#jake donfort fanfiction

[slytherinlizzy]

The afterfire by slytherinlizzy is now on Wattpad!

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Story category: fanfiction

Fanfiction type: Duskwood, Jake Donfort × OC

Warnings: memories of childhood trauma; mental health problems directed at various characters; use of alcohol, cigarettes; mentions and graphics of injuries, blood, vomiting, explosion, sexual related content, murder, death, suicide, abuse, violence; nudity; strong language; use of darknet; stalking; continuous violation of personal and security rights; dark themes

Ongoing

Copyright: all rights reserved

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Characters: Jake Donfort

Lyra Ambrose

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Story description:

After the explosion in the Ironsplinter Mine, things went on with a quiet tension.

Not only did the fire leave behind an unidentified body, but it further enhanced the already intricately tangled threads. And this time, Lyra was in more danger than ever.

No one from the group is trying to reach her. Lyra didn't receive a single phone call, and she couldn't make one either. Is there a more serious reason than she thinks? Or do the others no longer need her? They got what they wanted from her, and maybe... they're now afraid?

Will it be possible for the girl to build further the precisely crafted spider web in such a way that as few people as possible fall into its trap, including herself? Will she be able to move on with knowing her last words to Richy were unforgiving?

And Jake... What happened to the man who won her heart with words alone?

So many unanswered questions, and Lyra got no one but herself to help figuring them out. And as any good detective does in such situation, she began to investigate.

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Excerpts from the book (spoiler warning):

[...] And to be honest, she knew that she was the last person who was important and needed to be paid attention to, but someone could really tell her what the hell was going on. With a sigh, she lowered her phone. Lyra wanted to stay still, like since the day Thomas added her to the group. When all of this mess came crashing in her life. And until then, she managed to do well. But it seemed that without the others, without a specific person, it was imposibble. All thoughts and possibilities of what's happening came crushing her down. Her mind was buzzing and dead silent at the same time. Shocked by the informations, yet already making things up. Her knees finally gave out, and Lyra fell to the ground, a crying, curled up mess on the rug.

She wondered if if Jake showed up there unharmed, would she start a fight herself, or rather just hug him without saying a word for as long as possible. She'll still think about it. Equally, the man would truly deserve both. A small tear rolled down her cheek, caught at the corner of her upturned lips. It really deserves scientific attention, that how the salty taste of tears can make one laugh. Lyra considered she might give up journalism and part-time detective work and become a student of biology or psychology department. It would be less profitable, but still more pleasant to deal with human brains and interneurons than to deal with mine explosions and murders from legends made into reality. The quarrel suddenly stopped, punctuated by a heavy slamming of the door. A similar door slammed in Lyra's soul recently, for which she's now desperately searching for the key.

"Probably when around a few days ago I thought I'm about to get kidnapped, but turns out Jake just likes to be dramatic, and now I'm stuck here with him." All the while, she didn't take her eyes off him, who upon hearing the answer suddenly looked away, hiding a... Oh look, was that a smile? 

As soon as she saw the familiar beard, Lyra hurried over to the screen, a flurry of irritated words leaving her mouth. She wanted to throw so many things at the man's head, but nothing more came out than: "Thomas, you idiot!" He stared back in shock and fear. Beside him, Lilly whispered in his ear, "She's really mad at you right now." "I see that."

She gently grabbed the other wrist as well, and as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other, she tried to encourage the black-haired man to do the same. The light of the lamp on the wall by the counter cast soft shadows on his neck and face, and he slowly began to surrender to Lyra's movements. The music hummed softly in the background, gently dancing with the lights as the two people did. Somehow this was different now than at any other time in Lyra's life. She was always the one who was led, the little lost, unfortunate girl, but now someone is relying on her, watching her movements. They are clumsy together, but this didn't fill her with nervousness, rather a pleasantly warm liquid flowed through the woman's body. If Jason or Betty saw her now, they wouldn't believe that this was the same Lyra they took under their wing just a year ago. Her adopted family would understand now, the journalist never had a regular family, but many and many, everywhere. She began to take bigger and bigger steps to the rhythm of the music, by that her dance partner forced to follow her example. Jake smiled down at her, admiring, loving how enthusiastic she was, wanting to spin him around. "You were right, you're horrible in this," he said with the biggest grin known to man on his face. "Sod off, kindly?" "That was very British of you," Jake laughed while trying to spin her around, the two almost tripping over each others' feet. "You're such a little weird one," he said as he pulled her closer, spinning around between the small kitchen area and the tables.

[ameliawarnerr]

Pov: Lilly needs dating advice + jealous Jake as bonus

Lilly: Do you think I should say yes to him?

MC: YES!

Cleo: What? No! He didn't even ask you. He straight out told you to come at whatever restaurant. You deserve better.

MC: No but his exact words were and I quote, “Lilly, if there's any chance that you are going say no, then it's not a question. You are coming on a date with me.”

Jessy: I’m sorry MC, but I agree with Cleo on this one. He should give a choice you know.

MC: Well, she can still say no, right? So it's still a choice. Why are you guys totally missing out the point that he is SO desperate for her!

Dan: Uhm, is this a "girls talk" or are we guys allowed to say anything?

Cleo: No, you are not. Shutup.

Lilly: Guys, I'm dying here. I don't know what to doooo

MC: See, guys. I never wanted to rub it in your faces but I'm the only girl with a relationship in this gc so Lilly, you know who you must listen to.

Jessy: Really, MC? That's how Jake asked YOU out?

Jake: Jessica, I’d like if you don't drag me into this.

Jessy: I didn't drag you, Jake. MC did.

MC: I'm just helping Lilly make the right decision. You guys are being too hard on this guy. My man is so desperate he might be dying rn

Jake: My man?

MC: Figure of speech, Jake, don't distract me. I'm trying to win an argument here.

Cleo: Guys, we are wasting the time. Lilly is supposed give him an answer.

Lilly: Okay, everyone. Shut up. We’ll put this up for a vote. Guys can vote too. Yes or no

Cleo: No

Jessy: No

MC: Yes

Lilly: Dan?

MC: Yes, Dan, what you say?

Dan: Uhm....yes?

MC: Yep. Right answer.

MC: Thomas? Is it a YES or a no?

Thomas: Yes, ig.

Cleo: MC is scaring the guys!

MC: Oh come on, they are grown ass men

Lilly: I don't have time for this. Jake? If you say yes, it's a clear majority. But if you say no, then we’d have to ask one more person

Jake: I think no matter how desperate he is, he should have still asked. Rather than tell you.

MC: JAKE?!

Cleo: hahahahhaha

Jessy: wjjwkjjw hahahah omg

MC: Alright, children. We need a deciding vote. And who could be better than a man who owns a bar and have known more women than anybody here?

Dan: Please don't say Phil

MC: Phil MF Hawkins, who else.

MC added Phil to the groupchat

Phil: Hi?

MC: Hey, sweetheart. We have a situation and you need to vote either yes or no. The situation: In desperation, a guy told lilly to go out with him rather than asking her, which clearly isn't a big deal. Should she go or not?

Phil: I mean, if a girl did that to me, I’d say yes

MC: YES!

Phil: That’s what you wanted me to say? :)

MC: You are so much more insightful than most people in this gc, Phil.

Jake kicked out Phil

Dan: Thank you!

Jake to MC

Jake: We need to talk.

MC: I’m sorry. Are you TELLING me that we need to talk rather than ASKING me if I want to talk?

MC: I’m afraid I’d have to say no

(oneshot in continuation to this particular conversation coming soon 😏😏)

[satveek]

Jake x MC ~~Hacked.

MC: When will you teach me hacking? Jake: When will you teach me hacking? MC: Are you copying me? Jake: No, I really want to learn hacking. MC: I don't know how to hack. Aren't you the hacker? Do you even know that Hannah's friend still call you hacker? Jake: If you don't know how to hack then how did you hacked me? MC: I, when? Jake: The moment you interacted with me for the first time. MC: No, I didn't hack you. Jake: You hacked my heart. It always crave for you. Mc: *Blushes* Don't make me speechless. Jake: I will. *Kisses MC* *Extra blushes*

[jake-s-azaleea]

Jake (coming out of the bathroom)

MC: Thank God, I can finally brush my teeth

Jake: Did you know that brushing your teeth is the only time you're washing your skeleton?

MC: Thanks for the weird out of the blue fun fact...

[twxddle]

*Mc outside waiting for their appointment*

Mc: This is taking forever, let me check the time *gets their phone out of pocket*

*A text appears on the phone that says "Come back now" with a black background*

Mc: Jake, no.

