A Lighter and a Flashlight

The Kitchen

I was replaying this part before writing this and was seriously struggling w/ the second key for some reason. I also forgot how ugly the chefs were. Seriously tho, they are gross.

Also the Maw's layout might be a little different w/the rooms and stuff b/c I'm too lazy to make it super accurate. There will be some of the same rooms tho.

. . .

Seven's POV

I really wish we had set out earlier in the day, because at this point, I think we're going to crash before we can make it back home.

According to my watch, it's already eleven, and I'm freaking out.

Here's what's happened so far today:

Six and I woke up late this morning. After staying up until five in the morning reading together, we ended up waking at twelve.

We then brushed our hair and played around with the Nomes, before deciding where we should head off to today.

We poorly chose an uncharted vent shaft.

It wasn't like we knew that the vents led to the 'cage room', but the effects were all the same.

It wasn't all bad, we left a hidden message to Roger scratched into the workbench in the 'wrapping room' hoping he'd find it.

Then we decided to explore further, eventually finding a chasm. Being the curious kids we are, we foolishly decided to see what was on the other side.

After choosing to hang on some hooks for transport over to the other side we got dumped onto a huge pile of body bags. Six immediately started to panic, admittedly, I did too. All the bags were old, and the smell of rotting bodies infiltrated my nostrils instantly.

Seeing all these dead people, it made my mind race and my stomach drop. I barely resisted the urge to puke.

Six practically collapsed in my arms. I had to give her a piggy back through the next two rooms.

Had to get her away from that horrible place.

After that I helped her limp through the next room. She kept clutching at her forehead as we struggled around.

The next five rooms reeked of gore.

Six's eyes were murky in the darkness, the hunger apparent. The unsettling darkness swimming in her hazel orbs lingered until we could no longer smell blood.

Once we were out of range she was able to walk around normally. She was still holding her head, though not as violently as before. She was no longer dizzy, and the throbbing in her head was fading. I no longer had to help her around. That was great for me, and as a bonus, she was a bit embarrassed too.

I can still remember the exact hue her face had lit up when she was apologizing for falling on me. I smirked, making a joke about her 'falling for me' instead.

After relishing in her blushing and stuttering denials; and laughing a few times, I just smiled. I took her hand, the one that was resting on her aching temple, and kissed her forehead; lingering longer than I probably should have.

It was bad of myself to give into my crush. I can't tempt myself, we're just friends.

But it had felt so... wondrous, marvelous, incredible, beautiful, blissful - better than words could possibly describe.

Overall: worth it.

If I think hard enough I can almost remember the tingling of my lips...