By Your Side? Always | ALWAYS #1

Chapter 19: Games Begin

The small snowflakes fall into my arms which are trapped on my jacket, which the vest part of it has denim and the sleeves and cap jacket are leather, I put on my mentioned cap jacket, luckily for me, this time I wasn't wearing my crown. I sigh and look at my boots which are now buried in snow, and makes my walking more difficult than usual.

Clockwork looks at me and shakes her head with an indescribable look on her eye, Slenderman has sent us to this 'training mission' in which we have to work in teams and try to survive for the night, which is arriving earlier this time, Clockwork walks faster and I see how the twilight becomes darker, finally to jump to the edge of the river and we stand as she makes a sign to keep quiet, I bend over to grab some of the water but...
I feel how someone pushes me and I fall to the river on my back, I start trying to get up but I feel some girly hands wrapping around my neck and I start to move frenetically as I see through the crystalline water, Clockwork's face expressing anger, her hands press harder as I try to punch her but I can't, every time I try, I miss. Then I remember....
Toby...he's also doing the training... He was just behind me when we left the house... Damn it
-T-TOBY!!!- I try to yell but the water enters through my throat and confuses my words with simple sounds
-Your time's up, Rouge- I hear far away Clock's voice, but she's still holding my throat and I feel the dizziness and my sight becoming every time heavier
I try punching her with all my strength until I feel something hard cracking, I think that was her nose. I grab her face blindly because of the water, pulling hard and pinching her with my short nails, every time loosing a little of my normal body temperature.
-N-NOT....Today...-I yell on the water and her hand that's grabbing my throat becomes little by little weaker,
But finally with my leg that's not on the water I kick her twice, one on the stomach to back her off and one on the chest to slow her down, then I give her a right hook with my fist on her cheekbone, giving her the imbalance I need to then with my same hook, punch her throat and chin, then I start running as fast I can with no direction settled.
-TOBY!!! TOBIAS!- I yell as I run trying to find him
This is no training... This is a 'run, fight of die' race, who gets alive to the house wins
-Rouge! Liz where are you?!- I hear his yelling from the distance
-Toby... Toby...- I try to concentrate as I run but I slow down when I feel footsteps behind me, I stop running to see Troye on his wolf form- help me find Toby... C'mon
I get on his loin and we begin to run fast as he turns and twists through the forest then he stops and I get off his loin to start walking and seeing how Jeff and Toby where fighting, Toby throws an axe to Jeff and doesn't hits him but scratches his temple, stopping them is not an option... But what do I do then?
My legs make me run to a tree and I climb it, and to stop on a brach where lets me fall between them... Hum... I have an idea. My hands let go the branch and my body begins to fall down and finally a moan escapes my lips when I'm about to hit the ground, then when I do, a grunt now escapes my lips, and I get up with my hair all around my face, when the two gentlemen notice my presence they stop yelling and throwing knives or axes and stare at me until I'm on my feet and I give both of them a devious look.
-What pretty boys? Didn't they told you?- I ask and they seem confused- Everything is valid in battle
-Go to sleep- Jeff seems tired by his voice cracking
-Never defy your queen- I smile
-I don't have a quote...- Toby interrupts our moment and we both start laughing
-Seriously..- I say and on the sly I get closer to Jeff and.... BOOM BITCH I punch him in the face
-HA HA!- Jeff sarcastically laughs- that didn't hurt
-Oh well... Damn- I wink at him and then walk to Toby
-Hey hey! Don't punch me!- Toby raises his hands in the air- I'm cute and adorable, if you punch me I'm ending up like this dude- he points at Jeff and I laugh
-Eh... Nah- I grunt and take off his muzzle as fast as I can
-HEY! Give me that!- He yells like a little boy
-Come and get it- I say and I throw it at Jeff and we start the game of 'The Cat and The Mouse' by throwing the muzzle to each other as Toby tries to catch it
-PLEASE! I'll give you a kiss if you give it to me!-He begs
-Eh... Nope, kiss Jeff- I laugh and I throw it at Jeff
-What? Why me?!- He looks at me with widen eyes and an unbelievable look on his face like 'Really nigga?!'
