoy everything and, for once, all seems perfect. Then, it's ripped apart by some unfortunate mishap and you must work again to achieve such perfection.

Arthur wanted that perfection again. He was determined to get the only perfection he had in his life back.

The Brit looked up when he realized the trail began to slide downward. Before him lied small wooden buildings aligned against one another. The slope led down to what appeared to be an entrance to somewhere underground. Deep down, Arthur felt his stomach drop at where the trail had taken him.

The mines.

Alfred's parents warned them to never venture down into the mines. The reason for it was unclear. The only explanation was that: "No ones been in there for ages. The last miner group who went down there all suffered horrendous injuries and died. Some weren't even found." Of course, it all sounded like rubbish and a mere scary story, but now, with all that's happened, Arthur couldn't help but feel terrified.

"Help! Please! Arthur! Arthur! Arthur, help me!"

Arthur snapped out of his thoughts as his head turned to the screams of his lover.

Below the slope, Francis could be seen thrashing and desperately grabbing at whatever was around him as the mysterious thing dragged him down into the mines. Arthur quickly hopped onto the slope, sliding fast down to catch the other.

"I-I'm coming! Francis!" The Brit shouted, not even thinking twice before running straight into the mine entrance.

...

As he descended, Arthur felt a chill crawl down his spine. The mines were surprisingly dimlit with a few candles here and there. It briefly perplexed the Brit considering it was said the mines hadn't been used in ages.

The more he ventured down, the more unusual sights he saw, but didn't investigate more into it due to the more important life at stake.

A recently burnt out cigarette

A box of matches

A half full vodka bottle

A torn cloth tied to one of the walls

A lantern

Arthur quickly took the lantern, lighting it up with the box of matches. He held it to the level of his eyes as he traveled towards where Francis was taken.

"Francis? Francis!" The Brit called out. There were no more screams nor sound at all. It was as if the moment he was dragged down into the dangerous abyss, he had disappeared.

Arthur felt his heart race with anxiety as the prolonged silence rang in his ears. The hand holding the lateen shook slightly as he turned the corner, going deeper into the mines.

Around the corner was a massive open space underground. It looked like the depot where mine carts would be and where coal and whatever other minerals they dug up would be placed. Different platforms aligned the perimeter of the area, all leading to different sections of caves and tunnels into the mines. He never would've thought the mines would be this vast. Tonight was definitely full of surprises.

In the middle of the huge area was a mine shaft with a platform that brought it up and down throughout the different levels of this place. On the floor of the platform lay a body— a topless body with a series of cuts and injuries aligning their back and chest. Arthur drew closer, suddenly catching sight of a mess of long, blonde hair.

"F-Francis!" Arthur yelled, stumbling as he ran over to his beloved. He dropped to his knees, staring at the limp Frenchman on the mine's elevator platform.

Francis stirred a bit, his sapphire eyes half lidded as he gazed up at the Brit. His face was scratched and bleeding, along with the rest of his body. Upon his chest was a large gash that could easily be proven identical to the similar gashes upon his back. A trickle of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as his lips parted to form words.

"H-Help... Please." A weak plea was made as Francis's hand made the attempt to reach over to Arthur. "A-Arthur... Help m-me..."

Arthur felt a lump form in his throat as he nodded his head vigorously.

"Don't worry, love. I-I'm going to get you out of here." He assured, setting down his lantern. "We're going back to the others, okay? You'll be ok—"

Snap

The cables holding the platform jerked, causing it to suddenly fall slightly. Francis's eyes widened, tears welling up in his brilliant blue eyes. He tried harder now to reach Arthur, his hand trembling. Arthur reached over to grab him–

"Arthur—"

Snap

The last cable to hold the platform suddenly gave way. In a second, it quickly plummeted down the, what seemed like, endless shaft. Arthur watched in horror as Francis fell down with it.

"Francis!" Arthur screamed, crawling over to peer over the edge. Nothing. Nothing but endless darkness and silence. There was no crash yet not even a reassuring cry of response.

