- 𝐃𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 // 𝐃𝐧𝐟 -

sixteen

Trigger/Content Warnings
- Mature language
- Suicidal ideation

"Wilbur?" George says, taken aback.

There he was, by some miracle still alive in the burning heights of hell; alive, but with something so ghostly about him. The light he held at his hand revealed the miniscule cracks in his visibly broken glasses but failed to lure the attention away from his tired, tired eyes. Out of all the possible people we could've ran into, we were just lucky enough to have ran into people we know. I wasn't complaining at all, since it's less awkward than plain old strangers.

He looked back, squinting as he adjusted his glasses; a trace of a smile when he recognised us.

Sooner or later, he led us to his little camp spot which was not so far from where we were found. George and I were happy to know that Maxine and Tommy were there too, far into sleep after what seemed like continuous turmoil by the look on both of their faces.

It was late. All of us knew that.

By the passing minute, the end of the world loomed closer.

George had fallen asleep on my shoulder as we settled on a log next to the light source lighting up the area. Wilbur was aware of how sleep deprived he had gotten, and thus decided to get a few hours in. I was the only person awake in the treacherous eyes of night, getting harder to breathe in the hotter, thicker air; you wouldnt get anything else but a shower of sweat.

I couldn't bring myself to sleep, not just yet. Not after what Ive just experienced. Maybe its the fever that I've developed on the way here, but something else I can't really put my finger on.

*

The hands of Wilbur's watch hovered over 5AM.

Barely having gotten any sleep, all I do is sit and stare.

"Psst, Maxine," the blue-eyed boy whispered, smiling in a fit of excitement.

"GOGY AND HIS BOYFRIEND ARE HERE!" He mouthed, not having the throat to scream it out at this early, ungodly hour. Maxine opened her eyes, unfazed by Tommy's usual shenanigans. I tried to hold in my eagerness to laugh as I watched how his jaw had dropped at the sight of us. Wilbur was easily awoken, because this child never fails to be loud at whatever hour in the morning.

George, still leaning on my shoulder, however, was still dozed off. I watched him, so delicate and still; the steady rise and fall of his breath and the low snore from his throat.

There and then, I prepared myself for the beginning of the slow process of dying.

*

There was not much else to do than just wait. And so, as time flew, wed just chat, consume resources, sleep, find some way of entertainment (which was incredibly easy given Tommys presence.)

On one measly night, Wilbur and Maxine had gone off in search of any helpful things, or to possibly find other people. It was just me, George and Tommy. George of course, being asleep again.

I glance at him, wondering if hed start some conversation to break the silence in our circle; but he seemed bothered, staring off into space. Life isnt going to get any better. We're practically all going to be a goner in a matter of a few days or weeks.

He lets out a heavy sigh, and with the continuation of silence making me spiral into insanity, I finally utter:

"So, Tommy, how have you been",

The blonde-haired boy remains silent; despondent. This side of him was one I didn't see often.

"Look, I know the mud here is dry and tastes like shit, and that you almost started choking when you tried some this morning, but-"

"Yeah, yeah. No need to remind me, I know it tastes like shit."

"Well, obviously something is wrong and I wouldn't mind listening to what you have to say."

Tommy sits up, adjusting himself against the log he had been leaning against for the past hour.

"I dont know, I-"

He stares into the crisp foliage of the ground, riddled with distaste among his face.

"I miss everyone. I miss Toby, man,"

"I know it sounds like I'm the most energetic one here but I just can't do it anymore!" He finishes, voice cracking.

"I j-just,"

Tommy stutters, over and over again. My heart drops because I feel like I know what hes trying to tell me. His breathing becomes sniffling, and his already awkward laughter becomes crying. I crawl over and pull him in for a hug, tears soaking into my muddied clothes.

He continues to let out a hearty sob, trembling as he held a soft grip on my back as I told him,

"Tom, I don't know what's going to happen to us. I'm gonna spare you the long speech, but what you should remember that as long as we're all here, we're going to be alright."

Georges eyes slowly open, signifying his awakening.

"Clay? Is Tommy okay?" he sleepily mutters, having heard the boys muffled cries;

"He's not feeling the best, but I'm sure we can get him feeling better, dont worry." I reassure him.

.

.

.

.

.

Little did I know, those were the 'famous' last few words before he was nowhere to be seen, only a few days later.

(author's note:

Hello! Its been over a year since this books release. Its been hard to find the motivation in these recent times, but I want to go and finish this off so I can move on to new things. Im not as involved in the fandom as I was before, which may be a factor as to why I havent been writing much fanfics about dnf lately, and other things like school and my personal life come into light. In the time Im typing this out, its the holidays, so, I hope you all had a good Christmas and hopefully 2023 wont be as challenging as this year :] -author )