𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔, dreamnoblade

𝟎𝟕 | chapter seven

"I bet this must be fun during Halloween," Dream muses. They walk through the forest side-by-side, lighting the path with their phone flashlights. It's well past midnight at this point, meaning it's dark as hell.

The stargazing site is almost a full mile from the planetarium. Techno hesitated to tell Dream about it since they'd be up late enough already, but Dream insisted. It'd only take a quarter of an hour to walk there, and the view would be worth it.

That's what Dream claimed, anyway. Techno should've known better than to trust him.

The forest is dense, trees crowding the edges of the path. Roots make the trail uneven, and the canopy blocks most of the moonlight. If anyone was going to jump them, this would be the perfect place.

"If I die here, you can leave my body for the animals," Techno implores. "Just run while you can."

Dream elbows him. "You're not going to die," he insists. "Not while I'm here."

"I appreciate the assurance, but I fail to see what you're going to do against a serial killer."

Untrue. Techno is fairly confident in Dream's fighting prowess. If the man can vault over a counter without batting an eye, chances are he can fend for himself.

(Yes, he remembers that. The ease in Dream's movement still bugs him. There's nothing useful about being able to jump over a counter. Why did Dream learn to, and why can he do it so well? Surely he's not hurdling every surface he sees.)

Then again, if they're getting jumped in this forest, their attacker most likely has a weapon. Can Dream fight someone off with only his fists? Techno believes in him, but not that much.

The chances of Techno dying first are slim, though. This situation is unlikely but not impossible.

"I'll go for the jugular," Dream replies, unbothered. "Stab 'em."

"Where are you gettin' the knife from?"

"Who said I would be using a knife?"

Techno gives him a long look. The librarian widens his eyes and blinks in faux innocence. The older turns away with a snort. "Your nails are sharp enough to puncture someone's skin."

"What? Why would I use my nails?" Dream tilts his phone to examine his hands. Someone drew a lopsided smiley face in green marker on his left hand. His hands are otherwise untouched.

His nails are far too blunt to stab someone, though. Technoblade says as much.

Dream squints at him in the darkness. "I'm not using my nails to attack someone," he insists. "I'll use a stick."

And he thought using his nails was stupid? Techno decides to entertain the idea, though. Maybe he can lead Dream to the logical conclusion that sticks are shitty makeshift weapons. The ones you find on the ground tend to be brittle, and you'd have to sharpen them. Your best bet is to go with a log and use it like a club.

"What, like this?" Techno kicks at a twig lying on the path. It's about as thick as pencil, meaning it's completely useless.

"No, like..." Dream turns in a circle, examining the ground. "When I see one, I'll point it out."

"Right." He does his best to keep the amusement out of his voice. Judging by the librarian's unimpressed stare, he failed. Oh, well.

They continue walking, and in time, Technoblade notes that the trees are thinning. He also notes that Dream has yet to find a suitable stick. Techno wins by default, then.

He doesn't say anything, though. He can't be too hasty. It's like in old legends: trying to avoid fate will only tangle you deeper in its web. If he wants to win, he needs to keep quiet.