The Surviving Few - A DANDY'S WORLD FANFICTION

Chapter 4 - I Can't Lose You Too

I was sleeping soundly. Dozing in and out of slumber. My dreams, a strange mix of anxieties and fear, but I had a secret nightmare I harbored on my own.

In the night he spoke to me. Astro.

I woke up in those halls again. An anxiety dream. I would twist the valve feeling it slip against my fingers. "Come on-"

Then that luminescent sound. Astros song. Just let me finish this machine. Please just. Then I would feel a pair of arms wrap around my head, then another around my chest. Astro had found me.

He would lean into my ear and whisper. For a while I couldn't make it out but tonight I heard him.

"The tapes Boxten. It's in the-"

I woke up in a feverish sweat, springing from my bed. This was a pattern now.

Lazily I crawled out from under my covers, tying on my bandana and changing my outfit. It was just a dream Boxten. You'll be fine.

As I looked at my dresser mirror, I sighed. How could a dopey guy like me make it this long? It should have been her.

Poppy had been on my mind since the day Astro had..

I paused feeling nauseous.

Ever since she.. disappeared.

Poppy was more outgoing, stronger and maybe even smarter than I was. Yet she was the one to die. It's always the strong that die first.. cowards like me die last. I frowned and left my room.

A few people were at the dining tables, picking at our recently gathered meals. Vee was in the corner, isolating as always. My eyes widened.

Teagan and Glisten were back. I felt myself almost let go of my breath until I realized. Wait. Where's Finn? Where's Brightney? Uncomfortably my first thought was how inconvenient it would be for me to make another altar. I brushed that thought aside.

Who cares if it inconveniences me? That's an apathetic viewpoint. I knew them and now.

They're gone.

I shivered just as Glisten walked over to me. "Hiii Boxy.." His voice fluttered through the air. "H-Hey." Despite my recently gained confidence, something about Glisten stole it away from me.

Not sure what.

"Is my glass smudged? If so, will you be a dear for me and dab it off with your bandana."

"O-Oh! Sure thing." I untied my bandana gently removing the stains from Glisten's face. They were tear stains. Once I finished I looked at him with concern.

"Are you.. alright Glisten..?"

My tone was hushed, serious but secure.

"Oh.. well.." He paused and I could see the facade draining from his face.

"It's been a long day Boxy."

"It has. Shrimpo.. we lost him today too."

Glisten sighed, resting a palm on his chin.

"Well, we've got quite the supply for the next week or so. Until then we can figure out what to do." It was strange, hearing Glisten strategize. Situations as dire as these always bring out unique sides of people.

"Sounds good to me... we can have a week to relax."

Glisten nodded but his eyes were vacant, as if his head were elsewhere. I decided to inquire. "Glisten..? Is something on your mind..?"

The pristine mirror paused before speaking. His voice was uncannily soft. I knew immediately this was serious.

"Boxten.. when me Teagan and Finn got stuck.. Finn.. did something very strange.."

I tilted my head to the side. I could feel my key turning a little in anticipation. "Huh.."

"Well.. he spoke to Brightney. Even after she had been.. drenched in that stuff.."

"Well.. I'm certain that didn't go so well for hi-"

"No." Glisten was dead serious, a tone I had never seen him use before.

"He.. Brightney spoke to him. Brightney.. asked about the book club. She was dripping with that.. stuff.. yet."

"She.. was still.."

My eyes widened finally processing what Glisten had said. "There's no way that can't be-"

"It is. Boxten. They're still there. Dormant and confused. They aren't dead. They aren't husks- they- they're alive."

A shiver ran down my spine, threatening to send chills through my whole body.

"Glisten. There's something I need to tell you-"

"Remember how Astro used to mediate my dreams..?"

Glisten's eyes went wide.

"Oh..?"

I took a deep breath.

"I think. He's been trying to talk to me. In my sleep. At first I couldn't make it out but.. something.. he knows something.."

Two secrets, bombshells even, dropped in an instant. It was a relief though, to get that off my chest.

"Well.. what is he trying to tell you..?"

Glisten, despite his seriousness, peaked with nosy curiosity. As if this were some piece of juicy gossip. I chuckled internally. Glisten was an enigma.

"He said something tonight.. about the tapes we've been collecting.."

"I don't know what he wanted me to do with them but I think they're important... I think.."

Glisten paused. "You know.. the only room with a VHS player is.."

I took a deep breath. "Down there. In the garage."

Glisten made a comical grimace. I don't know how he does it, but it's quite entertaining even in dire moments like these.

With a sigh I tied my bandana back on.

It was beginning to become clear what I had to do. "I'm going to have to.. go down there."

There was a moment of tense silence, and for a brief second I regretted the words that slipped out of me.

"You're not actually serious about this? You're not actually going to do that are you?" Glisten's voice was airy with disbelief. Now I was the one grimacing.

"It's important.. it could possibly explain all of this.. maybe even fix this!" Internally though I had another reason. I don't want to be a coward anymore.

"Please Glisten- I can't sit back anym-"

Then- Glisten hugged me. Winding me up in his arms as if that would tether me here forever. He had caught me off guard and.. I will admit I was a bit flustered.

"Boxten. I can't lose you too."

I can't lose you. It occurred to me. How much was at stake.

For a moment I was that fearful person again. Afraid of the world, of others, and desperate for approval. I hugged him back, feeling his ribbon with my fingers.

Then I remembered the jaded me. The me who saw Poppy die. The me who comforted Goob as he cried. The me who didn't need approval anymore.

Still. I won't leave him. He needs me, and maybe, I need him too.

"Okay.. I won't go."

"I'm right here Glisten. I won't be going away anytime soon."

"Oh Boxy.. You're almost as perfect as I am." He said it teasingly but it was a high compliment.

We unlocked from our embrace and I noticed tears in Glisten's eyes.

"You need me to wipe off your face again?"

He giggled sheepishly. "Go ahead."