Tick tock

*~18~*

We've been walking- I mean me specifically, for a pretty long time.
The more we walked the less Santi was able to respond and at this point... I was carrying him.

I don't have a problem with it though... I really do want to help him... after everything.
He deserves it, he really does... and what else he deserves is a better sister in law.

Yep... still feeling guilty.

Really guilty.

"You good, Santi?" I asked in a low tone.

"..."

"Santi, yo, dude! Are you okay?" I nudged his side softly.
Santiago immediately flinches. His head shooting up with his eyes half closed.

"What- no I'm awake." He muttered groggily.

I sighed in relief... but the idea of him dying still itches away at my brain; scaring me shitless.

"You have to stay up, Santi! I don't want you-" I paused... the word 'dying' refusing to leave my mouth and getting caught in the back of my throat.

He clearly knew what I was talking about; and he certainly knew that he might just die.

"I'll... I'll be f- fine... I promise." His voice gave an awful crack in desperation to convince not only me... but himself too.

I slowly felt that weight on my chest returning and crushing me even harder than before.

God, I hope we're almost home.

It's still quite dark outside... the trees really don't help of course.
I could still somewhat see though, and soon enough the sun will come up.

I could hear the wind howl, and the faint murmurs of Santi talking in Spanish I suppose.

Soon enough I could hear something else.

Something becoming larger and larger.

I could hear the faint sound... of ticking.

I stoped dead in my tracks, my eyes examining the area for anyone near by. "Why... why did we sto-"

"Shut up for a second."

My heart began to race as the ticking sound became more audible.

"Oh, fuck! Shit! Nope!" Santi grabs onto me desperately and forces me to turn around.

My eyes widen as I see him...

Toby.

"Shit!" I drag Santi closer to me while slowly backing up.

The man twitched every so often making the ticking noise.

He looked even more horrific in person.

The blood and sweat that stuck onto him glistened from the rising sun.

Nope. Not today, satan!

I sprint through the trees while dragging Santi with me.

The cold and dark cackles of Toby trails behind us... the urge of looking back gnawing away at me. They were soon replaced with the cries of Santi as he tried his best to keep on running even with his messed up leg.

I quickly glanced back and saw nothing... but that doesn't mean he's gone.

I grip onto Santi's hand tighter and start to run faster-