Glass

Shirts

I watch as Lu fills the bucket with water, then hauls it out of the ocean zone. I lean against the door while he slides it out of the way of the door. Sweat is dripping down his face and arms. We've spent the entire night running from zone to zone, searching everywhere for Toby.

"Stop. Let me do that." I say, lifting the bucket with a grunt.

I can hear Lu's breathing behind me, and for some reason, it makes my heart pound. I begin walking back to the square room. Lu is close on my heels, still breathing heavily.

Whoosh.

Click.

I set the bucket on the ground by the door and hear a thump behind me. I turn to see Lu sitting on the ground.

Shirtless.

My breath catches and I just stare at him.

He is dripping with sweat. It sparkles on his skin in the harsh fluorescent lights. I never noticed how much of a build Lu had until now. I guess running from zone to zone made for quite the workout.

His eyes are closed and his head leans back against the wall. His breathing is still hard and shallow. I watch as his chest rapidly rises and falls. His eyelashes are a shade darker than his hair, and they make wispy shadows across his cheekbones.

I feel like I can't breathe.

I look back down at the bucket, trying to focus on something else.

"What are you doing, bandages?"

I jump at the sudden noise. I hear a giggle behind me.

"Aw, did I scare you?" Lu starts laughing.

I smile nervously. "I... um... I'm going to go and get some more corn." I stutter.

Why am I stuttering?

I shake my head and begin to walk out of the room.

"Wait, I'm coming," Lu says. I turn and see that he still hasn't put his shirt back on. My heart beats even faster.

"No!" I yell. Lu takes a few steps backward with a stunned look on his face. I lower my voice, "No, that's not necessary. I can handle it." My thoughts feel like they're scattered in hundreds of different directions. "You stay here." I turn. "And for heaven's sakes, put a shirt on."

Whoosh.

Click.

I sigh with relief, then march down the hall. What's wrong with me? Why was I looking at him like that? I stop, staring ahead. The door to the forest zone is wide open. I creep forward, peering around it. Doors here don't just stay open, sometimes you have to push with all of your strength to keep them from shutting. I stare in awe at the empty doorway for a moment, then cautiously step forward, leaning through into the room.

And that's when I see the trail of blood, leading from where I'm standing into the forest.

Oh no...

I place a branch in the doorway, refusing to trust that the mysterious door will stay open.

Please don't be Toby, please don't be Toby... I walk into the forest.

⧫           ⧫           ⧫

Lu watches as Kanna leaves the room, his eyes wide. What just happened? The door swings shut and he shakes his head, pulling his shirt back on. Lu had spent all night exhausted for absolutely no reason. Kanna was dead set on finding Toby, no matter the cost.

Lu smiles to himself. Kanna will find Toby, alright. 

But his smile sinks as he thinks of the screams that echo throughout the night. She won't be getting over that for a long, long time. Lu sighs, trying not to let a wave of anger take him over. It's that witch's fault... if only she hadn't sent him down here... He looks up at the closed door.

I have to keep her here, no matter what.

Author's Note:

This beautiful amazing chapter was co-written with @TundraHunter2. Since me and shirtless men don't mix, she helped me out and I am ETERNALLY grateful! If you liked what you read, go check her out, she has some amazing work!

And while you're doing that, don't forget to vote and comment!