Together (hfjONE)

I

  Backpack tried his best to stay awake - he needed to save them. He had to save them. Backpack slammed his fist against the table, "Damn it!" He was breathing heavily, tired from sleepless nights, full of trial and error, "Of course, the only one who could work this darn thing fell off a cliff!" Airy died a month ago, but the bastard took everything about the computer to the grave with him. At this point, everything he did was trial and error. Yet Backpack had to walk on eggshells; with one mistake- everyone would die. He couldn't let them die; he couldn't become like Airy. Backpack stood up from the computer, hobbling with his crutch. He looked at a rusting piece of Airy. He spat on the hunk of metal, "I hope you burn..." Backpack clenched his fists, "Our lives... were they just a game to you!?" Backpack sat on the ground, watching the waterfall, "Jesus... I'm losing it, talking to a dead guy..."

  Backpack counted the days as they passed with nothing to show; he was no closer to getting them out. He couldn't find a way to revive Texty. One night, he sat up, having a realization. He grabbed Texty's computer and backpack and headed to the cave. He sat at Airy's computer, unplugging one of the worlds, and using the cord, he connected Airy's computer to Texty's. Backpack closed his eyes, praying it would work. The sound of typing filled the air, and the sound comforted Backpack.

"Backpack, what happened? Why am I connected to Airy's computer?"

Backpack smiled, relieved to have someone, "Texty!" He looked away, "I'm sorry I left you..." He felt guilty, "I couldn't bring myself to tell you I lost the charger..."

"It's okay, Backpack. I wasn't dead... dead... just asleep. It's happened before."

"Yeah, I just... you know... a guilty mind isn't the best."

"Yeah... but what happened to Airy? Did you kill him?"

"He fell off the waterfall, and you know... died." Backpack looked down, "I tried to kill him, but all I got was a broken leg." Backpack stood up, stepping back, showing his other messed up leg. "It was weird that he helped me through. I tried to kill him... I wonder what the hell was going on in his head."

"Something messed up. That's what." Texty typed, seemingly upset, "Don't dwell on that psycho. He got what he deserved."

"I know... I just wish we got answers."

"Well, if Airy is dead, why are we still here?"

"I don't know how to use the computer," Backpack admitted, "but I don't want to risk experimenting... Airy didn't know what he was doing, and he killed so many people..."

"Fair. Well, now that I have access to my computer and Airy's- I might be able to get them out. It'll take some time..."

Backpack nodded, wanting everyone to be saved, "Do what you go to do, Texty."

Texty worked day after day, night after night, trying to get everyone home. Backpack collected resources for himself & Texty to stay warm and dry. The two spent a long time chatting to one another, talking about what they'd do when they got out. Backpack filled his days with meaningless games to pass the time. Until one day, Texty did it. He managed to find a working code and got Moldy out and home. Texty began sending everyone home. Backpack stopped Texty as he was sent back, "Hey, uh, can you send us back with So- no with Liam...? I want to thank him for believing in us..."

"If that's what you want."

Texty typed in the command, sending Soda Bottle, Backpack, and him to Bridgeport. Backpack caught a glimpse of Soda's weary expression. He felt guilty for dragging Soda—no Bryce—back to that awful place. Soda called out to him. Backpack, or rather Liam, hesitated to call out to Bryce. Would Bryce want to see him, even after everything? Liam didn't think he was too mad the last time he saw him, but that was a while ago. Who knows how things might have changed. Texty seemed annoyed with Liam's hesitance, "Are you just going to stand there? Go to talk to him. I mean- that's why you had me send us here."

"Bryce!" Liam called, hesitating, "I- Texty and I did it... we found Airy... he's dead... it's over! I don't even know how to thank you..."

Bryce turned, facing Liam, "You didn't abandon us...?" Bryce noticed Liam's other leg, " Oh god! Your leg!"

Liam rubbed his head, "It's a long story..."

"Well, are you gonna tell me?"

Liam sighed, "Where do I begin..."