The Silent Standoff
The fire crackled softly in the corner of the cabin, casting a warm glow over the room.
The faint scent of burning wood mixed with the fresh pine from outside, making the atmosphere feel oddly peaceful.
It was one of those rare moments when everything felt calm, almost normal, even though they were all far from the world they once knew.
In the corner of the room, Builderman, Shedletsky, Elliot, and Noob were engrossed in a poker game. The table was cluttered with chips, cards, and empty cups, but none of them seemed to mind. They were focused, competitive in their own way, as the occasional laugh or groan echoed through the cabin.
Chance and Guest, however, were tucked away on the sofa by the fire.
Chance was straddling Guest’s lap, playing with his hair as he leaned into his chest. His fingers toyed with the dog tag necklace that hung loosely around Guest’s neck, the metal cool against his skin.
Every now and then, his fingers traced over the surface, as if memorizing every curve and scratch.
Guest, relaxed despite everything, had his arms around Chance, caressing his back absentmindedly. It was moments like this—quiet, intimate—that allowed them both to feel a sense of grounding amidst the chaos of their lives.
- “You know, you make this whole thing look way too easy,” Chance muttered, lips brushing against the chain of the necklace. He leaned up to press a quick, teasing kiss against Guest’s lips.
- Guest smirked, but his eyes were tired. He didn’t show it often, but it was there. “You just like messing with me.” His fingers gently traced along Chance’s back, pulling him in a little closer. “But yeah, maybe I do.”
Chance laughed softly, his head dropping to rest against Guest’s shoulder.
- "Maybe... But I think you secretly like it when I mess with you."
Guest’s laugh was quiet, low.
- "You're lucky you're cute." He teased, his hands running up and down Chance's spine, his thumb brushing over the edge of Chance’s Fedora as he playfully placed it on his own head
- “You know, you keep putting this on me, and I’m gonna start thinking it’s mine."
Chance grinned, his fingers brushing against the brim of the hat.
- "Maybe it is. Maybe you’re just too stubborn to admit it." He pressed a quick kiss to the side of Guest's jaw. "I think you like it."
Guest's smile softened, a rare moment of vulnerability creeping through.
- "You're impossible." He chuckled, pressing his forehead against Chance’s for a moment before nuzzling their noses together gently.
From the table, Elliot glanced over, eyes twinkling with mischief.
????-“Get a room, you two,” he teased, a grin spreading across his face. “I mean, I’m all for romance, but I've had enough walking in on you two-"
Chance flicked his eyes toward Elliot, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“We’re just sitting here, Elliot. It’s not our fault you’re so easily distracted.
” He nudged Guest with his knee, his fingers once again toying with the necklace.
"We’re just relaxing, anyway. Not like we have anything else to do. "
Elliot raised an eyebrow.
"Relaxing, huh?" He paused, grinning, his tone teasing. "Seems like there’s a little more than just relaxation happening here."
Guest chuckled softly, not bothering to pull away from Chance.
- “You’re one to talk, kid."
Chance's lips curled upward as he playfully pushed the brim of the Fedora further down over Guest’s eyes, making him look ridiculous.
-“There, now you look like a proper cowboy.”
Guest rolled his eyes, adjusting the hat.
- "I’ll let you get away with that one." He raised an eyebrow at Chance, his voice teasing. "But only because you’re cute when you’re making me look like an idiot."
Chance’s grin widened, and he leaned in, kissing Guest lightly on the lips before resting his head on his shoulder again. The intimacy between them was something unspoken, a comfort only they shared.
Meanwhile, across the room, Builderman and Shedletsky were still deep in their poker game, arguing over who had the better hand.
Noob had long since stopped playing, opting to stand next to the window and look outside, lost in his thoughts.
Two Time, ever the silent observer, stood by the door, his gaze flicking over the group occasionally.
The peaceful silence was interrupted only by the occasional shuffle of cards or the clink of glass as drinks were set down. C00lkidd, sound asleep in his room upstairs, had no idea the others were all gathered downstairs in this rare moment of quiet.
Finally, after a while, the calm was broken by the realization that they were running low on supplies. Builderman stood up, stretching, and let out a sigh.
- "We should probably head out for some supplies before it gets any worse. We’re running low on food."
Noob nodded in agreement.
- "Yeah, we don’t want to risk running out of anything.. "
The realization that they were running low on supplies hit the group with a sense of urgency.
Builderman, ever the practical leader, moved swiftly, gathering his tools.
Shedletsky strapped his sword across his back, looking ready for any fight.
Noob silently checked his gear, his sharp eyes scanning the room as if already preparing for any dangers lurking outside.
Chance tucked his flintlock back into his coat, checking the powder and flint one last time before pulling on his gloves.
He gave Guest a quick smile, his eyes sharp, but he seemed relaxed, as if whatever they faced, they could handle it together.
Guest, with his usual quiet confidence, gave a slight nod, his fists always ready, and his senses always alert.
Elliot adjusted the straps on his medical bag, ensuring that his healing supplies were ready, his brow furrowing slightly in thought.
If things went wrong, he’d need to act quickly.
Builderman grabbed a few additional tools from the table, readying himself for whatever they might face in the outside world.