*The text changes to "Ok I'm sorry"*

[mwonie]

Fear from me, Jake 🤭

[duskwood-mc-art]

I have this one twisted idea that the MC will be so traumatized after the events of Duskwood and Moonvale that they turn into the antagonist in the third game.

Imagine that we are the ones who have to hide a crime, and depending on our choices, we will either be successful or not.

And if the MC was dating Jake or Jess, this is going to be very dramatic. And I love it....

[lala3244]

Obsession (Duskwook)

~Hi! I am back. I am sorry for those who follow me for the Obey ME content but I went back to my Duskwood obession actually... Especially with the new game coming up soon! I had to write this story because it will feed my need for obsession and possessivity and darkness. Also I invented new characters for this need. There is no warning for this part. It starts actually quite softly :)~

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I arrived in Duskwood early in the morning, Jessy had come to pick me up at the bus station. It had been a long journey to get there. I was exhausted but antsy to see my friends. It took me a while to decide to go meet them. I wanted to let them settle back into their lives again after everything that had happened and for months I had hoped, every day, that Jake would text me to say he was still alive. The hope dwindled slowly as days then weeks then months passed without a word. I would also text Lilly once a week to ask if she had heard anything then every two weeks then once a month and that was when I decided it was time to meet them. I also did not want them to think I went there just to meet with him. 

Jessy saw me getting off the bus and pushed the other passengers to then jump into my arms. I stumbled a bit and laughed, hugging her close to me. “Hello to you too, Jessy.” She looked back at me and smiled. I could see her eyes shining with unshed tears. “You are finally here!” I chuckled and hugged her tighter. I tried to remember this moment, the pure happiness emanating from the red-haired girl was so overwhelming, it caught my breath. We stayed embraced while the passengers were trickling down around us, avoiding us, some of them cursing at us but we did not care. Finally, we pulled away, I went to grab my bag then I followed her to her car. The bus stop wasn’t far from her flat but walking with my luggage would have been a trek especially after the long trip. We hadn’t said a word yet, we were just content with the silence between us. We had talked a lot over the phone the last few months, we were just glad to be in each other’s presence. 

Jessy’s flat was like her personality, bright and colourful. I felt at ease, she showed me quietly her spare bedroom and I put my bag on the floor. “Thank you Jessy for having me.” I sat down on the bed and she did the same. She grabbed my hand and sighed. I looked at her, she looked nervous. I squeezed her hand. “What’s wrong?” She sighed again and looked away, avoiding my gaze. “I need to warn you. Jake is here.” My grip loosened and I stood up. “Wait… What?!” She nodded, looking down at the floor. I scoffed. “Okay, everyone knows?” She nodded again. I rubbed my face with my hands and I sat down again. “I had a long trip, I am exhausted. Do you mind if I go to bed?” She shook her head and left the room. I was still wearing a jacket so I took it off then my shoes. I plopped down on the bed. It was very comfy and I realised how tired I was. I was really mad at Jake, at my friends too but I guessed that he had asked them to not say anything and as usual he decided for me. I heard a knock at the door and it opened on Jessy. “Sorry to bother you, I forgot to tell you that we are all going to the Aurora tonight. That’s why I told you about him because he is going to be there and he actually has a girlfriend.” I hummed too tired to be upset. She was about to close the door. “Wait, come here.” She approached the bed. I pulled her towards me and hugged her. “I am sorry about my reaction earlier, I know it’s not your fault.”

I must have fallen asleep right away because when I woke up, Jessy was gone and I had no recollection of her leaving. I looked at the time. I slept all day. I heard a soft knock and the door opened quietly. “Hey, we’re leaving in an hour.” I hummed and stretched. “Yes, sorry I slept that much. I was tired apparently.” I heard her giggle and I smiled. I stood up from the bed and started rummaging in my bag to get some clothes nice enough for a night out. I asked Jessy if I could use her bathroom and she showed me where it was and where the towels were. I thanked her and I showered. The warm water felt nice, I wished I had a shower before falling asleep but well… As I was washing my body, I remembered what Jessy had told me. I couldn’t believe Jake was here, in Duskwood. I was getting excited but then my heart sank when I remembered more. He had a girlfriend. I scoffed to myself. My initial excitement morphed into anger. I tried to calm down as there was no point in getting angry. It was what it was. I left the shower and finished getting ready. 

We arrived at the bar. It was already crowded but I could already see some familiar faces. I smiled fondly at the sight. I grabbed Jessy’s hand to give myself some courage. We entered the bar and headed towards the bar where Jessy’s brother, Phil, saw us. We ordered some drinks and while he was getting them I watched the group. Thomas and Hannah were already there. They were still together, even though when she came back it was rocky for a while but they talked it through and it was getting better. I did ask what would happen to her after the investigations but no one wanted to tell me so I let it go after a while. Lilly was also present, she was talking to a couple I didn’t know. I looked at the girl. She was beautiful, a real model and well dressed then my gaze fell on the man. He was tall with black hair. I frowned. Was it Jake? He looked bored, barely listening to the two women. I saw him checking his phone discreetly then he smirked. He lifted his head to look around the bar and he looked straight at me as if he knew me. My heart skipped a beat as I realised who it was. I blushed under his intense gaze and I cleared my throat. I avoided his gaze and turned my attention back to Jessy. I smiled at her, still feeling my cheeks going hot. The young woman looked at me and giggled. I ignored her and grabbed my drink. Phil came around the bar and finally hugged me. I was surprised by the gesture but I welcomed it. 

After chatting with the bartender for a few minutes, we finally joined the others. Lilly saw us and she approached with a big smile. We hugged, I was really happy to finally meet her. We had a rough first encounter but after the investigations, we had gotten closer, calling and texting each other quite often. Thomas and Hannah, who saw the young woman walking towards us, approached as well. It was a bit awkward with them. I still hadn’t talked to Hannah and I never talked with Thomas since Hannah came back but I was happy to finally meet them as well. When we finished the greetings, Dan and Cleo arrived. I met them halfway and took them in my arms in turn. Lilly grabbed my arm and she led me outside as we went further from the bar entrance, she started to talk. “I need to talk to you.” I turned to face her. “Is it about Jake? I know Jessy told me.” She sighed and rubbed her face. “I know. We agreed that she should tell you. I am so sorry. I wanted to tell you when I knew but he made me promise. I tried to talk to him, to tell him that he should, at least, send you a text to let you know but he said that you deserved to move on and to forget him…” I scoffed, shaking my head. “Right. As usual he decides for me.” She gently touched my arm when we heard footsteps behind us. We both turned around and Jake was standing there, a blank expression on his face. “I only wanted to protect you.” I stared at him and scoffed again. Lilly excused herself and left the two of us. She walked away but turned her head for a last look and smirked at me. I frowned but brought my attention back to the hacker. 

I crossed my arms but then I decided I didn’t really want to talk to him. He didn’t want me in his life, that was fine, so I started to walk away. He grabbed me by the wrist. “Wait.” I stopped and he made me face him. “Can we talk?” I shrugged. “What is there to say? I am guessing that you are not on the run anymore so clearly you don’t want me in your life. That’s fine with me.” He still showed no expression on his face but I could see his jaw working. His hand was still holding my wrist while I talked. It kind of threw me off my thoughts. I looked at it then in his eyes. There, I saw an ocean of emotions. Fear, love, guilt, shame. He still wasn’t talking but his eyes portrayed his feelings for him. My anger faded slightly and I relaxed. I tilted my head, waiting for him to finally talk. He put his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. I frowned. “I am ready to listen but I don’t want to hear you apologise because if you were, you would have done it differently.” He nodded and he started to talk. I was pleasantly surprised to hear his voice. It was deep with a nice accent. “At first, I didn’t contact you because it was too dangerous, for you, for me and then, I discovered a way to finally get free. It took me months to find what I needed. It’s complicated to explain right now. When I was finally free, the first thing I wanted to do was to call you but I didn’t know how you would react and I got scared. It’s not an excuse, I know. I acted by cowardice.” I listened and nodded. “Okay.” Jake tilted his head, slightly surprised. “Okay?” I hummed. “Yeah, what else can I say? I agree. You are so used to being alone that when you could not be, you were afraid. But not so afraid that you have a girlfriend now.” I smiled tightly. He looked away. “I had an accident and ended up in the hospital four months ago. That’s where I met her. She gave me some attention, I was flattered.” I nodded again. “Okay.” He chuckled. “Are you sure?” I smiled. “Of course. I wasn’t expecting much but just a simple text would have sufficed you know.” He took his hands out of his pockets to cross them. “I agree, now but I always kept an eye on you.” I laughed. “I don’t know how to take it but, I guess, I am not surprised.” Deep down, I was flattered, my heart beating faster. A comfortable silence settled between us while I looked at his eyes, telling me more than his words ever could. I blushed under his gaze again. The bar’s door opened and we heard someone calling Jake. We both turned our heads and we saw his girlfriend walking towards us. She wrapped her arms around his and leaned against him. “Jake, why don’t you introduce me to your friend?” I looked at him, expectantly and saw a hint of annoyance that disappeared as soon as I saw it. “Sure, Angela meet…” We were cut off by Jessy screaming my name and Angela laughed. “You didn’t even need to say the name, someone did it for you.” I smiled. “I am sorry but I have to go. But it was nice meeting you.” 

