Why Won't They Tell Me?

Freedom Is An Illusion

Seven woke up, rubbing his eyes.

Wait.

"I can move?"

He experimentally tried to stand, seeing as he could, he grinned.

"How can I?... What happened?"

His colors were back as well, but the room was still cold and dark.

"Hello?"

Hello! Oh, you're finally awake!

The voice had an unsettling echo to it, it was clearly a girl's.

"W-what? Who's there?" Seven backed away and tripped over a tentacle, yelping when it growled and shot for him.

But nothing came, it only laid back down as if to sleep.

"Who are you?"

It doesn't matter, what matters is your choice.

"Ch-choice?"

Yes, choice! You see, I'm the one that freed you.

"Thank you I guess...."

You're welcome little lucky.

"Am I still in my room, can I leave?"

Yes, but you won't be leaving anytime soon.. Not until you do me a favor to repay me.

"Repay you? B-but that's not fair!"

It is fair. I helped you, now you help me.

Seven trembled and tried to open his door silently, cringing when the handle zapped him.

"You can't keep me here to repay you for something I didn't ask for!"

Do you want to go back to being stone?

He froze at the thought, of not being able to move, the mobility he cherished so dearly being ripped away once more.

I thought so.

"Wh-what are y-you going to do wi-with me?"

Nothing too bad, I promise. Now look, I caused the darkness.

"You?!"

Yes, but don't worry! It's cold but all it does is keep you here 'til I free you.

"What about my friends? Are they safe?"

Sadly, they evaded my grips and fled somewhere..

Seven perked up, "They must be at the emergency meeting point.."

What was that?

"N-nothing.. c-continue.."

Are you sure, it sounded like something.

"It's nothing."

...

You'll regret lying.

The tentacle from before grabbed his arm, glowing.

Seven stifled a scream, trying to get it off.

It's okay if it hurts, it's supposed to.

"Then make it stop hurting!"

Not now, I hear your friends.

"No! Leave them alone!"

I'll think about it..

_________________________________________

Eight kicked open Seven's door.

"Why do you do this?"

"Nine, you cannot argue that it was necessary this time."

"Fair point."

Fifteen crept in, slipping past the living room and ducking behind the table.

"All clear."

Twenty-one peered at the lamp, turning it on.

"Why would you do that?" Twenty-six asked.

"If the darkness gets here, this room will be a safe spot."

"Got it."

Eight tried to open the door to the lucky block's room, but the door-handle zapped him.

"It won't budge, you know what this calls for?"

"Not knocking down the door again..."

"Knocking down the door again!"

Nine groaned.

Eight slammed it off it's hinges, the door smashing a hole though the other side of the wall.

"Oh, I did not expect that.."

Twenty-six was the one to notice the shaking Seven.

"Hey, Seven? Are you okay."

Seven only shook his head, his shivering intensifying.

"I-It's so c-c-cold.."

Twenty-one helped him up, "It is? You're really warm, how did the darkness not get you?"

"I-It-It l-let g-go.."

"Hm, that's strange.."

"Y-you're s-so warm..."

Fifteen saw no darkness tendrils anywhere.

"Where is the darkness?"

"It's r-right-"

Seven buckled over, barely missing hitting his head on the ground.

"He's too weak, we need to get him out of here. Now." Seventeen told their leader.

"N-no, y-you d-d-don't understand. I'm d-dangerous."

"Dangerous how?" Nine seemed on edge.

"The darkn-ness, it's-" He sputtered, "I c-c-can't s-say. It w-won't l-let me-"

A scream ripped itself from his throat.

Eight jumped, "Seven, what's going on? What hurts?"

"E-everything- The darkness-"

Seven clung onto his arm, and looked at him with his tear-filled eyes.

"It's inside me."

That's all Eight could get before Seven's will ran out and he fainted.

Twenty-six blew out air, putting his hands on his hips, "O-kayyyy so that's a problem."

"Uh guys, we have bigger problems!" Twenty-one yelled.

The darkness tentacles were slowly curling around everyone's leg. Twenty-one attempting to cut hers.

"C'mon, c'mon! Break! Argh!"

"This isn't good.."

Nine tried pulling, but to no avail.

"It's too strong for even square power!"

"Too strong for me too!" Eight called over, trying to keep Seven out of reach.

It's no use 'Agents' you're not leaving until I let you!