True Deceit

Chapter 10: 10 Years Ago

Hello! In this chapter, i have gone back in time so we can all take a glimpse at what life was like for Virgil when he was living in the dark sides as a boy. This is probably just a stand alone chapter (as in, i won't be continuing this part of the timeline,) but who knows. If i get lots of votes, maybe we can go back in time again ;) Enjoy! (Ps. I was super tired when i wrote this, so if there are errors lol sorry.) 

Trigger warnings: child abuse. (no described, just heavily implied.) 

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Eight-year-old Virgil slowly sneaked through the living room on all fours, shuddering as a cold draft of air swept through the window and brushed against his frozen cheeks.

Something was keeping him up all night, a strange connection luring him to the light sides which he could not explain. Maybe it was the fun loving cries of joy he'd over heard from his bedroom, or the warmth and curiosity which tugged at his heart strings. Either way Virgil was sweating with fear, due to the fact Deceit had warned him sternly to never cross over, and here he was going against his Father's wishes.

Virgil jolted at the sound of footsteps trailing behind him. His heart pounded in his chest as he quavered, too terrified to glance back at the father who would punish him severely for disobeying him.

"Virgil?" Virgil hesitantly turned around, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw his brother standing there with his lips curved into a confused frown.

"Hi Remus, uh," he stammered to his fourteen-year-old brother. "I'm just going to the kitchen, to, you know, check that I closed the freezer door. I mean, I know you promised you had, but uh..." Virgil smiled sheepishly, a nervous laugh escaping him mouth. "Paranoia, am I right?"

Remus slowly crouched beside him, tugging at Virgil's jumper and pulling his hood over his uncombed brown hair with a sigh. He fingered at his hoodie strings as he spoke, tidying the black jacket on Virgil's shoulders.

"You're not fooling anyone. I know you are going to the light sides." He articulated huffily.

Virgil pouted, slumping his shoulders. "How did you know?"

Remus gave Paranoia a small smile. "Trust me, I've lived with Deceit long enough to know if someone is lying or not."

Virgil glanced down at the floor, embarrassment ripening his cheeks. "Are you going to tell Father?"

Remus held a hand under his chin, lifting his eyes. "Don't look so sad. I won't tell him anything, but don't forget what Father warned us about. The light sides could be dangerous, who knows who they are, or what they'll do to you if you get caught spying on them."

Virgil grinned, but his face instantly fell and he began to squirm on the spot. "Do you swear Remus? You won't tell Father?"

Remus wrapped his arms around his younger brother, embracing him tightly. "You know I wouldn't do that, I love you."

Virgil nodded, pulling away with a smirk on his face. "Right, sorry, that was just the paranoia talking. I love you too."

He slowly stood up, walking down the final corridor which led to the light sides. It would have been easier to rise up, but since he'd been denied the right to practice by his guardian, it was simpler just to walk to and fro where he needed to go.

Before him stood a large white door with light radiating between the cracks in the hinges, whispering for him to step into the unknown. As he reached out his pale fingers to turn the nob, he could already feel heat warming his skin.

"Sorry Father," he murmured to himself. "But I have to know what is on the other side."

He slowly pushed open the door, stepping through the light and softly shutting it behind him. He squinted painfully in the softly illuminated corridor and the gentle glow of candles burning his eyes. He was used to the pitch black darkness, and every light wave caused him irritation and discomfort. He slowly walked through the corridor, careful not to make a sound as he paced.

Virgil could hear voices from the room on his left, the sound of chittering filling his ear as he pressed it against the wall. He could faintly make out the conversation, hearing a rally of sentences flying backward and forward.

"Roman, Thomas can't work all night. He needs sleep, a routine, a schedule-"

A loud groaning noise filled the air as Virgil imagined the male voice rolling his eyes. "Shut up Nerd, Thomas is in the prime of his thoughts! You can't possibly interrupt him for something as trivial as sleep!"

Virgil crept over to the living room door, spying through the crack in the doorway. He could now see clearly four teenagers, one named Thomas dressed in a plain shirt and khaki shorts, another named Roman dressed in white with a red sash, one with a tie and studious glasses named Logan and finally Patton.

"Guys, be nice," The blue shirted adolescent spoke kindly. "Maybe you can come to a compromise. How about Thomas works for twenty more minutes and then Logan can put him to bed?"

"Fine," said one.

"Fine," replied the other simultaneously.

Virgil watching in awe as they continued to discussed, throwing musical terms and ideas at Thomas who was scribbling them down in a notebook on the couch. Virgil tried to get a closer look, moving on an angle to better view the light sides.

They were not at all the way Deceit had described them. Virgil had expected them to be terrifying, bloodthirsty animals which would maul him if he stepped a foot through the light side door. They were supposed to be merciless men who would slaughter him with axes, not young adults interested in bed time and musical theatre.

I can't believe it, Virgil realised. Deceit lied to me.

"I'm going to be right back, I've just got to grab something Kiddos," Patton grinned, walking towards the door. Virgil gasped, backing into the wall before bolting away. Patton's eyes widened as he saw the shadow of a figure sprint down the corridor as he opened the door, and he instantly chased him down on foot.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" He called loudly as he ran. Thomas, Logan and Roman followed close after, curious to discover what had caused Patton to shout.

Virgil sprinted to the dark side door, jerking it open and tossing himself in the darkness before closing the exit with a heavy slam. He caught his breath, pressing his hand against his chest and glancing upward.

"Agh!" Virgil cried. Panic flooded his body as he made out the figure of Deceit inching towards him, an enraged expression on his face and a leather belt in hand.

"You are in so much trouble, Naughty Boy."