They walked back with me and Angela entered first. I turned towards Jake. “By the way, Jake, I am glad you made it alive.” I walked inside the bar while he still stood there by the door and I could feel his eyes on me. Jessy was waiting for me at the bar, a huge smile on her face. She pushed a drink in front of me and her brother joined us. People were starting to leave so he could sit down with us for a bit. We chatted for a while and I could still feel Jake’s eyes on me. I knew he had a problem with Phil but that was months ago and it was over text, surely he wouldn’t be jealous of me talking to him. Since Phil got out of prison, we had been texting and calling a lot, he was much more than I first believed and he was genuinely nice to me. I turned my head to look at the group and saw Jake watching me with a stoic face but I could see anger flaring up behind his eyes. I shook my head and went back to the discussion with the siblings. 

Phil looked at the time and stood up. “Right! It’s time to go!” I stood up and went to grab my stuff. Jake walked over to where I was standing. I ignored him, I knew what he wanted to tell me. He gently touched my arm. “Can I take you somewhere tomorrow morning?” I looked at him, surprised and shrugged. “Sure.” He smiled slightly. “I’ll come to pick you up at 8.” I nodded, thinking that was way too early. “It’s early, though.” He laughed. “I know, see you tomorrow.” I laughed and waved him off. I joined Jessy and we both walked back to her flat. The walk from the bar felt like hours but it was nice. It was a warm night and we talked a lot. The more I spent time with her the more I felt close to the young woman. She hadn’t had it easy but she was still a bright light in people’s lives, especially mine. Over the last months, she made me stronger with all her support and kindness so I tried to do the same for her. We arrived at her apartment and we both got ready for bed. I put my alarm on and finally fell asleep. 

I woke up with a jump by my alarm. I turned the alarm off and I groaned, while rubbing my face with my hands. I got up and went to the bathroom straight away to take a shower. There was nothing better after a night out, especially when I needed to go somewhere in the morning. I got dressed and ate some breakfast. I took my phone and opened it, I noticed a new app and clicked on it. I didn’t remember installing it last night or why and I realised it was a messenger app. There was already a thread so I pressed on it. A text was already there:

*I installed this for you. You can use it whenever you want to talk to me. Or if you want to talk to me. :)*

I smiled as I recognised the smiley but after a few seconds, the text disappeared while another one appeared in its stead. 

*Good morning :). I am already there but take your time.*

I was still smiling, my heart skipped a beat and beat faster. I realised I had missed texting him. 

*I’ll be there in 5 minutes.*

I watched the message being sent and both of the texts disappeared again. I made a mental note to ask him what this was all about. I left the flat after leaving a note for Jessy to let her know what I was doing and I took the spare key that she had left me just in case. I went outside and I saw the hacker leaning against the hood of his car. I circled around the car and decided it was well fitting for him. It was black with smooth lines. He was watching me and I stood in front of him. “Nice car!” He laughed and walked to the passenger’s door and opened it for me. I sat down and we drove off. 

We arrived in the forest and I saw the entrance of a cave. My heart sank when I saw traces of a fire. Jake walked in front of me then stood metres from the cave. I stopped next to him, looking around the surroundings. “This is where I got out.” His voice startled me, it was a whisper and I could feel the pain he tried to hide. I hummed to encourage him to talk more. I was watching him, I could see him relive the moment. It looked like a painful memory. He finally explained how he made it in a hushed voice. He got burnt in the back, he obviously had the scars. “It was a pain I had never felt before. I was about to pass out when I heard voices. I lost my will to live as I thought it was the FBI but when I woke up, I was in the hospital.” I rubbed his arm to comfort him. “I don’t know who the voices were but I had been looked after, my burns were healing properly and there was no sight of my pursuers.” I smiled tightly. He looked down at me and smiled softly. “All I thought was you. You were the one thing that kept me alive, the one thing that made me walk out of that mine.” I nodded, I didn’t know what to say, it didn’t really feel like it. “I got some rest for a few days then I left the hospital. I got help from a friend and she helped me with proving my innocence.” He grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers together. “I wanted to finally be free for you, to finally meet you but the more time passed and the more I chickened out.” I laughed as I remembered telling him this once. He sat on a big rock while he still held my hand so I followed him. He grabbed my hips and pulled me towards him, hugging me, his head against my stomach. I was surprised by his gesture, I didn’t think he would be that affectionate already towards me. I froze for a couple of seconds before putting my hands on his head. I gently scratched his scalp and he leaned into my touch, humming softly. “No one knows.” We stayed like that for a while, enjoying each other’s presence. I forgot that I was mad at him and I was just happy he was alive after what he had been through because of me. “If I had a choice to do it all over again, I would do it the same just to be in this moment.”

I stopped what I was doing and I looked at him as I furrowed my brows, waiting for him to explain further. He finally looked up at me and I saw a vulnerability in his eyes that made my breath hitched in my throat. I caressed his cheek and smiled to reassure him that he was safe, his soul was safe with me. His phone rang and he pulled away from me to grab it. He looked annoyed as he answered the phone. “Well, I have to go. Angela is waiting for me.” I nodded, my heart sank at his words and I started to walk back to the car without waiting for him. I heard his footsteps following me and I entered the car. He sat down seconds after me. I looked at my phone and saw Jessy asking me to join her at the Rainbow café. I looked at the man who was starting to drive away. “Can you drop me off at the Rainbow café?” He nodded and I looked away at the scenery moving past us. I could feel him glancing at me from the corner of my eyes but I didn’t move. I was trying to process my feelings about the man who was driving next to me. He stopped in front of the café where I saw Jessy, already sitting down, waiting for me. I turned my head towards the hacker and smiled. “Thank you for the lift.” He grabbed my hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing it softly. “Thank you for your time and for listening to me.” I looked at my hands then at his eyes, I saw gratefulness in them. He had always trusted me and he was still trusting me. my heart swelled at the gesture and at his words. I said my goodbye and joined the red-haired girl.

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THE END

Thank you for reading. Tell me what you think would happen?

NEXT

[shane-mc]

Pregnant MC waking up at 1 am craving for something.

MC: Jake, babe. Wake up!

Jake: Mmmm... babe, what is it?

MC: I want it. I want it right now. I need to touch it.

Jake: MC, it's 1 am. Can you just wait until later? I promise as soon as you wake up it's there.

MC: No! I want it right now!

Jake: Ok fine!

Jake talking to someone on the phone.

Jake: Hello, it's happening again.

XXXX: What? Common man! I'm working here. Can you try to do something with that?

Jake: Don't you think I did? And let me remind you that I hate this but what can I do, it's what my pregnant wife's craving. I can't go against her. Do it or I'll hack your bank account.

XXXX: Agh fine! Give me a few minutes.

Jake ended the call. After a while, someone rang their doorbell. Jake went to the door to get it and he let the person in.

Jake: She's in our room.

The person went inside the room and Jake followed him.

MC: Phil! I'm so happy to see you!

Phil: I wish I could say the same. I want to see you MC but not like this. At this time and with your weird craving. But here, you can touch my hair!

MC started to caress Phil's hair.

MC: Awww, thank you Phil. Wow, your hair is really silky. What's your conditioner again?

Phil and Jake both just sighed.

A/N: I don't know what's gotten into my mind but I just had to write it. 🤭 Yes, it's a really weird craving. 😂

[mysteriouslover1516]

Remember Us Together?

It was once again the night of the Pine Glade Festival held in Duskwood, a time for festivities and happiness, but something was holding the group back these days.

“Can I tell you something, MC?” Jessy asks, voice quiet, as she and MC were wandering around the festival, waiting for the others to show up.

“Always, Jessy.” MC smiles, encouragingly. Her eyes held a certain sense of sorrow in them, as if she almost expected what Jessy wanted to say.

“I almost didn’t want to go to this festival, not after what happened.”

“I felt the same, and I’m sure the others are also fighting their own personal demons concerning this night.” MC sighs, “We all miss him, you know that, right?”

