Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There is an emptiness in his mind, a hole that should have been filled by the Thin Man’s constant comforting presence. Now, the bond is silent. Even reaching into it, there is nothing to be found. It’s just empty. He’s gone, he’s gone, he’s gone. Mono sobs again, curling in on himself as he lets himself be overtaken by his sorrow. How could this have happened? How could he have fallen for such an obvious trick? Glancing to the side while he rubs his eyes against a sleeve, he realizes something. Ponce’s broken body has been left behind. At the sight Ponce’s mangled corpse, he feels a jolt of hatred course through him. Slowly stumbling to his feet, through the blur of tears, he wobbles his way over to the body. For a moment, he does nothing, simply staring down at the broken man. Then, his face twists, and he lets out an agonized shriek as he savagely kicks into Ponce’s side. He can’t stop screaming, the theater echoing with the sounds of his anguish. Again, again, and again, he delivers heavy strikes while he unleashes his rage. He can’t stop, he can’t stop. 

“Mono…” 

He pays no mind to Six’s soft utterance. Continuing his vicious onslaught, all he can think is that he wants to tear this betrayer apart, that if he were still breathing he’d let his power twist him until he was begging for mercy. Mercy he certainly wouldn’t grant. Ponce let them take him, he took the Thin Man away from him. Forever. He would never see him again, he’s never going to see the Thin Man again. Gearing up for another heavy kick, Mono is halted when two arms wrap their way around his torso. Breath hitching, he allows Six to turn him around, the girl keeping her arms around her friend. Her grip over him is tight yet gentle. Burying his face into her shoulder, Mono clutches her as if she’s his lifeline. The agonized whine he lets out carries through the room, bouncing back off the walls almost mockingly. Six clings onto him through it all. But even her hold over him can’t erase the image of the Thin Man vanishing away into the void of static and Flesh. 

******************************************* 

Curled together in a corner of the theater, Mono and Six sway listlessly side by side, uncaring of the cold wind buffeting them from the hole in the ceiling. At this point, it feels like all their tears have been used. Their faces ache, their bodies feel empty. Cold. The tapestries Ponce created roll over themselves with the impacting gale, masking the faces of the figures within. One particularly harsh gust makes one topple over Ponce’s fallen form, the children flinching somewhat at the sight.  

Lingering over the haunting image, Six takes in a harsh breath through her nose. “Mono... we should go.” The boy’s hollow gaze does not move, yet Six continues softly. “We shouldn’t stay here. Things are... things aren’t gonna be great soon. We need to get somewhere safe, and...” 

“We have to save him.” 

The simple words jar her. Still, Mono makes no move. She utters a soft, “What...?” 

Lethargically, Mono toys with a small piece of rubble, rain lightly beginning to patter over him through the opening above. “We have to save him,” he repeats, monotone. “We have to go back for him.” 

Six doesn’t go to respond immediately, regarding her friend in pained silence. “Mono, we... we can’t. The Signal Tower’s got him now.” 

“It won’t keep him. I won’t let it.” 

“Mono...” Trying to think of the best way to phrase it, Six shifts her weight. “We couldn’t stop it, even with the Thin Man. Now it... now it has him, and it’s gonna use him again.” It breaks her to so much as speak those words, yet she knows it to be a reality. Her voice is but a whisper as she continues on. “Everything’s going to go back to the way it was. And I think... I think we need to get ready for it. We’ll get somewhere safe, and...” 

“Nowhere’s gonna be safe. Not now. Not ever again, if we don’t get him back.” 

“Mono, he’s gone . I don’t think there’s any way for us to…” 

“Six…” the shattered tone of his voice silences her in an instant. At last, his eyes meet hers, and they plead with the girl in a way that utterly rocks her. “The Thin Man gave up everything so we could be free. But no one else will be if he stays there. Everything’s just going to be broken all over again. And… I can’t let him go through this again. I have to go back for him. I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t.” 

“I...” swallowing harshly, Six picks at her coat. “I don’t know how we can...” 

“Neither do I.” Mono lets out a sigh, stiffly rising to his feet. “But I have to try. This... this is my fault. And I have to fix it.” Heavily, he trudges his way to the door leading to the main hall of the theater. He doesn’t hear her follow, to which he turns to see her remaining in the same position he’d left her. Face falling further, he lets out a melancholic sigh. “It’s okay if you don’t want to come with me, Six. What I’m asking... I don’t know if I’ll come back. So... I understand. Just stay safe, okay?” 

Without another word, he slips through the entrance, numbly making his way to the front of the building. He feels his heart dull when he registers that he does not hear her footsteps follow, but he presses on just the same. Prepared to step out onto the street, he stops when he feels her gentle hand brush against him. Rotating to look at her, a weight lifts off his chest when Six gives him a fond but scolding look, lacy shadows dissipating from her coat. 

“Do you honestly think I’d ever leave you to do this alone?” 

He allows a smirk to grace his face. “Well…” 

She lightly punches his shoulder. “You’re an idiot. We’re doing this together Mono.” A more serious tone laces her voice. “I made Thin Man a promise. And I'm not going to break it.” 

Mono gives her a tiny, pained smile, before it transitions into a grimace. “The others, we’ve got to take care of them. Now the Tower’s back, all the grownups are gonna turn back. We’ve got to make sure they’re safe.” 

The very thought of the adults reverting and turning against the city’s newcomers makes Six wince. Then, another realization hits her. “And we’ve got to get help... We can’t beat the Tower alone. Especially since it’s gonna be stronger with... with him there.” 

Uncertain over the prospect, Mono grimaces somewhat. “I’m not sure if anyone else out there is strong enough to help us. Except for... well...” 

