Hey Descendants!
Guess who got overwhelmed by the holidays and forgot your chapter last week...
That's right. Dark did. Booo hiss.
So chapter now, and chapter tomorrow.
Good deal?
Hope you all are having wonderful holidays and celebrations!
Lots of love,
-Dark-
He slams his fist on the door and waits until he hears the knob turn before he backs away.
How long had he been playing this game?
Search.
Find.
Drop.
Wait.
Run.
Repeat.
Beam was going to kill him.
If exhaustion, exertion, and stupidity didn't take him out first.
He wasn't sure he'd ever run so long on pure adrenaline.
But she refused-
Why aren't you moving!
Right! He nods as he watches the door open before he turns and bolts for what had to be the eighth-
Tenth.
He staggers with the automatic roll of his eyes and has to slap a piece of dislocated asphalt to keep from falling.
He nearly jumps out of his skin when a hand lands on his shoulder.
"Gotcha!" Beam snaps.
"Great. Now let me go." He turns to glare up at the taller boy. "I got shit ta do."
"Yeah." Beam clicks his tongue, "Ain't we all. Thing is, ya have ta be conscious ta do the shit."
"The fuck I do." He snaps back. "I've gotta-"
Beam rolls his eyes, "Take a fuckin' sleep? Yeah, that be soundin' 'bout right."
He glares, "Fuck off." He snarls, "I've got this."
"Ya see, thing is- You've dropped off like seventeen more of us." Beam clicks his tongue as he shrugs, "Us, an' VKs, but who's keepin'-"
"I gotta find Mimi." He snaps.
"Another Vk." Beam rolls his eyes, "Shadow, grab a fuckin' rest. VKs look out for their own too."
"An' what 'bout the other urchins?"
"We ain't good ta anyone too run down to save 'em." Beam snaps at him.
"I said I'm fine."
Beam clicks his tongue again as he looks away, "Look, it ain't being my business, I get that. But that was before, was'n it?" He gestures around them, "This be ah load o' crazy none of us know what ta be doing with. So just come back with me, and we'll try to figure it out. Together and shit."
He opens his mouth to argue-
Shut up and agree.
"Damn it, Beam, I can fuckin' handle-"
"It ain't just you."
"That's the fuckin' point."
"My point-" Beam shakes him, every jostle making bile crawl up his throat and the world spin, "Is that I don't know what the fuck to do either. None o' us do. But if we all can talk- Fuck, maybe?"
He swallows back the taste, "Would it get you off my fuckin' ass?" He huffs.
"Off it, on it, whatever the fuck yer inta. Just, please. I need help calming everyone down."
He groans, "Fine, whatever," He gestures towards Yensid's. "Let's just get this done."
Beam hangs his head back and sighs, "Fuckin' finally." He shoves his hands in his pockets and starts walking back to the house.
Three.
Two.
Run.
At her signal, he bolts.
We let the next batch knock.
Heard.
"You lil' shit!" Beam calls out behind him .
He ignores the growl as he pulls himself over a turned piece of asphalt and hits the mud.
Faster!
Workin' on it.
Work harder.
He snarls as he forces himself to move quicker.
Ignoring the pain.
Pushing past his exhaustion.
His eyes narrow as it clicks.
It had taken him longer than he'd like to admit. But he'd finally figured it out.
Her angle.
Her attitude.
Her desperation.
The reason she was willing to drive them to the ground.
For the first time-
Tonight?
Maybe?
He still wasn't sure how long-
-he got it.
Finally understood.
He stops himself from shaking his head as he pushes off a wall.
Doesn't matter.
Don't think.
Just. Keep. Moving.
Right.
He looks back at the group of kids following him as he does his best not to trip over himself.
It wasn't enough.
Not nearly enough.
But it was something.
Beam was going to fucking kill him.
If this didn't kill him first.
He would put his daggers on that being Faustina's goal.
Don't be so dramatic.
Oh, fuck off.
He wipes at his burning eyes as he turns into a classroom, the kids behind him talking in rushed, worried whispers.
Others were crying.
Some were even whimpering as they clung to each other.
Yeah, there was no fucking way he could check on Adelaide, not with this group clinging to him.
He starts searching the desolate classroom until he finally finds a crumpled notebook.
He scoops it up before he goes to-
Don't you dare fucking sit.