“Yes, of course I know.” Jessy hangs her head, “It’s selfish of me to think I’m the only one who mourns this way for Richy, isn’t it?”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that,” MC says. “You shared a certain bond with Richy, you were closer to him than anyone else in the group was.”

“I almost want to call it love, MC. It was like I loved him, but of course I didn’t, right? I had Dan, so it couldn’t have been.”

“There’s different types of love between friends, Jessy. There’s platonic love, and then there’s romantic love. In your case I think yours was different from both, it was more of a bond that siblings commonly possess. He was your protector, your confidant, someone you trusted. He was your older brother figure.” MC’s voice grows softer, “Phil is your older brother, but he never treated you right, he was rarely loving towards you. What if your mind subconsciously replaced Phil and put Richy in that role?”

“I never thought about it that way,” Jessy admits. “It makes sense.”

“We are all considerate of you, Jessy.” MC says, “We all know how much Richy meant to you. Just, some of us mourn differently. Just because we don’t bring him up anymore or we experience times of happiness, doesn’t mean we don’t miss him.”

“I know that, MC.” Jessy looks horrified at the thought. “I never once considered that you guys forgot about him, never. I guess I just can’t hide my emotions as well as the others can.”

“And that’s not a bad thing, that’s nothing to be ashamed about. It takes time, but we’ll all get through this, I promise.” MC smiles, her eyes clouding over. “If Hannah can celebrate tonight after all that has happened to her, then I know you and I can make it too.”

“You and I?” Jessy questions, “I have a feeling there’s something else besides Richy’s death that is bothering you.”

“I’m worried about Jake.”

“He still hasn’t gotten into contact with you?”

“No, which makes me scared that maybe he never will.” MC admits, “It’s been a year, what if he can never find a safe place to reach out? Or worse, what if he doesn’t want to anymore? What if he changed his mind about me, I mean it’s possible, right?”

“Nonsense,” Jessy shakes her head. “He’s probably still trying to evade his pursuers, but he would never forget about you, I’m sure of it.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“And deep down you know you still trust him, otherwise you wouldn’t have waited this long.” Jessy says.

“Yes,” MC takes a deep breath. “Thanks for letting me confide in you, Jessy.”

“Of course, always.” Jessy winks as a smile spreads across both girls’ faces.

“Jessy! MC!” A female voice calls to them, “There you two are!”

The two girls look up to see a slender brunette woman walking towards them, a blonde right behind her. “Lilly and I just got here!”

“Hey Hannah,” Jessy greets the brunette first, then turns to her companion. “Lilly.”

“I heard the fireworks are going to be absolutely spectacular tonight,” Hannah informs, “They start at ten and go on till midnight this time.”

Jessy raises an eyebrow, “Wait a minute, where’s Thomas?”

“He’s with Dan, at the hot dog stand.” Hannah laughs.

“Of course,” Jessy facepalms, “Dan loves hotdogs.”

Hannah gestures towards the direction of the baking booth, “And we all know where Cleo is. She’s been working hard helping her mom organize the desserts for tonight.”

“I hope she made her lemon bars,” Lilly laughs.

“Forget the lemon bars, I want her world-famous Pyramid Cake.” MC sighs.

“That was Richy’s favorite dessert,” Jessy says in a soft tone. “He loved this festival.”

“I’m liking this guy more and more,” MC giggles.

“Deep down he really was a good guy,” Hannah nods. “Despite everything he did wrong.”

“Most of us grew up together with Richy,” Lilly says. “Everyone except Jessy, she wasn’t born here.”

“Yes, I moved here when I was six, remember, MC?”

“I would never forget,” MC smiles and then says, “Well, I guess I’ll just have to eat two slices of cake as a tribute to Richy.”

“Yes,” Jessy laughs. “Good idea.”

“Hey!” Cleo greets as the four girls approach the table filled with sweets. “How is everyone?”

“Fantastic,” Hannah answers and then sighs happily. “And once again, everything looks perfect, Cleo.”

“Thank you,” The brunette laughs. “We’ve worked really hard on everything, so please, don’t hesitate to eat as much as you want.”

“You don’t have to say that again,” Lilly puts two lemon bars on her plate.

“Hey, MC. I made your favorite, the Pyramid Cake!” Cleo winks.

“Awesome, can you dish me up a slice?” MC smiles, pulling her phone out of her pocket as it starts to vibrate. “What kind of telemarketer calls this late?”

“Is it Jake?” Jessy asks, looking over MC’s shoulder.

MC’s face pales, “Wait a minute, no. I recognize this number, it’s my ex.”

“You mean your ex from your old hometown?” Jessy’s jaw drops.

“Yes.”

“Don’t answer it,” Hannah advises.

“You don’t want to give him the satisfaction of answering,” Lilly agrees.

“But what could he want?” MC asks, torn.

“It doesn’t matter,” Cleo states. “He’s in the past, you’re here in Duskwood now, you’ve got Jake. Your ex doesn’t deserve a second thought from you.”

MC silences her phone and places it back in her pocket. “Anyway, it looks amazing, Cleo.” She says as she takes the plate from her friend.

“Oh oh oh!” Dan’s voice booms as he comes up behind the girls. “I’ve found the dessert table, Tommyboy!”

“Oh good,” Thomas rolls his eyes at the nickname. “Maybe if you stuff some more food in your mouth I’ll finally have a moment’s silence.”

“What is that supposed to mean?!” Dan exclaims.

“Maybe it means you talk too much?” MC raises an eyebrow.

“Pfff,  I don’t know why I asked for your opinion.”

“Rude,” MC sniffs then grimaces as her phone vibrates in sequence.

Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz.

“What is that?” Dan asks, looking around.

Bzz Bzz Bzz Bzz Bzz

“Sounds like somebody’s phone is blowing up,” Dan says.

“It’s mine,” MC says in a quiet voice.

“Someone is desperate to get a hold of you,” Dan notes. “Hackerman?”

“It’s her ex,” Jessy answers.

“What?” Dan frowns, “Give me your phone.”

“Dan, that’s not a good idea.” MC shakes her head.

“I’ll beat the crap out of this guy!”

“Oh sure you will.” MC rolls her eyes.

“I just have your best interests at heart,” Dan informs. “Promise me whatever your ex is saying, you won’t dwell on it. Read it, laugh about it, and move on.”

“Yeah, it’s his loss!” Jessy agrees.

Hannah laughs, “Also I’d be more concerned about what Jake would do to your ex, rather than what Dan would do.”

“Hey!” Dan protests and flexes his muscles, “Do you see these things?”

“But Jake can hack into the guy’s account and wipe out all his savings,” Lilly reminds.

“Pfff, that’s the easy way out,” Dan brushes her off. “It takes more gut to beat the man up face to face.”

“Look at the fireworks!” Jessy excitedly points at the lights erupting against the horizon.

“Oh my gosh, I almost forgot about the fireworks.” Hannah exclaims.

“Aren’t they starting a bit early?” Cleo asks.

“Yeah, to hype the crowd up.” Dan says, “There’s more tourists this year, haven’t you noticed?” “Oh yeah,” Lilly glances around. “You’re right, Dan.”

“I’m always right,” Dan waves his hand. “Come on, let’s find a spot to sit.” “I’ll find you guys later,” Cleo says. “I’m waiting for someone else to come take my spot at the booth.” “Sounds good,” Thomas says, “See you then.”

Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz

“Listen, I have to find the bathroom real quick, text me when you find a spot and I’ll meet you there.” MC lies, not waiting for anyone to talk her out of it. Walking around a corner of a tent, out of view from the group, she immediately pulls out her phone and unlocks it.

Hey, MC.

Why aren’t you answering your phone?

Can we please talk?

MC? Fine, here it goes anyway.

I’ve had a lot of time to think about it.

The thing with the other girl didn’t work out, she didn’t even come close to comparing with you.

I miss you, I haven’t seen you around town for a while. Where’ve you been?

Are you busy?

What do you think about us starting over again?

We could go back to the way it was, like absolutely nothing happened between us.

What do you say, MC?

You were so madly in love with me, you probably still are, haha.

Afterall, remember us together?

MC read the messages twice, heartbeat racing, thumbs frozen over the keyboard. Should she text back? She couldn’t just let him get away with trying to contact her again, right? Why didn’t she block his number beforehand….

Are you drunk?

I don’t drink, silly.

It’s over, it’s been three months. You were the one who ended us, remember?

It was a dumb mistake on my part, I admit it. I miss you, I want you back.

You think I’ll go back to you just like that? You snap your fingers and I’ll come running back into your arms, just so you can go break my heart again?

