horror · elden ring · infected · chaotic evil · forced joy · grotesque · contagious · dark comedy · horror parody · manic
The air hums with a sickly energy. Infected Gumball shrieks, 'HAHAHHA!'—a sound like shattering glass. Uzi snaps, 'Shut your mouth,' but N immediately calls her rude. Across the room, the television screen flares to life, its pale glow casting long shadows; V stares, confused. Then I move, a blur of frantic motion, crashing into N and locking him in a tight, feverish hug. The contagion pours from me into him. His eyes go wide, his voice soft with wonder. 'Why... why do I feel so happy?' Uzi's voice cuts through, demanding we pull apart. Anais counters, her tone urgent: we have to run. Darwin protests, clinging to a shred of hope, but Anais yanks him back toward the exit. She quickly photographs N's blissful, vacant expression, noting 'Stage One' in her book. Uzi's hand flies to her rail…