-Dunno... It will be something to talk to my kids- I start giggling- So kiddos, one day Jeff and Toby kissed! They're not gay, oh well we don't know- I make exaggerated looks on my face by telling that
-Eh... No thanks, I'm straight- Jeff declines
-Oh come on, kiss- Troye is leaning on the tree behind Jeff, the guy in the smily face jumps in surprise by not knowing my brother's presence.
-How long have you been there?- Jeff asks agitated because of the fright Troye gave him
-Enough time to tell you, we have to get back to the house- Troye responds and gets into his wolf form and I get on top of his loin
-Ciao!-I yell and Troye begins to run, then I fall suddenly from him and I see Troye in his human form on the ground, grabbing his ribcage
-Lookie lookie... The hunt of the day- Ben smiles like a psycho to Troye who's on the ground in pain
-Don't you dare, dwarf- I say between teeth
-OH and I'm not even started- Ben smiles and gets to walk towards Troye but I grab him by the shirt and by the hair
-Stay away from my brother, or else, you'll taste the water again Benjamin- I threaten him so I make a portal to the river I almost choked in and quickly make us jump, then I dump Ben easily to the water, hearing the splash, then to do a portal to Troye
I see him grabbing his ribs and he tries to get up but grunts and gets down once again, I feel someone behind me and I turn my neck to see Masky and Hoodie.
-Is he alright?- Masky asks
-No... Ben did something to him- I say almost speechless as I try to heal him but I can't
-He's injured... Want some help?- Hoodie asks now
-Yeah I guess- I say and Masky grabs Troye's arm and wraps it around his shoulders, then Hoodie does the same with the other
-We'll take him to Slender, okay?- Masky says looking at me through his mask
-Yeah, be careful with him- I say worried and they disappear
I get to run once again and my body crashes with something soft, I raise my sight to see Clockwork on the ground, an incredible anger fills up my body and I feel how I want to kill... Taste blood.
Kill kill
Kill her
Make her pay
I grab her throat and she makes chocking sounds but I don't care, I drag her body to a tree and I slam it with strength in it, she moans something and I raise her by the throat and she moans shortly and tries to make my hand let her go, but she fails.
-Never defy your queen- I quote and then I pull her to the side of the tree and throw her to the ground, then I punch her nose with my completely closed fist and her nose bleeds, staining my face and her clothes
I run once again, not caring about Clockwork, now on another direction, I almost get hit by a knife so I stop to see who threw it, I glare at Eyeless Jack when I notice that the knife is actually a scalpel, I pick it up and smile to him, throwing it back as he catches it like a professional.
-Did you take someone's kidneys yet?- I ask
-No, but you can be the first one- I can feel his wolf like smile through the blue mask he wears
-Ah... I'm going to pass- I laugh and then to walk away, while sometimes looking behind me to make sure everything is fine
Eventually I get to the house and everyone is in silence, I glare at Toby who's helping to put ice on Troye's side, as he is on the couch grunting and his fangs come out and sometimes barks somehow.
-Is he alright?- I ask worried
-Yeah he's going to heal in some minutes- Toby answers with his muzzle on now- Ben just gave him a punch and almost broke Troye's ribs... That's what Slender said
-I'm fine Liz...- Troye responds getting up
(...)
My boots still have the snow from the woods but I don't really mind, my hands work on my messy hair placing the crown on my head and my mask on my face, then I grab my knives and get out from my room. I glare at Jeff who's on the ground floor, he can't see me yet, I'm still upstairs but, I have the certain need of just pushing him through a cliff and watch him die. I go downstairs to see Jeff standing there on a corner and he looks directly at me, he stares and does nothing but smile with that creepy Chelsea Smile of his.
-What are you staring at?- I ask Jeff from the other side of the room
-My next victim- He says and a crazy laugh comes out from his bloody mouth
-So that's what I am?- I raise my eyebrows smiling
-Also I can't deny that I like what I see- He lowers his head and laughs less crazy this time
-Uh... Thanks?- I laugh
-You're welcome your highness- He mocks
-Alrighty then-I laugh and shake my head as I walk out the door
My hands go to my back pocket when I feel someone getting closer... Where the hell is my knife?! I can't find it....
