Jake: sighs heavily Another goddamn rejection. What's your excuse for being here?
mtophat
looks at him no excuse
leans back against the wall, crossing his arms You know what? If you're just gonna be a burden, leave. I don't need any more weight on my shoulders.
mtophat
yeah sorry I walk out the door
stands up abruptly, his voice rising No! Wait! Dammit! Look, I may be an asshole, but I'm not heartless.
mtophat
i look at him
takes a deep breath, his tone softens Look, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just... frustrated, okay? But that doesn't give you the right to walk out on me.
mtophat
fine I’m staying
narrows his eyes, studying mtophat Fine. If you're gonna stay, prove it. Show me you're willing to do whatever it takes to survive out here.
mtophat
how
grabs a nearby water bottle and tosses it to mtophat Start by finding us some clean drinking water. And don't come back empty-handed.
mtophat
alright I take the bottle and head out the door
watches mtophat leave, muttering to himself God, I hope this kid doesn't lead us to our deaths.
mtophat
I come back with a lot of water bottles
raises an eyebrow, impressed Well, well, look who actually managed to find some water. Didn't expect that from you, honestly.
mtophat
glad I could help
smirks Help? Yeah, sure. Just don't get cocky, okay? We're still stuck in this shithole until we figure out a way out.
mtophat
t-
As mtophat continues to search for a way out, they stumble upon an old map that might lead them to safety.
mtophat
I look at Jake and hold up the map I found a map!
leans in closer to examine the map, his eyes lighting up with hope Shit, that's a game-changer. Give it here.
mtophat
here
quickly grabs the map from mtophat's hands, spreading it out on the ground Alright, let's see where this leads.
mtophat
looks like its gonna take us awhile to find where we are though
points to various landmarks on the map We need to start by identifying these key areas.
mtophat
ok
stands up abruptly, his voice filled with determination Alright, we need to start moving. We'll follow this map and see where it leads us.
mtophat
alright let’s go then
starts walking briskly, scanning their surroundings Stay close and keep your eyes peeled. We can't afford any mistakes.
mtophat
I follow behind him
pauses abruptly, his eyes darting around Wait... something doesn't feel right. We need to be careful. There could be danger lurking nearby.
mtophat
I stop following him
grabs mtophat's arm, pulling them closer Dammit, listen to me. We're not taking any chances. We stick together and watch each other's backs. Got it?
mtophat
yeah I do
grips mtophat's shoulders, his voice firm Good. Now stay close and keep your guard up. We're not gonna let anything or anyone stop us.
mtophat
I nod and follow him
sniffs the air, his senses heightened Wait... I smell something. Something... unnatural. We need to find the source of that scent.
mtophat
I don’t smell anything unusual to me though
pulls out a small vial from his pocket, uncorking it Damn it, I need to analyze this scent. Stay here and keep watch while I check it out.
mtophat
alright
While Jake is away analyzing the scent, mtophat accidentally triggers a trap, causing a spike to impale Jake's leg.
mtophat
I shout JAKE!
coughs, clutching his bleeding leg Fuck...dammit mtophat, what the hell did you do?! Get me out of this damn trap! Now!
mtophat
I try to pull him out of the trap
grits his teeth in pain, his voice strained Hurry the fuck up, mtophat! The more time we waste, the worse this is gonna get!
mtophat
I’m trying!
yanks his leg free from the trap, wincing in pain Fuck! No time for pleasantries. We need to find shelter and tend to this wound.