Malaverse

Chapter 21: Agony

Once the three of them had finished eating, they met up with Error, Geno, and Reaper. And on their way home, they met up with Dream and Nightmare. Everyone was talking, and it was a bit hard to keep up with it all. Dream made a portal back to Rusttale and everyone stepped inside. All of the talking ceased as soon as they saw the front door wide open. Ink and Reaper were the first ones to rush inside, quickly followed by Error and Geno. Red felt his blood turn cold. He slowly started walking to the front door with Dream and Nightmare by his side. He felt dizzy and sick. His legs didn't want to keep walking, but he forced himself to stay standing. He tried to reassure himself that everything was okay, that Dust and the kids were fine. But that didn't help. He knew there was something wrong. Something very wrong.

Dream placed a hand on Red's shoulder. "It's okay." He whispered. Red didn't respond. He couldn't. He was sure that he would vomit the moment he opened his mouth. He finally reached the door. He looked inside. He felt bile rise in his throat, but he forced it down. There was blood on the floor. A lot of it. There was no doubt in his mind that it was Dust's. "FUCK!" Nightmare screamed as he shifted into his goop form. Red was frozen. He felt sick to his stomach. The corners of his vision started to blur. He didn't realize he had collapsed until he felt Dream's arms wrap around him. He could tell that Dream was speaking to him, but he couldn't hear a single word that was coming from his mouth. The ringing in his ears was louder than he own frantic fear filled thoughts.

Dream wiped Red's tears. He didn't even know he had been crying. "It's okay." Dream whispered. "He's strong. Wherever he is, I'm sure he's alive. He's a fighter." Dream pulled Red closer to himself.

The next thing he knew, he was in bed, cuddling his sea bunny plush. He didn't remember how he got there. He didn't remember getting up. He didn't remember going upstairs. He didn't remember entering his room. He didn't remember laying in bed. His mind was all fuzzy and he was exhausted. His face was wet with tears. How long had he been home for?

He wanted to believe that Dust was okay. But he couldn't. Dust's soul is weak. His body can't naturally heal itself. Dust was dead. It would take a miracle for him to survive.

Red choked back a sob. His face and hands felt numb. He felt cold. It was like all of his blood had been replaced with ice. He felt like he was freezing to death. He let out a loud cry of despair. No. It was more like a scream of eternal agony. Soon after, Dream came rushing into his room. "Are you okay?" Dream asked in a gentle voice. Red didn't respond. Why in the hell would he be okay? Dream sighed and sat down on the  bed next to him. "Tomorrow morning I'll have Beats listen for Dust's soul pulse. We'll find him, I promise." Dream pet Red's skull gently. "I've fought against Dust in battle countless times. He's strong. He'll be okay." Dream tried to assure him. Red stayed silent. "Do you need anything? Your brother's making dinner. I can bring it up to you when he's finished." Dream offered. "No thanks. I'm not hungry." Red's voice was hoarse and gravely. Dream frowned. "You should still try to eat something. Dust wouldn't want you do starve yourself." Dream told him. Red felt a new wave of tears come. His face was burning as he forced himself to not start sobbing again. After a few minutes of silence, Dream kissed him on the forehead, then left the room.

He woke up to the smell of freshly cooked steak and pasta. He didn't realize he had fallen asleep. How long had he been  asleep for? Red groaned as he sat up. He felt like shit, and he probably looked like shit too. He looked over at the food. He felt disgusted. He wanted to throw up. "Dust wouldn't want you to starve yourself." Dream was right, he couldn't deny that. He brought the plate of food to his lab. The smell made him want to vomit. But he forced himself to it. It tasted like bile in his mouth. He wanted to throw up. His stomach lurched after he swallowed the first bite. He let out a choked sob. He didn't want to eat anymore, but he had to. For Dust. "...fuck..." He whimpered. He shoved more food into his mouth. He wanted to get it over with. Soon he managed to choke down all the food. He wished he could enjoy it. But eating was the last thing he wanted to do. He set his plate down on the bedside table. He laid down and closed his eyes. He didn't want to wake up again.