Right.
He breathes as he slams the book against the wall and studies the paper as she starts making a crude map.
One.
Two.
Maybe they should make some to pass out to the Goblins since the ones who'd found him seemed so eager to help out.
Five.
Not that the Goblins wouldn't be able to just take whoever they found to the house.
When he looks up, he finally realizes the others were crowding him.
"Dudes." He stands up straight as his back pops several times. "Calm your shit. It's fine." He slams one of the maps on the table when several of them start wailing and arguing at the comment.
Honestly, everything sounded like an obnoxious blur at this point.
He looks over the group until his eyes land on the girl he'd known the longest.
"Bruiser." He states as he beckons the tiny girl closer.
"Ghost?" She questions with uncertainty.
"Here." He picks up the map and slaps it in her hand. "Follow this and keep the others in line. Tell Beam I'll be back soon."
Bruiser's eyes light up, "Beam's okay!?" She chirps with enthusiasm she hadn't possessed seconds ago.
"Yeah, he's at the X. It looks like shit, but it'll keep ya'll safe 'til we can figure shit out." He sighs.
"Right." Bruiser nods.
He turns to the other kids.
"Keep tight. Keep quiet. And if Bruiser tells me any of you so much as question her. I. will. Hurt. You. Got it?"
Several of the kids step away as they nod quickly.
"Great," He turns to Bruiser. "Now head the fuck out."
"Right." Bruiser chirps happily. "Y'all heard Ghost. Let's get the fuck outta this shit."
He watches the others head out and steps back.
So fucking help me if you even think about leaning against that wall, T.
He pauses and rubs his burning eyes.
Right.
He'd gotten rid of the group for a reason.
He sighs.
He knew better to shake his head at this point.
All it did was make the world spin.
Uma was-
He swallows hard as Faustina shrieks in his ears.
Adelaide. Now. Move it.
His eyes widen as he bolts out of the room.
Right. Right. Right.
"Is… Is someone there?"
He skids to a halt at the strange feminine voice.
"Hello?" He whispers softly as he looks around in confusion.
"Please… Help me…"
He quietly starts peeking into classrooms.
He'd never heard a more-
His eyes narrow-
Alluring?
It was so soft.
Enticing.
Sweet.
Melodious.
Calming despite the call for aid.
But after the fifth room, he finds himself growling in frustration.
Where the fuck was she?
"Hello?" He calls in frustration, "Where are you?"
T…
He falters at the concern in her tone.
What?
"I'm down here… The room with all the books. Please… Help..."
"Oh!" He blinks before he runs to the library.
I… I don't know. Something is- Just- Be careful.
He lets out a hysterical snort.
Yeah, now she cared.
He grabs onto the door frame as he tumbles into the room and lands on his ass.
"Please… I'm… I'm so hungry."
Hungry?
Not scared.
Or frightened.
Or trapped.
But hungry?
His eyes narrow as uncertainty washes over him.
"Please…"
"Right." He pushes himself to his feet with a groan before he looks around the room with bleary eyes.
"Just a little closer. I can hear you."
T…?
He pushes himself back up and starts forward slowly.
A shiver runs down his spine as a warning bell sounds in his head.
"Yes. The door in the back. I'm stuck behind it."
He pauses as he stares at the books strewn over the ground.
In his rush to find the voice, he hadn't even realized where he was.
The library.
And now the voice was coming from the door where Adelaide was.
"Please hurry. There's a spider back here."
Fuck.
Adelaide.
"Just, ya know, don't move."
She could've been crushed.
He winces at the thought.
He knew what it was like to be trapped and unable to escape.
And she was such a sweet spider.
"You are sorry at the idea a spider could be hurt?"
Of course-
Wait...
"Faustina?" He whispers in confusion, "Did I say that out loud?"
You did not.
Cool.
"You don't have to."
"What?" He looks around.
"Are we hallucinating?" He asks nothing.
He'd done it before.
Stayed awake so long he started hearing shit.
Catching shadows that weren't there.
Still, this felt different.
"Cause, like… Yeah."
Maybe? Just- Don't think about it.
Just go help the girl and give her a map so we can get Addy out.
"Perhaps I am rusty. It has been so long since I was able to hold a conversation."
He tilts his head to the side.
No.
Nope.
That didn't make-
He rushes to the restricted section.
