Basketball got straight back to work when she got home. She was drained and fatigued, just wanting to collapse into the comfort of her bed and be consumed by sleep. Every surgery just tired her out more and more.. she hoped and hoped she wouldn't have to do something like this again.

Tennisballs surgery was finally over. She had attempted to bring him out of the induced coma, and luckily he seemed to be moving and shifting a lot more than before, indicating he was close to awakening. Because of this, she sat by his side so that she would be there for him when he woke up.

Apart from everything, she was overjoyed he was okay. She hadn't been able to talk to him for ages, and..to know he was still going to be alive was a huge relief; losing him would've been a sharp stab in the chest.

Just after he got attacked, she was certain even with surgery he wouldnt make it - but thankfully, he did. Well.. hopefully he would. There was still a possibility he wouldn't wake from the coma.

She doubted that would happen though, which was why she was waiting by his side, almost sleeping. Two had already paid a visit and checked out his surgery, thanking Basketball for her work. He said depending on Tennisball's condition, he wanted him to get back to work that same following day. Basketball told him that would be dangerous to make him work so soon, and convinced him to let Tennisball rest for a day or so before he did.

She bit her lip anxiously and swung her legs, sitting by the side of Tennisballs bed in a small plastic fold-away chair, watching him attentively. She had been there for a while after finishing up the surgery, leaning back tiredly and letting out a slow yawn.

"Oh.. Tennisball. How did this all happen.." she weakly sighed, pulling her legs up to her body, looking to the left. "..How.. did we mess up this badly.."

She listened to the silence of the room with the small hint of faint humming from the monitor that helped keep him alive, her question unanswered, obviously. She exhaled softly, looking up at the ceiling instead and examining the wooden planks.

"I really wish eveything could just ..go back to the way they were. When everyone was friends.. and happy." She closed her eyes "I wish we never met Two.. I wish.." she looked over to his unconscious body, trying not to get upset.

"I just.. wish everyone could have normal lives. I wish YOU could have a normal life.. aha.." she looked away again. "That's long gone.."

She let the silence take over again, just thinking to herself quietly. She thought about the past and the future..her friends that had died... and the ones that were still alive. The deaths.. eveyones losses. It was so difficult for everyone and it just kept getting worse and worse.

She felt her eyes prick with tears, sniffling "Oh.. I miss everything so much.."

"Hh-.."

She suddenly spun around to him, watching intensely as he grunted uneasily and slowly opened his eyes, blinking barely. She stood up immediately, "T-Tennisball-?" Her tears dispersed.

She couldn't force him to wake up, so didn't shake him "T-Tennisball?? Tennisball! Are you okay?-?" She repeated, watching as he groaned tiredly and sat up slowly, shuffling up from the bed.

"B-Basketballl..-?" He coughed slightly, grunting in pain "Ah..ugh-" he looked around carefully, noticing the hospital bed. He got a little nervous at the sight.

"Oh my goodness... you're okay! Oh wow- I-I can't believe you're actually..okay! I was so worried!"

"Wh-What happened-?" He weakly croaked "What.. where..ugh.. my head hurts so much.." he hadn't realised that his body had been patched up with Pillows, yet.

"It's great to hear your voice.. and just.. oh Tennisball, do..you remember the attack-?"

"Wh-What? What..ugh..I-" he whimpered "How.. no? Attack? I don't remember being attacked.." he grunted and tried to open his eyes completely, blinking repeatedly "Is that what happened.. d-did I pass out?"

"A lot happened.. too much to explain in one go, aha.." she watched as he gave a nervous expression as a response. She laughed uneasily "I-Its fine! You've just.. been gone for a long time now." She sighed.

Tennisball shuffled, getting used to being awake "..R-Really? Mgh..my head feels all fuzzy.." he closed his eyes and groaned, trying to remember what happened "Ugh.. jeez.. this is..a-aha.. not the ideal situation. "

"I-Its okay.. I'll explain it to you soon.-" she looked around and picked up his glasses, passing them to him . He took them and muttered a small thank you "I-I'll get you some food, okay?" She assured.

He nodded softly "Y-Yeah..I'm pretty hungry.." he admitted, crossing his legs. She smiled weakly "I-I would imagine so.. just..stay here okay? I'll tell you eveththing as soon as I can..-"

"I-I just.. ugh." He remembered something to do with Tv, hesitating and tensing up at the thought "S-Sorry, I'm just trying to get my head straight..uh." he squinted and tried to adjust to his glasses as he put them on "Everything is all jumbled.."