- "Alright, we need food, water, and maybe a few other essentials. The storm’s coming in quick, so we can't waste time. Everyone, keep your eyes open."
Two Time stepped out of the shadows, silently adjusting the collar of his jacket, his two lives more of a safety net than he let on. He gave the group a quick look, the ever-watchful observer.
- "I’ll scout ahead. If anything goes wrong, I’ll have an extra shot at it."
007n7, who had been silent up until now, adjusted his c00lgui—his teleportation device. He had been pretty experienced with it...
With everyone geared up, they stepped outside, the chill of the air biting at their exposed skin as the snow crunched underfoot.
The woods surrounding the cabin felt dense and foreboding, but they were used to it by now.
The tall, towering trees stood like sentinels, the branches heavy with snow.
The wind howled faintly, whispering threats, but they pressed on, determined to gather what they needed before the storm hit.
They made their way through the thick forest, keeping a tight formation.
Builderman led the way, his steps heavy and deliberate, his eyes constantly scanning for any signs of danger.
Noob stayed on the edge, his sharp gaze scanning the trees, his hand resting on the hilt of his weapon.
Behind them, Shedletsky, with his sword at the ready, followed closely, prepared for any threat that might appear.
Chance and Guest were near the back, with Chance keeping a careful eye on the surroundings, and Guest’s sharp senses on high alert. Elliot kept pace with them, his medical kit slung over his shoulder, always prepared for an emergency.
The journey to the outpost felt like it took longer than it should, the tension in the air growing with every passing minute. The silence was broken only by the occasional snap of a twig underfoot or the wind rustling through the branches.
As they approached the old supply outpost, an eerie stillness settled over them. The structure, weathered by time, stood in a clearing, surrounded by thick trees. It looked abandoned, but that didn’t ease the group’s nerves. There were no signs of movement, but the place felt… off.
Builderman gestured for them to stop a few paces from the building, his hand raised. He whispered, low and cautious.
- "Let’s check for traps. Something doesn’t feel right."
Shedletsky stepped forward first, his sword ready.
He moved with precision, checking the ground for any signs of disturbances.
Noob crouched nearby, scanning the perimeter, his senses attuned to the smallest sounds.
Two Time, ever vigilant, stood to the side, his eyes flicking to the trees and the shadows, watching for any unexpected movements.
Chance and Guest stood at the rear, their attention on the building and the forest beyond. Elliot kept his focus on the others, ready to spring into action if anyone got hurt.
After a few tense moments, Shedletsky gave a slight nod.
????- “Clear. No traps.”
Builderman moved toward the door, slowly pushing it open with one hand while the other rested on his weapon.
The door creaked, the sound unnervingly loud in the stillness.
Inside, the outpost was dimly lit by a few stray beams of sunlight, casting long shadows across the wooden shelves stacked with cans and dried goods.
It was clear that whoever had last been here had left in a hurry—the shelves were full, and the crates stacked neatly in the corner still contained plenty of supplies.
The tension in the air lessened, though there was still an undeniable unease in the group. They quickly began gathering what they could—food, water, medical supplies—anything they could carry.
Elliot moved to a shelf, scanning the cans carefully before reaching for a few to add to his bag.
“We’ve got what we need here. Let’s hurry up and get out before the storm hits.”
Just as the group began collecting their supplies, there was a sound from the woods—soft, almost imperceptible at first. It sounded like footsteps, but far too quiet. Too deliberate.
Noob’s hand immediately went to the hilt of his weapon, his body tense, muscles coiled like a spring.
- “Someone’s coming.”
Shedletsky gripped his sword tighter, his eyes narrowing as he peered into the trees. "Let’s get ready."
Then, from the shadow of the trees, a figure stepped out. They were tall, cloaked, and moved with a purposeful grace that made the hairs on the back of everyone’s neck stand up.
The figure stopped just short of the clearing, their mask obscuring their face, leaving only the cold, calculating eyes visible. Their presence alone was enough to send a shiver down everyone’s spine.
??- “I told you not to come here.”
The voice was low and corrupted..The figure’s eyes flicked over the group before narrowing in on Builderman, their gaze heavy with suspicion.
??- “You should leave. Now.”
Shedletsky stepped forward, his sword drawn, ready for a fight.
????- "Not so fast. What’s your business here?"
The figure didn’t flinch. They raised a gloved hand, pointing toward the woods.
??- "Leave, before I make you."
The tension in the air thickened as both sides stood motionless. Every instinct in the group told them that this wasn’t going to end peacefully. The figure was an unknown, and their words felt like a threat.
Chance subtly adjusted his grip on his flintlock, his eyes never leaving the figure, his instincts telling him to be ready. Behind him, Guest was already in a stance, fists ready.
Elliot stayed close to the group, his hands twitching with the urge to heal any potential injuries, but he didn’t move just yet.
Two Time shifted his weight, prepared to act if things escalated.
007n7’s fingers hovered over the controls of his c00lgui, his mind working through teleportation possibilities, ready for the worst.
The moment felt like it could stretch into infinity—one wrong move, and things could spiral out of control.
Builderman’s voice cut through the silence, low and steady.
- “We’re here for supplies. That’s it. Let’s not make this harder than it needs to be.”
The figure’s eyes narrowed.
??- "You’re not welcome here."
And with that, the silence shattered.