But who in their right mind would be that close to the spider for protection?
He would.
But-
He remembers the look on the others' faces.
He wasn't right in the head.
He races to the cage.
"I know you. I know your scent."
"Addy!" He grins stupidly. "Wait- what?" He looks around for the woman crying for help.
His scent?
"Yes. You're the girl who gave me pats when you brought your group into my room."
He freezes.
Who the fuck knew-
Pats?
His eyes widen as he steps back.
Oh fuck-
He stares towards the room in confusion.
Addy?
Please have let that been the spider.
He so wasn't in the condition to kill someone.
"I do not wish to eat you. You have been kind to me."
"Oh, thank god." He sighs as he walks over and wraps his hands around the bars, "It is you, right?" He chuckles nervously, praying it was indeed the spider he was-
Talking?
Were they somehow talking?
Did he pass out?
He was pretty sure he was a few hours short of cracking at the pace they'd been going.
His head slowly turns to the side as one monstrous leg creeps forward after the other.
That couldn't-
Sure, Adelaide had been huge, but those legs were giant.
"Huh." His eyes travel up to meet eight eyes studying him. "Sorry it took me so long." He flinches when one of the legs reaches through the bars.
He braces himself for pain, only to receive a soft pat to the head.
"You are strange for a human child." Adelaide's voice rings with amusement. "Most would run. Instead, you apologize and wait for retribution."
He slowly opens one eye, "Well, I mean- It was a dick move. You were trapped before things went ta shit an' well, yeah." He reaches up to curl his hand around her leg and squeezes. "Ya know for someone who's hungry ya certainly look-" His eyes narrow.
Girls hated it when you remarked on their size.
"Healthier."
An unfamiliar bubble of laughter fills his ears as eight mirthful eyes study him. "I was left to my own devices. And my full strength has returned."
"No shit, huh?" He drops to his knees and starts picking the lock. "Still, I should've gotten here sooner, my bad Adz. This looks cramped as fuck."
Our apologies Adelaide that was really rude of us. T will get you out quickly.
"You do not need to be sorry my little spiders. Things have been chaotic for a while." Addy shifts as she pulls her leg back.
Thank you for understanding.
T nods as he pops the lock and opens the door.
"I will not call you T."
"Eh, call me whatever you'd like. Everyone else does." T shrugs as he runs his fingers over her head. "Now let's go find you a place to crash an' somethin' ta eat while this shit settles." He looks the beast-sized spider over, "I mean if you want my help? You look like you can handle yourself- but… I figured I could at least offer..."
"My hero." Addy puts the tip of her leg over his shoulder and slowly pulls him closer.
He chuckles as he hugs her, "Seriously sorry, I didn't get you out sooner."
"You do not need to apologize, my Little Spider. And now that I am free, I believe it is my turn to assist you. You do not appear well.."
He tilts his head to the side as he looks up at her. "Huh?"
"I have seen in your mind that you are trying to save younglings. I am stronger than you are. Allow me to help you."
He blinks, "I mean, uh, if you're offering." He steps back to rub the back of his head.
Thank you, Adelaide. It is very kind of you to help us.
Another bubble of laughter fills his ears as Addy crouches in front of him. "Come then, Little Spiders, let us leave this place."
His eyes widen, "Wait- What? Serious- Yes!" He scrambles over himself to straddle her back.
Are we-
Are we dreaming?
His brow furrows.
Were they?
There was a good chance of it.
After all, they were currently on the back of a giant spider speaking in their head.
He just doubted that they'd have such an incredible dream in the middle of the shit show they were currently up against still-
He hisses as he pulls his hand away from his bruised shoulder.
Nope.
But I totally get it.
This feels like a dream I never knew I had.
This time the gleeful laughter that rings in his ears is as familiar to him as breathing.
Thank god.
She'd been so-
He wasn't really sure what she'd been, honestly.
He just knew she hadn't been acting like herself.
She was usually the cautious one.
He'd feared for her.
So to hear his sister's laugh-
Hear her so happy about something?
Something he hadn't been sure was going to be possible any time soon-
It was like a breath of fresh air.
He grins as he runs his hands through Adelaide's fur. "Thank you!" He hugs her head. "Seriously."
"You looked as if you were about to collapse." Addy scolds as she stands up and starts crawling across the library, "So please hang on, I tend to take spider paths over human ones."