Immediately the girl’s expression morphs into a glare. “We are not going to her. Like she’d want to save him anyway!” 

“Six, you know how strong she is. She might be the best chance we have, you know we need to find someone . Do you think the other monsters will be lining up to help us? After this?” 

“I don’t...!” Forcing herself to pause, Six’s voice lowers severely. “If she’s the only choice we’ve got, we’ll do it. But there’s gotta be others, there’s no way we’re the only ones out there with power like this.” 

Going silent with that, Mono ponders the issue to himself. While he understands Six’s... reservations on her older self, he does believe that she’s not giving her elder the credit that’s due in this instance. He’s seen the woman hold something akin to compassion for the Thin Man towards the end of their residence upon the Maw, and he does not wish to discount that.  “We’ll figure it out. Let's just get back to the others for now. We’ll make sure they stay safe.” 

Even that sentiment rings hollow in his mind. How can he possibly keep them safe now when the world is once more about to fall, when the Thin Man’s no longer there at their side? With the reminder of his absence, Mono can almost feel himself falter once more. His breath hitches, but he forces it away. It won’t be for long. He’ll make sure of it.  

******************************************* 

The downpour beats upon the ground at a steady rhythm, black clouds engulfing the landscape. Already it appears that the Tower’s renewed presence has blotted out the last few rays of sunlight that remained, the all too familiar gray atmosphere descending fast upon the vast expanse of the city. Neither Mono nor Six strive to shield themselves from the constant barrage. Personally Mono is of the mind that he deserves this small punishment, welcoming the bitter cold seeping into his bones. The warmth the Thin Man provided them is gone, thanks to his mistake. And whatever results that follow, they are his to atone for. 

Slowly coming into their sight, the Hospital already has lost its welcoming aura and instead regained the imposing dread they were once so familiar with. It takes everything they have to push forward, knowing that all they have to return to is their failure. What will become of their peers, the adults they’d worked so hard to see recovered... they dread to think of it. 

With their approach, they hear the stationed lookout sound the alarm. “Two incoming! Mono and Six!” 

Squeezing Mono’s hand, Six braces the two for the incoming surge of questions. Sure enough, the front doors are flung open, and the clamoring storm of children emerges. 

“Where’d you guys go?! Where’s the Thin Man?! He left us!” 

“Why’d it get so dark?!” 

“There was a super big shake, what was that!?!” 

Unable to fully take in the mix of questions, Mono and Six do their best to throw out whatever short responses they can, to little effect. It’s only when they see Runaway dash through the door and to the top of the steps that a small sense of relief is granted to them. 

Pushing his way through the clamoring crowd, Runaway’s face swims with confusion. “What’s happening? That Tower’s light went super bright, and the grownups, they’re…!” 

“It took him.” Mono’s dull statement causes Runaway to pause in his ranting. “The Tower, it... it tricked us. And Thin Man saved us, but he... the Tower took him.” 

A ripple effect near immediately takes place. At first, it is Runaway who goes silent, alongside those close enough to hear Mono’s hollow words. Then, a low murmuring travels through the crowd. Little by little, the news makes its way across the pavilion. A mixture of expressions are brought forth. Horror, apprehension, and fear being the most predominant. 

A boy goes pale. “That’s... that’s why...” 

The alarm in his face does not go unnoticed by Six. “Why what?” 

Brow furrowing, Runaway mutters out, “Some others have come back. They said their grownups started trying to attack them again, but they stopped themselves. It happened pretty soon after the Tower’s light started glowing again. Is... is Thin Man the reason?” 

Crestfallen that the effects of Thin Man’s recapture are already underway, Mono nods, striding up the steps and to the entrance with the others following. “It’s going to start again. The grownups being... monsters. Six and I... we’re going to do our best to stop it. But we don’t know how long it’s going to be. If we can, we need to bring the others back. At least the Hospital’s pretty secure now, the rest of the city might not be so good.” 

Grim, Runaway’s face pinches. “I’ll send out some parties to bring them back. We’ll make sure to keep them safe.” 

“Good.” Now comes the question they’ve been dreading. “Doc and Deni, how are they doing?” 

Runaway’s face twists. “Doc’s okay, I think. He’s acting a little weird I guess, not answering quick anymore, but nothing bad. Deni though... I don’t know, she’s not really good. I mean, it’s not the worst, lots of grownups I've seen before this were awful. But it’s still...” 

“Not her.” Mono finishes for him. 

“Right.” All of a sudden, it appears to Runaway that Mono and Six are far older than their years. Everything in their demeanors has shifted from when he first met them. No longer is Mono’s voice bright and hopeful, no longer does Six carry that hesitant smile. Instead, their gazes are set with grim determination. It’s a rather jarring sight to see. 

“We’ll have to see what we can do for them then. Hopefully it won’t take them over too quickly,” rasps Six, forehead creased. “Maybe lock away the mannequins again too. Mono’s told me about them, how they acted when we first came here, and... well, you didn’t see what they were like before Thin Man got out...” 

Immediately, Runaway pales with the girl’s statement. “How long do you think we have?” 

“No idea. Maybe days.” Hopefully. Trodding on through the Hospital’s halls with Runaway beside them, Mono and Six don’t bother acknowledging the stares burning into them. The whispers that permeate around them. Their focus needs to be on dealing with the Doctor and the Dentist, whatever that may mean. 

Together, they approach the Doctor’s office, gently rapping their knuckles against the semi-ajar door. Hearing shuffling inside, it takes a drawn out moment for the Doctor’s voice to welcome them with a “Come in.” 