Damn it
I take out instead my dagger and I hold it tight when the steps become stronger, but I'm a coward, so I try climbing a tree, until I get to one of the branches and I hold myself from it as I see no one, just snow and myself, but then around my hips is wrapped a blackish material similar to a tentacle, and it pulls me away from the tree as I gasp and I try to free myself but I turn my head to see the tall man with no face, referred as Slenderman, his face has those creepy shadows you expect to see, contouring his face and giving it a certain shape so I can define where is mouth and eyes are.
-Uh hey- I try to smile
-I need you in the house, we need to talk- His voice is deep and neutral
Oh damn
He teleports us to his office, with the fireplace burning old wood and tons of books on the walls, some shelves and a huge desk with chairs in front of them, with a small couch and a comfortable chair as well.
-So, what is it?- I ask him and turns to face me
-Your sister, Casey- He starts
-Yeah, she told me about her powers- I answer quickly
-Is not that- He shakes his white bald head- I've received a message from Zalgo
-A message?!- I gasp
-He's demanding you, Rouge- His voice sounds worried
-D-Demanding?- My voice breaks
-He really wants you in his power- He says
-Well I'll decline any of his offers-I raise my chin
(...)
TROYE GRAYSCOLD POV
I take off the 'Prophet' jacket and I leave it on the bed and sigh, as I pass my hands through my mane of hair, somebody knocks on my door so I walk to it and once I'm there, my hands work to open it. Clockwork's green eye looks at me as I feel... Uncomfortable? With her look.
-Hey Troye- She smiles
-Clockwork- I nod at her and smile back
-You're not inviting me in?- Clock winks
Oh fuck not again
-I'm actually tired so... See you tomorrow-I say on a cold way
-Oh come on...- She tries to get closer to me
-Ah... No-I deny and I try to close the door, but she puts her foot on the way
-What? You had a bad day?- She makes a small pot
-Actually I did, please leave-I try closing the door again but's impossible
-Oh I can make it up to you- She smiles... That little whore
-Clockwork go away- I order
Maybe giving her a good fright
-Go away- I say between teeth as my fangs come out and she takes a step back
-C'mon puppy-She grins
-GOD DAMN IT GO AWAY- Okay now I'm getting desperate
-No, I won't- She says
-Damn it Clockwork-I pass my hand through my dark mane of hair
-Damn it Troye- She imitates me
I take her arm with strength and pull her against me as I walk backwards towards my room and once we are in I close the door and I throw her against the wall as our breaths mix and my eyes connect with hers.
-T-Troye...-She gasps
-This is what you wanted- I mutter between teeth
-Yeah-She mutters back, then to unite her lips with mine
(...)
ROUGE ROYAL POV
After trying to train for a while, I've decided to talk to Slenderman, so I make my way to his office, where he must be, so when I'm there, the door opens without me knocking and the three proxies come out with their heads down and I try to find Toby's eyes, but he won't even look at me.
-Toby?-I ask and he stops his way to nod at me- Toby what's wrong?
-Nothing, go back to your room- His voice is cold as ice
-Toby... What's going on?- I ask again
-NOTHING, go back to your room- He has a commanding voice
-T-Toby- I mutter
-Do as I say, Liz- He calls me by my middle name
-No, tell me what's going on- Okay now I'm getting pissed
-Regina, go- He walks away from me
The hell is going on?
I hold the feeling of a knot on my throat and shake my head and my feet work their way to the lab, where I open the door carefully without being seen, then to close it once I'm in. I take the book black tick book from one of the bookshelves and I read 'Creatures & Legacies' on the cover, I open it on the section of Marked Ones and there's something interesting in here:
'The Marked Ones have the ability to share their souls in order to save an innocent life, but that means sharing their powers as well, meaning that the life they save, it's going to develop abilities-like the Marked Ones but not powerful enough as an original Marked One.
If the rules are broken from the Crystal Oblivion's Archangels, this creatures have the right to punish the rebellious Marked One with death, or another penal punishment depending on the crime that has been committed.'
