Who Lies in the End?

Ch 56: 30 "Don't finish the sentence."

art by: unknown

The first tear he was able to blink away. The second pooled in the corners of his mocha eyes. It hurt. It hurt to hold them in. Three. Four. Five. The sixth rolled down his cheek, and he was unable to blink away the rest.

They flowed freely down his face as he stared down at the body of his partner that was still slumped in his lap. Each tear fell into the mess of blonde hair.

He didn't move.

He didn't speak.

He didn't breathe.

His whole world was still as George replayed the image stained into his mind. He was only shaken out of his stupor when he felt Dream's body being moved. Sound, sight, and feeling all flooded back to George as Techno lifted the body off of him, and began dragging it away.

His friends were calling out and screaming. Sapnap was yelling at Techno, Bad was calling to him, Ranboo was crying, Tubbo was screaming, George was speechless. Dream's hand was the last to leave George, but he saw the little, white creature sitting in the lax palm. It hopped sadly in the lifeless hand, trying to nudge Dream awake. George felt panic rise in him as the tiny creature was being taken away from him.

"No," his voice broke, and echoed the pain in his chest, "No, stop," he tried to stand, but the hunter behind him forced him to his knees. It was hard for George to see the tiny blob through his tears, but he recognized the small white form. When it turned back to look at him, it was smeared with blood, "Not him too, please."

Either Techno didn't hear him, or he didn't care because he continued to drag Dream's body towards the carts, unknowingly taking the small passenger with him. George struggled against the hands on his shoulders. Each attempt got more frantic the further the body got.

George felt his knee bump into the diamond sword Dream wielded just seconds ago. Seeing the weapon brought forth fresh memories that plagued his thoughts. It made his blood pump with adrenaline, each beat like a tik on a clock.

Mustering all the strength he could, George rolled his body forward and onto the sword. Confused, the hunters let go of him. George rolled onto his back and tried to cut his binds on the cold blade. He could feel the sharp edge cutting his back and shoulder blades, but the adrenaline numbed the pain. By the time the hunters realized what he was doing, he was already free.

George sprung to his feet, sword in his bloody hands, and lunged at the first hunter. They jumped back from the blade swung in their direction, giving George enough space to turn and run towards Techno. His friends cheered him on.

Techno stopped, just about to throw the corpse into the cart when he turned around to face the commotion. His sword was drawn in a second, easily blocking George's attack.

"We both know how this is going to end if you continue, duke," Techno pushed George back, but kept his stance ready for battle.

George glared at the bounty hunter with hatred, pain, and determination, "You're not taking him."

Techno stepped toward George, "Gotta bring the body back as proof. The capital will want to hang it in the square so the civilians can celebrate."

Rage boiled in George's veins at the image of Dream's body, strung up by the neck from a tree, on display for everyone to see. Some people would cheer, others would curse, and there would even be those who would yell their hateful thoughts at him. But they would all drown out the few that would cry for him. They wouldn't hear George wish he was back, nor his friends' mournful cries, or Drista's scream, or Puffy's wails.

"I won't let you!" George lunged forward, but Techno easily stepped out of the attack.

Techno swung his sword and cut George across the face, leaving a gash along his cheek. George swallowed the pain as he glared his fury at Techno. His stare only faltered when he felt his foot bump into the body beside him.