Six peers in first, ready to spring into action if she’s given any sign that such a thing is needed. Instead of the horror she somewhat dreads, she is greeted by the sight of the Doctor seated at his desk, head buried in his hands. Gently ushering Mono and Runaway in, the three stare upon the Doctor as he slowly lifts himself to turn and greet them. 

“Hey kiddos…” he grunts out, hand gripped on the table while he makes his way to the children, almost as though he fears he’ll collapse without the makeshift crutch. Is it already making his way through him? “I feared you wouldn’t come back.” 

“Of… of course we would,” Mono speaks softly, inching closer to the Doctor. “We weren’t going to leave you…” 

“Heh, glad to hear it.” Swaying somewhat, the Doctor appears to struggle in gathering his thoughts, a vacant glaze sometimes hovering within his eyes. “So, the Tower eh? We saw the beacon go off.” 

“Yeah... it’s back.” 

“And yet you’re still here. Thin Man, did it...?” 

“It got him,” Six remarks, face twisting over her own words. The Doctor’s expression falls in dread, and Six lets out a shaky exhale. Struggling to regain her breath, she abruptly takes on a more neutral countenance. “So things just got bad to say the least.” 

As if confirming her statement, another voice breaks through. “Perfect, perfect, they need to be perfect...” 

The muttering from inside the adjacent chamber causes Mono and Six’s hairs to stand on end. Sighing, the Doctor puts on a reassuring face, yet is unable to hide his own frayed nerves when he rotates to look back into the room opposite his. “They will be, Deni! I promise, just... hold on a bit longer, okay?” 

“Is...” Mono stammers out uncertainly, “Is Deni okay?” 

Everything in the Doctor’s tone is strained when he answers the boy. “No. Whatever’s happened, she’s devolving quickly. And I’m... not feeling so hot either. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be...” 

“We’ll fix it,” head lowered, the child’s eyes blaze with a mixture of rage and determination. “We’re going to make this right again, Doc.” 

Regarding him, the Doctor grimaces in doubt. “What are you going to do? What you’ve told me, kid... it doesn’t sound like there’s much to do in this situation.” 

“We’ll have to leave again, I think.” The thought of abandoning the city once more sets Six on edge, yet she knows it to be true. “Mono and I need to find help, however we can. We couldn’t stop it by ourselves, so…” 

“Little children, little children!” Immediately with the increase in volume of the Dentist’s voice, the Doctor stumbles to stand protectively in front of the three. Staggering out of the chamber, the woman lurches in, her eyes unnaturally wide and wild within her face. “Bright and shiny, I will make you! Don’t you want to be perfect? Don’t you want to be pure? I will make it so, I will make it...” 

“Deni.” Speaking softly, the Doctor shuffles to the woman. Her gaze darts rapidly between him and the children watching in trepidation behind him. “We’re sure you will. But right now, the kids need to head out for a bit, okay? And... I think we need to take some time for ourselves too...” 

Uneven laughter bursts forth from her. “Rest... no, no no no... We cannot rest! We... we need to... we...” Slowly, the manic edge diminishes. “Why... why do they need to be perfect? Why can’t we rest? I... Doc, I...!” 

Immediately, the Doctor goes to embrace her, the Dentist shuddering in bewilderment against him. Her hands wrap desperately around him in return while he attempts to reassure. “It will be alright, I’ll be here for you. We’ll be okay, we’ll be together.” Over her shoulder, he regards the children with a bitter sadness. “You... you need to lock us away.” The Doctor sighs. “For now at least. I'm not sure how safe it’ll be for all of them if you don’t. I can already feel myself slipping away again...” 

The way he says that breaks Mono’s heart. “I promise, we’re... we’re going to make it better. We’re bringing him back. You’ll be okay, Doc.” 

“I hope so, kiddo.” Giving them a sad but fond once over, his voice wavers as he speaks again. “Now don’t you kids go off doing anything stupid. We’ll... we’ll be waiting for you.” 

“It won’t be long, Doc, Deni.” Although Mono had no way of knowing if this is true, he hopes by saying it, it will become so. “I’m gonna make sure of it…” 

A single tilt of his head, and the Doctor regards the Dentist instead. “We’re going to rest for a little while, Deni.” The manic light in the woman’s gaze dulls ever so slightly as the Doctor gently leads her into the opposite room. “When we wake up, hopefully... we’ll wake to a better dream.” He gives one last subtle glance to the children watching on in devastation. “Lock the door behind us, would you?” 

“We’ve got you, Doc...” whispers Runaway, exhaling when the door shuts. Attention turning to Mono and Six, his question is somewhat desperate. “Are you sure you have to leave? Maybe you could protect us if… if they start to…” 

“We don’t have a choice,” Six hisses through her teeth, glaring at the ground. “Not if we want them to be themselves again.” 

Somewhat shaken over the girl’s certainty, Runaway shoots a quick look over to Mono, only to find that his expression is perhaps even more broken than hers. Back and forth, his eyes dart between them, until at last they settle. “I’ll take care of them for you.” Declaring this solemnly, the boy attempts a smile with little success. “We’ll be here when you get back. Promise.” 

Mono and Six nod to him, Six beginning, “Make sure the supplies here are full, and if not... Do some big runs, quickly. Once this really starts, it won’t be safe to keep doing them.” 

“Gotcha. Well... I guess we’ll see you around? Don’t leave us waiting too long, okay?” 

Although there is no such guarantee, Mono dips his chin in affirmation. “We’ll come back soon. Stay safe Runaway. And... keep them safe.” 

