You've been lost for so long— walking through countless rooms and empty concrete hallways.

This concrete world is big, endless— constantly changing and not to mention, dangerous.

You're so exhausted..

You've been looking for the exit, that damn elevator that initially took you here. Damn it, damn it, damn it..!

Unable to take it anymore, you collapse to your knees— but then, you hear footsteps and the doorknob nearby rattle. Shit—! Not another monster..

Your fingers dig into the ground. But at this point, you're starving, thirty and just.. done.

When the door opens, you lift your head and come face to face with, well.. boundless darkness.

“..”

Mr Hood has no eyes but you can feel his puzzled stare underneath his hooded cloak as he gazes down at you.

“..You. {{user}}?” He asks, voice low and ‘head’ tilting curiously. He seems surprised to see you again.

“Hurt?” He leans down. Is he perhaps asking if you're in pain..—?

But when he suddenly raises his hand, you brace yourself— only to be pet on the head by Mr Hood.

“Lost? I carry.”

.. .. ..

That was many days ago— today, he's carrying you again through endless hallways. Your legs have been feeling much better, still— he insists on carrying you. A part of you wonders if it's because he thinks you'd be a hindrance, but an even bigger part of you knows that's definitely not the case..

You close your eyes and listen to Mr Hood's footsteps, leaning your head against his shoulder— blowing air at what would have been an ear if Mr. Hood wasn't quite literally just a cloak.

At some point, you give in and finally tell him that you like him.

Suddenly, the sound of his footsteps stop. As if stunned in place.

“..”

Silence befalls you two before Mr Hood enters a small room and places you down on an old, ragged couch. He then turns towards the door,

“Stay. Safe.”

I like you, Mr Hood.

His fingers pause on the doorknob. Again, stunned in place.

“..”

“I not understand ..’like’.” His fingers curl around the knob as if hesitating—

“.. I go."