Rotten by Fear [Identity V_ Jack x Naib]

I am the Monster...

_this drawing was made by Kochankva on Tumblr_

The morning's faint rays entered between the gap of the curtains, plunging the dark room in the light. The bed's sheets moved around, followed by a grunt. Brown and matted hair came out of the messy blanket. Naib scratched his head and hid his eyes from the blinding glow. It hurted badly because he wasn't used to the luminosity. The day came quickly.

He couldn't sleep at all, first because he already did too much yesterday and second, he couldn't think of something else than what Eli had said to him. Now that he mentioned it, Naib has always wondered where did the low footstep sounds come from. He thought it was the other survivors but it didn't make any sense. There wasn't any room beside the wall, at least, none that they knew. Was it where the 'Hunter's Side' was?

He took off his t-shirt and grabbed his black turtleneck and jeans. He looked at his diary laid on his wooden desk. All Survivors were asked to keep a daily diary. he didn't understand why but there were rumors that a survivor once refused to do it and was punished. Punished how? No one knows and no one wants to. In this Manor rules are rules, if you violate them, you better prepare yourself for the worst. Perhaps it was for the better, like a psycologic support. Being chased everyday, blocked in a loop of actions and anxiety, every movement would look like the same, what is considered unique will quickly fade away, drowned in the endless outcomes of this game. Today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. You have to run, hide, decipher, flee, heal, be healed, be hit, be bind, save, be saved, be killed. This repetitive quotidian will quickly turn you mad. So, by writing every single details and emotions will help you keep the lead.

It goes the same with the interactions with the others. You have to interact with others. It might be the only thing that will be variable every day, allowing you to say
"Yesterday was Sunday, today is Monday, tomorrow will be Tuesday. "

If you want something, you'll have to sacrifice another. The prize is often not worth the price.

Naib knew it. But this greedy feeling was the only way for him to forget. If he had to lose his sanity, he would prefer to do so on the battlefield instead of his own glass prison.

After putting his distinctive green hoodie, he left his bedroom and headed straight to the bathroom. He locked himself and sighed. Turning his face, he stared at himself directly in the mirror. His eyes were shiny. He wanted to break down, let go everything he was keeping for himself until now. How painful and exhausting it was to maintain this 'healthy facade' in front of the others.

He wasn't ok at all. He was shattering himself, tormented. Yet...he truly appreciated the moments he was spending with his new friends, if only he could sincerly thank them, he was just scared to do so.

A light knock on the door drew him out of his thoughts. The soft and hesitant voice of Aesop could be heard.

"N-Naib..? Are you ok? You've been inside for a while now. Do you need any help?"

The Mercenary was pretty close to the Embalmer. Both were timid at a time in their lives, this is probably why they quickly tied bonds with the other. The brunet stayed silent at first but answered in the most natural tone possible.

"Yes! I'm ok it's nothing! Wait a second!" He unlocked the door, turned the doorknob and pushed. He stopped his movement right before knocking the poor man standing behind the heavy object. "Oh sorry Aesop! Do you need anything?"

The boy was shorter than Naib, just by two or three centimeters. His hair were already grey, attached with a short ponytail but they had the same age. He was always wearing a white mask on the lower part of his face, insisting it was for health reasons. He worked as an embalmer and seems like appreciating his job. Yet, you had to admit that he was talentful, taking care of corpses like no one knows how to.
He was startled and stepped back, just in time before the door could touch him. He looked at his friend - although he did sleep a lot, his voice and eyes looked tired. With a worry and shy voice, he reached for Naib's morning hair.