Dwight snuggled down into his blankets. The Entity had cracked down on the cabin over the last few days. The windows were shattered, allowing a harsh wind to howl through the rooms and rattle the walls. Small piles of snow gathered in different spots around his bedroom. The door to the cabin was locked, not allowing anyone to go outside but Dwight barely noticed, since the outside could now creep in.
He did notice, however, that none of the Legion had been called to trial, which lead to tensions constantly being high, as no one had a way to blow off steam anymore. Dwight could hear them arguing outside his door. A sound he had grown accustomed to over the last few hours. Dwight jumped between the sheets, when the fighting eventually died down, but was followed by the sound of several doors slamming.
The place was silent for the first time in a while, making it difficult for Dwight to fight the clutches of sleep. His eyes fluttered shut and he exhaled deeply, allowing himself to relax for a moment. He was not sure how he felt about being here anymore. It was nice at first. He liked knowing he was the chosen one out of all the other survivors, that someone actually wanted him. His perspective quickly changed, during this time of punishment. They scared him now. His moment of tranquility was soon interrupted by the creak of the bedroom door opening, causing Dwight to jump up into a sitting position.
"You're still up", Frank pointed out as he stepped into the room. "I guess you heard all that".
Dwight nodded meekly in response.
"Well", Frank began, moving closer to the bed. "Our sleeping arrangements are fucked. The girls aren't talking so Susie's refusing to let Julie stay in her room. Julie's gone back to her room and locked me out".
"What about your room?", Dwight asked.
"Well technically...This is my room", Frank moved to lean on the bedpost.
"Oh".
Dwight had not considered the origins of the room he came to accept as his. Now that he thought about it, it made sense it was originally Frank's since he was the one that brought him here. He just never imagined Frank would just let him have it.
Frank sat down across from Dwight, smiling up at him, innocently.
"I'm sure you won't mind".
He quickly tugged his jacket off and slipped into bed, all while Dwight gawked at him. The room fell silent. The nervous leader shakily went back to his original position of lying on his side, his back to the other man, heart racing, although he was not sure why.
"Do you like it here?", Frank spoke up.
"Um...yes", Dwight stammered. This was a lie now. David's appearance changed everything.
"Good", Frank hummed. Dwight froze as he felt a hand slide up to rest on his hip.
"Everything's been so disappointing lately", Frank continued, he hand sliding under Dwight's shirt, rough skin sliding over his belly button. "But I knew you wouldn't disappoint me".
David's eyes peeled open, his vision blurry. He rolled around on the forest floor, groggily, before noticing he was lying in a mud puddle. How convenient. He pushed himself up onto his feet, stumbling over, barely managing to catch himself on a tree. His head was pounding, his ears were ringing. He had not felt this worse for wear since the time he convinced some of the servers to get drunk with him at one his father's parties. He exhaled shakily, his eyes eventually finding their focus, landing on a flickering light in the distance. Using the trees as support, so his legs would not give up on him again, David worked his way back to the campfire.
"David!", Claudette exclaimed, gasping as the scrapper collapsed on the ground. Jake and Ace quickly appeared at her side, before wrapping David's arms over their shoulders and heaving him towards one of the logs near the campfire. David groaned loudly as he was set down, his friends now getting a moment to look at him. He was soaked, covered in mud and his face was bloody from an intense nosebleed.
"Jake, could you grab my medkit, please?", the botanist asked, her eyes filled with concern as she began to examine her patient. "Gosh David, what happened to you?".
"I don't know", David groaned as he tried to readjust his sitting position. Claudette placed some gentle hands on his shoulders, wordlessly telling him to stop moving. "The Fog...Felt like it was tryin' to tear me in half. Like I was in a different world or somethin'".
"I think you might have a fever", Claudette said, cupping his rough face with one gentle hand, while turning to thank Jake as he delivered her supplies.
"I think he's finally lost it", Ace chuckled, waiting a moment for David to respond, concern washing over his face when he did not get one. "You alright, King?".
"Fuck...I feel like my gut's been ripped apart", David exhaled heavily.
Claudette began to wipe the blood away from his face. Things were silent for a brief moment before David swatted Claudette's hand away with vigor.
"I think I'm gonna be sick", he announced to no one in particular before turning away from them to vomit.
"Um...Claude, sweetheart, do you need me here?", the gambler asked, try to suppress his urge to heave.
Claudette patted David's back sympathetically, as he coughed up his gut's.
"Why don't you go find David some dry clothes?", she suggested, much to Ace's delight. He had learned to tolerate blood during his time here but this situation was starting to make him feel queasy. He admired Claudette for her ability to stay by someone's side no matter what state they were in. This situation, however, baffled her. She had never seen anyone be this ill in the Entity's realm before.
Ace returned a short time later, taking a moment to ensure David was no longer projecting his insides, before coming too close.
"I don't know where all your stuff is gone, Dave. I've got some of Dwight's old stuff if you-".
Claudette hung her head at the sound of the name.
David weakly waved a hand, as aggressively as he could.
"N-nah, I'm not...wearing that fuphing s-s-shit. I always k-knew yer a piece...work Aaace". Ace and Claudette glanced at each other a mixture of concern and confusion on their faces. David's words became incomprehensible as he blacked out again.