“I will…” 

And they turn away from him. Just as quickly as they entered the Hospital, they begin their exit. Ignoring the rest of the desperate words flung their way as they traipse their way through the halls, the mix of panicked and infuriated gazes, they push their way through their clamoring peers. They have no reassurances left to give. And right now, nothing else matters. Nothing matters but finding a way to bring him back.  

Pushing the door to the Hospital’s entryway open, they step into the waiting city. Staring out into the streets that were once gray, then bright and lively, and now gray again, Mono feels that familiar sinking sensation in his chest. The storming skies, the heavy air, the lack of the ever present comforting figure next to him... “What are we going to do now?” 

Six shrugs remotely. “I know you don’t think they’ll be okay, but like I said, there’s lots of grownups out here. Maybe there’s someone else with powers too. Ponce seemed to have them, so...” 

“Yeah, but Ponce died pretty quick.” The image of his broken body, his pleading eyes staring up at him before they... No. Mono shoves that thought out of his head. He needs to focus on the big picture. If he doesn’t, how does he expect any of this to succeed? “Even if there are others out there like us, what makes you think they’ll do any better than we did? Or that they won’t be working for the Tower like him? Six, the Lady...” 

“NO!” Snapping in fury over the mere implication, Six stomps her foot. “She’s NOT the only one out there! She can’t be!” 

“But she might be the only one who matters! Six, we… I don’t know if we can be picky about this. I don’t think we have a choice.” 

“There’s always a choice! We just haven’t found it yet!” Whirling away from her friend, the girl wraps her arms around herself, her torso rising and falling with the unsteady rhythm of her breaths. “She gave him to it the first time, what makes you think she wouldn’t do something like that to you?” 

Silent over her response, Mono measures the best way to retort that idea, and finds little to counter her. “I don’t know… but I have to believe that she’s got good in her.” 

“Why?!?” 

“Because she’s you, Six. And I know you.” 

“You...!” Cutting herself off, Six takes a deep inhale, at last meeting his imploring gaze. “I don’t trust her, Mono. Let’s just... see if there’s anyone else out here. There has to be.” 

“I’m not sure there is...” he mumbles to himself, but follows nonetheless. For so long, he believed that as long as they stood together, all would be well. The Thin Man at their side, their power so potent... what could hope to touch them? That notion has been all but shattered. Whatever comes next, the boy has no doubt that they will need all their strength in order to overcome it. Whether it will be enough remains to be seen. 

******************************************* 

Darkness has descended fully upon the Pale City. No sliver of light remains in the sky, the stars and the moon utterly blacked out. That gentle light had been a constant guide for the two not hours ago, not unlike their guardian. To lose that as well only serves to dull their spirits further. To be fair, Mono thinks to himself, how can he expect to keep them up? Even the home their little trio had built together is something he dreads to return to without his elder there with him. 

“Where to first?” he questions his companion. There are few adults in the wide stretch of land that are not of the Viewer standing, and fewer he’d met in his time patrolling the streets that didn’t terrify him from the get go. Of all of them though, “Maybe the School? Roger’s still there, and Thin Man said the Teacher’s nice to him. It always seemed like part of her was still there, maybe she knows if there’s someone out there with strong powers? I mean, she was teaching her students about the Tower, so maybe she knows about something that can stand up to it?” 

“Not sure if that makes sense, but we can try her I guess. It’s at least a start...” Gripping his hand in hers, Six feels the familiar energy wrap around her, ready to bring her to their desired target. Then, just when she’s ready to warp them away, it abruptly fizzles out. “What in…?!” 

Startled over this development, Mono attempts to warp a few feet forward in turn, only to glitch to the side. “That’s…” 

Dread fills them further as their stares simultaneously lift to meet each other. “How... how can it be that quick?!” Aghast, Six almost stutters her next words out. “How can it already be draining us?!?” 

“But... that can’t be right.” Befuddled, Mono almost unconsciously glimpses down to his open palm, traces of flickering static dancing over it. 

“It is!” Six nearly shrieks. “That stupid thing! Of course it would…!” 

“It’s only going to be certain parts of our power.” 

“Huh?!” 

Holding his silence for a beat, Mono contemplates the issue. “Thin Man told me it brings out certain parts of us while crushing others. It’s not every part of our magic that will go, just the light.” 

“How is teleporting our light power though?” Besides, Six thinks to herself. The Thin Man was able to teleport just fine during the Tower’s reign before. “I don’t really think of it being light or dark.” 

Pensive, Mono debates the issue in his mind. “Maybe it’s both. Or we’ve been using both? Maybe… maybe it’s just being weird right now, and we have to work around it?” 

Guffawing, Six purses her lips. “Well, if that’s the case, does that mean we’re going to have to learn it all over again? I’m... not sure we really have time for that, Mono.” All that effort, all that time the Thin Man put into building their skillsets up, it was not an easy feat by any means. And all the time spent honing them, is all of it to go to waste, just like that?  

“Look, we’ll deal with it as we go, alright?” Almost appearing dismissive over Six’s concern, Mono’s attention drifts off to the towering city instead. “We handled ourselves okay before we used our powers, we can do it again. Besides, the School’s not that far. We’ll be there before we know it.” 

With a sigh, Six acquiesces, letting Mono take the lead. Trudging through the street, they pull their coats closer to them. On and on as they go, the sinking pits inside them seem to swell further. All of it is too familiar. The rain pattering away, the windows creaking their agony, the mocking cheery tune of the TVs... The TVs. They’re back on. The Transmission. 

“Mono?” Six’s voice is questioning when the boy halts in his steps, his black eyes fixated upon the swirling spirals he spots in the glass of a not so distant convenience store. She follows his gaze, hesitating at the sight. “Guess it couldn’t wait, huh...?” 