I promise I won’t, please, MC. Listen to me, I need you.

It’s over, I’ve moved away.

You moved? Why the heck would you move?

I needed a fresh start, to get away from people like YOU.

Where did you even move to? Lol.

Like I’d tell you. How stupid do you think I am? So, it wouldn’t work anyway, if I even DID want to come back.

We both know you’ll never find anyone else. Stop being so haughty, just come back. You know you want to. If you think you’ll find someone to replace me, you’re crazy.

Are you kidding? You honestly think that? Did you forget how jealous you got when other guys dared to even smile at me?

You’re one to talk about jealousy, what about that girl you always accused me of flirting with?

You mean the girl who you ACTUALLY did flirt with? The one you cheated on me with and caused us to break up because she was apparently your true love?

That’s beside the point, MC. Stop taking everything so personally.

Stop taking cheating personally? My apologies, I didn’t know. If you’re trying to say cheating is the new normal, then you’re wrong.

How so? A lot of guys get bored and have fun with other girls, lol. Doesn’t mean anything.

Jake doesn’t.

Who the heck is Jake? And also if you think he actually loves you, you’re silly, MC. Whoever would want to deal with you for all eternity is out of their minds.

I thought you wanted me back?

I’m just bored and drunk, haha.

I don’t have time for this. Leave me alone.

MC watched the typing bubbles float on the other end of the line, eyes starting to water slightly.

“MC,” Jessy’s voice came to her, causing her to look up.

MC shrugs, wiping her eyes. “Curiosity killed the cat, didn’t it?”

Jessy smiles sympathetically, easing the phone out of MC’s hand. After skimming over the messages, she looks back up. “You need to block him.”

“But-”

“No, he’s already starting to deprecate you again. He’s toxic, you can’t keep playing into his hands. Just you texting him is showing that you’re still willing to waste your time on him.”

“He sounded almost like he changed in the beginning,” MC whispers.

“I’ll give him that he sounded remorseful at the beginning, yes. But did you read what he ended with? Once you started replying and weren’t cooperating as planned, he started to show his true colors again. He basically was saying no one would want you, that he was the best thing that ever happened to you. Not only is this guy insane, but he’s an idiot as well!”

“Why can’t I move on, Jessy? I’m going insane, I can’t keep doing this to myself.”

“MC, every relationship that lasts as long as yours will be hard to get over. You invested your time and effort into making it work, you entrusted him with your heart. Unfortunately he ended up fumbling with it and therefore broke it. When he cheated on you, the future was gone, but the past wasn’t. No one ever gets over a relationship that easily, especially one that affected you as much as yours did.”

“But what about Jake? I told Jake I’d wait for him, even said I loved him. But here I am crying over my ex and for a split second I was wanting to believe he had changed.”

“Even when people move on from previous relationships and enter into new ones, the memories of the past are still with them. What matters is what you choose to do with those memories, whether you lament over the heartbreak you experienced, or whether you push yourself to find better and realize how much you’re worth.”

“Can you block him for me?” MC asks, voice quiet.

“My pleasure,” Jessy says, then suddenly the phone starts ringing. “Oh, even better.”

“Don’t answer it,” MC giggles as Jessy makes a face at her, answering the call.

“Oh hey, you’re MC’s ex, right? Well you can just go wander off a cliff. And also, if you call her one more time, I swear I'm gonna come over and beat you to a pulp till you can't see a dang thing and your mom is gonna have to feed you through a straw for a year. Oh right, you were a jerk to your mom as well, so I guess you have no one to take care of you. Maybe you can go crawling back to some past ex that you were a jerk to, just so she can kick you to the curb again. What? Oh, I’m Jessy, MC’s best friend. And by the way, you might wanna watch out for MC’s new boyfriend, he’ll hack you into pieces.” With that, Jessy hangs up on him and then blocks him. “Here you go,” she says, handing MC back her phone. “We should probably go find the others now, before they start to freak out.”

Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz

“That’s probably them now,” MC laughs as she looks at her lockscreen. “OMG.”

“Is that a good or bad OMG?” Jessy bites her lip, confused.

Hello, MC.

My pursuers have finally lost track of me, I doubt they will find me again soon.

I hear you moved to Duskwood. Being that I am in the area, what do you say about finally fulfilling our promise to meet in the future?

There’s a nice Chinese restaurant in Duskwood that I know of. You once told me Chinese was your favorite, so what do you say?

I’ve thought about you often, MC. My feelings for you never faded, they only grew stronger. I hope you feel the same.

“It’s Jake,” MC’s eyes light up, her phone starting to ring.

“I’ll give you a few minutes by yourself,” Jessy smiles, satisfied, walking off.

“Jake.” MC answers the phone, “I’ve missed you so much.”

Hey, lovelies! :) Thank you so much for reading this, and please leave a comment! I love to hear from you all! My ex actually did this to me, so I sympathize with anyone who can relate. There's someone out there who will treasure you and treat you like their whole world! In the meantime, I love you, and so does Jake! ;)

[kurinleyume]

Artwork unlocked 🔓

"Under the Mask", already available on my account 🖤

🎨 Usually I draw more female characters, but a little change is good !

--

"Under the Mask", déjà disponible sur mon compte 🖤

🎨 Habituellement je dessine plutôt des personnages féminins, mais un peu de changement fait du bien !

Thanks for watching ✨ - Kurinleyume 🐈‍⬛

- Contenu non libre de droit -

[slytherinlizzy]

I've been and am currently working on a Duskwood (Jake×Mc, post Ironsplinter Mine happenings) fanfiction. I know that fanfics take a lot of time to actually publish, with all the information searching, writing, editing, promoting, etc. process.

My only question is, would some of you be interested in it?

Since I have exams, competitions, entrance aptitude tests ahead of me, I've been thinking of publishing the chapters weekly, starting of late spring/summer. Until then, I'll keep working on it in my free time.

This fanfiction stepped in my life so suddenly, that it made two of my main project freeze, together with the help of writer's block.

Every feedback is welcomed, and I'll report back soon with more detailed information.

Until then, have great days!

[ameliawarnerr]

Jake: *Just sitting on the couch, using his laptop*

Enter everybody else speaking suspiciously loudly

MC: I know right! Sleep is so important to function well everyday.

Dan: Yes, I agree. People with good amount of sleep are more productive, you know. And I've heard their typing speed increases.

MC: *whispers* Dan, don't make it obvious!

Lilly: People actually should sleep 8 hours. I'm not saying that because science says it but you know, I've tried it myself. I feel like a better person.

MC: Good insight, Lilly.

Jake: Uhm...can I interrupt?

MC: Yeah, sure, honey. And what do you mean interrupt? We're just talking.

Jake: No, I mean your little skit. And honestly, appreciate the effort but it's not going to work.

MC: *smacks Dan* Told you to not make it obvious!

Jake: Well, not that I care in any way about Daniel but it's not really all his fault. I mean, I knew the moment you all walked in. Kind of awkward, talking unnecessarily loud and not to mention, the words looked prepared but still horrible delivery—

MC: Oh just sleep, goddamn it!

[satveek]

