Courageous Compassion | Illinois x Reader |

Unknown Halls

As we walked through these dusted halls, all there was was silence. After we had that talk about ourselves, we didn't speak. I didn't know he could be this quiet. I thought that he would always brag about all the adventures he went on and the accomplishments he made. Guess I was wrong.

The dust all around us started to close in. Sometimes, I feel as though I'm just breathing in dust itself. And sometimes it really happened. The dust went down into my lungs, suffocating me. I would cough a little bit and then it would become severe.

Not only that, it felt like we were walking forever. My legs became tired but I didn't want to stop because, for some reason, I wanted to prove I'm better than Illinois. And the fact that he is just makes me feel I'm a pawn. I hate being a player in other people's game.

Soon my legs started to give and I had to stop. I groaned softly and stopped, Illinois ahead of me.

[Y/N] Wait.

Illinois turned around with the same smug smirk plastered across his face. The dim lighting made his face look very sinister. I looked the other way, arms crossed and I hunched my shoulders to make it look like I have no neck.

[Y/N] Can we stop to have a break? My legs started to get tired.
[Illinois] If you say so.

Illinois then focused on his hat. He took it off and brushed it off a little bit. Then he ran his fingers through his hair. Sweat started to drip down on his forehead. I looked the other way and leaned against the wall. Illinois noticed my act and chuckled a little when putting his hat back on.

[Illinois] I wouldn't do that if I were you.

I looked at him in a straight face. I raised an eyebrow to what he meant.

[Y/N] Do what?
[Illinois] I wouldn't lean on the walls. You don't know what's crawling or slithering around here.

When I heard that, I couldn't stand the thought of a bug on me or a snake slithering on my shoulders. I quickly lifted me off of the wall and I scanned myself for something.

I didn't see anything and I crossed my arms in discomfort. I looked back at Illinois and my eyes went wide. On his shoulder was a black and orange tarantula.

[Y/N] I-I-Illinois?

I stuttered as I pointed at his shoulder. He looked on his shoulder and he got out his whip and brushed off the spider. I felt something on mine and I froze on the spot. Illinois signaled new to turn around and I did. I didn't know how many there were but he brushed off my whole back.

I looked on the ground to see spiders everywhere. I jumped and I tried my best not to step on one in fear that they might get mad and climb up on me. Illinois put away his whip.

[Illinois] We should go. We're on their territory and they may become aggressive.

He walked away and I followed. My whole body became itchy because I kept of thinking of bugs crawling on me. Every now and then, I check my whole body and back to make sure nothing was on me.

-

It's been a while since our little interaction with the spiders and I have recovered a little. Now we came to the part where plants would grow in the cracks of the walls. Branches were on the ground and vermin like rats and mice could be heard around. It was filthy and I didn't like it.

I looking around my surroundings in case I stepped on something and I didn't notice, but Illinois stopped. I ended up bumping into him. He went forward and fell but he caught himself. I looked in front of us to see a huge gap. It wasn't as big as the bridge collapse but it was big enough for us not to make it if we jumped.