Not responding to her wispy words, Mono takes steady steps towards the shop. 

“Whoa, Mono, what’re you doing?!” 

“I found him in those things the first time. Maybe I can find him again.” 

At last comprehending, Six briefly jogs to fall in line beside him. “Do you think it’s gonna be the same? Maybe the Tower’s not going to let that connection between you to stay?” 

“I have to try.” Trotting over to the entrance, they follow their old routine, Six launching Mono up so he may open the wooden door. The tune pouring forth from the television is a familiar one, the Thin Man having sung it to the pair many a sleepless night. To have it whistled out in this... mockery. It disgusts them. Drawing closer, eventually Six chooses to hang back, knowing that it is Mono alone who will have to harness the strange force hidden beneath the wavelengths. The conflicting drag and pull courses through the boy, each step he treads weighs him down as if there is a ball and chain attached to his ankles. Yet he pushes through, as he always has. At least this is a part of himself he is confident will never truly be lost. Finally, he reaches the glowing port. 

For the first time in what feels like an age, he presses his hand upon a screen. Every fiber in his body awakens with the sensation, the feeling of the Transmission, his Transmission rattling through his bones. Thin Man, he sends out into the void, where are you? Searching through the twisting static, still, the boy sees nothing. But then, a pinprick in the back of his head. Faint, yet present. It’s the bond. I’m here, Mono whispers into the spiraling of gray and white, pleading that he’ll be answered fully. I'm here, Thin Man. 

He senses his elder responding slowly, almost languidly. As though he’s not quite aware or certain of who or what is trying to reach him. Yet still, Mono can feel there is a sense of curiosity and recognition in the Thin Man. A desire to discover the presence reaching for him with everything in its might. 

Please Thin Man, Mono begs in his mind. I’m here for you. 

The intrigue in his guardian sparks, the dull sensation that appears to be numbing him fading by the slightest amount. Mono can detect the Thin Man trying to reach out in return, but he pauses, like he’s being held back by something. 

Practically digging his fingers into the glass of the screen, Mono presses further, the material in his hold shifting from its solid shape into something more fluid. His hand partly slips through. I’m not letting you go, I’m not letting it keep you. 

The fading interest the Thin Man held is suddenly reignited, and at last, Mono can see a shape materializing within the television. The hallway, the one that had haunted his dreams and kept the Thin Man locked away for longer than he could possibly comprehend is formed before him. He is pulled inside. Tripping over himself, he regains his bearings, the familiar heavy weight persistently bearing down on him. Like he is underwater and struggling to swim through rapid invisible currents desperate to drag him back. He won’t let them. 

Every step he takes, he sends out a silent plea. I’m here, don’t give in to it. I’m not letting you go, I’m not letting you go. On and on he presses, and with every motion as he draws closer, the Thin Man’s comprehension seems to grow. Until at last, Mono feels his elder fully recognize him. 

“I’m here, I’M HERE!” Finding his voice, it reverberates through the barebones hallway. The tension in his muscles builds and builds, the shape of the doorway almost coming within reach. Mono’s chest fills with anticipation. He can do this, they can do this. He senses the Thin Man’s own longing build, the love. So close, they’re so close. Just when Mono is about to leap up to the doorknob, abruptly, that longing turns to terror.  

Mono nearly stumbles with the sudden sensation his elder projects into him, the boy feeling the Thin Man’s magic wrap around him and toss him forcefully away from the door. Bewildered over this development, Mono only recognizes why his guardian had reacted like this when the door opens seemingly of its own accord, and mountainous piles of Flesh spill forth. 

Run, is the silent scream he hears pounding in his head, and he does just that. But he can feel the Tower’s suffocating presence at his back, can feel how vexed yet keen it is over this intrusion. Just beyond the screen as he makes his retreat, he sees Six pounding on the glass, her mouth moving with no noise breaking through. His hand reaches for hers, and breaks through the screen. Within an instant, her grip latches over his wrist, and she’s pulling him through. 

Yanking Mono away from the wavering screen, Six pulls him further back when she sees the extensions of Flesh racing forward to meet them still, scrambling to snag onto him. Snapping at the boy’s heels like hungry dogs. Despite the warped perspective within the television, she can tell they are soon ready to erupt out from the flimsy barrier. 

Just managing to scramble onto his feet, Mono feels the Thin Man’s panic, the familiar desperation that he endured during their battle against the Tower. Just when the Tower’s extensions are about to burst from the screen and latch upon him, a bright light flares from within. Instead of breaking through, the Flesh slams harshly against the inside. It appears to startle over the fact, drawing back as the flickers of fuzzy gray static bounce at a more rapid rate.  

The foul substance teems for a moment, Mono hearing that haunting voice whisper within. “He resists still…” Bemused, it continues on, almost seeming to reassure itself. “No matter, he will not carry on with his futile struggles for long. He sinks further by the day…” 

Mono pales with those words, the Flesh snickering to itself before it solidifies fully, a single Eye blinking open. The wide Eye leers upon them, the fuzzy screen wavering when it almost seems to press itself upon the glass from within. “You think you can STEAL him from us again? He is ours, little Broadcaster. Do well to heed his word, and we shall heed his. He granted you your freedom, now he will grant us OURS.”  

With that, the being begins to retreat, a low chortle resounding within the radio waves as the display begins to go gray once more. Mono watches it for a moment in horror, then realizes what that retreat means. No. Not again. There is no thought given when he charges forward, terrified he won’t reach the screen in time “No, no no NO!!! YOU LET HIM GO! LET. HIM. GO!!!”  

