Gasp!!
Dave shot up, gasping like he'd run a mile. Hands darted over his body - chest, back - seeking rips, breaks, anything. Instead, just smooth skin under the orange work clothes. It didn't make sense.
He told himself he was alright, though the idea felt like a shaky breath escaping his lips. Remembering the crash - the sickening snap of bone - brought back a ghost ache, sharp and real. The white had vanished. Instead, he found himself within a cave, peering into shadows.
A beat. Then, victory? He recalled the buzzer, a tiny movement within his grasp, her shy expression… but how?
"Uhm... Ar... Are you alright?"
He whirled; a quiet voice had startled him. It drifted from somewhere nearby. She stood there. A little ways off, she stood – dark hair, shy blue eyes. In her hands, two wood bowls gave off the smell of warm soup.
He wondered what she wanted. Saved by her, yes - yet this location suggested favors weren't free. The thought bounced around inside his skull, a strange blend of distrust alongside relief.
His look stopped her cold. She wanted to move nearer, yet lingered, troubled by his guarded expression. A tentative step - a bowl extended - was cut short as Dave lifted a hand.
It happened quickly. A jolt – she recoiled, like someone hit her. "I…". "Oh dear," she rushed, voice shaky. "Didn't realize soup wasn't your thing - my mistake. Perhaps I acted too soon, before you were even awake."
Seeing her face, Dave regretted how he'd come across. "Actually," he murmured, quieter than planned, "that's not right. You misunderstood…". He finally understood. He remembered it all clearly now, her frantic actions in the final seconds, the desperate squeeze of her hand that had forced a life into his grasp. She had pulled him back from the brink.
She offered a small, shaky yes, yet didn't move - her hands gripped those bowls tight, almost hiding behind them. He figured she was rattled; she had just pulled him from danger, so calming her down felt essential.
"So," he started, a small smile stretching his lips despite himself. "What kind of soup is this? It really smells good."
She seemed to loosen up right away - her shoulders dropped a little. A quiet, almost inaudible sigh of relief escaped her lips. "Ugh.. it's locust soup," she explained, her words coming out in a relieved rush. "I found some locusts at the edges of the cave here, so I gathered some of them to make a soup. I didn't know if you would like it, sorry for not asking you first."
"No worries," Dave said, taking the bowl. "Appreciate it."
The dim liquid held his gaze; he leaned in, letting its scent - warm soil, something richer - wash over him. A last look, just in case, before drinking on this strange world. Yet, surprisingly, it actually smelled appealing. Uncomplicated yet satisfying. First a small taste, next a long drink. Surprisingly delicious - a warmth blossomed within him.
He tasted it again, slowlike - "Not bad.".
Her lips curved slightly. "Thanks," she breathed, then eased onto the cave floor, keeping some space between them, as she drank from her bowl.
Quietly they sipped, the cave echoing softly with each swallow.
The quiet crept back once they stopped talking. Dave simply observed her - she wouldn't meet his eyes, keeping her hands still. He understood now she felt more than fear. A quietness lived within her, a tender openness exceeding even the game's fright.
Thoughts swirled within him – numerous, insistent queries. He figured a gentle touch was key - didn't want to send her running. So, he decided on something simple, a straightforward opening move.
He started to speak, simply saying, "So...".
She looked at him, her blue eyes suddenly very open, listening closely.
"What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?"
Her eyes met his - just for a beat - then dropped, her words soft as breath.
"Violet."
"Violet," he murmured, letting the sound roll around. A lovely name - it suited her
Color bloomed on Violet's face, fast. She dipped her chin, dark hair veiling her eyes. A rushed "thank you" slipped out.
He saw how she responded, though what caused it escaped him - after all, he'd merely offered a kind word. A flicker of calm from her gave him courage; so he asked what haunted him - he had to know where things stood.
"Violet," he said. "If you don't mind me asking, I'd like to know how you got the bug."
The fire popped, drawing Violet's eyes as she gathered her thoughts. "You sent me going," she murmured, "so I ran. Didn't notice until after - something gave way beneath my feet while I bolted.". The shape showed up just as the clock ticked down to sixty seconds - a faint line on the floor, right where I'd been standing. That's when it hit me; that's how I caught whatever this is
A slow nod from Dave - it made sense now. The creator deliberately concealed flaws, revealing them just before time ran out, gifting players a frantic escape route. She spotted it just in time - otherwise, well, he didn't want to think about that. Consequently, gratitude felt overdue; he hadn't even said thank you.
He started, a real warmth coloring his voice. "So…thanks for thinking of me."
Color flooded Violet's cheeks once more, richer now. She brushed it off with a wave, yet seemed to loosen up just a touch. "It's okay," she managed, sounding firmer this time. "Really, it is…" The sentence hung there, unfinished, as her gaze dropped to her own hands - a shadow crossing her features. She wished she hadn't caused anyone distress owing to her debilitating worry. Small stuff really throws me. It feels silly, honestly
Dave finally grasped how truly scared she was after what she told him. Not simply bashful, but frozen by anxiety. Consequently, individuals similar to her become vulnerable to those such as Rex.
He barely registered what she'd said, quickly shifting focus. "Any idea where this tunnel leads?" Dave inquired, waving a hand at their rocky surroundings.
Violet shook her head. "Not exactly. All I remembered was after giving you the bug, my vision darkened, and I woke up here. In this cave…" She glanced at him briefly. "…with you."
The information settled on Dave; he looked down the shadowy passage stretching beyond their little circle of firelight. "Did you happen to go ahead," he asked, "to get a sense of how far into this cavern we've come?"
She stilled once more, posture changing. Knees drawn up tight, eyes glued to the flames - she wrestled with her next words.