Healing Scars (Sequel to Wounds of Pain)

(9) House

TW: Mentions of kidnapping, murder, suicide.

The Next Day

Tommy, Wilbur, Eret, Techno, and Dream were standing outside of Tubbo's father's house. The police were currently investigating the area. They were not required to come along, but decided they might as well. Plus, Tommy was still very worried about one of his closest friends going missing, and wanted to get all the information he could. Wilbur and Dream had told him many times that it was probably dangerous, and that they should not go. But when did Tommy ever listen to others? Never.

One of the police officers searching the area walks over to the group.
"So, you're the victim's friends, yeah?" He asks them. "Yes, that's us. Have you found any information on his case, yet?" Techno asked the officer. "Unfortunately, no. We are unable to find anything that may point us to the boy going missing." The officer replied. Tommy sighed in disappointment. "Will we ever find out what happened? Is Tubbo gone for good?" He asked frantically, starting to panic.

"I cannot assure you that he will get out of this case alive. If it takes too long with no evidence, he will be declared dead. There are many, many things that could have happened to him." The officer explained.

"What could've happened, aside from him getting kidnapped by his maniac of a father?!" Tommy exclaimed.

"Would you like to know the options we have thought of on this case?" The officer asked, aimed toward the adults. "Yes, please. Thank you, as well." Wilbur responded, glancing at Tommy as a warning.

"Okay. The first option is, quite obviously, kidnapping. He could have left the house, as stated in the missing persons' report, and gotten snatched. Many kidnappers do look for teens and children that aren't very strong looking, and especially at night, in closed off neighborhoods. It would also make sense if it was his father, out for revenge on the boy who took everything from him."
The older boys of the group followed along, understanding. Tommy still looked panicked and angry.

"Our second option, is murder," the officer continued. "We also suspect that this missing persons' story could have been a fraud, a cover up, of Toby's murder." Wilbur nodded in understanding.

"And our final most popular theory is suicide. It's highly likely that he left that house at night, with no intent to return."
Tommy's eyes widened.

"We also have a couple more theories, but those are the most likely ones, and have the most evidence. It's getting quite late, so we have to leave now. We will continue the search party tomorrow." The officer informed them, before walking away from the group without awaiting a response. He rounded up all of the other police officers, and they left.

It was silent for a couple moments before Wilbur finally spoke up.
"We should really get going. It is getting late, and we don't want to be out at night. Safety reasons, of course." He explained. The others nodded in agreement, and started walking to the car. Tommy kept standing, looking at the house. It seemed he was observing the area, searching for any clues. Anything he could find that would get Tubbo back.
"Tommy, let's go." Wilbur said, pulling his arm. Tommy complied, walking with Wilbur to the car.

In the car, it was mostly silent. No fights breaking the tension in the air this time, nobody felt like it. Not after hearing that the police were unable to find out anything about Tubbo.
Finally, Tommy broke the silence of the quiet atmosphere.

"Do you think it's true?" Wilbur looked at Tommy in confusion.
"Hm? We think what's true?"
"The fact that Tubbo could've... killed himself?"
"I, well.. I mean.. it's a very high possibility, but personally I believe his father is behind it."
"But, what if Tubbo did kill himself? What if he"

"TUBBO ISN'T DEAD!"

Everyone jumped at the sound of Eret yelling. They all turned their attention to them. "He's not dead, and if you keep talking like he is, then you'll be pretty soon!"
"Eret, please," Wilbur responded, "Tubbo could be dead. It's a likely possibility, so please, stop denying the truth. We probably aren't going to get a happy outcome from this situation. Nothing is going to be okay."

Eret went silent.

"I know. I know he's not okay, but I really wish he was. He was my responsibility." Eret said.
"Your responsibility?" Tommy asked.

"Yes," Eret began, "Ever since I discovered how he was living at home, I made it my goal to protect him. His safety was my priority. But now he's probably fucking dead, because I let my guard down, which is why I hate this situation, and I hate this city, and I hate you all!"
Wilbur put his hand on Eret's shoulder. "It isn't your fault at all."

"Hey, I hate to interrupt your little moment, but we're here." Dream spoke from the front seat.
"Dream, this is your house...?" Wilbur questioned.
"Oh, yeah, I thought that we should all stay here tonight - maybe a few nights, even - until this whole thing gets sorted out and you guys feel safe." He explained. Tommy nodded his head, feeling like that was a good idea. Wilbur agreed since Tommy agreed, and he didn't want Tommy to be on his own. Eret didn't want to make them drive him home, so she agreed to stay as well.

They walked into the house, feeling exhausted.
"So, we need to figure out how this is going to work." Techno stated. "There's three bedrooms. Of course, Dream and I are sharing my bedroom."
"Why your bedroom? Why not mine?" Dream asked. Techno shrugged.
"Rather sleep in my own room, ya know." He continued. "So, two people can sleep in the guest room, since we have two beds in there, and one person in Dream's room."

Wilbur, Eret, and Tommy looked between each other, thinking it through.
"Alright, so we know Wilbur isn't sleeping alone. It's either me and Wil, or him and Eret." Tommy replied.
"I think I should go with you, Tommy, if you're okay with that?" Wilbur asked Tommy. Tommy nodded his head in agreement. They were all tired already and decided to just head to bed. They walked up the stairs and into their designated rooms.

---

"Alright Dream, you're sleeping on the floor." Techno said, climbing into bed.
"What- why?!" Dream exclaimed.
"It's my room, and we are not sharing a bed." Techno grinned.
"So that's the real reason you chose your room, huh?" Dream realized.
Techno nodded.

--

Tommy and Wilbur both got into their own beds, in the guest room.
"Hm. Smells like a hotel." Wilbur commented, with a laugh. Tommy didn't reply. After a few seconds, Wilbur grew worried.
"..Tommy?"
"Hey Wil?"
"Yeah? Something wrong?"
"..."
"Tommy?"
"I want to go back to Tubbo's house tomorrow."
"Yeah, we're going again, with the police-"
"Alone."

"...Well then.. we ride at dawn."

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word count: 1171
its literally 4 am here el o el