[center][color=darkkhaki][h3]E   L   I   J   A   H[/h3][/color]
[@Athol][/center]
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As Eliza spoke to him, he kept his eyes focused on the three against the door. If these things were attempting to get through, it could only mean that there were still some people alive; judging by the body on the floor, that even some made it through and secured themselves on the other side. It was their best bet at finding survivors, and quite likely the only shot they had at safety, even if it was probably temporary. The only thing to do now was find a good method to taking out the ones in the way. He had a lamp body as a weapon and though it was heavy and effective, the base was starting to disconnect a little, proving that while it was an efficient tool, it was far less durable than what Eliza had.

His eyes roamed to the pipe in her hand, trailing upwards along her arm to her face, which wore an expression of concern. He could tell by her stance and the grip she held that she wasn't just some ordinary citizen. She had some sort of training to her, though Elijah couldn't quite tell what kind. His eyes then darted around the room in which they stood as he searched for a new object to use. Large crates and cases that held very little, a fire extinguisher hanging halfway off the wall, pieces of glass too small to do any real damage... his options were limited, that is until he got an idea.

Leaving the doorway, Elijah moved to the base of the stairwell and set the body on the ground, base first. Placing his foot on the base, he proceeded to bend the body of the lamp until it snapped off, becoming much lighter in his hand. Seeing it as ineffective, Elijah threw it aside, reasoning that it wouldn't work well against the ones in the next room. Next, he placed the base of the lamp, now essentially a thick brass plate, onto the knuckles of his hand, weaving the cord through his fingers and wrapping it around the plate tight enough to secure it in place. With a hefty breath, Elijah lifted himself up, grabbed the neck of the lamp and moved back to the doorway.

[color=darkkhaki]"I've got a plan, but it's risky,"[/color] he whispered, guiding Eliza away from the door and closing it quietly. [color=darkkhaki]"You stand to the side, right here, and tap on the door with that pipe. That's going to draw them over to the door. When you think they're all there, you give me the signal, and I'll charge straight through the door. If luck's on our side, we hit them all in one shot and we take them out right then and there. You with me on this?"[/color]

He could see Eliza mull the idea over with mild incredulity, and then reluctantly nod. [color=darkkhaki][i]Yeah, I know,[/i][/color] he thought,[color=darkkhaki][i] it's reckless, but I'm fine with putting my life on the line...[/i][/color]
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[color=9966CC]"How long have you been feeling like this?"[/color] she asked, the pen tapping against the pad of pale yellow paper.

[color=darkkhaki]"I'm not sure,"[/color] he replied, staring past his clasped hands and into the faded burgundy carpet. He could tell maintenance hadn't been around for a few days, judging from the bits of food the others left behind. Sighing, he leaned back in the leather chair, laying his arms on the rests. The sunlight did little to illuminate the room. [color=darkkhaki]"Comes and goes, most days."[/color]

[color=9966CC]"Has it ever gotten bad?"[/color]

[color=darkkhaki]"You make it sound as if it's good to start with."[/color]

She shifted in her seat, pushing the horn-rimmed glasses back up the bridge of her nose. [color=9966CC]"My apologies. What I meant to ask is if it's ever gotten particularly... overwhelming."[/color]

Silence. Beyond the windows, the muffled chirps of the birds tending to their young helped fill the void.

[color=darkkhaki]"It's intrusive, sometimes. There's times where... where that's all there is. It's like one moment, you're watching some random TV show or doing silly shit with your friends and having fun, and then? Darkness. That thing that makes you feel like it's all..."[/color]

He heard the click of the pen.
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As Eliza braced herself against the wall, Elijah moved back and got into position, waiting. Eliza, strands of golden hair stuck to her misted face, began tapping on the door with the pipe, stopping momentarily to listen for the sounds of movement, then repeating the pattern. As the movement got closer, so close that she could hear their growls on the other side, she turned gave Elijah a signal. Nodding, he broke into a full sprint, positioning his shoulder to be level with the door. As he neared its surface, Elijah lifted his body, pushing the lever of the door with his hip and blowing the door wide open, sending the things on the other side stumbling back and falling over each other on the ground.

[color=darkkhaki]"NOW!"[/color] he shouted as he towered over one's head, proceeding to strike it in the face as hard as he could with the brass plate.