She was dreading the moment she would have to tell him about Pillow, and all the details on what's been happening. She forced her weak and small smile to grow. "It'll be okay.. I promise.. there's quite a lot you need to know..but.."

She trailed off and swallowed her nerves, talking again "But you'll be okay. I'm..gonna go get some food for you know. There should be some in the cafeteria..see you in a moment, okay?"

"Alright..thank you.." he exhaled and leaned back, taking everything in. He squinted at the brightness of the light above him, hearing Basketball leave out the door. He was left with his thoughts.

Goodness.. what had he missed?

-----

Donut returned back to his room for a little while after the whole thing with Gelatin. He decided he would write notes down in his diary, writing about his experience with Fries. He had been trying to think hard about what Fries could possibly be hiding, but he couldn't understand it, no matter how much he queried about it.

Why would Fries hide anything from Two.. why would he defy his group? It didn't add up.

Eventually he decided to leave his room and attempt to find Fries again to confront him. He thought a lot about Gelatins advice, in regards to forcing Fries to admit his secrets. Threatning him for answers.. would he actually going to stoop that low? He didn't really know how else to go about this without exposing himself in the process.

He yawned as he closed his door to his room, rubbing his eyes with one hand. He felt bored today.. Gelatin wasn't around much and that made him feel tireder. He sighed sadly and went to go walk down the corridor, heading to where Front Row usually hung out to see if Fries was around there.

He grumbled to himself and rubbed his eyes, mumbling things under his breath... what was he going to even say to him? What would make him spill..

"Where are you going?" Donut flinched physically and yelped as someone grabbed his shoulder without warning, yanking himself around instantly to make whoever grabbed him let go "What gives??" He hissed, glaring at them.

He went quiet once he realised who it was.. Loser. He didn't talk to Loser now much but he never liked him anyways.. before AND after Twos whole invasion thing. Loser slowly put his hands behind his back, lidding his eyes "I just asked where you are going."

"You terrified me in the process." Donut retorted, rolling his eyes and turning his back to him "Wherever I'm going, it isn't important to you. Good day." he went to begin walking once again, but was startled when he was yanked backwards by Loser, stumbling and widening his eyes.

"You're not leaving just yet.." he snarled, forcing him to turn around and making eye contact with him. Donut stared uncomfortably, trying to push him away out of defense "Do you mind??"

"I have my suspicions about you."

Donut hesitated for a moment.. seriously? He could not deal with more problems right now.. he hoped this wasn't about Gelatin..or Four.. "What..do you mean?"

"I noticed something rather odd yesterday. " he tightened up his bowtie, keeping a straight posture.

"..What?"

"I saw the way you were looking at Fries yesterday. You were both giving each other  glances. Are you hiding something?"

"Wh-What??" Donut tensed up "No?? I wasn't even-"

"You were. " Loser interrupted fiercely, pointing his finger directly at his face "Don't even try to deny it. You know something.."

"Why would you think that-?" Donut pushed his hand away from him, annoyed at his gestures "Can you leave me alone?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Loser mocked sarcastically "Is this to do with the whole stealing thing Two mentioned? Because if you have anything to do with that.." Donut tried not to show a reaction, Loser continued

"Mm.. won't that just be a shame?" He gently grinned.

Donut rolled his eyes, as if what he was saying was impossible "Oh, give me a break. As if I'd do something like that! Two trusts me and I tryst him." he went to turn around again, cringing at his own words "So excuse me, but I have somewhere to be-"

He was surprised as Loser went to stand in front of him, blocking his path and putting his hands behind his back again. "Do you really think I'm just going to let you get away with this? I'm not stupid.. you can't fool me.."

Donut squinted "Leave me alone." He spat, backing up. Loser only followed "You act like you're so tough, you know?" He said with a threatening tone.

Donut glanced behind himself, nervous "What are you talking about now?" He groaned, looking back at him. "I'm not hiding-"

"You may be able to lie to the others.. but I've seen the way you act." Loser assured, clearly mocking him "You're a huge liar.. just hiding behind a mask. What you're hiding? I don't know.. but I want to know.." he grabbed him by his bowtie and yanked him forward, Donut squeaking and stumbling in surprise.

"I could kill you in an instant. You know that, right?" He threatened lowly and tauntingly, forcing Donut up against him. "Nobody ...would miss you.." he whispered slowly, a smile creeping up on his face

Donut shoved him away, making Loser stumble. He caught his balance quickly"I said leave me alone!" Donut demanded, intimated by his words "You're pathetic Loser, leave me out of your insane delusions." He snapped with unease, shoving him out of the way so he could walk past him.

