The Cost of Survival

Li Wei and Xia Ren rested in silence, the cool stone floor beneath them a rare comfort after the deadly rooms they had just endured. The faint hum of magic woven into the walls was calming, a low vibration that hinted at the enchantments keeping them safe—temporarily, at least.

Xia Ren broke the silence, his voice carrying an edge of weary humor. “Didn’t think I’d ever be grateful for a stone floor, but here we are.”

Li Wei didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stretched gingerly, wincing as he adjusted himself on the hard cot. The movement pulled his shirt taut across his back, revealing faint crimson stains soaking through the fabric. Xia Ren’s sharp gaze caught the sight immediately.

“Hey, Li Wei,” he said, frowning. “You’re injured.”

Li Wei’s expression didn’t change, but he shifted slightly, his shoulders tensing. “I managed fine until now,” he replied evenly, avoiding Xia Ren’s eyes.

Xia Ren sat up, crossing his arms. “Fine? You can barely sit straight, let alone fight.”

After a beat of silence, Li Wei let out a quiet sigh, brushing a hand over the gash on his back. “These rooms don’t give time to recover,” he muttered, more to himself than Xia Ren. “I was barely out of one escape room when they threw me into another.”

Xia Ren’s eyes narrowed, concern slipping into his usual bravado. “Why do you even keep doing this? You know the death rate here. Most people don’t survive a single run, let alone five.”

Li Wei paused, his gaze darkening. “I don’t have a choice. And since I never volunteered for any of this, I prefer doing it alone.” He finally met Xia Ren’s gaze, his expression unreadable. “Because, if one of us dies, the other is killed immediately.”

Xia Ren’s jaw dropped slightly, his casual grin vanishing. “Wait. So, we’re linked? They didn’t tell me that.”

“Of course not.” Li Wei’s tone was cold, but there was a bitter edge beneath it. “This place doesn’t work like that. It’s all about control, and they want to make sure no one escapes. If one person fails, the entire attempt is over. The stakes are higher with two.”

Xia Ren was quiet for a long moment, the weight of Li Wei’s words settling heavily between them. “So, that’s why you’ve always gone solo.”

Li Wei gave a small nod. “I don’t want anyone else’s death on my hands. This place… it forces you to make impossible choices. And when you’re alone, at least you don’t have anyone else to protect.” He hesitated, glancing away. “But this time, I didn’t get a choice.”

A grim understanding flickered in Xia Ren’s eyes. He ran a hand through his hair, absorbing this new reality. “Guess that makes me lucky you’re around, then,” he said lightly, though his tone held none of his usual levity. He glanced back at Li Wei, nodding to his injuries. “But if we’re both going to survive, you need to patch yourself up first.”

At that, Li Wei gestured to a cabinet in the corner of the room, which bore a faint emblem of healing magic. “The recuperation rooms usually have supplies. Change of clothes, basic healing items, maybe even a basin if we’re lucky. They don’t want us dying too soon.” He stood carefully, wincing as he moved, and headed toward the cabinet. Xia Ren joined him, opening it to reveal fresh linens, basic healing salves, and a small basin with clean water.

They took turns washing off, each grateful for the brief respite. Li Wei winced as he cleaned the deeper cuts on his back, the sting of the water a reminder of how close he’d come to losing control in the last room. Xia Ren, for once, stayed quiet, his usual teasing replaced by a surprising gentleness as he offered Li Wei a clean bandage.

“Here,” Xia Ren murmured, helping him apply the bandage carefully. “After all, can’t have my survival buddy falling apart on me, right?”

Li Wei couldn’t help a slight smirk at that, though it was fleeting. “Keep up that attitude, and we might make it to the end after all.”

Once they’d bandaged their wounds and changed into fresh clothes, the two settled onto the cots, their weapons within reach. Silence settled over them as they each processed the risks and responsibilities they’d shouldered. Neither knew what lay ahead, but for the first time, Li Wei felt a sliver of something he hadn’t experienced in any previous escape room: a hint of companionship. The thought surprised him, almost as much as the fact that, for once, he didn’t entirely mind it.

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