Emily

Jingling and bustling stirs me, and when my eyes open, everything is dim. Fear stabs at me, and I discomfort radiates through my skull. I can't see Pixel, and anxiety creeps in.

Where have they put him?

Pushing myself up to my feet, I wobble to the door and haul it open, only to stagger backward as purple eyes greet me. "You're up earlier than I thought. Terabyte will be pleased."

His cold fingers grip my upper arm before he hauls me after him down a darker hallway, and nausea hits me. What does this terabyte want with us?

"Where's Pixel? What have you done to him?" I seethe, yanking my arm back.

"Your little pet is waiting for you to join the party; don't worry, we haven't hurt him, much," he chuckles, and I stumble in tow.

Tears fill my eyes at the images of the state Pixel could be in, and dread swims in at the thought of our mission failing. I can't fight, and I don't have a clue where we are. If they've subdued Pixel, then our best bet is out the window.

I'm pushed through a door and catch myself to stop from tumbling to the floor. Clapping sounds around us, and there's a distinct groan near to me. A tall figure clad in red and black stands at the other end of the room which isn't that big, and glowing red eyes stare me down.

"Welcome girl. I've heard you've been trying to escape our little domain."

I hold my chin up defiantly. "I'm trying to go home. We want no trouble, so let us go and we'll be on our way—"

"I don't think so, girl," he spits, and takes a step closer. "You see, this Pixel has caused us some problems over the years and having you in the mix isn't boding well for us. The only way you can get out of here is either join my squad or be deleted."

Pixel weakly raises his head, and I can see his face has a few bruises lining it and his lip is split. My heart sinks at the apologetic hue on his features and how he can barely look at me. I want him to look at me, and I want to get us out of here, but the room is packed with people, and the only way out is the way I came in.

This Pixel?

My brows furrow, and slowly it dawns on me. That's how he's been doing all this with the hand portal, how he mystically saved me from the Virus. But he's just as human as I am. He's helped me, fell in love, and has taken care of me when the time's called for it. I don't care what he is because he's my Pixel.

"I-I'm sorry," he groans, trying to fight the hold on him.

Meeting his eye, I sport my best smile. "It's OK. . . we'll find a way."

He was never trapped in the phone; he was born in the phone. There isn't a possible way for him to leave. . . but the Data knew something.

"Can we leave the device?" I demand, and the crimson eyes brighten, but his fists show another reason.

"No. Now, give me your name, or I'll kill him," he growls, marching closer.

When I remain silent, he grips my jaw in a vice like grip, and I'm scared he's going to dislocate it.

"B-Blondie!" I cry, pain radiating through me. "My name's Blondie!"

The Terabyte releases me roughly and I can see the relieved smile on Pixel's face. Then it turns hard when the boss starts fiddling with his Reader, and he begins to thrash and yell, and I know this is my chance to run for it until I can find a way to get him back.

Smacking him square in the face, I bolt for the exit, only for that purple eyed asshole to wind me. Gasping for breath, I lean on his arm and do my best not to crumple. I'm assuming this one is the second in command by how composed he is. I whimper, hearing Pixel's cry of desperation as he battles a blue version of the male holding me securely.

The red one paces, and his metallic lips turn down. "I see you're one for lies. OK then, I have other ways to dispose of you."

He clicks his fingers, and I watch as something lanky emerges from behind a desk in the corner. Ice runs down my spine as I watch it shuffle over lazily before standing a few inches away from the Terabyte.

"This is my Corrupted, a product from the Virus." He grins, but it's disgustingly cruel. He can corrupt anything, and you will be fully under my control. But what's the fun in doing that yet when I can torture you before?" he muses.

His heated gaze drops to the blue man with a sniper riffle strapped to his back. "Hold him still."

My breaths come quick as he nears Pixel with the Corrupted, and my body starts wriggling. "W-what are you doing? Why are you doing this to us?"

"Because that's how the world works, girl. I'm afraid you're too late to realise that, now say your last words."

I fight like a wild animal, but I can't move, and tears race down my cheeks. "P-Pixel, I can't. . ."

He smiles, keeping his gaze solely on me. "It's going to be OK. I'm sorry I couldn't get you out of here."

I shake my head. "No, Pixel. Please, don't give up. We can do it." I'm not so sure now, but I can see he's got a plan. "You're going to have to run," he mouths the last part.

He whirls round and nails the blue one in the neck with a small dagger, earning a masculine scream before they drop to their knees. Using the distraction I run, only for someone to block the door on the other side. I wrestle, but they don't budge, and hope is lost as I stand there with horror filled eyes as the red man grips Pixel in a tough hold and bares his neck.

"Get him, boy."

The Corrupted pounces on him and sinks elongated teeth into Pixel's skin, and a scream comes from me as I watch Pixel writhe in pure agony.

"Pixel!"

The Corrupted drops him and is dismissed to behind the counter again. Pixel's skin instantly turns pale, and his chest rises and falls rapidly as he hits the ground, dragging slightly elongated nails across the surface. He sits on his knees, and strange red markings line his skin and red veins dust underneath his eyes. And the green. . . the beautiful green irises I fell in love with drain of colour and turn into a brilliant red as the whites turn black. His head snaps forward as he steadily climbs to his feet, and he doesn't move.

"P-Pixel?"

A sadistic smile curves his lips, revealing two sharp canines. "Run, little girl."

The purple guy orders the man in the doorway to step aside, only to block the door to the left. Bolding in the opposite direction, I know the room ahead is the one I was trapped in, and the only way I have to go, is up. I can hear cackles and laughter as feet pound behind me, and sadness clutches my heart.

My Pixel. . .

Stumbling, I slam my knee into the step, crying in pain as I limp up the remainder until I'm at the top of this strange tower, catching glimpses of the buildings out of the window on the way. Tears blur my vision, but I push through.

Breaking through the only door left, I slam it shut and search for something to barricade it, only to freeze. There's a woman, no older than forty, and she looks sick. Scrambling to the side, I rip rope from the wall and curl it around the hand and tying it off to a pipe before jamming a filing cabinet under the handle.

Darting over, her skin is deathly pale, and there's no colour pigments to her hair. "W-what are they doing to you?" I whisper, but there's no response, just a moan and a slight attempt at a tug of the bonds restraining her.

They're like rope, but they glow red and seem to hum. They remind me of the Virus, but long. I bet it's one of their sick concoctions like the Corrupted that's taken away my Pixel.

Ripping off the hem of my shirt, I wrap it around my fist, hearing the handle jiggle. Searching the area, I grab one of the many chairs lining the room and throw it at the window. At first it doesn't give, but after two agonised attempts, it shatters, and the chair goes with it. Snatching up a shard, I stumble over to the woman and grip one of the ropes and start slicing.

Voices call on the other side of the room, and fear rattles me. "Get out of there!" one hollers, and it urges me on.

I don't know what I'm going to do once I get this woman free, nor do I know who she is. But I can't stand to see her tied up, and I can feel my body humming with something different. I'm scared my time is running out before I become a Cursor, but if I can stop whatever this is, then I'll be grateful.

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