[h1][u]Ciara Ventura[/u][/h1]
[i][color=gray]Iris Record, Second Floor[/color][/i]
[@Nanaya], [@AThousandCurses], [@ERode]

[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/UdpwOLSKMLA?si=k6C2K-41Z0duFJpm[/youtube][/center]

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Ciara's eyes immediately glanced to Iraleth, the back of her neck prickling. But instead of advancing at her, Iraleth near-collapsed. Reflecting what they all were feeling. 

Calling the guards… Did Iraleth think she had given up on running?

Ciara's lips pursed, glancing down at the barely breathing Davil in her arms. Her every instinct was screaming to get away from here. Even the voices. But… Davil could die. And despite what the group thought of her, Ciara wasn't the type to sacrifice the weak for her own salvation. Davil needed a doctor. Then, and only then, would she worry about herself.

[quote=Chunji]"Remember why you are here. Even though you have helped Davil, your name still hasn't been cleared by a person of authority for the guards. So…”[/quote]

Ciara reflexively sucked on her teeth, cursing quietly under her breath as she allowed Chungi to take Davil from her arms. He was right. If the guards saw her, right now, would they try to kill her? The thought made her stomach knot.

[quote=Chunji]"So, stay behind me. At least until we can ease the situation."[/quote]

Ciara pursed her lips, before she curtly nodded, eyes tight, and silently moved to stand behind Chunji.

It was in that moment a Door manifested, and out stepped Otis. Ciara's eyes immediately narrowed, and her teeth clenched. He had led her in the direction towards Davil but… It was like he had known her every move. Even now, he knew they had retreated from the third floor. Somehow, he must have had access to the cameras. 

Did that mean… He was the one who cursed the cameras with that fate-awful light?

If she was right, it meant his presence was a bane, not a boon. Of course, she had overheard Otis’ desire to capture her. Her own predicament was alive and kicking. She had, after all, dragged some unwitting guards to hell in her attempt to flee. 

Otis had a gun strapped to him. The same that he had used to scare her before blowing Mannekins back. Another red flag. And, as ridiculously as it felt, given her physical circumstance, she felt herself slipping into fight or flight.

Until Otis offered a vial. Ciara took it without her eyes leaving the gun on his side, waiting for him to busy himself with the others before her gaze dropped to the dark liquid inside.

[quote=Otis]"Drink. It'll help with the pain and the adrenal dump. I'll bring you four to the hospital proper.”[/quote]

[i]“It's from the darkness, what could possibly go wrong?”[/i] Said an adoring Voice.

[i]“Yes, don't we trust the darkness?”[/i] Another Voice chimed in agreement.

[i]“He's not here to help me.” [/i]Ciara thought flatly.

[i]“Let's see! Drink it!”[/i] The Voice replied eagerly.

Ciara's heart thrummed in her ears, impossibly quick. Would he use his gun to force it down her throat? Not like she could fight him off, or anyone off at this point. 

The potion glinted in her hand. A dark look crossed her face, before she cursed quietly, popped the cap, and downed it in a gulp.

The effects began almost immediately. A reduction in pain. More of a… pleasant feeling swirling around her. Ciara watched Chunji administer bandages, feeling the euphoria only increase. It increased to a comfortable level… then went far, far beyond that.

Ciara looked up at the Door, forgetting why they were traveling through it in the first place. 

[i]“A… hospital?”[/i] A Voice said listlessly, confused itself.

Ciara's pupils were tightly constricted, blinking in confusion as she saw Chunji’s figure slowly recede. Him and Davil. Where were they going? She should follow. It made sense to follow, she thought. She didn't want to be left here alone.

One step, before Ciara took in a sharp intake of air, and collapsed. The floor was cold. Her limbs were tingly. The heat of euphoria warmed her insides, sent her mind spiraling a mile away.

Something was wrong.

Ciara slowly tried to crawl onto her hands and knees, her limbs feeling like noodles. 

Was she… [i]drugged[/i]?

Slowly, her head raised, her breath low and haggard. Her eyes latched onto Otis', burning with weak, betrayed fury.

[b]“You… you bastard, what did you do to me?!”[/b]