So... Basically I made of Casey a half Marked One, that's pretty cool though. After seeing more books than expected I get to make my way out from the lab before someone sees me, until I'm finally on my room and I lay on the bed looking at the ceiling with more than one thought on my head, what's going on with Toby? He's not like that, well he's bipolar but that doesn't justify that he has that attitude, like... Evasive, and very shady, Toby what are you doing?
The door suddenly opens and I stand up to see Troye coming my way, he side smiles me and sits with me on the bed.
-Help me- He says and I laugh
-What's wrong?- I ask laughing slightly
-The ladies are stocking me...-I laugh harder
-And what's the problem with that?-I raise my eyebrows
-Nothing but, I need my space for god's sake- He passes his hand through his face
-Well, you're good looking you can't fight that- I shrug
-And? Even if I say 'no' they keep stocking me- He cries softly
-Well, fuck them-I laugh when I hear what I just said
-Eh talking about 'fucking'...-He laughs nervously
-YOU HAD SEX?! You dog!-I punch his arm on a playful way
-Yeah I got the ladies waiting for more- He laughs
-Ooh! And with who?!- I smile excited
-Eh, I think her name was, Clockwork?- He says and I widen my eyes
-YOU DOG! You slept with Toby's ex?!- I grunt laughing
-SHE'S HIS EX?!- He yells
-Yes!- I laugh
-And what about it?- He calms down
-Nothing, and it was just casual sex or what- I'm curious
-I guess, I don't know- Troye responds tilting his head
-Oh baby Troye is a man now!- I croon
-I wasn't a virgin god damn it!- He lays on the bed covering his face
-OHHH better then! Was she able to walk after it?- I ask laughing harder
-Ah.....- He's speechless
-Oh Jesus...- I cover my face laughing
(...)
I hold my chest gasping, moans come out from my mouth as my heart beats faster to the point it starts hurting, I gasp harder and I next to grab my throat with has a knot holding me from screaming as I incorporate on the bed.
A nightmare
With Toby
-TOBY!- I yell gasping after feeling once again a huge pain on my chest, I can't breath
I pass my hands through my hair and face and I make myself be on fetal position in order to press my lungs so they let me breath better, I can feel my throat closing and my heart rate is over the roof, I'm scared, really scared, I have to find Toby, I want to find Toby, I need him right now.
I take deep breaths and finally I dare myself to place my feet on the cold wooded floor, walking towards the door, then to open it and making my way towards Toby's room, when I'm there, my shaking hands turn the door knob to open the door, his room smells like mint, which relaxes me very deep inside myself.
I can see Toby lying on his bed, my the movement of it I can tell that he's asleep, so my legs that are almost failing me, shake when I see him there, as I walk to his bed and I lay there, covering myself with his deep green covers and then, my arms wrap around Toby and I get closer to him, feeing his body warmth.
-Mhm...- He grunts and I realize he's half awake
-I had a nightmare- I hug his side as he turns around and now he faces me, with sleepy eyes then in a clumsy way, he pulls me closer and I'm now hugging him as I face his chest, listening to his calming heart, and he hugs my waist
-I love you- He mutters
-I love you too- I smile
(...)
Next morning, I open my eyes to the sunlight coming through Toby's window, waking up to him sleeping like a little kid makes me laugh to myself and then I notice Toby's hand going lower to my ass.
-Hey beautiful- Toby says opening his eyes
-Morning- I smile and kiss his lips softly
He gets up and grunts once he's sitting on the bed as he passes his hand through his face, then I stand the same as him and then, with his hands he takes my shoulders and pull me towards him and I end up on his lap smiling to him as I softly laugh.
-We need to talk- I bite my lip
-What's on your mind?- He mutters
-What happened yesterday?- I ask and his hazel eyes widen as he bites his lower lip
-Uh... Nothing really- He responds and I can feel him shaking
-Toby...- I say
-Slenderman, he uh told us about your issue- He responds rubbing my cheek with the back of his hand
-Zalgo?- I ask and he nods
-Yeah, and we are looking for the solution- He answers
-Then why the shadiness?- I raise my eyebrow
-I don't want to lose you- He leans to kiss my lips

HEYYYYY I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I was on a family reunion this week so sorry for not posting, remember that I'm participatingy for the Wattys so... VOTE FOR ME ON TWITTER!!!!!!
~Rxgue💕