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Run.
That was the only word on EMP’s mind as she navigated the seemingly endless maze that was the museum. She turned left and right, through the twisting corridors of the building, glancing back only to be met with darkness.
She didn’t know what she was running from. EMP turned a corner, leaning on the wall to rest. Suddenly, a phantom hand came out to grab her. She jumped back, remembering why she was running.
The phantom hands. Translucent white hands that were reaching out from the shadows to get her. They got Hella a long time ago. She couldn’t find Chief, or Hecate, or Lisa, or even Labyrinth- she was alone in the witching hour.
EMP panted heavily as she ran, her stamina quickly running out. She couldn’t stop, not with the terrifying darkness looming behind her, the hands ready to grab and drag her to unimaginable
But, unluckily for her, there was a piece of paper on the floor of the corner she turned, and her foot just so happened to slip. EMP felt a jolt of pain shoot up her ankle, using her bow to pull herself up but to no avail. The phantom hands reached her, grabbing her arms, her legs, dragging her into the pit of darkness.
She struggled, her throat itching to let out a scream. She clawed at the floor, desperate for escape as she was steadily pulled further and further into the darkness. She reached out a hand as she felt the shadows covering her eyes, letting out one last plea before-
EMP shot up, panting, a scream on the tip of her tongue. She reached for her composite bow, unfolding it as she reached for an- where was her quiver?
She frantically glanced around, but there was no quiver in sight. Only darkness.
Like the museum. But she can’t be- she couldn’t be in the museum! They got out, they escaped, they were safe- right?
Now, logically, if she looked hard enough she could see enfer and the other sinners sleeping in the medbay, but her mind wasn’t working at the moment. She pushed herself further into the back of her cot, curling up with her bow to her chest as her breathing started picking up.
That’s right- A trick, trying to lure her into a false sense of security! That would make sense, wouldn’t it?
EMP’s heart started racing. Who knows what horrors could be in the dark surrounding her? Shit, what the fuck could be out to get her when she’s defenceless?
Her breathing rate started to rise (to a probably unhealthy level, her brain supplied) as her heart raced in her chest. Tears started welling up in her eyes as fear stabbed her through the heart.
She clutched her chest, wheezing slightly. Everywhere she looked, she could see phantom arms closing around her, reaching out for her- where was the exit?
EMPs heart sank as she realised there was no way out. The walls seemed to close around her, trapping her further. She could feel her panic level rising, her M-value spiking up to a unhealthy level.
EMP curled up further, tears falling as she pressed her face into her knees, shaking violently. She hyperventilated, nails digging into her arms. She could feel the phantom arms wrapping around her, pulling on her, dragging her down, deeper and deeper and-
“EMP? EMP, hey- It’s me, Anne. Tap my hand once if you can understand me,” a soothing, slightly familiar voice said, a warm hand coming to rest atop of hers. It cut through the fuzzy panic of her mind, like a boat of calm in the sea of chaos.
The voice repeated those words over and over again, the name “Anne” digging up memories of gentle words and pink hair. She shakily tapped the others hand once, allowing herself to raise her head a little to look at the person across from her.
Greeting EMP’s gaze with a warm smile, Anne continued.
“Good job. Now, I want you to breathe with me, can you do that?”
EMP nodded shakily, her breath still coming in short, erratic gasps.
“Alright, follow my lead now,” Anne started counting.
“In, two, three, four- hold, two, three, four- out, two, three, four,” she repeated, placing EMP’s hand on her chest, breathing in and out slowly.
EMP tried her best to mirror it, her breathing eventually calming down to being only slightly shaky. She quickly wiped her tears away, she did have a reputation to keep (occasionally) after all.
Anne shifted, sitting sideways off the cot. She patted the space next to her, inviting EMP to sit near her.
EMP crawled over, her hand still clutching her bow. The blonde leaned against the nurse, Anne putting an arm around her shoulder in return. She hugged the bow user close, a comforting hand rubbing over her shoulder.
“So, would you mind telling me what happened?” Anne asked the blonde, her voice as gentle as ever.
“It- I was in the museum again. I was running, and there were these phantom hands chasing me, and I was alone, and-“ she rambled on about her nightmare, Anne patiently nodding along. EMP curled up as she talked, hiding her face in her knees.
“-and then I woke up, and then you know the rest,” she finished.
“…actually, how did you know I was awake anyways?” EMP asked, looking at Anne.
“Oh, I noticed your M-value spike. I was in my office when your mania monitor started beeping,” the nurse replied, giving her a small smile.
“Anyways, are you feeling better now? You wanna go back to sleep, or join me in my office?”
“…I don’t think I can sleep again tonight,” the archer confessed.
“The great archer queen of syndicate, bested by a simple nightmare,” Anne teased lightheartedly, a small smile on her face.
“Hey! I wasn’t bested, I’m just…nightmares are no match for me anyways!” She huffed, crossing her arms.
“Sure, sure. Now c’mon, let’s get to my office.” Anne stood up, leading the way for EMP.
EMP smiled, bouncing off after the pink-haired woman.
“Say Anne, do you think I could go to the common room and-“
“Whatever you’re thinking, I’m gonna say no.”
“Dammit!”