Count The Shadows (Prequel to Test the Limits)

Each Other

"You did really good!" Dark complimented Anti with a grin. He looked like he wanted to kiss Anti, but instead he settled for a congratulatory handshake to keep the facade that they were just competitors and not closer.

"Those damn people." Anti ignored the compliment with a frown, glaring over Dark's shoulder at the other competitors watching them with judgmental expressions.

"What's wrong?" Dark turned to look back at the others. Everyone abruptly looked away, pretending to be engrossed in quiet conversations with each other.

"Nothing." Anti lied, feeling slightly guilty for doing so. He looked down at his hand and realized that he was still holding Dark's hand, making his face blush red as he quickly pulled his hand back.

"What happened out there?" Murphy whispered sharply as he pushed through the crowd over to Anti.

"Just stage fright." Anti lied again, plastering a fake smile on his face.

"You sure? You seemed lost in thought." Murphy raised a questioning eyebrow at him skeptically.

"Yeah." Anti swallowed hard, he could think of an excuse so he could escape.

Even though there was plenty of space backstage where all the competitors and coaches were gathered, Anti felt like he was drowning under everyone's scrutiny and the too quiet conversations that made him certain that they were all talking about him.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a sec Anti?" Dark intervened.

"Yeah!" Anti said, probably sounding too enthusiastic as he hurried towards Dark's room and closed the door behind them.

Anti sank onto the only clear part of the bench, his heart thudding in his ears as he let his head rest in his hands and closed his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Dark asked softly as he shoved his stuff off of the bench and sat down by Anti, gently pulling him closer so he could hold Anti in his arms.

"I'm so scared of everyone and I hate it! I hate feeling weak and afraid, yet here I am wanting to run away from the world and never look back!" Anti snapped as he looked up at Dark.

"It's okay-"

"It isn't! I'm supposed to kill two people that mean so much to so many people including me and the competitors are always whispering about me when they think I'm not looking....Always whispering, always watching." Anti interrupted Dark as he curled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them.

"The competitors?" Dark repeated.

"They're judging me, scrutinizing my every move." Anti continued in a mumble, pressing his knees closer to his chest.

"Anti..." Dark trailed off with a sigh, running a hand through his hair.

He was stopped from talking further when they heard a knock on the door, causing them to both jump to their feet.

"I'll get it." Dark told Anti as he walked over to the door and cracked it open.

"Hey Murphy, he's in here." Dark opened the door further to reveal Smith and Murphy.

"Dark, you know you're not supposed to bring other competitors into your room." Smith reprimanded him.

"We were just talking." Dark assured her.