Jake X MC ~ the proposal

Richy: I am so sorry MC. MC: My forgiveness doesn't matter. Me and Jessy are ready to hide the fact that you were the man without the face. But, Richy: I know. I will hide the fact that the guy who saved me from the fire in mine was Jake. MC: Thank you Richy. Jessy: Will you promise me and MC that all this will never be repeated? Richy: For sure! Jake: MC! MC: Oh no, you are badly hurt. Alan: Who's he? MC: Oh he, he is my friend. He came here with me only and he went inside the mine to find Hannah and Richy. Alan: Is there anyone else inside? Jessy: Richy said that he saw the kidnapper. He got turned down into ashes. Alan: I hope this guy is not 'the hacker' Richy: For sure. He is not 'the hacker'. Lilly have shown us the picture of him. He is not that guy. Jake: *looking confused at MC* Alan: Thomas have taken Ms Donford with him. You guys can go and meet them. MC: Sure. Jessy: Cleo is too with them. At Hannah's appartment. MC: Hello Hannah. Hannah: *Confused* .... Lilly: Hey MC. Jake: Hello Hannah. Thomas: Hannah, the kidnapper made a deal where he asked MC to go in the mine and he will free you and Richy. Jessy: I wish that was true. Dan: We didn't sent MC there. It was Alan and this hackerman. MC: His name is supposed to be Jake. Jake: I don't preferred to be called Jake. Hannah: How are you Jake? Jake: .... I don't know how to answer that. MC: He is confused and tired. He need to go out and spend some time alone. Jake: *More confused* Kinda. *walks out to breath fresh air* Cleo: MC knows a lot about him. Dan: Why is that hackerman still here? Richy: He saved me Dan. Lilly: I think MC should go and talk to Jake. Hannah: Why? Richy: So MC, are you dating Jake now? MC: I wish i could. He is not into me. *teary eyes* Jake: *coughs* I am sorry I heard that. MC: I am immune to you reading and hearing all my chats and gossips. Dan: Does he do it frequently? Jessy: Everytime. MC: I hate it now when he don't. Jake: Really? MC: You lack sarcasm. Thomas: I feel like that wasn't sarcasm. MC: *Blushes* Jake, a word! Jake: If it's a proposal I am ready. MC: I thought and wished you to be the one initiating this but I guess i have no issues with that either. Hannah: Are you proposing Jake, right now? Lilly: Hannah, let her have her moment with big brother. everyone other than MC and Jake: What!? Jake: umm.... guys... MC: Afterwards Jake! Jake: We should clear it off. MC: You are bad with words. Hannah: How you know him so well? MC: I will clear it of for you Jake. Jake: You always do work for me MC. You made everything easier for me I don't know how many of works you have done on my behalf. MC: I will keep doing works on your behalf., but you need to promise me one thing. Cleo: I can't believe this is really happening. Jessy: I knew that this will happen one day. Jake: Guys... let MC finish her sentence. Hannah:But.... MC: Promise me that you will always stay by my side, protect me the way you protected me from the man without the fac. promise me that no matter how worse the situation come you will keep trusting me. Promise me that you will always keep loving me. Jake: *Speechless* *Take a step further and Kisses MC* I will always have your back. MC: *Blushes* I love you. Jake: I love you more. Dan: Wait, what! Hannah: Are you serious right now? MC: I bet on the fact that I love you more. Thomas: We are still waiting for the explanation of big brother. Lilly: Jake is mine and Hannah's half brother. others: What!? Jake: Yes, it is true. I will bet on 5credits. MC: I am raising the bar to 7 credits. Jake: Last time when we did this, you wont the bet. So, this time let us consider you winner straight away. You love me more! MC: *BLushes* .... Jakes Kisses MC Jake: I love you my lady! <3 Some more blushes.

[jake-s-azaleea]

MC: You like me?

Jake: Do you think I'd put up with all of your bullshit If I didn't love you?

MC: YOU SAID YOU LOVE ME?

Jake: We've been married for 3 years.

[hiramaris]

Dusk til Dawn

Part 13

Summary: Following Episode 9. And spoilers for Episode 10. 

Author’s note: As Episode 10 is just released I just want to say heads up for those who are not yet finished. Completing the game without spoilers really made a difference, and as much as possible I want everyone to experience that. And for those finished, I’ll gladly welcome you to my domain where MC took a different route.

Disclaimer:  I do not own Duskwood or any of the related characters. Duskwood is created by and owned by Everbyte Studio. This fanfiction is intended for entertainment only. I am not making any profit from this story. All rights of the original Duskwood story belong to Everbyte Studio.

Warning: Mentions of blood, suicide, violence, pedophiles, drugs, gun, murder, sex offenders, kidnapping

Shits started to go down the moment those words left your mouth. What did you expect anyway? You had unintentionally hit a raw nerve. Ted had poured his heart and soul reminiscing that night, and yet you have the audacity to laugh at his misery.

You didn’t really mean to laugh, really. Laughter sometimes escapes us in moments of intense emotion, not because we find something funny, but as a release valve for relief.

It was a relief that Hannah and Richy may not go to jail after all these. Because Ted had already admitted that he pushed Jennifer on the road, thus the crime committed wasn’t actually done by them.

You understood Ted's suffering. Under different circumstances, in a life where you weren't bound by the law, you might have reacted similarly if Jill's death had gone unpunished. Your empathy for Ted's situation ran deep. Yet, you were starkly aware of the reality you existed in—one that demanded adherence to the law, no matter how difficult it might be. They may call you a hypocrite all they want, but your top priority right now is to keep everyone safe.

Ted also needs help, psychiatrically speaking.

You’re not entirely sure, but you can see bits of physiological manifestations of his mental illness. His mental instability could be a potentially dangerous weapon against you all. The unpredictability of his actions was a looming threat. That’s why you need to pin him down— fast.

Something in your demeanor must have given Jake a signal because suddenly, his resistance flared to life. With a swift bite and a kick to Ted's shin, he managed to create enough space to scramble away, taking Richy along.

A stifled laugh threatened to escape you— it was a desperate attempt on Jake’s end, and you didn’t quite envision it before that Jake would have the guts to bite someone’s hand.

The small trickle of blood at the corner of Jake's mouth was evidence of the pain he had inflicted. Ted's angry growls confirm that he’s not pleased with what Jake has done.

So, with Jake out of the way, you launched yourself at Ted without hesitation. The revolver in his hand had just gone off, a deafening bang that temporarily left your ears ringing. But your focus was unwavering, and you met Ted's attempt to regain control with a swift move to disarm him. You managed to deflect his aim, causing the bullet to miss its mark. The metallic tang of adrenaline filled your senses as you grappled with him, determined to subdue the threat he posed.

The dimmed surroundings gave you the disadvantage not to mention the addition of fighting a full-grown man. In the midst of grasping for dear life in his hands and the gun, you caught a glimpse of Hannah, Jake, and Richy. Jake had positioned himself protectively in front of Hannah and Richy. It seemed Hannah was too overwhelmed with the current events to notice that her brother was just in front of her.

"Jake, help Y/n!" Richy rasped out behind Jake when he saw how dangerously close the gun was to your abdomen. That made you shoot back to the horrible reality.

Hannah froze at the mention of Jake’s name.

Usually, under normal circumstances, it would be best to outnumber the culprit but given Richy’s relative lack of experience in fighting, he might be shot first before you. He’s also injured. Jake is also injured, and even if he may have experience in fighting, his concussion will only slow him down. As of now, you're the best chance you've got, and you pray to the deities above that you no longer believed in long ago that they'll be able to help with the slimming luck you only have.

“Jake, no!” You shouted as you saw Jake try to move towards you. “You have to go NOW! Don’t come near me!”

“B-but—”

“Just do it!”

Ted's chuckle cut through the tension. “You think I would let anyone leave this mine?” Ted chuckled darkly as he leaned closely on your face, his breath chilling against your skin. His whispered words hung heavy in the air. “I just told you. No one will ever leave this mine alive.”

“As if I'd let that happen,” you snapped back, focusing on prying the gun from his grip.

Your priority right now is to disarm him. You can’t take the risk of having him fire it on anyone.

You suspected Alan had already called for backup at the entrance by the Grimrock. It is a matter of choice now: it’s either you all die, or he’ll be captured. He’s desperate, and that makes him more dangerous than ever.

With a burst of strength, you managed to make Ted stagger backward, pressing him against the wall.  You motioned the three to get out of here and Jake readily nodded in agreement, understanding the severity of the situation.

"We have to help, Y/n!" Richy protested, struggling against Jake's grip. His desperation was palpable, his eyes wide with concern for you and the dangerous situation you were in.

“We have to go.” Jake's voice was urgent as he decisively snatched the laptop from the table, his movements quick and purposeful. He pulled Richy and Hannah away from the escalating conflict, his protective stance shielding them from the potential danger. You could see the fear and determination in his eyes, his focus solely on ensuring their safety. Meanwhile, your battle with Ted continued— a life-and-death struggle that demanded your full attention.

You were acutely aware of the weight of the situation. The gun held by Ted was a deadly threat, and your unwavering goal was to disarm him as swiftly as possible.

“At this point, we’re just going to be a liability to her,” Jake's words cut through the chaos, a stark reminder that your priority was to keep them safe, even if it meant leaving you to face Ted alone.

Amidst the clash, a fierce blow struck your face, sending a jolt of pain through your skull. Your jaw clenched in response, determination overriding the pain as you tightened your grip on Ted, refusing to back down.

“A hard face I see,” Ted grunted, a twisted smirk on his face. “No wonder you seemed unbothered to my threats.”

Despite the blood trickling from your nose, you shot him a wolfish grin. “I think you've underestimated me.”

This fucker has a sick punch you admit. You didn't want to be deterred by that so with a fire in your eyes burning brightly as you pressed forward, your head still throbbing from the earlier blow, you slammed your forehead on him, leaving both of you momentarily stunned.

Before Ted could regain his bearings, your palm crashed down on his wrist, exploiting his momentary weakness. The gun slipped from his grasp, hitting the ground with a loud clatter. The sound was a welcome confirmation of your success in disarming him.