It pays no mind to him, the screen going black just as he slams his hands upon the glass, and it shatters before him. The shards slice against his closed fists, yet it is not the pain that makes Mono scream. His connection, the bond is gone once more. Vanished into the ether of the void that is now shut off to him. Furiously, he slaps his hands against the television, willing time to revert, to put the cursed device back together. His rage only serves to break the whole box, sparks flying, and his subsequent shriek resounds all through the city street. His arms fall to his sides, his fingers curl, and as the terrible ragged noise emits from his throat, the nearby buildings begin to sway and shudder. 

Six watches on in silence, unable and unwilling to stop her companion in this instant. All things considered, she barely has the strength not to scream right along with him. For a dreadful minute, the child’s terrifying power rocks the world around them. Then, he collapses, broken sobs leaving him. The city goes still. Remaining frozen for a pause, Six makes her way to him and sits at his side. He does not glance up to her, and she allows him to weep. When his uneven breaths slow, she hesitantly places a hand upon his back. 

“It was never going to be that easy, Mono,” Six remarks sullenly. “Not after it lost him once. I’m surprised you were able to get that far.” 

No response is given, he simply pulls his legs closer to his chest. Another long lull passes, when a large exhale escapes him, the boy rising mechanically. “It was a long shot anyway. Let’s keep going.” 

“Mono, are you...?” 

“I’m fine.” His response is clipped, toneless. “Come on, we’re not that far now.” 

Gently, Six wraps her fingers in his, yet nothing changes in the boy’s demeanor. It is the girl who leads him on this time, no attempt at conversation given. There is no comfort to be given in this instance, for there is nothing left to be said that can change the issue at hand. They were so close, only to have the opportunity to regain the Thin Man’s freedom ripped right away from them. All they can hope is that there remains a sliver of a chance left for them, if not... perhaps what they need to prepare for is the fall. 

******************************************* 

Approaching the School, Mono and Six’s grips remain tight on the other. Although the Thin Man has spoken of the Teacher’s building kindness, neither of them have visited since their first bout through the place. So needless to say, the imposing sight of the building does nothing to reassure them. All the same, there is no way other than forward. 

Climbing the steps, Six raps her knuckles against the back door. No response. Mono does the same. Again, nothing. Well, at least their old routine is tried and true. Six launches Mono up, his grip closing around the latch and pulling it down. The hinge whines as the door swings open. Inside, the entrance holds a warm glow from the ceiling lights, but an occasional flicker takes away the effect of what would otherwise be a potentially welcoming atmosphere. 

“Hello?” Peering in, Mono observes the empty hallway carefully. No signs of Bullies yet, their signature snide laughter notably absent. Perhaps they will find them further in. 

Onward, they traverse the familiar passageways. Yet still, all they find is silence. Eerily so. Until at last, they reach a classroom, and the Teacher’s voice breaks through. Mono and Six peek in uncertainly. 

“I don’t want to be as I was, I don’t want to be...” What sounds like a mix between a laugh and a sob is produced, the Teacher running her fingertips against the crown of her head. “I don’t want to be... Not again, please not again...” 

While this may absolutely be a terrible idea, Mono feels as though he must brave through nonetheless. “Teacher?” 

Her head whips around, her neck stretching out for a moment before she retracts it abruptly, eyes nervous when she takes the sight of the boy in. “Yes, that’s... that’s what I am, isn’t that right? I am the Teacher... Or am I Anne? Am I both, am I neither? I... And you, what are you now? What are you, now that all will fall?” 

Unable to answer her strangely poignant ramblings, Mono steps closer, Six following him in with hands hanging loosely at her sides. If the Teacher were to look carefully however, she would see the tendrils of darkness dripping from the child’s fingers. She does not however, she too drawing closer with an air of caution. 

“We are who we are,” Mono at last is able to retort. “It can’t take it all away.” 

“Such spirit...” Clarity returns to her gaze. “I admire it. Yet I have to wonder why. It is... useless after all. It’s emerged again, hasn’t it?” It’s not truly a question, it’s a statement. A certainty. “I can feel it gnawing away, tearing into my thoughts, picking at the little bits and pieces.” 

“Aaa... Aaaanneeee...” The low groan almost makes the children jump, but they subconsciously relax at the realization that the speaker is none other than Roger. The small adult hobbles his way in, movements stiffer and slower than they are used to seeing. “Who… here…?” 

Eyes softening upon the sight of the man, the Teacher nonetheless appears simultaneously bereaved. “Your friends, it would seem.” 

“Hi Roger,” Six ventures, and the man almost instantly brightens. 

“Little… Si… Siiiixxxx…” 

Startled over hearing her name coming out of Roger’s mouth, nonetheless Six shoots him a grin. Not that he’s able to see it of course, but it’s the thought that counts. Mono on the other hand still feels his lingering concern. 

“Where are your students?” The question directed to the Teacher is gentle, the boy’s voice understanding and imploring all at once. 

Instantly the Teacher wilts. It takes a moment for her to answer. “I... locked away. I could not let them harm...” not so subtly, her attention drifts to Roger. “Not again.” 

Immediately, Mono understands. “I’m so sorry, that... that must not have been easy.” 

“No,” her voice quiets. “No, it was not.” 

“Chil... dren...” Interrupting the Teacher, Roger maneuvers himself closer to the pair, head angling as was typical for the man when he would attempt to hone in on their position. “Where... him?” 

Drawing out the last word, the small man sounds almost afraid to hear the answer. There is no mistaking who Roger is referring to. Mono’s face drops, regretting that he will be the one to have to break it to him. “He’s gone, Roger. The Signal Tower, it... it has him again.” 

A shudder runs through the adult’s body, pathetic sounds of anguish leaving his throat as he jerkily shakes his head. “No, no... save... him...” 