Simply. Nothing.

The Brit sat there, petrified. Emerald eyes wide with fear and shock stared down into the dark abyss. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening. No. No, this was all a dream right?

Yes, it was a dream. It had to be. He and Francis had fallen asleep on the couch in that little cabin. This was a dream. He fell asleep on the car ride up here. This was a dream. He fell asleep the day before he was even supposed to travel up here. This was a dream.

The longer he sat there, the more real it all became. Francis was... gone. He was snatched away once again. Just like that. And the last sight of the Frenchman Arthur had of him was his broken, fearful face. His feeble voice still echoed despite it descending away down below.

Arthur felt his shoulders shake as the sobs and tears he'd been holding in began to break free. His hands clenched into fists as he bowed his head towards the floor. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't... Yet, it was.

"Fra—!"

Before he could even let slip an overwhelmed yell, Arthur felt a large hand slap over his mouth. His cries transitioned into muffled screams as he squirmed in the hold of whoever held him from behind. The person was large— that was obvious enough. They were much taller than Arthur and much stronger.

The Brit continued to kick and struggle within the other's grip before he felt a chin being perched upon his shoulder.

"Best be quiet now. You wouldn't want to end up like your little friend, da?"

...

[ Kiku's P.O.V ]

"L-Let me go! Let me go!"

"Squirming will only make it worse!"

"Wh-Why are you doing this?!"

My eyes snapped open suddenly, my head pounding. The last thing I could remember before blacking out was a masked man coming around the corner. Everything after that was a blur. Yells and screams were muffled to my ears but beyond that I couldn't decipher what words they made out.

I was lying face down on the floor. Obviously still in the middle of the kitchen entrance considering I felt the door frame beside me.

Hesitantly, I opened my eyes and sat up from where I was. What lied before me made my face drain of all color.

The wall before me was splattered in blood. It dripped down the surface like a crimson waterfall. There was so much— too much for my liking.

I've been exposed to gore and horrific images since I was small, given my brother and I always were huge fans of gruesome and twisted media. Plus, Alfred and I often did all nighters where we stay up late whilst playing suspenseful horror games with impressive graphics. But this didn't even compare to those virtual casualties.

This was real blood. Real blood splattered in a way only caused by hard force.

I shakily got back on my feet, rubbing the back of my head. There was, in no doubt, a bruise beginning to form there but that didn't matter now.

"Alfred? Matthew?" I called out into the oddly silent lodge. There was no response. Only the faint sound of the winter wind billowing outside.

I walked out of the kitchen, now in the middle of a parlor.

Red balloons were tied around with peculiar images upon them. There were images of arrows and an array of faces— their emotions all either sad or scared. Along with the balloons, there were blood droplets sprinkled about. The lodge was decorated in a haunting red.

Was this a dream? It certainly felt like it. This didn't make sense. Why were there balloons? Where were Alfred and Matthew? Where was everyone else? Who was that masked man? What was going on?

My mind buzzed with questions and thoughts as I felt my feet almost automatically shuffle to the balloons. As if in a trance, I followed the arrows that pointed over the balloons. Whoever left them here probably wanted me to follow them. Whether following it would end up being good or not was unknown. Nonetheless, I followed. I needed answers.

The balloons led outside.

They were tied to the wooden fences that aligned the pathway away from the lodge. It was as if this were all a nightmare come to life. You find yourself in an uncertain, suspenseful situation where all you can do is venture further.

I felt myself continue down the unknown passage. My feet dragged me along as my mind wandered. I wasn't objecting to the balloons nor did I have a desire to follow them further. I simply... did it.

The silence within the lodge had followed me out. No birds chirped or fluttered their wings. No deer or rabbits rustled in the trees. Not even the wind seemed to make that much of a sound. Everything was a still and quiet.

Before I knew it, I found myself standing before what looked like a wooden shack. It's door was wide open as if calling for me to go in. The balloons stopped right at the door, egging me on to accept its gracious invitation.

