Us Against the World

Chapter 43- Trauma, Bittersweet Reunions and a Very Soggy Child

le gasp, lookit me updating twice in a day! double le gasp plans for a third update today? hmmm?

anyways onto angst!

TW/CWs: Mention of Kidnapping, Imprisonment, Mention of Panic Attacks, Disassociation, PTSD, Mention of Needles, Fear of Needles, Swearing, Dehumanizing Behaviors, Weapons, Deafness due to injury, Scars, Mention of Scars, Mention of Death, Mention of Violence, Mention of Blackmail, Implied Mention of Death Threats, Injury

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White.

That is what Tommy wakes up to, just white absolutely everywhere. After a few groggy seconds, he sits up, trying to get a better grasp of his surroundings than 'white'.

But that's really all there is to see. White walls, white flooring, white door – all padded of course- and white cot with a thin scratchy white blanket. When his eyes fall on the simple black logo on the door his breathing instantly picks up.

Shit no this- no this cannot be real this isn't real, this isn't re-

A crackle come from hidden speakers before a chillingly familiar automated voice order, "Change into provided uniform and place all personal items in the chute."

Tommy's breath becomes erratic, and he begins to tug at his hair, the quiet background noise being blocked out by the cotton filling his brain. Automatically he grabs the folded jumpsuit near the door and changes into it, placing the significantly more comfortable clothing in the chute on the wall where it instantly disappears.

"Good. Experiment 1812 315 1514 please stand against the back wall and wait to be taken to cafeteria."

Again, Tommy complies with the scratchy PA voice, shuffling barefooted to the wall opposite the wall and waiting obediently. Less then a minute later a creeper hybrid in the armored uniform of the lab guards opens the door and cuffs the raccoon hybrid's arms behind him. The guard leads him to a closed door and presses his ID against the wall scanner.

The door opens to reveal a large cafeteria filled with hundreds of people- mostly children, hybrids and humans alike. Armed guards stand watch in a gallery above the eating area. Tommy is shoved in after the cuffs are removed.

When the handcuffs are removed, it's as though the boy comes out of a trance, stumbling and leaning against the wall as a familiar, buzzing headache begins in the back of his head.

After a few groggy seconds, he becomes acutely aware of the fact that he is no longer wearing the sweater he stole from Wilbur. Scratchy polyester jumpsuit rubs against the racoon hybrid's skin as he stands up straight, scanning the room, only to slump in recognition.

Dejected and on the verge of a panic attack, Tommy shuffles to get a tray of disgusting, bland food. The teen is operating on pure muscle memory as all his brain power is currently focused on not having a breakdown.

When he looks up at what he remembers as his old usual table, his heart does a strange flop. Rising because her recognizes an old friend and falling because now he's certain that he's been stuck here this whole time. He moves closer, half-hoping to be wrong as what seems to be the older boy who took him under his wing laughs with a short brunette girl.

"Freddie?" Tommy sets his tray down on the table with a small click, both of the people at the table looking up instantly.

Shock, recognition and sadness flash across what is now obviously Freddie's face, "Tom- oh god," The older boy stands and hugs Tommy tightly.

When he's release from his old friend's crushing hug he gestures to the girl who's just sitting there, looking more confused then makes sense, "Who's this?"

"Oh, this is Aimsey," Freddie sits back down across from Tommy, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Hey," Tommy waves, the table falling into a bit of an awkward silence when the bear hybrid has no reaction apart from to silently look between him and Freddie.

Freddie taps Aimsey on the shoulder, causing her to turn and face him expectantly. The brunette signs a short series of hand movements, which end with the girl's confused and sad expression being replaced with a wide, crooked smile.

"Hi Tommy," The short bear hybrid croaks, distinct accent being partially covered by atrophy and odd intonation.

"Is she..." The blonde gestures to his ear with one hand and both nod, "Oh... uh sorry about that."

Aimsey signs while Freddie interprets for her, "We tried to escape with a friend about a year ago. Freddie got that scar on his side, and I lost my hearing and sight in one eye. Our friend didn't make it."

"Oh. Shit... uh..." Tommy awkwardly pats the short girl on the head, causing her to burst into giggles at the raccoon boy's awkward attempt at comforting. Freddie too begins laughing at his friend's awkwardness.

The jovial air is broken by Tommy snapping his head to look at Freddie, "Have you seen a bee hybrid about this tall?" He puts a hand at around chin height for him.

"No sorry. They you're friend?" Freddie asks, also interpreting the entire conversation for his deaf friend.

"Yeah..." Tommy begins to scan the large room for his friends. Instead his gaze falls on two cat-like hybrids sitting in a corner, "Who're they?"

Following the raccoon hybrid gaze, Freddie shrugs, "Dunno, never seen them before," He looks to Aimsey who also shakes her head, signing 'I don't know'.

"Weird the guys who..." Rage flashes across the blonde's face, and he instantly stands, stalking across the room towards the pair.

"Tommy!" Freddie hurries after the younger, Aimsey scurrying after the two, struggling to keep up with her significantly shorter legs.

By the time Freddie and Aimsey catch up Tommy is looming over two lynx hybrids. Both girls are looking up at him like they've seen a ghost. The one on the left clears her throat, "I'm sorry, we didn't have a choice."

"Tommy, explain," Freddie pulls the angry raccoon boy away slightly.

"I'm back in this shithole thanks to those two. Rounded an alley to see 'em crouched over Tubbo and Ranboob. Nabbed one of their powers but the short one pinned me down and got a cuff on me. Held me down while one of 'em knocked me out with some needle," Tommy spits, shuddering along with the others at the mention of a needle.

"We were blackmailed," The same one mutters apologetically, nudging the other who nods.

"With what?" Tommy sneers, obviously thinking that nothing blackmail-able would be worth this.

"Our lives."

Tommy and Freddie both make an 'understandable' head gesture before Tommy looks around, "Wait where's the short little prick who tackled me?"

"We don't know," The girl on the right says with a sad but mischievous smile.

"Oh," When Tommy realizes the implications of what the girl is saying, he grins, "Ohhh!... Well, I'm Tommy," He holds his hand out politely, much to the surprise of the twins and Freddie and Aimsey.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Drista wakes up to freezing rain and hail pounding down from the dark sky above the alleyway she fell unconscious in. After dragging herself into a standing position, she becomes aware of the fact that somehow she twisted something in her ankle while unconscious. Unable to teleport- her stomach is still twisting violently from whatever force-field-bubble she did earlier- she begins to limp towards the only place she can think of where she might be able to get help.

1177 words

holiday angst go brrrrrr

Also lmao wolfy and stanger it was hilarious watching you guess literally every other "short brunette girl" other than Aimsey. L in the chat for those two and their overheating brains please.