Loser glared at him as he walked off, before making a small chuckle "..Oh.. you can't hide forever.." his chuckle turned to a growl, turning away from him. He glanced up at the security camera in the corner, before walking off back to his room.

---

Free Food were busy out on their usual routine. They went outside early to check up on their traps, and see if any had been set off by the wondering survivors who didn't know any better. The whole of the group decided to come along today, Stapy forced along with them too.

Yellowface, taking this more seriously than the rest of them, was leading them through the rainfall, observing open area of forest as they walked. He looked up at the trees, admiring the tall spires of nature.

"Can you believe its still raining?" Bell wondered, Puffball unamused by it instead "It hasn't even stopped, isn't that weird?" Puffball grumbled.

"It's rather strange, isn't it?" Yellow remarked "Perhaps..there's more to it than we originally thought. Hmm, sucks for the survivors.." he chuckled at the thought of their suffering.

"Indeed.." Fries replied with a mutter, deciding to engage in their meaningless conversation. He had his shovel gripped close to him, hitting trees with it now and again as a source of releasing anger.

"Keep up." Marker ordered to Stapy, who was struggling just behind. Fries glanced over sympathetically, but didn't show any expression.

Hm..

"We need to split up to look for the traps. I'll go with Bell and Puffball. You three go the other way." Yellow demanded forcefully "We will meet back here.. "

Fries gave a glance to Marker and Stapy, before walking off obediently "Follow me.." he told them blankly, strutting off into the parts of the forest Yellow had directed them to. The other group dispersed into the other direction.

"Where did we leave the traps?" Fries questioned Marker. Marker turned to him, cobfused "What?? Why would I know that." He hissed defensively "You left them."

"Hm? You did." Fries gave a glance to his shovel and admired it "If I recall correctly..and you put them in all the wrong places, too."

"I did not." Marker snapped back, frustrated with Fries' attitude. "You think I'm not a good hunter?"

"I never said that, Marker."

"You know you meant it, though." Marker shoved him, ticked off as he turned around "Keep watch of Stapy.. "

Marker stormed off to go check on the traps, soaked from the rain. Fries raised an eyebrow and kicked away a leaf as it stuck to him, moving to stand in a less muddy spot on the ground. "Hmh.."

He focused his attention to Stapy. He looked tired, and sick. Hungry, too. He was avoiding looking at Fries, mostly out of fear and intimidation. He didn't want them to find anyone trapped, because he knew he would be forced to finish them off.

"Stapy."

Stapy quickly looked over to him, scared and confused by why he wanted him. On the inside he was pleading for this not to be bad, but didn't say anything. Not like he could, anyways. Not with the tape over his mouth.

Fries peered around wearily, checking out the area..before looking back at Stapy. He was alone with him.. all of the guilt was coming back to him, the thoughts of what Stapy had went through. Some of the things were even because of himself, goodness.

He kneeled down to him all of a sudden, Stapy yelping in fear, muffled by the tape. He tried to move away from him, shaking gently from fear.

"Stop, stop-" Fries quickly warned, but not threatningly "Don't move-" Stapy was confused and terrified, whining and whimpering. His noises were drowned out by the rain, so it was harder to hear him  from closeby. (Which was good, because otherwise Marker would have heard him)

Fries gently peeled away the tape that was covering his mouth, then worked on his tied hands. Stapy stared in awe, unable to speak, not like he knew what he would even say. He couldn't understand what was happening... was Fries going to do something to him?? Get him in trouble??

He quickly moved his hands back down as they were released, backing up from Fries "Wh-What the hell-" he choked out, not sure how to react. He was still shaking, not knowing his intentions.

"Get away." Fries gently told him..the sound of Stapys croaked voice send shivers through him "Before they come back. Please.. " He shook his head "Find somewhere safe.. away from here. "

Meanwhile, Yellowface, Bell and Puffball had made a rather interesting discovery. While walking around and looking at the traps, they found someone lurking. Not captured or anything, just lurking.

"It's quite stupid of you to hang around these parts.. now.. why in the world are you doing something so stupid?" Yellow jeered, his smile wide.

Snowball had accidently run into them, and was backing up as Yellow approached him "Y-Yellowface.."

"Surprised to see me?" He noticed he had an umbrella, smirking more "..Now.. where did you find that? Hmm?" He mocked "You know.. you used to act so tough.. not so tough now, are we..big guy?" He continued to mock him, Snowball backing up against a tree helplessly. He stared, gently swallowing.

