The two of them had looked around the woods just enough to know exactly where everything was - and had decided that for the night, they should look over clues on where to find either Alex in the hospital they came across. They never really bothered to stay there for too long - Haru had claimed it made her feel uneasy, but she was the one who suggested they head there, for whatever reason. Emi had found it odd, but she went along with it. Besides, anything that would help Haru focus more on their task at hand, right?

"...But doesn't the hospital make you feel scared, Haru?" Emi would ask, as Haru dragged her along behind her. Haru seemed a bit too chipper to be heading to the place she claimed scared her, and it all but made Emi just a bit confused.

"It's fine!" Haru would respond back, looking over her shoulder with a smile wide on her face. "Besides, we're probably missing a few clues from there, anyways. I would always chicken out and we'd never search. We could go over our clues in here, and maybe we'll find something new. Something vital- you'd want that, right?"

"I...guess so..." Emi's voice is soft, as she follows after Haru. They'd arrive at the hospital in no time, and Emi can't help but to look over towards Haru in worry. She hadn't exactly been herself for the past few hours, and given that it was... what, two in the morning- and Haru wanted to go and investigate even more? Something wasn't right.

But everything had happened way too quickly for Emi to process- and the next thing she knew, Haru had her hands on the sides of her head with her nails nearly digging into her skin, her breath heavy, all while she quietly whispered something along the lines of _it's here it's here it's here it's here it's here it's here it's--_

Operator's sickness, Emi's quick to realize.

Emi does nothing but stand where she is, watching on Haru in absolute horror. She had the feeling that Haru would pick up the sickness eventually- she had been the one who ventured through the woods on her lonesome more often than not, anyways. She was the one who had a personal encounter with it on more than one occasion, anyways - it was no surprise that it came to her. It was of no secret that Emi had been suffering from it, too, and _Haru_ had been the one to bring her comfort when she needed it most. Now that the tables have turned, Emi can only stand, watching as her best friend digs her nails into the side of her head and cry into her knees.

Turning on her heel just slightly so she can get a better view of Haru, Emi takes quiet steps towards her - being careful to not step on anything that would make a sudden loud noise and startle her. She was _never_ good with comfort - but Haru had always been there for her, she wanted to at least attempt to return the favor. But just as she's about to step closer, she hears the sounds of footsteps enter the room from behind, and Emi turns to look over her shoulder.

She scowls, as an all too familiar figure comes into view. She had only ever seen him just a couple of times, and he must've heard the sounds of Haru's cries and came running, clearly attracted to it. Haru had mentioned to her constantly about a hooded man who would approach her while she made her way through the woods, acting aggressive towards her so much to the point she had thought multiple times he was going to kill her. It was clear from Haru's words-- this man made her uncomfortable, made her scared- and the last thing Emi wanted was for her to feel more scared than she already was.

So, she ignores him the best she can. She approaches Haru, reaching a hand out to put on her shoulder-

When she notices a gloved hand reach for the same exact shoulder, and she slaps it away as hard as she possibly can. She hadn't heard him approach them, and it helps her realize-- his silence probably makes it easy for him to sneak up on Haru when she's by herself. It's a thought that makes her sick to her stomach, as she narrows her eyes towards him and looks up at the mask that hides the features of the man who wears it.

"I can take care of her." Emi says, her voice uncharacteristically nonchalant.