A squeal of pure delight fills his ears as he finds himself hit with another wind.
He chuckles as he leans down and wraps his arms around Addy's neck. "Can't wait."
He'd done so much shit in his life.
Like a lot of recklessly stupid, but still oh so badass, shit.
Like so fucking much.
A stupid amount of it.
Some of it he'd enjoyed.
Or at least reveled in the defiance.
Both to their father and the stupid rules of the Isle.
It had always been so exhilarating to defy the odds.
To do shit no one would dare to.
It was addictive.
He'd missed it.
That feeling.
The awe.
All of it.
That being said-
Despite everything happening on the Isle right now.
Despite the debilitating fear he felt shadowing him every time she turned him away from the sea, away from the cove-
Away from their family.
Away from the truth.
The last few hours had to be the most fucking badass of his life.
He and Addy had saved so many kids.
Sure, they'd passed out the second they saw Addy-
But they were still saved.
They'd still ended up with Beam.
Safe.
Bonus. Addy could knock from the roof, which kept him far the fuck away from getting grabbed again.
But they'd been at it for a long time now, and he could see Addy was getting tired.
Time to settle her into her new home.
Nest?
Burrow?
Eh.
Didn't matter.
He grins as he grips his dagger with a bandaged hand, smiling at Faustina in the reflection before he pulls back his fist.
Fucking T.
And really Faustina? I see you.
Egging him on and shit.
Don't get me wrong, I get it. But still, shame on you girl.
Are any of you surprised by Faustina's spurring on of bad habits?
Or are you right there with them?
Fuck knows I'm guilty AF when it comes to that. Avoidance.
Then again what bad coping mechanism have I not dabbled in?
Seriously, these kids are going to need so much therapy after this, and we're only four chapters in.
Wait for it. It gets worse, promise.
Holy fuckin' Adelaide!
Someone definitely ate their wheaties.
Talk about fuck that.
Cause like seriously, fuck that.
If that thing came at me-
Ugh.
No. Just no.
So of course T would let it out of the cage- And Faustina really?
Sure, she was cautious at first- But after figuring out it was Addy? Bitch certainly sang a different song.
I mean, I write her and I was shook that's how she responded.
Cause seriously yo, just no.
Dark is seriously kicking herself for this. I had absolutely nothing to do with the goliath spider short of T and Faustina both being mentally unhinged. Apparently she's vaguely mentioned in the De La Cruz series, that I forced her to read. Because, really bitch? How the hell are you a published author? (I only use these in outros, hack.)
JK.
Seriously, I think I'd rather run into Addy then ever pick up one of those travesties to writing again. I've never dropped a book so fast.
It's a what, 90 minute at most, movie? At least read the damn script. Don't just take names and run with it when there's already fucking cannon. What the fuck is this, Eragon? It ain't like Disney didn't pay your ass enough. Fucking plebe.
Disagree?
Fight me.
…
...
...
*cough* Ahem *cough*
Anyways, now that that's off my chest-
Adelaide.
Dark's fault.
Even the fucking telepathy.
All her.
Which is hilarious cause she's phobic as fuck of spiders. I don't think I've ever seen her loathe herself the way she does whenever she's forced to write Addy. But, ya know, every good fantasy has a giant terrifying telepathic/talking monstrosity of a talking spider, and fuck if we don't wanna be one of the greats.
Besides' fuck if I didn't slurp that shit off the spoon.
As T's writer I drooled all over that idea.
Then she wrote the part about Addy being willing to let T ride her and I was like, great, now he's going to die happy.
And much to my surprise, Faustina too.
Still confused about that one?
Good. Cause me fucking too…
So, if any of you can explain it to me I'm all ears, cause no matter which way we wrote it, and trust me, we rewrote it several times, Faustina is all about Addy and her nightmare inducing self.
Off the topic of the nightmare fuel.
I know it's not a lot of screen time yet, but thoughts on Beam?
We'd love to hear them even if there ain't shit we can do about fixing it now. Cause fuck knows I'm not going back. (Questions = last time Twisted will ever look at a chapter.)
Call me a narcissist- Cause I might actually be one when it comes to this story- Clearly. Don't believe me, go back up about ten lines, and then let's talk.
Much love and shit
-Twisted