"Trott, build me a boat."

"Go on, build us some boats."

"Why do you need boats?" I watched the two standing before me. The green arsonist and the pencil beard. Not my names for them – the watchful Overseer named them, but that story is for another time. They're so annoying at times, asking me to build everything. First it was just helping, but now I'm making everything! I just wished they'd give me a bit more appreciation sometimes instead of just demanding things. I shook my head, turning away. "No. I need to do something productive. That taint is getting closer and I'm getting a bit worried." I replied simply. "So, you can make your own boats." I took a few steps down the stairs before one of them spoke.

"I'll come with you mate." The green arsonist, also known as Alsmiffy, was by my side. I was glad. Him and I alone...I've waited for this day. I nodded, almost reaching out for his hand. 'No.' I thought. 'I can't. Not yet.' The two of us walked in silence as we left Ross, or Djh3max, to his building. I never had the patience for that, but at least we wouldn't just have a box for a home.

"So what's worrying you about the taint, Trott?" I glanced at Alsmiffy. "Is it being more active, or just because it's getting closer?" This was new. He never really seemed interested in much I was doing. But it was a nice change, for once.

"Well, you remember Nano, right?" He nodded. "Lalna still hasn't found a cure for her. I know she's still stable, at the moment, but what if something like that happens to us? What if one of us is infected, and then it starts changing us?" I explained. "I just don't want to take any chances. I know that's YOUR style, but there are three of us here." I added. Alsmiffy smiled, nodding.

"Good enough for me." He looked ahead as he walked. My gaze kept on shifting back to him. I just couldn't help it. I had already fallen for him, but...I don't know how he felt. Did he feel the same way? "It's not too far now, is it?" As soon as he asked the question, the taint entered our view. We stood a few metres from it, watching it from afar. "So...what did you plan on doing with it?" I opened my mouth to speak...but I had nothing. I didn't actually have a plan on what to do with the taint when we got here. "...Great. And you're supposed to be the brains of the group." I glared at Alsmiffy, but his playful gaze instantly caused my anger to disappear. My lips formed a smile, which he noticed.

"Everyone has their blank moments, right?" I replied. Alsmiffy just shrugged. He walked towards the taint, which caused my heart to skip a beat. "B-Be careful!" I called out, sounding a little more concerned than I realised. He glanced back at me, blinking. I watched his relaxed expression, blushing a little. I shouldn't have reacted like that, but he doesn't seem to mind much.

"Don't worry, mate. I'll be fine." He winked. I decided to follow him, quickly grabbing his arm. "What? You scared?" He asked, but it wasn't teasing. I didn't notice the small blush on his face as the two of us made our way closer to the taint. What I did notice was the sharp breath he took, and the pain in his eyes. I stopped instantly.

"Smith? What's wrong?" I turned to my friend, his hands shaking. He looked like he was about to collapse.

"I...don't know. But...my head kills."

"We need to go, now!" Within a second I had turned him around and started pushing him back from the taint. There was something other than pain I saw in his eyes, just for a split second. Something I wish I didn't. I slipped my pendant from my neck, closing it in Alsmiffy's palm. "Smith, go back to Ross and—" I stopped, something constricting around my neck. I couldn't breathe...but I didn't need to. The world was numbing around me. The green man turned to face me, watching me with terror in his eyes. Why...? Why was he scared? I...I can feel it now. Mother... Falling onto the ground, I just sat. Sat and watched. I didn't even hear his shouts, listening to Mother. ...Yes, Mother. Of course Mother. The power of taint...I feel it in every bone in my body. Everything felt good. Everything felt right. Slowly I stood. Finally I heard him.

"-Talk to me Trott!" His shouts stopped when I stood. "Trott...oh shit..." I didn't know nor care what he was afraid of. He shouldn't be. I slowly reached out towards him, as he backed away. Suddenly a sharp pain pierced my head, causing me to wince. What am I doing?! This isn't right! I need to break free! I can't...I can't do this! I...M̢̬̭oth̝̹͙̠ͅe̘͎̣̞͉̖r͙̱...

"Mother will set you free." My voice caught in my throat after that. What am I saying? No...No...I can't... His eyes...so full of fear and terror. He was scared of me. He shouldn't be...we should be friends...but...I will change him. N-No! "Smith, run! R-Run!" That was the last will of my own. Now...I will do as Mother asks. I watched him run, smirking a little. "The alchemist...yes Mother. I will set him free. And the architect. They will both be free..." I got down onto all fours, before I took off after him. He would not escape.

Smith's POV

I watched him change. It was my fault he changed. The taint...it was messing with me. I could feel its power, its presence. That made him lower his guard...as he was concerned for me. Oh shit, what have I done?! I heard his lasts words, the true him:

"Smith, run! R-Run!" I had to obey. If I did not, I too would be changed. I had to warn Ross. He was alone in the building, minding his own business. He had no idea about what was going on. Oh crap, how am I supposed to explain this? How will we escape? If Trott traps us in the building...we'd be dead for sure! These thoughts kept moving around in my mind, causing me to not pay attention to where I was going. I almost tripped, just being able to keep balanced. I burst through the doors of the building, glancing around. No sign of the architect.

"Ross! Where the fuck are you, Ross?!"

"Whoa, calm down." His voice came echoing down from the level above, which I instantly went up to. He was holding some marble in his hands. He saw my face, confusion spreading across his. "What's wrong, Smith? What's happened?" I quickly grabbed his wrist, dragging him down the stairs. "Smith! What are you doing?!" I ignored his protests. There was no time. Any moments longer and Trott would be here. Oh Trott...why was it you? The small, cute walrus. Now just a pawn of the taint. Ross decided to use his energy for running instead of arguing. Especially when HE appeared. We both froze, watching our former friend. There was no sign of him now. The taint had enveloped him, signs of it all over his being. "Oh crap..." Ross whispered.

"Now do you understand?" I muttered, before we both took off in the opposite direction to Trott. I glanced back, and soon noticed he wasn't following us. Instead he had just disappeared inside the building. Though, the taint itself DID follow us. "We have to run. We can't stop, not for too long. Or else we'll become like Trott." I explained to Djh3max, who just nodded. He was shocked, seeing Trott for the first time like how he was. On the other hand, I had already seen him, and instead was more focused on trying to find somewhere safe. Neither of us was prepared well enough, but we didn't have the time. I looked down at the pendant he had given me. Engravings were etched into the surface. I remembered it well; I initially gave it to him as a gift. He loved it so much, and I could never work out why. I felt my finger run over something on the back, turning it over. It read 'I love you Smith'. So that was why. He loved me...as I loved him. I never had the courage to say...and now he was taken from me. Trottimus...I'd find a way. I need to save you somehow. If Lalna has a cure...I'll find him. If not, someone else must. Somehow...you will be saved.

[You wanted us to be together, so now we are. Together we are f̵̢̦̲̜̮̪̞r͢͏̠͍̮̲̯͚ͅͅe̙̞͓͜e̴̛̘̻̖̭.]