[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gU8aZwq.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/0V9daOV.jpg[/img]
[h1]╚══════════════╝[/h1][/center]

Elias was out of breathe, leaned over, supported by his knees, and in need of a nap. Two days without sleep and running on and off for miles didn't do him any favors. Shit he shouldn't have followed this thing out so far. If he'd known the trip was going to be this long he would have gone back for a car, then followed suit. Now he's alone in the middle of the forest. Something smell putrid. He looked up and immediately puked his lunch and tea. 

[color=deeppink]Eli, it's okay. Turn away from it.[/color]

Elias's skin turned a little green, his bags deepened, and tears swelled in his eyes. He was...there was...body...mangled and...he puked again. The corpse was seared into his mind. If there was any hope of him sleeping tonight this said fuck those plans to high heaven. 

"Elias Levi... I have two warnings for you, and it's up to you whether or not you share it with your fellow Extra-Normal beings, as I am only making this warning once," The Shuck started, "I am [b]the Hound[/b], the guardian of the balance between all life and death. If any of you attempt to cheat death or aid somebody else in cheating death; I will come for you. And if I do..." The thing spoke to him, but he only heard half of it, his mind still reeling from the corpse. It's name was the hound and something about cheating death and coming for him if the rule's broken. 

"... there is not a damned thing any of you can do to stop me." He believed it. Somehow it's connected to the Outside and he'll believe anything at this point. 

[color=deeppink]Let's get out of here. It showed us what it wanted to show us. We can't stick around.[/color]

Too bad. He's tired, in shock, and didn't run all this way to leave a few minutes later. Besides, it said the attendant of the Outside will want him back to play her games. He has a feeling he's only seen a sliver of what she's capable of and that scares him. Anything that can make living nightmares isn't to be trifled with. He needs to know more. The Hound only offered to help for a steep price. He'll pay it for a chance to not die. As much as he trust and believes in Elle, it's not unstoppable. If Brianna had waited a few more minutes he's certain the barrier would have broken and he would have been dead.

[color=deeppink]Don't! You know not to make deals with demons.[/color]

"But demons aren't as bad as the Devil." He looked down at the Hound. "What's the price for your help and what exactly are you offering? And can you be more specific about the girl with the cellphone. There's not a girl in the country without one." As far as he knows he's talking about Becky down the street or Erica in Wisconsin.

[color=deeppink]Eli, please. reconsider.[/color]

"I'm sorry, Elle. I can't. Next time we could die and I can't let anything happen to you. You've protected me for along time. It's my turn to do the same for you."