I had a dream that night of Equius, Gamzee, and I. We were all strange looking creatures on a strange planet. Our skin was a medium gray and affixed to our hands were horns that looked like candy corns. Equius and I were the best of friends and Gamzee was a terror in black and white face paint. But no, he didn't start out that way. He was calm and collected but then he lost it on us. Our happiness was once again ruined by him as he cornered Equius and then killed him in front of me.
I knew even in the dream that I had to do something so I threw myself out of a grate headed towards the demonic looking clown. His arm caught mine and he dragged it across his face, purple blood oozing out of his face. And then he killed me, my death was slow and brutal. I was battered to death with what looked like a club, the damage irreversible. I woke up screaming.
When I awoke from my slumber for the second time I remembered none of this. In fact, I felt a rare joy in my life. I couldn't remember a reason for feeling this happy, my brain was still foggy and cloudy from the sleep. As I rolled over on the bed eager to continue my rest it came rushing back, if only because Gamzee was laying spread out next to me. He gave no signs of stirring and so I sighed in relief. With such a rare moment of him being unguarded, I looked at him. I really looked at him.
What did I know about him? I knew he was very tall, I knew he had muscles on his arms, having no problem lifting me up on many occasions. I suspect his strength is vastly underestimated because of his lanky build. He was handsome enough, but it didn't mean anything to me. His scar marred his features, it was puffy and a light flesh color all these years later. The Makara was also very tanned, his skin had a healthy bronzed look. How did he even find time to go outside? I was practically the same color as paper, the same I had always been. I sighed, it was way too early to be spending time thinking of Gamzee like this.
I realize how close I had gotten to him and scooted away. He murmured in his sleep not pleased with the loss of his own personal heater. A light bulb flashed over my head. If I take it slow and am thoughtful maybe I can actually get out this time. It was more of a last ditch effort than a genuine attempt, I knew in my soul. But I knew that was a problem and I didn't really want to address why at least some part of me didn't want to leave. I crawled out of bed shooting a look at the sleeping figure in the bed.
The day was going to be hot and sticky if my already sweaty body was an indicator. I knew I had to disregard this as I set about my business, I already had a plan. It appeared there was a small satchel in the corner and I quickly grabbed it. One last search around the room proved to be fruitful to the escape. I found a half empty container of what looked like water, more clothes I could take, and what looked like a small knife. I then went and searched in his closet before I found what I was looking for, several old sheets of his. I hastily tied them together one by one, doing my best to create a makeshift rope. It seemed a little sketchy but it had to suffice.
I figured this would be as good as it gets and I pulled my short hair into a pony tail. My bangs were sticking to my forehead, I noticed. It was easier for me to notice details in this moment like how the Makara's signature color was very flattering on me. Or how Gamzee could kill so easily if he saw me and how much he would enjoy it and why am I doing this I don't want to die oh god oh god.
Stop.
Get.
It.
Together.
I bit my lip and knew getting to the window would be the scariest step. To do so, I had to go right beside the sleeping Gamzee's bed hoping not to wake him up. There would be no sweet talking out of this, my intent was obvious. As I pressured my still not quite recovered foot to move forward, finally I could. The burst of confidence wouldn't last long so I had to move fast. It was a blessing and a curse that Gamzee's bed was right next to the window, it had a risk factor but it also gave me something nearby to affix my homemade rope to. Slowly creeping past his bed filled my heart with terror but also adrenaline. In no time it seemed I was in front of Gamzee's bed, bending down hastily to tie the most secure knot ever to his bed post.
I straightened myself then tied the rope around my wrist. From my assessment earlier I had determined if I go slow enough I could probably make it all the way down with the rope simply being a safe guard. As soon as I lowered myself out the window onto the window ledge on the outside I knew it was a bad idea and one I would come to regret. Now though, I was determined to continue so I did.
It was slow work and a long drop. I estimated four stories at least. At least if I fell there were bushes at the bottom to cushion my fall. Taking it slow seemed to be working so far as I climbed from missing stone to window piece. I had a few close calls but over all I was confident in my progress. Almost too confident, causing me to almost fall several times. I was sweating intensely now though, the effort taking it's toll on my body. I wonder idly if Equius would be proud of me? The thought gave me renewed vigor and I kept up my plight.
After I had successfully made it down the equivalent of half, I had to stop to take a break. I was sweating profusely feeling thirsty and dehydrated with the sun beating down on me. It had to be at least afternoon now and I was thrilled that Gamzee was sleeping this late. I felt renewed vigor with this and the fact that the next ledge seemed very close. As my foot left the safety of my ledge, I realized how suspicious it sounded. Gamzee was strictly an early bird. I looked up based on instinct and saw a figure looming out the window. My heart sank as he stared at me with an apathetic look. I knew what this meant and I gave out a cry of horror and lost my balance with the other foot.
