Night 64: M41-M50 Hallway

[stop_the_rain]

Murphy wasn't able to control his knee jerk reaction to the static, gripping his desk chair as the lights went out and bracing for an attack he quickly realized wasn't about to come. And the Big Doc's voice carried on, bringing back unpleasant memories for the ex-con. He frowned, uncomfortable, not sure what to think or how to take the message....

He knew all too well what it was to turn into a monster.

When the computer system fell to some sort of electronic epileptic fit, Murphy just shook his head. Flashlight in one hand and chair in the other, he headed out into the hallway. He'd trust Harvey's assertion that there were plenty of directions to go, and trust his own luck he'd find one. There wasn't much else that he could do.

And maybe he'd find someone who needed help. He'd managed to keep Nina safe last night. That was more than he'd ever managed in Silent Hill. That was a good sign, wasn't it? And against all odds he was alive, and as long as he was alive he had the power to change his own fate.

Or so he kept telling himself as he ventured out into the far-more-active darkness of the institute.

Comments

M44

[earthling]

Once Claude wolfed down his steak dinner, he'd started his usual routine of preparing for night. Of course, he moved slower than normal, since his body felt heavier now that he'd been up and about for several shifts. Maybe he'd overdone it, especially since he'd been trying to tell himself that his condition wasn't serious.

After hearing repeated references to patients being at risk of changing into monsters, though, Claude was starting to reevaluate the situation. Seeing the nurses' bodies twist into something no longer human scared him, and the thought of suffering the same fate scared him even more. Worst of all, it wasn't just him dealing with these issues. Judging from what Guy had said, Claude got the feeling that Anise was also contending with the symptoms.

That was why, when the strange message filtered through the intercom, a sudden sense of relief washed over him. He'd been starting to wonder if the rebels outside had given up on them, but it sounded like they were trying to steer them in the right direction. While Claude still felt like they would probably have to work for their own freedom, and he didn't always trust what outsiders told them after some of his previous experiences, he was desperate enough that he was willing to accept their help.

Once he slipped into his uniform and gathered some of his things, Claude made sure to leave Ashton's old blade out on his bed. Then, after a moment of hesitation, he jotted down a quick note to leave beside it:

Tolten,

This sword used to belong to a close friend of mine. I know he'd be happy to know that someone was using it. Please take good care of it for me, okay?

- Claude

It was smaller than a standard-sized sword, one half of a set of twin blades, but he hoped his friend could get some use out of it. Still, Claude was satisfied to know that he wasn't giving it to some total stranger, and he was certain Tolten would appreciate having the sword either way.

With that taken care of, Claude placed his hard hat on his head, grabbed his own weapon, and headed out for the door.

((To here.))