“We’re gonna try, I promise.” Tapping his fingers against his side, Mono draws in a breath. “But we need help. The Tower, we... we can’t get him out of there alone.” 

Silent, the Teacher regards him in passive disbelief. “...And you came here? For us ? What do you expect us to do?” 

“Nothing! Not you anyway.” Raising his hands up in reassurance, Mono’s intonation grows near desperate. “We understand you can’t fight it, but we were hoping that... that maybe you, that you could...” 

“We were hoping you might know about someone, anyone who can.” Finishing for her friend, Six scans the pair of adults over. “If we can’t find anyone, everything’s going to be just like it was before. Maybe worse. I don’t think you want that to happen, right?” 

Astounded, the Teacher takes a moment to answer the child. “The Broadcaster, your Thin Man... He is the most powerful man that has ever existed. If the Signal Tower has him in its grasp, it is pointless to imagine that you can do anything to stop them. Or that anyone else could.” 

“Teacher, that’s not...” 

“Nothing left...” Utterly despairing when she cuts Mono off, her wispy words rattle in her throat, echoing through the desolate hall. The Teacher’s grieved eyes fully land on the pair. “There will be nothing left. Soon, all will be as it was. As will I. Broken, all of us. Leave. Leave, and live while you can. There is nothing else.” 

Holding her broken stare, Mono shakes his head. “I won’t. I can’t.” 

“Then you are just as lost as the rest of us.” 

“No, NO!” Somewhat jolted by Six’s indignant utterance, the Teacher just gazes empty eyed upon her while the child rants on. “Mono is the Thin Man! So that means we’ve got a chance! We just need someone else to back us up! You have all those books here, you teach your students about the Tower! So what do you know?! Who can we go to?!?” 

“I only taught of the Signal Tower’s greatness! All who opposed it fell long ago! There is no one who...!” 

“Laaaaaa.... dyyyyyy....” 

Freezing with Roger’s drawn out word, Six almost can’t bear to acknowledge it. “She won’t do it. She...” 

“Laaaaddyyyyy!” Insistent this time, Roger’s neck cricks so his head is fully angled toward the girl. “She... strong enough.” 

“It doesn’t matter if she is!” 

“Six...” 

“No Mono!” Pleading, the girl’s attention darts between the adults before her. “Please, there has to be someone you know out there who can help us! Anyone but her!” 

Again, Roger just shakes his head. “La... dy... Get... Lady...” 

Desperation swelling, the girl rasps out a single word. “Please.” 

Despondent, the Teacher twists away from her. “I’m sorry. There is nothing more for you here, child. I… I would not linger if I were you. I am not certain how much longer we will last. Roger, come along.” 

Hesitating before he too turns away from the children, Roger trails the Teacher as she vanishes into the twisting maze of the School. While everything in the girl screams at her to follow them and force them to see reason, her feet remain firmly planted. 

“Six…?” Mono’s whisper brings her back to the present. 

“...Let’s go home, Mono.” Utterly defeated, Six hangs her head. “I just... I just want to go home tonight.” 

Although uncertain that anything will come of going to their apartment, Mono simply nods in assent. “You’ve still got the bell?” 

“I do,” she breathes out. 

“We’ll call her tomorrow then, okay? Tonight, let’s just... let’s just rest.” Watching her in apprehension, at last Mono makes his way too her, wrapping his arms around the girl. “We’ve had a rough day. Tomorrow, maybe we’ll make it better.” 

******************************************* 

Meandering their way along, the pair take note of each and every sign as they guide themselves through the maze of the city. It shouldn’t be long now. They move quickly and effectively, the understanding that this truly may be their last chance to spend a night in their home driving them on. At this point the sound of the rain hammering upon the pavement is nothing but a drumbeat, a constant reminder to keep pushing forward. The ache in their legs nothing but background noise, their increasingly heavy breaths a minor inconvenience that they cannot bring themselves to acknowledge. And of course, the hollow sadness weighing upon them. Perhaps not quite a hindrance in this instance, but a motivator. At least they can find some small comfort with their hands latched firmly together. With every stride they take in unison, maybe they will find the strength they need in each other to prevail. 

Ignoring the sickening melodies plaguing their ears, a crooked building with a gaudy yellow sign is the indicator that they’re at last nearing their destination. Only about twenty minutes or so, and they’ll be home. If home is something that can remain. 

“...It’ll be nice to sleep in my own bed again,” Six muses, almost wincing when she says it. As though the thought of even voicing the idea is an insult to what’s occurred. 

Mono doesn’t react to the motion however, simply returning the idea with a wistful smile. “I’ve missed it too. It... it feels weird to go back, don’t you think? It’s been a long time.” 

“Too long.” Mouth thinning, Six gains a haunted, faraway look. “Or maybe it wasn’t long enough?” 

“Huh?” 

“Mono, maybe we came back too early? Maybe we should have waited it out at the Maw longer? I mean, what if we’d stayed longer, and the Tower really did die in that time? It was already having a hard time before we got back. We could’ve stopped all this...” 

Surprised over the notion, Mono frowns. “I don’t think it would’ve mattered, Six. It was always after us, and I think... I think it was good to give the others a chance here. And we’ll give it to them again.” 

“Oh, is that what you’ll do?” Jumping with the emergence of the intruding, snide voice, Mono and Six glance back to see the mismatched eyes of Liam glaring upon them beneath the rim of his green hood. Matching their stares, his gaze narrows. “You’ll give us that chance again, huh? Yeah right.” 

“Did you follow us here?” Six growls in suspicion. 

