Stories and Oneshots with OCs

Uninvited Guests

(Pt. 3 of Trial & Error and pretty much the aftermath of pt. 2. Takes place a few weeks after :pp) (everything's in shambles 😋)

I fully submerged myself, letting the chilling water swallow me whole on the hot summer's day. I felt a sense of peace and comfort in the water's gentle embrace. A part of me wanted to stay under there forever, entrapped in it's comforting walls. It would be so much easier than having to return back up to the surface and face my reality.

However, as my lungs began to burn and ache, I forced my head back up to take in the sweet crisp air. I wiped the water from my eyes as some strands of hair stuck to my face.

I could hear Gaven and Ludar splashing each other and fighting in the distance, most likely trying to drown each other. Sera sat near some old tall tree, reading or taking a nap.

I looked around the waterhole, my eyes searching for the one person who was missing. It felt like a blurry childhood memory that wasn't real but wasn't entirely false, either.

Someone snuck up from behind me, throwing water onto my face.

I laughed, shielding my eyes with my hands. "No!"

"I got you!" Gia smiled, splashing water at me.

She looked younger. I felt younger. Gia's short hair was pulled back into the smallest ponytail, and she was smiling ear to ear. Her bright dusted golden eyes sparkled with excitement. The scars on her stomach and neck were a lot more prominent, looking like they were still fresh and new. "Bet I can hold my breath longer than you can."

I only smiled, shaking my head.

She jumped up into the air, falling into the water with a loud splash. Her head popped back up, spitting water out.

Gia's voice echoed, calling out to me, "C'mon, Lo. We'll play whatever you want after!"

Gia's voice.

I submerged my head in the now warm water, eyes closed. It was pitch black. Everything went quiet.

This time I couldn't hear Ludar and Gaven's splashing and screams, nor the light breeze blowing through the trees. Instead, I could hear knocking on a door.

That's strange. Nobody should be knocking right now.

The knocking became more urgent. Somebody was calling my name.

Arlo slowly opened his eyes, his throat burning and lungs screaming for air. Air bubbles floated to the surface of the bathtub while he could barely see himself through the dim light.

He quickly sat up in the tub with a gasp, coughing while trying to suck in air. His hair stuck to his face while beads of water clung to his lashes, clouding his vision.

"Arlo, are you alright?" he could hear Hira's worried voice on the other side of the door, repetitively knocking.

He tried to catch his breath, trying to ignore the searing pain in his head and throat.

After a moment he nodded to himself and called out. "Y-Yeah. I'm okay." he rubbed his eyes and sat up straighter, pushing his hair back and out of his face. The water had gone from hot to lukewarm and he searched for his towel, now eager to get out.

"What happened?" Hira asked, his voice growing quieter and more concerned.

"I'm coming out," Arlo ignored his last question, standing up from the bath and grabbing his towel. This was starting to become a problem.