Treasure Box. (A BFB 4X fanfiction)

Thyme.

Four's P.O.V:

X clings to my arm like a magnet to metal, shivering. "We should really find a place to sleep," I suggest bitterly to the two gossiping girls. Five and Six perk up and nod. "X is shivering." I add quietly, furrowing my brows in concern. "He dozed off already..." Six stares at the yellow variable in disbelief. Five laughs quietly and gets up. "Pink house, anybody?" Six and I murmur in agreement and stand with her, X in my arms.

"How light is he?" Six asks suddenly. "Uhhh... he's... pretty light?" I respond quizzically. Six nods curtly and trails behind a little, lost in thought.

Cough, cough.

The noise startles me a little. I quickly look down into my arms. X lets out another feeble cough and a kitten sneeze. My face gains a touch of violet. He buries his face into my chest drowsily, clutching me tighter.

"Well, X is sick," Five lets out bluntly, "but I'm sure we can find some shelter." I shake X lightly. "You said a few weeks ago you knew med stuff, bud. What's for a cold?" I whisper softly. X tilts his head lazily and tosses me a single word; "Thyme."

"Any idea where that could be?"

"Basically anywhere. Reddish-brown stems. Soft light green leaves. Sometimes flowers."

"Wow, X, you sure know your plants. Hey, Six and Five, did you catch that?" I say the last part louder.

"Yep." Five smiles. "C'mon Six, let's go."

"Where?" She asks. "To the stone walls. They're coated in plants." Five chirrups.

"Sorry to butt in," X speaks up, "but thyme grows on the ground..." At this, Five smiles. "Change of plans," she begins, "we're going to the centre of the playground. There are bushes there."

"Good luck, guys. Come back right away if you find anything." I shout to them.

They're already gone.

I sigh.

"Be careful."

Five's P.O.V:

Six and I arrive at the centre of the EPG. Bushes are scattered about, each full of potential to hold thyme. "Let's split up." I call to Six. She stays silent. I shrug and examine the bushes closest to me. So far I've found wild flowers and random leaves, but nothing with reddish brown stems and soft leaves so far.

Suddenly, I spot something out of the corner of my eye. Thyme! "Hey, Six! I found some!" The thyme is in clusters around a bush.

Then,

the bush rustles.

Something leaps out at me.

It claws at my face angrily, punishing me for something I never did. I scream, blood welling in my fresh wounds. It slices at my throat. I try to scream again, but blood fills my mouth. Scarlet pools around me. I try to speak, only to let out a pitiful gurgle, more liquid red bubbling in my throat. I sob, reaching out to the other person beside me. "I... I guess it's the end now..." I tell the purple nine there. I cough up more blood. "I... love... I love you." I smile. Nine nods, reaching out a starry hand to me. My eyes start to glaze over as I convulse. "Take me with you." I croak out. Nine smiles at me, and I smile back. "I will."

The world spins around me, and I take my last breath.

Darkness.