The group pauses at her words, Anastasia and Meize pausing above the bed.

“She’s right.” Meize says, his eyes narrowing as he turns back around. “You keep ordering us around.”

I do.” Ambrose agrees. The others wait for her to offer up further words, but none come.

“What she says makes sense.” Anastasia finally breaks the awkward silence. “She’s not making us listen to her. Can we just get some sleep? The exhaustion’s hit me.”

“Right. Fair enough.” Meize relents. “Just don’t go getting any ideas. I put up with you lot, but I make my own decisions.”

“I didn’t mean to make things tense.” Bunny speaks up. “I just don’t like being commanded, you know? I’m with Meize.” Meize simply grunts at her response. Ambrose turns away from them, leaving them to figure out things on their own.

“Come.” Ambrose says, gesturing to Bunny as she walks to the door. Ambrose pulls back the chair, adjusting the door to open partially, before leaning it back against the door frame. Enough to reveal the field in front of it without drawing in too much of a cold wind. “Sit.” She says, dragging another chair to face the crack in the door.

“I just said I don’t like being commanded.” Bunny grumbles as she moves to the chair. Ambrose ignores her as she moves back to the middle of the room. She leans against the side of one of the walls, her vision covering the doorway and the inside of the room.

Ambrose watches the outside quietly, her eyes passing across the dense grass as she scours it for any movement. Every few sweeps her eyes will travel the room, passing over the group and studying its dark corners, before returning to the fields outside. The thought of leaving occurred to her, which she weighed, before crushing it immediately.

“So what’s your history.” Bunny speaks up. The soft snoring of Anastasia and Meize create background noise as Ambrose turns her eyes to Bunny for a moment, before returning to her watch.

“Come on.” Bunny says. “You’ve kept me up. At least humour me.”

“No.” Ambrose answers.

“Give me something at least.” Bunny presses. “I know we come from all walks of life. None of us are used to such a crazy situation.” She gestures to the other two. “Yet you seem pretty used to this, and it isn’t a skill you just learn.”

“It is.” Ambrose says quietly.

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“Sorry?” Bunny says.

“Where I’m from it is.” Ambrose raises her voice this time, giving Bunny a piercing look.

“Sorry.” Bunny brings her hands up. “I’ll stop pushing. Just interested is all. We’re all trying to stay alive, and your expertise is daunting.” Bunny turns back to face the door. After a few moments a muffled voice comes out. “I’m scared.” She mutters.

“So am I.” Ambrose answers softly. The cold sends a shiver through her body. A long silence pervades the room. The moonlight begins to thin as the night draws long, the shadows that cover the grass growing larger with each passing moment. Ambrose’s eyes can only peer into a few of the patches now, and her frown deepens as she studies them.

“Wake them up.” Ambrose nudges Bunny. She’d started to drift off and the sudden push made her shoot up in shock, clutching her staff tight. Her half-lidded eyes catch on Ambrose, before turning to the bed.

“Is it time?” Bunny mumbles. The moonlight filtering into the room begins to change. From a clear white to a light pink until it reaches a deep blood red. As the light changes, it becomes to dwindle, until it barely reveals her face in its dim light. Ambrose looks up at the sky, the ominous red moon now hanging above them.

“Wake them up.” Ambrose says solemnly, and this time Bunny moves immediately.

“Get up.” Bunny hissers as she begins to shake Anastasia and Meize.

“I’m already awake.” Meize picks himself up from the bed, looking over at Ambrose as Bunny continues to shake Anastasia. “Did you see anything?”

“The shadows were too long.” Ambrose says as she shuts the door completely, dragging the table against it.

“Are we fighting inside?” Bunny mumbles as she drags a murmuring Anastasia, still pulling herself together, over to them.

“No.” Ambrose answers. “We’re removing information. When they come, we fight outside.”

“But we can’t see them either.” Meize mutters.

“We can’t see anything.” Ambrose states. “Now get in front. The second something shakes that door, you’re throwing yourself out of it.”

“Woah, no way.” Meize backs up at her statement, turning to her. “I said you don’t command me. There’s no way in hell I am first out of that door. And definitely not with a painted neon sign saying ‘target me’ while you all watch.” He looks at the others, but they simply look back at him. “No.” Meize says with finality, crossing his arms.

“You’re going to send three frail girls up first.” Anastasia says softly, leaning on him. “Isn’t that too much?”

“No.” Meize says again, shaking her off. “I will not be the guinea pig of this plan.”

“Don’t be a coward.” Bunny scolds. Meize simply shrugs.

“We don’t have time for this.” Ambrose interrupts. “If you won’t do your job, I will.”

“Then do it.” Meize returns, his eyes watching her coldly as she advances to the door.

“Coward.” Bunny hisses and moves forward with Ambrose.

“Oh come on guys.” Anastasia says nervously. She palms the tube on her waist and brings it up to her eye level. “Here goes nothing.” A single swig and Anastasia staggers, clutching to one of the walls as a wave of exhaustion washes over her. “I need another rest. Messarah give me strength.”

Ambrose crouches down under the table, moving to the left side of the door. She gives herself enough space to respond, and waits patiently. The group hold their breath as the time passes. Each second dragging on in the stifling atmosphere. The moons light dims even further with each moment, growing darker and darker until only each other's vague silhouettes are outlined.