I entered.

Inside made my blood turn cold. It looked like an old butcher shop. Knives, saws, and other sharp, metal tools hung over head and draped across elongated tables against the walls. Chains decorate the walls like streamers, all leading into another room that I guessed was the slaughterhouse.

This was all too creepy. This was too chilling and I wanted nothing more for this whole nightmare to be over.

I reluctantly journeyed deeper, turning the corner to go into the slaughtering area.

"Alfred? Matthew?" I called out, my words nearly falling from my mouth as I stepped into the next room.

Oh God.

The room was split down the middle by a waist high stone wall. It was used to keep the animals brought in to stay inside and not run off as they weren't sentenced to death. Chains littered the walls around just the same as the room prior. However, the decorative and nerve wracking interior was not what left me in shock.

Instead of what it was more like who.

Alfred and Matthew were both in the sickening animal kennel area, both with their hands over their heads and tied to the chains on the ceilings.

Matthew stared at me, eyes wide with fear. I'd never seen him look so frightened— despite him always being a very on-edge type of guy. His cheek was bruised and his entire body seemed to tremble where he stood. I could see beads of sweat drip down his forehead and arms. He opened his mouth to speak but only a breathy whimper escaped him. The look in his eyes were broken and scared beyond belief.

Alfred squirmed where he was but stopped when he saw me. His eyes widened with a sheer look of hope. That's when I noticed the tears that were continuously streaming down his cheeks. He, too, looked utterly petrified and fearful. Unlike Matthew, he had a rather large bruise atop his head.

"K-Kiku! You're here." Alfred exclaimed in a stammer. He opened his mouth to speak once more but was silence as another voice echoed about the shack.

"Welcome, Kiku." The voice was incredibly low and horrifying, sending chills down my spine. "I see you've made it. Are you ready to play our little mini game?"

I looked around quickly, trying to put a face to the voice. No one was there beside Alfred, Matthew, and I— well, as far as my eye could see.

"Who's there?!" I yelled out, not even hesitating to raise my voice. I was in no mood and my friends were obviously hurt and, possibly, in danger.

The voice gave a short laugh, not even answering my question. "This game will be fun. It's called 'Execute'. I will ask you a question and you shall answer. Simple as that. But here's the catch. Whatever answer you choose, you must press one of these buttons—"

On the wall that separated me from Alfred and Matthew were two buttons, one green and one red. It was originally supposed to be used for turning on and off one of the machines in this shack but the machine wasn't there anymore (obviously) and now was being used for another sadistic purpose.

"— and depending one which button you choose will depend on which hatchet over head will swing down upon one of your friends."

My face paled. Alfred let out a cry as his teary blue eyes stared horrified at something on the ceiling. Looking up, my gaze locked onto two hatched tied up, each directed towards either Alfred or Matthew. Blades were shown at the ropes that held the hatchets up, signifying that one will cut and send one of the hatchets down on whatever button was pressed.

"I don't want to play." I mumbled, hands trembling as I looked to the buttons then to my friends.

The voice laughed. "You must play. Or else both will die. Save one, save none. Those are the rules."

I felt my heart race as both Matthew and Alfred wailed for me to stop and for the voice to let them go.

What do I do? What do I do? I don't want to kill them. No. This can't be happening. This can't be happening. This can't be...

"So, are you ready to play?"

...

"You sadistic little fuck. How could you do this? To him? What made you decide to come up with such a cruel idea?"

A/N:

I apologize for the late update. I got stuck on what to write for this story lmao. I forgot how complex this game was so I had to make sure everything tied together.

Sorry if this update sucked. I'll work better in the next one.

I know the description and setting for Kiku's part and with the slaughterhouse is kinda weird with wording but sh just ignore it. I've had a long week.

Edit: Thanks GoneInASecond for informing me on the messed up format. Ugh. It's like the universe is keeping me from updating lmao.