Shorts ↠ Total Drama

The Broken Handle- Gwen, Duncan, & Trent

Gwen's heart raced like a drummer in a death march as she sat huddled in the bathroom, the walls closing in around her. The broken door handle lay discarded on the cold tile floor, a cruel reminder of her failed attempts to escape. Her wide, dark eyes darted frantically around the small space, desperately searching for a way out. Claustrophobia had taken hold, leaving her feeling trapped and vulnerable.

"Duncan, help!" Gwen's shouted, her voice echoing through the apartment. It had reached the living room where Duncan was engrossed in sketching tattoo designs. Startled, he dropped his sketchpad, the intricate designs momentarily forgotten, as he sprang to his feet.

"What's going on, Pasty?" Duncan's questioned with concern, as he rushed towards the bathroom. He reached the door and saw the door aggressively shake as Gwen pounded on it.

"Hey hey, calm down. I'm here," Duncan said to his roommate over the loud noise of her fists colliding with the door.

"Thank goodness you're here, Duncan," Gwen's voice cracked, her desperation evident. "I'm trapped! The door handle broke off, and I can't get out!"

Duncan's eyes widened in a mix of shock and hilarity.

"Is this a bad time to tell you I'm claustrophobic?" Gwen added on from the other side of the door.

A surge of guilt engulfed Duncan. He hadn't realized Gwen's crippling fear of enclosed spaces until this very moment.

"Damn it, Gwen. I didn't know about your claustrophobia," Duncan admitted, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "We'll figure this out, okay? Just breathe. You're not alone. I'm here to help."

Gwen's breath hitched, her trembling hands coming to rest against the bathroom countertop as she tried to steady herself. "Of course you didn't know, Duncan. Why would you?" Her voice wavered, a mixture of fear and frustration. "But right now, I need you to help me. I can't breathe in here."

Duncan's mind raced, and he instinctively pulled out his pocket knife. He had always prided himself on his resourcefulness and ability to fix things. This time, however, it was not a mere object that needed fixing; it was Gwen's shattered sense of security.

"Alright, Pasty, I'm gonna try to fix this for you," Duncan reassured her, his voice softer than she had ever heard it before. He knelt down, gingerly examining the door handle with a mix of determination and concern.

Gwen listened to the sound in silence, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. She had always admired Duncan's ability to think on his feet, his crafty nature shining through in moments like these. But now, it was her well-being that hinged on his resourcefulness.

As Duncan tinkered with the handle, his hands moving with deftness and precision, he tried to console Gwen. "Just hang in there, Gwen. I'll get you out soon. Think about your art and the freedom it brings you."

Gwen's eyes flickered with a mix of irritation and gratitude, her snarky nature fighting against her rising panic. "I swear, Duncan, if you don't fix this soon, I'll tattoo 'Broken Door Handle' on your forehead," she quipped, her attempt at humor laced with a touch of desperation.

Duncan's lips curled into a small, appreciative smile. "Well, Pasty, as much as I'd love to flaunt a new tattoo, I think I'd rather have you out of there first."

As time seemed to stretch on endlessly, Duncan's determination only grew stronger. With each failed attempt to fix the broken door handle, he refused to give in to frustration. He knew he had to keep a level head for Gwen's sake.

Outside the bathroom, their other roommate, Trent, had returned from his shift at a local coffee shop. Hearing the commotion, he rushed over to see what was happening. His calm and composed nature provided a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding inside the bathroom.

"What's going on, guys?" Trent asked, his voice steady and gentle. Duncan looked up from his makeshift repair efforts, his face a mix of exhaustion and determination.

"Gwen's stuck in the bathroom, man. The handle broke off, and she's claustrophobic," Duncan explained, his voice tinged with urgency. "I can't seem to fix it, and she's terrified in there."

Trent's eyes softened as he took in the gravity of the situation. He had always been the mediator, the one who brought calm in times of crisis. He knelt down beside Duncan, studying the broken handle intently.

"I've got an idea," Trent said, his voice filled with a newfound determination. "But we'll need to use some other tools."

With renewed energy, Duncan and Trent hurried to retrieve the necessary tools from the toolbox in the living room. They returned to the bathroom door armed with screwdrivers, pliers, and a variety of other tools, their eyes fixed on the broken door handle.

Working in tandem, Duncan and Trent carefully dismantled the remaining pieces of the handle. They meticulously examined the internal mechanisms, searching for a solution that would free Gwen from her claustrophobic prison.

Minutes turned into what felt like hours, their concentration unbroken as they continued their delicate work. Finally, a triumphant smile crossed Trent's face as he held up a small piece of metal.

"I think I've found it," Trent exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "This is the missing link. If we reattach it correctly, we might be able to open the door."

Duncan's heart soared with hope, his eyes flickering with a mix of relief and gratitude. "You're a lifesaver, Trent. Let's fix this once and for all."

With steady hands, Trent maneuvered the small piece of metal into its rightful place, securing it with precision. The tension in the air was palpable as they both held their breath, waiting for the moment of truth.

Gwen, still huddled in the bathroom, felt a flicker of hope as she heard the sound of tools clattering and the muffled voices of Duncan and Trent. The sudden silence that followed made her heart drum with anticipation.

Then, with a collective gasp of relief, the door creaked open, revealing Duncan and Trent standing there, beaming with pride. Gwen rushed into both of their arms, her body trembling with a mix of fear, relief, and gratitude.

"Thank you, both of you," Gwen whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "You saved me."

Duncan and Trent exchanged a knowing glance, their bond of friendship strengthened by the unexpected turn of events.