Shaking off the residual dizziness, you moved with swift precision. Your foot struck out, kicking the gun away from his reach. In the same fluid motion, you advanced, your boot connecting with his stomach. The impact sent him hurtling backward, his body colliding with the table. A cacophony of splintering wood accompanied his fall as the table shattered beneath his weight, leaving him sprawled among the debris.

As you stood there, panting slightly, you couldn't ignore the fact that Richy and Jake were both eager to join the fight. This was their battle as much as yours, yet your experience told you that their involvement wouldn't bode well. Jake's injuries left him barely able to stand, and Richy's weakened state from blood loss only added to the danger. As much as you value their willingness to help, you can't allow them to worsen their conditions by joining the fray.

Disregarding the blood that continued to flow from the reopened wound on the side of your head, you closed the distance between you and Ted. But in the midst of your advance, you didn't anticipate his sudden move. A knife materialized in his hand, seemingly from thin air, and he lunged toward your leg. Your reflexes kicked in, and you managed to evade just in time to avoid the full brunt of the strike. Still, the blade grazed against your pants, leaving behind a stinging sensation that served as a harsh reminder that Ted at all fucking costs, should not reach anyone from the three. He’s fully capable to fucking kill someone, and you’ll be damned if you let something happen to them.

"That's it. I'm going in," Richy's voice strained as he struggled against Jake's grasp. While Jake's weakened state made it easier for Richy to wriggle free, the blood loss had left Richy even more vulnerable.

It was a rare sight to see Richy losing his characteristic calm and rational demeanor, and for him to be losing his cool right now means this looks way worse than you imagined. It's a wonder you're still able to keep up with Ted.

Muscle and strength were undoubtedly in Ted's favor, a fact you were acutely aware of. Your typical strategy of using agility to outmaneuver your opponent and turn their strength against them was hindered by the persistent ache in your head from the concussion. Despite this setback, you found yourself pushing through, driven by a potent mixture of adrenaline and determination.

As your breaths came in labored pants, you raised a palm, the blood from your head wound now smeared across your skin. "It's okay, it's okay..."

It was not the best reassuring gesture you could muster but you have to stop Richy. As of now he didn't give much impression that he can give the right call when his judgment is clouded by emotions, it is best to let him stay out of the battlefield.

You let out a harsh breath and tried to get your shit together.

"Richy, listen to me—" your voice caught in a groan, your chest heaving. “You know this mine better than I do. Take everyone to Grimrock. I've got this, hah...”

****

As the tension escalated, Jake was forced to take charge of the situation, guiding both Richy and Hannah forward.

Along the way, as he furiously types against the laptop, he realizes that the stream the culprit had given you was a fake one and was programmed to loop all this time. He also found out that this laptop is also connected to a massive surveillance camera network within the mine. So, to speak the mine is probably riddled with these cameras, lurking in shadows and corners, watching every step they take including the one inside the room you’re currently in under the watchful eye of one such camera.

There’s also an unknown source that had successfully breached their way inside this laptop which essentially had stopped the looped stream minutes ago.

Which means… anyone who has access to the link must have heard and watched what had transpired earlier, and what is currently transpiring in real-time.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath as he shuts down the laptop. He halted, his eyes darting around their surroundings. And then, he spotted it – another camera, the fourth one he'd noticed since they'd left that room.

He had little sense of how far they had come from the exit, but he’s quite sure that they are significantly far enough from you and Ted. He mostly relied on Richy for directions since Ted had destroyed all his gadgets and phone, however, the mechanic seemed lost in his own thoughts, his mumbling refrain of 'It's all my fault' haunting the air like a grim mantra.

Hannah, on the other hand, was a mere shell of herself, overwhelmed both physically and emotionally. Her wide-eyed gaze darted around, barely conscious of her surroundings. He has no idea what happened there before he woke up but the two seemed pretty shaken up more than before.

Though his own memories remained foggy, Jake pushed through the mental haze, focusing on the present moment.

Jake's injuries weighed heavily on him, making every movement a strenuous task. He cursed softly under his breath, knowing that his strength was waning fast. Despite the pain and the nagging worry of potential arrest once they reached Grimrock, he pushed those thoughts aside. The current priority was ensuring the safety of his sister and Richy, especially knowing that you were out there, risking your life for them.

He has to make Hannah and Richy get out of this mine alive. Only after that could he think about returning to you. No matter what.

"Richy," Jake's voice was firm as they reached yet another fork in the tunnel. "Where to?"

“I... I think we should go back.”

That snapped the remaining patience in Jake. “Get yourself together.” He hissed quietly. “We have to get out of here. That is the only way we can help, Y/n.”

“No,” Hannah spoke for the first time in a long while. Her lips trembled as she continued, “this is all my fault… Y/n shouldn’t — Agent Y/l/n shouldn’t risk their life for some murderers!”

Confusion tightened Jake's features. “What are you talking about. Hannah?” he demanded, reaching out to steady her shoulders. “You’re no murderers.”

“No, no, no!” Hannah pulled away; her eyes filled with anguish. She dashed towards the dark tunnel they had come from. Her figure was easily swallowed by the darkness of the mine.

"Hannah!" Richy cries out for her.

No, Hannah...

Jake made a motion to run after her, but a sudden surge of pain pierced his head.

He crumpled to his knees, his hand pressing against his forehead. He tried to sit up, only to be hit by another wave of agony. He groans as he tries to sit up but a sharp beam of light cuts through the darkness, followed by an authoritative voice that echoes off the walls.

“Freeze! This is Duskwood Police!”

****

“I knew there would come a time Richy would betray me,” Ted muttered, his voice dripping with bitterness. His eyes shifted toward the direction they had gone, a hint of anger in his gaze. He started to take a step, his intent clear, but you are not having any of it. He’s going to need to get through with your corpse first before he can leave this room. “Still,” he chuckled darkly. “He did a good job doing the dirty work for me.”

You spat out blood and grinned. “May I remind you he’s never been on your side to begin with?”

“True.” Ted's lips twitched in an almost begrudging acknowledgment. He raised his fist, the knife gleaming menacingly in his other hand while you stood there within a careful distance with an annoyingly sly grin.

Ignoring the ache spiking up with every inch of your body, you settled into your usual fighting stance. One leg was positioned forward, the other slightly back, creating a solid base. Both fists were raised defensively in front of your head, elbows tucked in tightly to protect your sides.

Everything is fucking painful but you didn’t allow yourself to feel anything. Anything but rage. That's all you should feel. Maybe rage would suffice enough to make you stand, to make you walk, to make you fight.

Ted seemed almost amused as he casually tilted his neck, producing an unsettling crack that echoed through the air. His previous grin morphed into a snarl; his eyes filled with a deadly intent. “I’d never want a murderer on my side anyway.”

He decided to move first, the knife swinging fast like a bullet. You just hop back casually, the knife hitting nothing but the air. A wide, almost manic grin spread across his face. Another jab was missed, and then another; one to the right and another to the left.

You quickly realized that Ted is planning to keep this pace up for a while, knowing that if he continued like this given your injuries, you wouldn’t be able to keep up with him before long.

While you're confident in your combat skills, whether up close or at range, your endurance is practically top-notch. You're also aware that Ted has the upper hand in terms of strength and speed at the moment due to your injuries.  Nonetheless, you've noticed that while his strength and speed are commendable– he lacks precise muscle coordination, which allows you to deftly evade his jabs.

As the fight raged on, it became evident that Ted's patience was wearing thin. Time seems to slow down as he notices that he has yet to make contact with you. Despite his best efforts, he's only hitting the air. Even your injuries couldn't suppress your movements from being so agile and fluid that he could barely keep up.

“Come on,” you taunted, a playful grin on your face. “You think you’ll be able to catch your self-proclaimed murderers if you can’t even finish off little ol’ me?”

You’re not sure if it’s quite possible to make a person angrier than this but you must have struck a nerve as Ted’s punches came in quick succession, but you are still able to move with such speed, barely needing to shift your weight to evade his blows. Your hands casually rested at your sides, almost mocking Ted as he grew increasingly frustrated.

Minutes passed like a blur, and you continued to evade Ted’s attacks with your god-speed movements. It’s starting to wear you out but still; you manage to go beyond your limits. Even when he had finally cornered you against the wall, you were able to sidestep just in time, causing his fist to collide against the hard wall leaving a large dent against it.

You were always one step ahead. With each punch, you sidestepped, twisted, and ducked with great precision, using quick footwork and careful movements to evade his attacks. You spun and shifted, your movements were seamless and well-timed, making Ted’s' parries miss their mark time and time again.

