What's It Like Outside? [An II Fanfiction]

Chapter 17: Close Call

Trigger Warnings: Physical violence, a ton of death threats, uh Lightbulb being scared shitless for most of the chapter idk

WITH OST

Test Tube turned around and looked down at Lightbulb.

"You told Fan."

"What? N-no I didn't-"

Test Tube charged at her, grabbing her bandanna and shoving her up against the wall. Lightbulb yelped in surprise and dropped her crutches. Test Tube slapped her hand over Lightbulb's mouth to shut her up.

"Sh! People are gonna hear you!" She hissed. She moved her hand off Lightbulb's mouth. "Now, did you tell Fan?"

Lightbulb gasped for air as Test Tube moved her hand. "I-I didn't tell him it was you!"

Test Tube squinted her eyes, clearly not believing her. She pressed her thumb against the crack in Lightbulb's head, slowly applying pressure.
"Tell me the truth. Did you Tell Fan?"

Lightbulb winced. "Okay! Okay! I told him! Not- not really though, like I just accidentally hinted at it!" She frantically explained, trying to pull Test Tube's hand away from her neck. "Cuz he asked if we had food there and- and I told him you only gave us crackers! I didn't mean to say your name! I was tired! I-"

Test Tube tossed Lightbulb onto the ground behind her. She walked over to her as she again backed away, bumping into the corner of the room.

"Do you remember what I told you, Ligtbulb?"

"Wh- yeah, but-"

"What did I say??"

"Y-you said that if we ever told anyone you'd kill us!" Lightbulb's voice trembled as Test Tube stood over her.

Test Tube smiled. "Good. So you did remember, and you went ahead and told him anyway. Guess that means I should just go ahead then~"

"W-WAIT NO! NO I'M SORRY PLEASE!" Lightbulb pressed up against the wall.

Test Tube grabbed Lightbulb's arm and pulled her up, holding her up against her side with one arm as she walked towards the door.
"You knew full well the consequences of telling him, this is on you."

"Where are we going??"

"You'll see. Now can it or I'll do something worse." Test Tube exited the room, walking down the hallway. There were a few people there, but Test Tube carrying Lightbulb around like this was a somewhat common occurrence before this, so nobody paid them any mind.

Except for one person.

Paintbrush took a double take as they saw the two walk past. Lightbulb was actually doing a fairly good job at hiding how scared she was, but Paintbrush knew her well enough to tell something was wrong.

"Hey!" They caught up to the two, deciding to make small talk and try to figure out what was going on. "What's up?"

Test Tube looked at them and smiled. "Oh hi! We're just heading downstairs."

"Cool, cool" Paintbrush looked at Lightbulb and suddenly realized something. They mouthed the words 'where are your crutches?', making hand gestures to try and make it clearer what they were asking. Lightbulb pointed to her and Test Tube's room. She mouthed the word 'help', a fearful look in her eyes. Paintbrush nodded.

They kept walking with them for a moment, thinking of a lie to get Lightbulb away from her. "Hey, Lightbulb, have you changed those bandages today? They don't look like they've been" They winked at her, hoping she'd catch on.