Who Lies in the End?

Ch 55: 28 "I'm sorry."

art by: unknown (I couldn't find the name)

George groaned as he tried to gather his surroundings. His body felt numb, and his head pounded with a searing headache, but he felt a thousands time better than he did before. Now that lava and fire weren't trying to eat him away, he felt so much better, but he was confused.

He glanced around, and could immediately tell that he was still in the Nether. That being said, he wasn't in the lava, nor was he in the fortress. His brows furrowed together as he tried to reason with his surroundings, but it was hard when a small white blob blocked his vision.

It hopped frantically on his chest, nudging his face as it vyed for his attention. He smiled at it, and rose a hand to pat its head, but his hand brushed against something. George sat up to see what it was, and his heart sunk.

Dream was curled on his side, his hands grasping at his neck. His body shook and convulsed as his chest struggled to suck in air. Horrible, strangled gasps rack the blonde's body, and George knew exactly what this meant.

"Dream, why would you do that?!" he pushed the blonde's hood out of the way and slid the ceramic mask up just a little, "It's okay, it'll pass, it's gonna be okay."

Despite speaking the words, George knew neither of them believed them. Dream's repercussions had only gotten worse, and Dream promised him that he would never use the Creative Block again out of fear that the consequence would be too much. There was nothing George could do expect sit and suffer as his partner endured his own torture.

Mocha eyes glared as he heard the gasp of a ghast. Without hesitation, he stood, unsheathed his blade and waited. When the fireball was launched, George sent it back, the ember striking true. As the ghast sunk into the lava, George swept his glare across the land. There were monsters everywhere, and they needed a better place to rest; unfortunately, the only thing nearby was the fortress.

"We're gonna move, okay?" George knew Dream probably couldn't hear him, but the notice was more for himself, "We're going to that entrance over there. It'll be safer than being out in the open."

He awkwardly helped Dream to his feet and slung the blonde's arm over his shoulder. Dream looked lost and unaware as George struggled to hobble them towards the fortress. It scared George seeing Dream like this, but he had to worry later and focus on getting them some cover.

Each step was slow and nearly turned into a stumble, but they made it. George carried them a few feet past the crumbling entrance and set Dream against he dark brick. He took a moment to check up on his partner, but Dream was no better than he was minutes ago. Each breath was a struggle and his body spazmed from the desperation. George tried to calm him down by combing back the matted blonde locks, but it had little effect.

He grimaced as the chocked breaths echoed in the hallway. They were horrifying to listen to, but they could also attract attention. George stood and rushed back to the decayed entrance. There was wood, stone, and brick that he could use to set up a small hovel that could hide them.

He worked quickly, dragging materials over to Dream and consctructing walls around him. As the time passed, Dream's strangled cries died down and his body stopped moving. By the time George slid the last board over his head, Dream was completely still.

George crouched down in front of the opening, "Dream?" he crawled closer, "You okay?" he placed his hand against Dream's chest, and relief flooded his mind when he felt it rise.

"...Define... okay..." his voice was quiet but held a small flicker of humor.

"Let's start with alive," George sighed and sat next to Dream.