A second of distraction was all you needed as you quickly rounded behind him, stomping your foot on his back.

You grinned happily as you hop back on your feet and went back to your original stance; hands tucked securely against your arms, patiently waiting for him to stand up.

Ted collided with the wall with a grunt, his tight grip against the knife loosening as it fell to the ground. He didn't expect you to attack back. Nonetheless, he recovered and backed off. That kick was far stronger than he anticipated.

Ted now knew he had underestimated you, and this was no longer a battle he could take lightly. He took a deep breath and charged towards you, this time with more caution in his movements. You could see the determination in his eyes, and you knew that the real battle was about to begin. You have been relying on your evasive skills alone for far too long, and you decided it was time to change up your strategy.

You stepped to the side, avoiding his attack, and countered with a quick jab to his ribs, followed by a hook to his jaw. The blows were quick and powerful, but you didn't stop there.

You followed up with a low kick, sweeping his feet from under him. As Ted fell to the ground, he stood up just as fast as he fell. You didn't let him recover from that and landed a kick to his back. He grunted in pain, but you didn't stop.

You delivered a series of punches to his sides and stomach, each one more powerful than the last. Ted tried to block and dodge, but your attacks were too quick and too precise.

Finally, you backed off, giving him a moment to catch his breath or more precisely, give yourself a break because ‘Goddammit, I think I’ve pushed myself a little too hard.’ You think. You just hoped they had already gotten out of here.

You tried to hide the grimace on your face as you stood there, waiting for him to get back up.

“Aren’t you going a little overboard protecting those murderers, agent?" Ted questioned; his breaths uneven as he regained his footing.

“The only murderer I see right now is you,” you retorted with a teasing expression, you ran your fingers through your hair, brushing away the dried blood hindering your vision.

“Fool!” This only provokes Ted to charge at you again. This time, his kicks were even more forceful and aggressive than before, and you could see that he was putting all his strength into the attacks. However, you remained unfazed, still smirking as you evaded his blows with ease. Although there were moments when he nearly landed a hit on you, you managed to block them just in time with one arm.

You noted though that if you weren’t a trained agent, even though you managed to block his attacks, they are still strong enough to leave a bruise or worse, break a bone to a normal civilian with no fighting experience or whatever.

After a moment of pure evasion from a parry of attacks from Ted, your smile widened as you noticed a glaring blind spot that everyone could see in broad daylight.

As Ted threw a careless punch, you swiftly ducked and moved to his right, unleashing a series of quick, harsh jabs to his ribs. He grunted in pain and swung wildly at you, but you ducked once more and followed up with a  roundhouse kick to his face. The blow left him dizzy and disoriented, causing his attacks to become more and more inaccurate.

As he threw another punch, you swiftly yanked his arm and tossed him away. You watched as he turned around and surged back towards you, ready to attack once again. But you were ready for him this time, swiftly ducking under his arm and delivering a punch with such incredible speed and force that may seem impossible for someone who is injured. Your fist made contact with his chest, sending him hurtling into the wall with a thud.

“Finally…” you panted as you crouched in front of his unconscious form, checking for signs of consciousness. Confirming his state, you knew that this was the one-in-a-million outcome you had hoped for.

The suspect was alive, Richy and Hannah had escaped, and you were left victorious. Thoughts of Jake's safety lingered, but you held onto the belief that he would find a way to save himself. If not, you were determined to come to his rescue.

With a sense of satisfaction, you stood up and turned to retrieve the ropes you had been tied with to restrain Ted.

Suddenly you heard a bang.

It was so sudden and loud that you weren’t able to react immediately. Only when you felt the sharp stinging pain against your side did you realize that you had been shot. Warm blood began to pool against your palms as you tried to put pressure on them. You look back at the source and to your horror, Ted with a revolver in his hands has begun to rise from his place. A sickening grin plastered all over his face.

"Got you," his raspy voice cut through the air.

The pain was too much. You have only been fighting earlier out of sheer will and adrenaline, and now that they finally wore off plus a gunshot wound, the pain you are feeling is spiking up all over so bad that you can’t even determine which one hurts the most.

You tried standing up, but it only made you fall on your back as you clutched your side in pain.

Ted’s grinning face looms over you menacingly. “You have put up a good fight, Agent. I’ll give you some credit. However, this is where you will say goodbye.”

Ted raised his revolver, and time seemed to slow down. The movies had always depicted this moment — life flashing before your eyes. Faces of loved ones, friends, and memories cascaded through your mind. Each cherished moment, each unfulfilled promise, they all surged to the forefront.

Images of Jake, Richy, Lilly, Dan, Cleo, Thomas, Hannah, and Jessy flooded your thoughts.

All your moments with them— with her came flashing.

All moments of what could have been came spiraling. All the possible dates, the traveling, the camping with the gang. All those you promised to give her.

You won’t be able to keep your promises.

How could something that hasn’t yet begun start to end right in your very eyes? Was it really meant to be this way?

Maybe.

It’s okay. You tried to convince yourself. They’re safe now. You can rest.

You close your eyes, acceptance slowly creeping up to cover up the pain. You waited for the gunshot.

A beat of silence occurred.

But none came. Only to hear a soft hiss of a swing was heard and then a crack.

“Y/n!”

You dared to open your eyes and saw a pair of warm gray eyes meeting your own. “H-han…” you tried to speak but found it difficult to even breathe.

“I've got you… I've got you,” she whispered, offering a shaky hand to help you up. You grunted, your vision going white from the hot pain. Nevertheless, your eyes fought hard to spot Ted.

There he was, sprawled across the floor, blood pooling around his head. Beside him is the bloodied metallic baseball bat that he had swung at you earlier. An understanding came through you.

“I-I hit him…” Hannah tries to explain between sniffs. “He was… he was going to shoot you..! I didn’t— I don’t know what to do. I j-just can’t let him kill you. I’m sorry.” Her tears fell, her grip on you trembling.

You squeeze her other hand that supports you. “I… h-hah it’s okay, Hannah. You— you didn’t kill him.”

As if to prove his point. Ted's laughter broke through his pain, filling the room. He laughed, a haunting sound that soon morphed into sobs. Both of you watched as he crawled on the ground, his movements feeble. Hannah had hit him pretty hard.

“Jen… I’m sorry…” He sobs, eyes staring at no one in particular. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry. I missed you so much…”

You can only watch him break down. You’re sure his ragged sobs will forever be embarked in your mind. You truly felt sorry for him. But there’s no way out of this one.

Abruptly, his sobs ceased, leaving behind an eerie stillness that engulfed the mine. Ted's gaze shifted toward you and Hannah, his eyes vacant, as though grappling with his inner demons.

It was during this unsettling stillness that you noticed Ted conjure a lighter from thin air, its faint glow illuminating his twisted grin. He ignited the lighter's flame and then released it, allowing it to fall to the ground with a soft hiss. Suddenly, the damp soil underfoot ignited, setting off a chain reaction of fire that raced through the room and beyond the tunnels.

Only then do you realize that the damp soils from the ground weren’t because of water, they were gasoline!

Fuck it. You didn’t expect Ted to resort to suicide, and of course, he thought that’s the best way to bring down you two. Even at the expense of his own death.

The roaring fire's fury consumed the surroundings, the air thickening with smoke and chaos. As the flames surged ever closer, Hannah's grip on you tightened, pulling you away from the encroaching inferno. “Come on!” She fights back the tears as you hear Ted’s one last scream of agony before everything goes silent.

“You should go…” You managed to rasp out, the pain evident in your voice.  “Hannah, I’m just going to slow you down…”

“No!” she shook her head vehemently. “I can’t leave you here!”

You managed a weak chuckle, your body straining against the pain. “You’re as h-hah— stubborn as Lilly… but I’m here because I want to s-save you. And that still stands true right n-now…”

Hannah’s grip on your hips tightened. Her pace suddenly goes faster as she helps you navigate through the tunnel with slight ease. Luckily the fire here isn’t as bad as where you came from, but you know it will eventually catch up if you don't hurry.

“This might be hell coming its way up here to come and make me pay for my sins.” Hannah's laugh was tinged with bitterness and tears. “I’m done running away. But I’ll be damned if I let you get caught in this mess again. Let me save you this time, Y/n.”

~~~~~

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A/n: Hi! Good evening (morning or afternoon) to y'all. Sorry, this took so long. As I have said, I find it quite challenging to write a fight scene that would be satisfactory but I tried my best. This is not beta-read just yet because my eyes are so tired from finishing the chapter hahaha but nevertheless, I think it's worth it. Lemme know what you guys think in the comments. I shall rest my eyes now so I'll probably respond to y'all tomorrow. Adios!