The Sixth | Ekko

Chapter Twenty-Nine

On the fourth day, Six lost hope.

They had wandered the caves aimlessly in the dark, having to slowly maneuver through the winding tunnels by feeling what was in front of them. It was an endless, hopeless feat.

Ekko still refused to let go of her hand, dragging her forward like she was a necessity for his own survival.

They didn't talk. Ekko would utter the occasional watch your step, but other then that they moved in silence.

Six swore she was going mad.

She stopped hoping that her eyes might adjust to the darkness. Sometimes, she would keep them opened until they burned to the point of tears, hoping that they'd catch the outline of something—anything.

They never did.

The two of them took more frequent breaks now, each time huddling together for warmth.

She caught him combing his fingers through her hair at one point, probably thinking she was still asleep. She didn't stop him though. Nothing mattered anymore. He could crumple her up like a piece of paper and set her on fire if he wanted and she wouldn't care.

The thought of eating another cavernberry made Ekko want to puke. But he did it anyway. He was going to get them out of there alive, even if that meant he had to eat insects. Fortunately, it hadn't come to that point yet. He just hoped they kept stumbling into berry vines.

He could feel Momo's efforts wane, but he made sure to keep them going. He'd carry her on his back if he had to.

On the fifth day, Six collapsed.

She could feel the seizure coming, her mouth having gone numb. Then she heard the crack in her jaw and her ears popped.

Ekko noticed something was wrong when the sounds of her steps became sluggish and her hand started twitching in his.

"Momo?"

Her body went stiff and seconds later she toppled over.

Ekko moved to catch her, maneuvering in front of her before she could fully hit the ground. His actions were instinctual, getting him where he needed to go without being able to see.

Her forehead slammed into his shoulder, and then she started to convulse.

Ekko's heart raced, adrenaline releasing into his blood. He didn't know what to do. Was he supposed to hold her? Lay her down?

"Momo—I'm sorry—I'm—I'm not sure what to do—" he said close to her ear.

Her jerking suddenly stopped before he could even get the chance to figure it out. Her muscles twitched and spasmed with aftershocks, her body putting all its weight onto him as if she were boneless.

Her head turned—an effortless loll, and now he could feel how cold her nose was as it brushed against his neck.

She felt him sigh, and his hand started to pet at her hair, which she thought was supposed to be a soothing gesture.

They were both still.

Quiet.

"...How often do you get them?" he asked after a while.

Six burst into tears as soon as he said it, his words putting an abrupt end to the silence that made what happened seem less real.

Ekko's hand in her hair stopped and he had his arms around her in an instant.

"I can't do this anymore," she cried against the crook of his neck, "We're never getting out."

Ekko sat back and outstretched his legs before properly pulling her into his lap. He didn't care how inappropriate it might've seemed. He was desperate to comfort her. Desperate to get her to keep going.