Some Secrets Are Better Off Hidden

Chapter 7: Welp, Tom's Dead

The sound of a door hitting the back wall echoed inside the room. Everything went silent, making the noise appear louder than it really was.

It was like being still in the tall dead grass. When wood hitting wood echoed throughout the room, it was like the whistling of the wind, making the tall grass dance. A warning of upcoming danger. Where a predator crouched and waited for the right moment to pounce at it's prey.

But in this scenario, the prey was well aware of the predator that lurked within the grass. But still all too scared to make a single move, in fear for setting the predator off. That's what Tom felt as he stood in front of Tord.

Tom saw the absolute shock in Tord's eyes once their gazes met. Tord blinked once, and in an instant, the room closed in on itself. The change in Tord's expression once he opened his eyes broke Tom into a cold sweat.

He started shaking involuntarily where he stood. The world was flipped upside down, and with it, Tom's stomach.

Tord stepped in the room fully, completely blocking Tom's only exit.

Tord's eyes narrowed at him as he took another step forward. Tom avoided his sinister look.

He was about to say something until Tom almost instantly backed away. But in Tom's defense it was entirely out of reflex.

Tord's eyebrows shot up as he took another calculated step forward. Tom's flight or fight response skyrocketed, along with his anxiety and stress. Keeling over and hurling his guts out never felt more appropriate. But instead, he held his stomach for support and waited for the latter's next move.

Tord's hands clenched to his sides as a form to calm himself down. But it was very obvious that his blood was boiling. His face was red with rage as he opened his mouth once more to yell out what he would have previously said.

"Thomas..." His tone was sickeningly calm. It made Tom's back hairs stick up in anticipation and fear. Tom let out an inaudible sound in response.

He hesitantly looked Tord in the eyes once more, and immediately regretted it. Tord's eyes were ringed with different shades of red, his pupils so focused on Tom they appeared cat-like. He didn't look human in that state and it was downright petrifying.

"Why... The fuck. Are you. In. My. Room!?" Tord bellowed out, his accent shining through his words as he made his way over to Tom.

Everything happened so quickly. Tom's brain lagged behind what was going on. He wasn't quick to register the current situation. He tried to grasp at what was occurring, yet his thoughts just couldn't arrange themselves.

Tord snatched Tom by the neck of his hoodie and forced him to move backwards. He almost tripped on Tord's feet from the sudden proximity, but Tord's grip on his hoodie was unfaltering. He held Tom up as he slammed him against the wall.

By the time Tom understood what was happening, it was too late. Tom's eyes went white as he saw an outstretched arm. The fist was clenched and ready to take a blow to Tom's face.

"Wait wait wait!" Tom screeched as he shot his hands up in front of his face. To an outsider, it would seem as though Tom was surrendering and trying to show no harm. But to Tom, he did it to block any upcoming punches that could hurt his already injured head.

When nothing happened he let out a shaky breath. "I- I can explain." Tom lowered his hands and peeked out through his fingers.

Tord stared at him with a raised brow. He slowly dropped his arm and acquainted it with Tom's hoodie. Both hands held the fabric in a tight grasp. But Tord was now more calm and collected. His eyes no longer animal-like, but those crimson reds still held a warning within.