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Joey couldn’t breathe, she hadn’t felt such fear and dread in her life before. Her chest ached, fiercely, heart squeezing so tightly she thought maybe she’d simply drop dead. The purple blood was closing in, she couldn’t remember his- her- their name. Just the fact that they had some freak mind power that let them feel each other, a half of a whole. It would be romantic akin to soul mates if the other troll wasn’t closing in on them with true malicious intent.
The fact that her face was swollen, and bruised from having been punched by Nihkee, (in a way she felt the girl had been holding her punch back so as not to utterly crush her skull open) made her think if they could easily rip her head off her body without trying.
With trembling hands she tried to open the door- to run, only for it to be locked or stuck but why was it either she just used this door!? This can't be happening! Everything happened in a blur, watching them stalk forward, lips curled into a cruel smile at the way her wide brown eyes looked up at them in fear. One moment they were frozen, then the next Xefros burst out the other door behind the purple blooded troll, making a gasp catch in her throat as he viciously slammed his elbow into the side of the trolls head. The crack was unmistakable, a disgusting, horrifying sound as the other troll’s body fell off the bridge. She could only watch on in horrified silence, watching as one of the spikes at the bottom punched through their throat, the head only staying attached to the body by a small flat of skin. The death throes where horrendous, a wet gurgling gasp, the purple flooding the floor of spikes below.
Their mask fell away, showing a slack mouth, and wide blank eyes. A glimmer of life still shined within them, the shock burying whatever momentarily rage that was felt.
A scream, guttural and animalistic in nature came from the train car ahead of them and in her gut she knew that the death had been felt. Yet, she still stared at the body, watching, unable to turn away as the sway of the train then the passing of a light pole or- whatever it was smacked the head off the purple blooded troll’s body. It flung off into the distance with a wet sounding smack, one moment there, the next disappearing in the darkness.
Joey felt her eyes unfocus, the world turning into blurry colors in the night. Her hands shook, she didn’t know what was happening anymore that this could happen. She heard about it but- she didn't think she'd see anything like this, Suddenly, this didn’t feel like a fun adventure to get home anymore, which, she knew- she knew it wasn’t but - but how- she just, she didn’t think anyone would die she never watched someone die in front of her!
She hadn’t realized that she was having a panic attack until Xefros started shushing her. She was trembling in his arms as they swayed uneasily upon the unsteady bride between the clown car and the indigos’. His callused hand gently patted her cheek, utterly confusing her at the action, but it was something else to focus on instead of the bile rising in her throat. She didn't want to throw up on him or herself it was worse enough that the hoodie she wore smelled like stale nacho cheese she didn't need to add vomit to the mix. With a broken sob, she nuzzled her cheek into his hand, feeling her breaths come in sharp, and shaky. She missed her mom, she wanted to go back home, she’d do anything to be bothered by her brother again or even to deal with her clownish classmates! She would take anything they threw at her instead of what this hellish world did.
She continued to cry, her arms wrapping around Xefros, fingers digging into his t-shirt as she let out everything she had been boxing away or trying to ignore until she got home not wanting to break down in such an unfamiliar place. Her shoulders shook, but she couldn’t tell everything was shaking, and swaying, the faint rumble of the train vibrating through her body. Is what she thought at first only to realize the rumble wasn't of just the train. There was a deep soothing purr coming from his throat- a strange chirp that made a wet giggle escape her even though it hurt to even breath let alone laugh. Pressing her face into the crook of his neck, his hand gently rubbed her back, he was hesitant at first, but as soon as he relaxed he was a complete natural. It felt… nice, comforting- a familiar wave of warmth washed over her, making goosebumps break out across her skin, a soft sigh passing her lips as the tears finally started to dry.
A part of her wanted to stay like this forever, she hadn’t felt this safe, and protected since her mom died. But, this was a different type of protection, something fierce, and wild. Maybe she was projecting, all of it being in her head but she felt that he became stronger when he was angry. As if the shackles he was use to wearing shattered into a million pieces, leaving the true light of soul to shine through.
He was amazing.
He just killed someone.
Both thoughts swirled inside her head, making her throat feel dry. A part of her wanted to push him away, he- he was a murder!
“Are you okay,” he asked, voice soft, the strange purring sound seemingly still going making his cadence sound… Strange.
She shook her head, keeping her face against his neck so she wouldn’t have to look at him. Not yet- not yet she couldn’t. She knew he did it because it was either that other troll or her, he protected her, he saved her life.
It still felt wrong.
Even though the screaming from the other train car had died down, she knew this was far from over.
God she wanted this to be over.
Taking a deep shuddering breath in, she slowly pulled herself away from him, still holding onto his arm, unable to let go.
“Thank you.” She felt so many things, thankfulness that he was even still alive, afraid of what the other troll had said. She felt fear, disgust, safety, guilt for feeling grateful for killing someone for- for her. She couldn’t imagine someone caring enough to kill another person for her sake. Maybe her mom, as she said if anyone were to ever hurt her baby girl she’d go to war for her. But a stranger she had only known for a little while?
“Y-Yeah no problem,” his face flushed, making her brows furrowed in confusion before realizing their position. Quickly she stood up onto her feet, combing her fingers through her hair as he fixed his shirt. Xefros cleared his throat, forcing the purr to sputter out to a stop, making her slightly sad. There was an unreadable expression in Xefros’ eyes, something tender, something lost. It was there for a second, only to dissolve as the wail in the train car kicked up again jerking Joey back to harsh reality.
“I guess we have to go back in, huh...” There was a tight a frown upon his face. He look worried, his grey eyes with the barest hints of burgundy looking her over as if he wanted to say something more, but whatever it was wouldn't come out.
“Yeah,” she whispered softly, truly not wanting to, but...
There was nowhere else to go. They had to finish her mission, the sooner she got home the better. If she didn't do this now then anxiety would take her over and the last thing they needed where a bunch of trolls chasing after them with no where to escape to.
Unable to stop herself, she reached out to take his hand needing his strength, and warmth. He didn’t stop her, instead threading his claw tipped fingernails through her fingers, and squeezing tightly. He didn't smile, but she couldn't either, not after what she saw. Without another word they walked forward, stepping back into the clown car.