Amnesia: A Ticci Toby X Reader

Chapter 1: Unpleasant Dreams

          One foot forward, then another, great old trees stretching far above my head, their ancient branches reaching skyward and scratching at the clouds, the stars even, as I made my way forward. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself and watching clouds form from my mouth and dissipate into the air, cheeks stinging and red. I strained my ears, trying to hear something, and yet there was nothing, not even the sound of my footsteps on old branches and pine needles cracked or snapped. There was nothing, nothing but woods for miles upon miles. How long had I been walking for?
          One foot forward, then another, staggering now, and then I heard it, a low growl and the shifting of the bushes, so loud and sudden I'd practically jumped from my very skin. I whipped around, chest rising and falling quickly as my eyes frantically attempted to locate the source of the sound, but it suddenly seemed as though a wind were blowing through and shaking everything up, the noise deafening. The screech of a bird, the pattering of paws against the earth, a ferocious growl, then nothing.

          I sat straight up with a gasp, cold sweat dripping down my forehead and back, making me feel disgusting, cold, and wet. I shivered, glancing over to the clock as I rubbed my arms. It was 5:30 in the morning, close enough to my alarm that I decided I might as well get up and start my day.

          My feet hit the floor and I danced on them for a moment, not expecting the sudden frigidness of the hardwood floor, before swiftly making my way to the closet. I changed into my usual attire, then jumped slightly at the sound of a soft knock on my door. I swallowed, walking over hesitantly, and slowly creaked it open... only to see my little brother standing there, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and then looking up to me. I smiled in relief as he reached a hand up for mine, leading me along down the hallway until I could hear the sound of running water. I sighed, knowing full-well what he needed me for now, and picked him up so we'd get there faster, setting him down by the door. I raised a fist and banged on it as hard as I could, the old wood giving way ever so slightly under my rap, and the sound earning a shriek from my sister on the other side.

          "Lily!" I shouted, shoving my hands into my pockets. "Hurry it up, Jason has to use the bathroom!" I could hear her scoff from the other side.

          "Tell him to go downstairs!"

          "Lily, you know he hates the bathroom down there! It's too cold!" A moment later the sound of water ceased, then another and she whipped the door open, a rush of warm air hitting me like a brick as she stood in the doorway and glared at us, a towel wrapped around her chest and another around her hair.

            She sighed sharply and pushed her way past us, Jason immediately taking this moment to rush inside and close the door, ready to finally go. I sighed and rubbed my eyes as I turned away, hopping down the stairs and into the bathroom. The tile froze my toes, even through my socks, and I shivered again, grabbing my toothbrush and finishing off my morning, though as I stood there I couldn't help but stare at my eyes, the large bags under them drawing my attention.

          I grabbed my backpack and slung it over my shoulder, pulling open the door to greet the cold, early winter morning. I sucked in a breath as my eyes grazed the nearby woods and reminded me of my dream, cold, unwelcoming, and asleep... for now. I shook my head as if it would clear my mind of the thought, almost like it were an Etch-a-Sketch, but it didn't help like I'd hoped it would.

          I sighed and stepped out the door, Lily now by my side. When had she gotten there? Before I could ask, or choose not to, my father's head peeked around the corner.

         "See you two after school?" he asked, almost as if we had somewhere to be on a Monday after school. "I'm making Frenchbread pizza!" I smiled softly, feeling exhausted but doing my best not to show it, and nodded.

          "Yeah, of course! Love you Dad, see you later!" I replied, waving as I walked down the porch steps, old and damp wood creaking under my feet, then across the lawn, wet grass leaving dew drops on my shoes as a light fog swirled around them and left me feeling a bit more peaceful than usual. Being outside usually did that to me, but lately I've been a bit paranoid about leaving the house alone, which made me one lucky kid to be walking with my sister every morning.

     The walk there seemed a blur, and next thing I knew I could see the school in the distance. I grimaced, really not wanting to be here, but knowing I had to be, and thus kept going. "I'm going to have a good day," I thought. "Everything is going to be ok." Oh how i wish it had been.