Miraculous Ladybug - The White Room

Chapter 2

Adrien hadn't slept much during the past three days. He was beyond exhausted but he didn't want to let his guard down because he had no idea what could happen to him now (if his father was capable of locking him up like this, he was capable of anything). He was scared to fall asleep and yet he didn't know how much longer he could hold on like this.

He hadn't said anything to Plagg but there was another reason that had kept him wide awake: the nightmares that have plagued his thoughts since Nightormentor -since his own father!- had cursed him during the last akuma fight were so vivid and terrifying that Adrien was scared that they would also torment him while he was asleep. He knew Plagg could feel that something was seriously wrong but Adrien was purposely ignoring his kwami.

Plagg couldn't be seen or heard by technology, but Adrien didn't want to take the risk of being caught talking to someone on camera: his secret identity was at stake and if his father accidentally discovered he was Chat Noir, he had no idea what would happen. After his fight with Nightormentor, Adrien kind of wondered what would have happened if his father had taken his Miraculous. This was something Adrien had never thought about before, but considering everything that happened in the past few days, he wasn't entirely convinced that his father would put a Miraculous into good use if he had one, let alone the Black Cat Miraculous. Even though his father was possessed by an akuma at the time, something in his guts was telling him that he couldn't entirely trust him and to be more than careful around him, and this feeling left Adrien more conflicted than ever.

The only thing that kept him from going totally insane was Plagg; Adrien would turn his back to the camera every time the silence was too overwhelming and would pretend to talk to himself while Plagg was trying to comfort him as well as he could. Adrien hoped to survive as long as he could without using Plagg's powers to get out of here, but the more time he spent in his white-tiled cell, the more he was losing faith.

Plagg had already made several attempts to convince Adrien to use his cataclysm on the wall but Adrien was firmly opposed to this plan. Being Chat Noir was his only way out, and he didn't want to risk losing what little freedom he had left. He needed to think first.

Plagg had tried to phase through the wall when Adrien wasn't looking, hoping to unlock the dock from the outside and free the poor boy, but the little kwami was surprised to discover that he couldn't: the room seemed to have been magically enchanted to prevent any escape. This discovery left Plagg perplexed as well as a bit worried: Gabriel Agreste didn't know Adrien was Chat Noir (or so he hoped) so why would he have bothered to seal the room with magic? Was he planning to use magic on Adrien? And since when Gabriel Agreste knew how to use magic to begin with? Unless...

Plagg shook his head. No. There had to be another explanation.

The little kwami didn't know if he should tell his charge about this unpleasant discovery. Adrien was in such a distressed and anxious state right now that Plagg didn't want to burden him with his speculation, but he promised himself that he would do something about it when they would get out of this place. Which he hoped would be sooner rather than later.

Plagg glanced at Adrien and he let out a heavy-hearted sigh: Adrien was completely curled up on himself. His usually bright and green eyes were glassy and dull, staring off into the distance. Plagg landed on his shoulder and gave him a sympathetic pat before nuzzling his neck. Adrien responded with a tight smile and stood up. He was tired of sitting there in a corner and he needed some exercise, even though the room wasn't big.

The only things he seemed to be allowed to do in here were sleeping and eating.

A meal tray was pushed into the room three times a day by an automated trapdoor that would close itself right away before Adrien could find a way to keep it open or sneak through it. He didn't want to touch the food at first, fearing it might have been poisoned or filled with some sort of sleeping pills or drugs, but after two days watching him starve himself, Plagg managed to convince him to have something to eat and even tested the food to reassure him that nothing was wrong.

Adrien would always turn his back to the camera whenever he was eating: this way he could give some food to Plagg (who hadn't even complained of the lack of cheese in the menu) and talk to him without being exposed. Meals were as bland and tasteless as his father's pancakes and Adrien longed for a bag of chouquettes from the Dupain-Cheng bakery. His mouth started to water at the thought. His in-laws really made him feel like he was part of their family, and his heart always swelled at the thought.

Adrien's gaze fell on the only piece of furniture that decorated the room: his foosball table. Why on earth would his father bring this massive table all the way from Paris to London and leave it here? Nothing made sense. Worst of all was that Adrien couldn't even use it: playing foosball required at least two players, and if his father caught the poles magically moving on camera, he would definitely get suspicious. Adrien wished he had his video games instead. At least, he would have had something to entertain himself and time would have passed quicker.

His heart constricted at the memory of his amazing date with Marinette in his backyard a few days ago. They had played video games and watched the clouds hand in hand. They had almost kissed that day. Just the mere memory of this moment made him blush a little. Adrien had no idea he could be this happy. He knew this sweet moment would be forever engraved in his heart, and that was something his father couldn't take away from him. Adrien would give anything to have another moment with her like this one right now. Being with Marinette felt so right. As if they were meant to be.

Adrien would be lying if he said he didn't still harbor a soft spot for Ladybug, but this was different. This was real .

His Lady had completely stolen his heart on the very first day they met; he had fallen so hard and so fast for her that he hadn't paid attention to his blossoming feelings for Marinette at first. Adrien had been so blinded by his love for Ladybug that he hadn't noticed that the girl he needed had been right by his side since the beginning. Looking back, Adrien wondered why it took him so long (and several people point it out) to realize he did have feelings for Marinette. The more time they spent together, the more he got to know her, and there was something about her shy and clumsy fierceness that had him completely swoon over. His love for Marinette was subtle and soft and full of surprises, and he couldn't wait to see her and kiss her again.

The fond smile that briefly lit his face instantly vanished when he abruptly remembered where he was. The weight on his heart became heavier and anxiety started twisting his stomach, fueling his anger. His father had no right to keep him prisoner like this.

Adrien clenched his fists; he didn't care what his father thought of him anymore. He didn't care to be the perfect son his father dreamed of anymore. He was tired of walking on eggshells around him. He was tired of being forced to obey every single of his father's requests. He just wanted to be free. To be happy.

He stared right into the camera, his eyes shining with rage.

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO KEEP ME HERE!!" he shouted, ignoring his heartbeat going faster. "LET ME OUT!!"

He knew someone was watching his every move through the camera, but his pleas remained unanswered. This silence was driving him crazy, and a wave of fury took over him.

"I HATE YOU!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, losing his composure. "I HATE YOU!! LET ME OUT!! LET ME OUT RIGHT NOW!!"

Adrien screamed and screamed until he fell to his knees, sobbing and banging on the wall with his already bruised fist.

"Let m-me out... p-please..." he sobbed, breaking down in front of the camera.

He didn't even care anymore. He would do anything to be able to get out of here. He knew all of this was no use and that nobody would answer him but it hurt nonetheless to be properly ignored by the only parent he had left. He was tired of all of this and he feared that he would soon lose what was left of his sanity if he didn't get out of here soon.

.oOo.

End note:

I'm so happy that i got you intrigued! I know the story is quite dark at the moment, but considering everything that's been canonically happening, this could have been darker 🙈

Thank you so much for all your comments, the next chapter might not be too far away from being posted soon.

Bug Out!