That heartbeat pounded in Eli's ears, all he could hear, as he tried desperately a second time to wrest himself free of the meat hook digging through his bloodied shoulder. Crimson seeped through his shirt and jacket, running down the length of his torso as he gave up on his second attempt, exhaustion winning him over. It was nearly impossible, he knew, the likelihood of lifting himself from this nightmare a futility, and he yet fought still. Although he had no idea where he would go once freed as surely the monster that had hung him here like some sort of macabre, screaming wind chime . . . surely he was still out there somewhere.<br/><br/>In the distance, the sound of heavy mechanical workings echoed through the trees and he could see a red light flashing. Whatever it was, Eli knew he'd be dead before it mattered. Or maybe he'd hang here and rot while crows pecked at his eyes. Or perhaps his tissues would give out and he'd slide free eventually, only to be hacked down and hung a second time. Both scenarios were equally unappealing compared to death.<i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0080ff">I wasn't serious when I wanted it to be over . . . </span></i>Is that was this was? Some sort of punishment for wishing away his existence?<br/><br/>Even as he thought it, strange black shapes had formed around him, blazing into existence like massive spiders' legs growing from the embers of some otherworldly fire, surrounding him in a cradle of fear. As if this could get any worse, he watched in horror as the legs, adorned with threatening spikes and sharpened sickeningly at their tips, wriggled about him excitedly. Then, without warning, the dagger-like appendage before his face drove itself towards his chest.<br/><br/>But he caught it just in time, both hands struggling weakly to preserve his life just a little but longer, though why he wasn't sure. He wanted this nightmare to end, but like Hell was Eli going to just give in so easily.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center"><div class="bbImageWrapper lazyload js-lbImage" data-lb-caption-extra-html="" data-lb-sidebar-href="" data-single-image="1" data-src="/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deadbydaylight.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F11%2Fdbd-toplogolarge.png&amp;hash=e4556eca0e03c2e2b07347894d1154bc" title="dbd-toplogolarge.png">
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</div></div><br/><br/><br/><i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">Yesss.</span></i>The Entity was so pleased with him, purring in his ear, promising him rewards for his success as he watched the sacrifice fight uselessly against the inevitable. Perhaps the other one would get away, but he was okay with that. Better one on the hook than two sneaking about. Better one sacrifice to appease the Entity than none, and so he stood by, out of sight, and watched as his victim held off the Entity's claws . . . as if anyone would come back for him. And if they did, well, his blade dripped with the essence of a fresh kill . . . and yet thirsted for more. Always more.<i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">Give in. Die like the rest. </span></i><br/><br/>And then he heard it, the dark whispers echoing about him, announcing the presence of another.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000"><i>Foolishly brave.</i> </span>That was their weakness, these humans, always fighting and dying for one another. They never seemed to learn. His eyes zeroed in on the second immediately as it limped into view, clutching its own injured side as it closed the distance towards the hook. It wouldn't be much longer now until the Entity had its way with that one.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000"> <i>Sooon.</i></span>The second . . . all in good time. No words were exchanged as one fought the claws digging at his flesh, the other moving to lift him down . . .<br/><br/>Excitement bubbled in him, darkness growing restless as he watched those steps inch closer and closer, hidden in the dark grass beneath his prey . . .<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">SNAP</span><br/><br/>His feral grin widened as the trap slammed shut once again on the flesh of the rescuer, the very same one he'd caught earlier.<i>Never learn.</i>With a lunge, he closed the distance in seconds, machete held high as he watched the pathetic thing struggle against the metal jaws. Heart pumping louder and louder, the Entity screaming in his ear to<i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">kill kill kill.</span></i>He brought his blade down with a sickening crunch, flattening the trapped human into the dirt like a tin can. Then, as if on cue, the hooked victim lost his fight with the Entity's jaws, those sharp edges burying themselves with the satisfactory sound of bones snapping, ribs giving way as dark spikes drove themselves into its weak body. A tidal wave of energy rolled across the arena, signalling the completion of a sacrifice.<br/><br/>The Entity was so pleased with him, especially as he moved to lift the second from the dirt and haul him like a sack of potatoes to the nearest hook, sliding him onto it with practiced ease. The human's cries of pain did interesting things to him, sending chills up his spine as he took a step back and watched.<br/><br/>Once upon a time, he might have found the process disturbing. Now, after an era of fearing the Entity's wrath, he'd been conditioned to enjoy it. And so enjoy it he did, driving his machete repeatedly into flesh and bone until the Entity lifted this one into the its embrace as well, the hook collapsing with a second explosion of energy.<br/><br/>And now, to do it all over again.