My heart shuttered in a violent way after I dropped, my stomach going with it. I fell maybe two feet and there was an intense pain in my wrist as I caught it. I was such an idiot, why did I put it there? But it was too late to be concerned with what potentially could be broken because at this moment Gamzee was leaning more out the window using his strong arm muscles to pull the rope up.
I let the horror sink in. He was pulling me back up and the only thing I could see was the horrible scar that puckered on his face. I could tell he was angry because of how he held his jaw. I knew the consequences would be bad, worse than the isolation room for my last attempt. It seemed I only had one option, but it was the last thing I wanted. Or perhaps the second to last.
With my free arm I struggled desperately through the pain and horror of being pulled back up. I dug through the satchel, doing the best I could one handed. I somehow found the knife after an excruciating thirty seconds. Using my last bit of energy and force I sliced at the sheets, the knife biting in. I sawed and hacked until finally I felt it give. Up till that point I felt as if ice was running through my veins.
The last bit of sheet had yet to break and I know Gamzee had begun to notice what I was doing as he sped up his efforts. He was beginning to tire though and I used that to my advantage. I didn't want to do this and yet I knew what I had to do. I brought the knife up one final time and sliced straight through the sheets. The last thing I saw before I began to fall was Gamzee's eyes widening, almost reaching a hand out. I felt a last burst of victory as I fell.
The trip was fast and brilliant, the wind blowing through my hair. Alas three levels isn't terribly high and it was a relatively short drop. Not on my body though I determined. I hit the bushes sinking in them for a moment before rolling off. For a moment I couldn't breathe and I knew bones were broken. The pain was extreme and instantaneous. I couldn't move for several moments several thoughts rushing through my head, was I paralyzed? Did I break every bone in my body? Was Gamzee about to descent upon me from the safety of his castle?
I didn't dare look and instead slowly tested my abilities to move each and individual fingers. All ten worked fine and I breathed in a sigh of relief. Some magical way I hadn't shattered my skull but my wrist I new had to have some serious damage. I would be kicking myself over that mistake for awhile. Over the next ten minutes I tried the same thing again with my legs which proved to be a strenuous task. I cried bitter tears. Bitter with myself, with Gamzee, with everything in my life. I had no choice but to slowly drag myself towards the woods that didn't seem too far from me now. My perception was wrong though, it wouldn't be a big distance if I were walking but with dragging myself with a foot a minute it would be a struggle to make it there before Gamzee.
After a grueling hour of work I had managed to make it into the forest. It was slow travel but I was glad to have made it this far. I was thirsty and starving and I knew that I couldn't make it much farther but for the last indeterminable amount of time I pushed myself, I put my body to the ultimate tax. It did it's best, but it just didn't happen to be good enough and I passed out, nestled next to a tree.
When I awoke, the sun was shining brightly in my face. Too bright, I flinched back. I heard a cackle with a quick "Shut up!" thrown in that direction. I blinked, disorientated. What was going on? I groaned as I recalled the pain, my one good arm moving itself up to my head instantly to try to somehow heal the throbbing pain. It didn't help at all but after a few blinks my vision was clearing. I squinted quite a bit before seeing what must have been a hallucination. After all what would two girls my age be doing lurking around the woods.
"Is she an idiot?" The girl with glasses wondered aloud.
"There is only one idiot here and it is you," the other retorted, she wore bright red glasses covering her eyes.
Suddenly the danger came back to me and I jolted, but I couldn't get up. "Please you.. you have to help me." My throat was dry and speaking was a struggle. "Whatever you do, stay away from the castle. Please take me far away!" My warning wasn't listened to though, as they both shared a chuckle at my expense.
"Boy your boyfriend was right, you're sure fucked up." Glasses said this again, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder. "I would bet eight million dollars that he's inside worried sick about you."
"Exactly!" Her partner smiled, her sharp and dangerous looking teeth stretching over her mouth. "I'm Terezi, and this rude girl over here is Vriska. We're going to take you back to the castle," I struggled here, shouting unintelligible things and Terezi backed off. "...I guess we can't do this the easy way."
"We can never do it the easy way," Vriska confirmed. She was grabbing something out of a pack and it made me uneasy. I saw a bit of liquid shoot into the air and then saw the silver glint and I knew. A shot. "This isn't going to hurt at all, but you're in some bad shape, emotionally and physically. We're just going to knock you out for a tiny biiiitttt." She stretched the last sentence out, and jerkily grabbed my broken arm. I had no ability to block. To the sound of the two of them conversing or bickering, I succumbed once again to the darkness.
Hope this chapter is okay, I am writing with a horrible headache but wanted to continue updating once a day. I feel like it isn't my best but at least it is an update! For the record, I didn't expect anyone would guess these two characters haha! Even more to come, I feel like Hussie revealing the alpha trolls. :o) So this is a shot in the dark but is anyone going to Sugoi Con on Saturday? I'm going as dead!Vriska, so if you're there and you see me, say hi! Thanks once again for all the reviews, you guys are the best!