His eyes darted around, trying to find something to protect himself..a way to escape...but he wasn't sure what to do. He shook his head "Get AWAY from me!" He blurted out instinctively "Y-You're a bunch of freaks!"

"Dear oh dear.. do you always do this when you're scared?" He laughed teasingly. Bell laughed as well "Aw.. its so sweet when they get all defensive...""

"Snowball..you're so strong.. don't you want to put that abiity towards something more useful?"

"Get away from me." Snowball hissed, not wanting to hear it "I don't want anything to do with any of you-" he backed up against the tree as much as he could, and couldn't move any further away as he was approached by the freak. Yellow had a killer smile, his eyes piercing through him, deadly. "Now now.. why not?"

"Because you're KILLING everyone, isn't that obvious?!" He flinched as lightning struck above, causing the sky to flash temporally, and it was soon followed by a low rumble that rolled above. He was trying to keep himself dry still.

"You know.." Yellow sighed, defeated "It would be such a shame to take your life so quickly. Such potential wasted.."

"What are you talking about n-now??" He snapped, stammering his words a little,  uneasy as he struggled to speak out of fear. Yellow chuckled softly, seeming harmless "Well.. what do you think it means?"

"I don't care. This isn't a fucking pop quiz." He spat, making Yellow frown "What the fuck do you want from me?? Just leave me alone!" He tried to walk past him, but he was pushed up against the rough bark once again.

"You are important. You are strong..Two would love to have you. Don't you want to be safe? Secure? Out of this terrible weather?" He gave a fake sympathetic smile "Sounds nice.. doesn't it?" He encouraged.

"You think you can win me over with some fucking food and warmth? I'll never forgive you for what you've-"

"You don't really have much of a choice~" Bell chimed, giving him a sly smirk "Why wouldn't you want to take an offer like this? You'll regret it.." she warned.

Yellow made sure he couldn't escape, glaring into his eyes "You want to be safe? Don't you? After all  ..it's not like you're doing much good out here anyways.. " he taunted "Surely you don't wat this, right?" He asked, but expected no answer. He was trying to persuade him, smiling with reassurance.

Snowball was getting increasingly uncomfortably, wanting them to leave. He was gripping onto the umbrella tight.. thinking hard. He would be safe ..and hey, Basketball would be there. But ..at what cost? He felt sick with nervousness, something he rarely felt.

Yellow grinned harder as he noticed him thinking, but this was shortly interrupted as Fries came running towards them, calling Yf's name through the rain. The group turned to him, confused. "What in the world are you blabbering about?!" Puffball snapped, her voice glitching.

Fries panted, slowing down. He put his hands on his knees and huffed, looking at the ground "M-Marker-" he sputtered, pointing behind him "..He let Stapy escape-." He lied, standing up straight and regaining his posture.

"What?" Yellow almost lost his cool, looking behind him quickly as he remembered Snowball. But he was gone, ran away while they were talking. He gritted his teeth and turned back around "Are you KIDDING ME?!" He thundered.

Fries shook his head "No. I was off alone.. I saw Marker freeing Stapy." He breathed "I.. think.." he looked to the side "I think he did it on purpose. As if he wanted him to be ..safe." he growled. "Traitor.. "

"Why the HELL would Marker do that?!" Yellow questioned angrily, losing his paitence. Fries shrugged "I'm sorry..I do not know. I..fear he sympathies with them."

Yellow raised a eyebrow, not sure what to believe about this. Bell rolled her eyes "What the hell?! Well, we can't just stand around! We just lost Stapy!" She rocked her body angrily "Now what are we gonna do?! Twos gonna flip out! We have to go tell him it was Marker!"

Fries gripped the shovel and nodded "Yes..I agree. We should head back before he returns.. he might be a danger."

Yellow shook his head "..Two will not be pleased. I am not pleased, either.." he hissed "We almost had our hands on Snowball.."

"Oh.. I am sorry, Yellow.."

"Do not speak." He commanded forcefully "..Let's return without Marker.. " He glared back at the forest, where Fries had came from. "He can find his own way back.. or die trying."

He proceeded to begin to leave, heading back in the direction that home was. Bell scoffed, letting Puffball lead her and herself "What a joke." She grumbled.

Fries glanced back, before jogging to catch up and follow them. He felt guilt, but knew he would have to go through harsh measures to secure the safety of the innocent.

He wondered what Stapy thought..or felt. Where he would even go.. he decided not to think too much about it. Hopefully he could find a way to survive on his own.

It was better than how he lived before, surely.

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