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Fuck his life.
Usually, Elliot was patient. Usually, he tried to keep an upbeat attitude. Usually, he could ignore the pain and focus on his work.
Today was not usual.
Today was a piece of shit.
Today, he was targeted every single round. Today, he was left for LMS since he would be an easy kill. Today, he got fucked over every single time.
Today, Elliot was fed up.
It was the last round of the day, and they had lost. Again.
Today, Elliot was pissed.
He walks over to one of the couches, still fuming. He knows someone was calling out to him, but he ignores them.
Today, Elliot was not himself.
When he had first gotten here, he was scared, obviously. But he had realized something else. The ass that had made this place put him at a disadvantage. No, he’s not talking about the decreased health since he was a support, or how he got the most shit from killers since he was the only healer (well, not so much now that Dusekkar had gotten his new spells).
It hadn’t given him his leg.
Okay, that wasn’t quite true.
He had his normal leg. Well, “normal”. His walking prosthetic. But he didn’t have his running blade. Which made rounds an absolute hell. More so than they were already. He couldn’t run for long without feeling like shit, and his hips always hurt, which was just great. All his other injuries got healed, but the strain and aching persisted. He couldn’t escape pain, even out of rounds. Fucking asshole.
So, Elliot wasn’t thinking clearly.
Well, really, he just didn’t care.
He just knew he was uncomfortable and sweaty and in pain and needed his leg off now.
So here he is, on the couch, rolling his left pant leg up. Sometimes, back home, he had liked to cut off part of the pants, just above his shin. It just made things easy. He never did it to all his pants, though. He didn’t want to freak any customers out, so he only did it when he was at home or knew he would be in the back of the restaurant all day.
But man, did it hurt.
The pressure of the socket was getting unbearable, so he finally, finally pops it off. Instant relief. He takes the leg liner off, too, and lets his stump breathe. Usually, his nub gets cold, especially with the fact this realm always seemed to be in eternal night, and was going through was seemed to be its version of winter. But with all the running he did earlier and the fire roaring, he just felt sweaty and gross.
For the first time today, Elliot felt he could breathe.
Until, of course, someone had to ruin it.
“Elliot!”
He turns around. It was Guest, looking concerned. He must have been the one calling out to Elliot when he had stormed over to the couch.
“Yeah?”
“Are you alright?” He walks forward a little, but still stands a good few feet away. Before Elliot can answer though, someone else butts in.
“‘Course he is!” Chance. Fuckass didn’t let Elliot answer for himself. Okay, that was a little unfair, but Elliot was not in the mood for their bullshit today. Everything seemed to be setting him off, and he really didn’t feel like dealing with Chance’s theatrics while they didn’t even let him answer the question. They walk over to the side of the couch and turn to Elliot.
“Isn’t that right- HOLY FUCKING SHIT!”
Elliot’s nerves stand on end. He sits up straight.
“What?!”
“YOUR- YOUR FUCKING LEG, MAN!”
Elliot looks down. There’s nothing wrong with his leg? He’s not still bleeding after taking that nasty puncture from 1x, and everything else about him seems to be intact.
“What about it?”
“THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN?? IT’S- IT’S FUCKING GONE!”
Oh. Elliot probably should have assumed that’s what he was talking about.
With all the commotion Chance caused, a few other survivors rush over.
“THE HELL DO YOU MEAN- oh damn.” Shedletsky stops at the other arm of the couch.
Guest simply stares from behind the backrest, concern and recognition written on his face.
Great. Now he had to deal with this. This is why he always wore full length pants.
Elliot heaves a sigh. “I had it amputated when I was nine because of cancer. No, I am not sick and dying. Yes, I have been officially cancer free since. No, I will not be taking any further questions at this time.” He rubs the bridge of his nose. He hoped they would shut up about this.
They did not.
“Hoooooly shit.” Chance moves closer, walking slowly like Elliot was a spooked animal going to book it at any minute. Not like he could even run in this state. That, or he was scared the prosthetic was going to lunge up and bite him. Or maybe he was looking at the stump. Elliot couldn’t tell. “Can I like…touch it?”
“Obviously fucking not,” butts in Shedletsky. Thank Tela. For once, it seemed he had some common sense. Maybe he had been graced with the communal brain cell. He turns to Elliot, an inquisitive look on his face. “Right?”
Nevermind.
“Guys, let’s leave him alone. He had a hard day, and he said he doesn’t want any more questions about it.” Thank fuck for Guest. Elliot should have guessed he was the one who would be the most normal about this. He actually had a brain. And, well, he’d probably seen guys like Elliot in the military, now that he thinks about it.
Chance puts on an exaggerated frown as he walks away, and Shedletksy mutters something under his breath. Like any amount of begging would convince him to let them ogle at him. The best he can do is shoot Guest a thankful look from where he’s sat right now. Guest gives him a nod in response and turns to leave, before hesitating a moment and turning back around.
“You alright to get back to your cabin?”
Elliot nods his head. “I’m gonna rest here for now. I’ll be fine to go later. Thanks.”
Guest seems content with that response, because he gives a hum of approval and smiles at Elliot.
“Goodnight. Sleep well. Tomorrow will be a better day.”
With that, he turns around and leaves the main cabin.
Elliot sinks back into the couch.
He’s exhausted, and tired, and probably going to get pestered to shit about this. But he doesn’t care. Maybe now the sentinels won’t miss their stuns as much when trying to save his ass. Maybe now they’ll keep a better eye on their healer. Maybe now they won’t complain about him staying hidden out of self-preservation.
Today was shit.
But maybe tomorrow will be better.