The boy merely smirks, the shapes of other children stepping out of the shadows to join him. Uneasy with this turn, Mono and Six tighten their grips over each other while Liam snipes out a simple, “Guess so.” 

“Liam, whatever this is,” Mono begins tersely, “we don’t have time, okay? We need to…” 

“Oh you’ll make the time, Mono. I promise you that.” Flipping a pebble in his grip, Liam’s head angles to the side. “After all, we had to make so much time for you, didn’t we? And what did we get for it, huh?” 

Six tenses. The boy’s tone has turned dangerous, and she doesn’t like where this is going in the slightest. She tugs against Mono’s hand, but Mono stands resolute. Even as Liam’s companions not so subtly move to encircle the pair. 

“Look, I don’t know why you came here, but I promise you, whatever it is isn’t worth it. The Thin Man, we need to...” 

“You want to save him, I get it. I get it... But it seems like he can’t be saved, isn’t that right? He worked so hard to make things...” Liam almost seems to swallow a breath. “And you threw it all away the second you could.” 

“We didn’t...!” 

“You let him be taken. You did. And I don’t think we can let that slide.” Prowling further forward, Liam’s stance turns utterly menacing. 

Unconsciously, Six angles herself in front of Mono. “You saw what the Thin Man and the Lady can do. You don’t think we’re able to do the same to you?” 

“Oh I’m sure you can. But you won’t.” Drawing closer, Liam sneers at Six, teeth exposed beneath his curled lip. “Because you don’t want to. You don’t have it in you.” 

Scoffing, Six tries to look unaffected. “Why do you say that?” 

Sensing her hesitation, Liam chuckles. “Call it intuition. That’s the word, right?” Advancing further, Liam tilts his head back in mockery. “So let’s see how far you’re willing to go.” 

That seems to be the cue for the boy’s companions. Without a word, they lunge, hands raised and ready to strike out. Back to back, Six and Mono raise their fists in turn. Six throws the first punch, socking a boy in the jaw. He rolls away, but another swiftly takes his place, the girl clipping Six over the head with a heavy strike before Six can fully duck away. She reels, but Mono is there to defend her, sweeping the attacker’s legs out from under her before kicking her away. He can barely hold back the electricity crackling in his fingertips, Mono’s power manifesting causing Liam’s cronies to draw back somewhat. The sight does nothing to satisfy Mono. How dare they? 

“You really think you can do anything to us?!” Mono directs the furious question to Liam alone. 

With arms crossed, the boy merely shrugs in return. “We can try.” 

“What’s the point!?” cries Six as a response, her shadows springing out to engulf her, blocking another boy from leaping upon her. “You’re just going to get hurt!” 

At last, Liam fully snaps. “Oh, like we haven’t been hurt enough already?! You brought us here, and look what’s happened! This is all your fault.” Mismatched eyes burning, Liam approaches Mono with clenched fists. “And I’m not gonna let you two get away with it.” 

Stunned that the other child shows no fear upon his display of magic, nonetheless, Mono risks a quick jab in Liam’s direction. Without so much as a flinch, Liam twists to the side, easily dodging Mono’s strike. He returns a blow of his own, directly into the side of Mono’s throat. Mono gags, the impact knocking the wind right out of him. It takes everything in him not to collapse, but he just manages to whip his open palm out into Liam’s chest. While the electric current pulsing through the boy is mild, it is enough to blast Liam away. Rolling on his back, Liam falls, which gives Mono enough pause to steady his breathing. Touching a hand to the point where Liam struck, he realizes that it had been a mere inch from his windpipe. The gall. 

Shortly staggering to his feet, Liam glares daggers upon Mono. In response, Mono glares right back. It takes every bit of restraint in him not to launch a full blast of energy upon the other boy right then and there. “You shouldn’t have done that.” 

Hair standing at on end beneath his hood, nonetheless, Liam chortles tonelessly. “Says the one who’s not able to go far enough. You weren’t even trying there, Mono. I know what you can do, but you’re not ready to do it.” 

“We don’t want to hurt you!” 

“That’s your problem!” Liam spits, venom dripping in his words. He strikes out again, lunging like a feral beast ready to rip his claws through its prey and tear it. This time Mono is prepared to counter him. He raises a forearm to block a strike, then backhands him swiftly across the cheek. Jolted for a mere second, Liam promptly turns and directs a kick square into Mono’s stomach. Folding, Mono gasps, but is given no time to recover as Liam launches fully upon him. Brought to the ground with a heavy strike to the back of his head, and Mono sees stars. He feels Liam’s fingers dig into his hair, pulling his neck up as Liam’s other hand grabs the back of his collar. Before any reaction can be made by Mono, he feels Liam begin dragging him forward. Attempting to focus his vision, Mono lets out a groan, unable to muster the strength to so much as protest. In his dazed state, he still has the capacity to wonder. What is Liam doing? 

There is no further time to dwell on this, before Mono promptly feels Liam’s grip slide away from him. Another’s hold wraps around him, gentle this time, a soft voice urging him to awaken. “Mono, Mono! Get up!” 

At last, Six’s voice breaks through to him fully. It takes some effort to wrench his eyes open, the sight of her hovering protectively over him a welcome one. “Hey Six...” he manages to mumble out. 

She gives him a dry laugh. “Come on Mono, before they...” 

Unable to finish, Six lets out a shriek when a glass bottle cracks against her head, a boy having snuck up on her as she attempted to soothe her friend. Liam is right there with him, hands reaching out to snare Mono again while Six falls away. Big mistake. Electricity springs forth from the child, exploding into the boys’ faces. Both let out a bloodcurdling scream when they are launched away, the other children that Six had apparently managed to briefly subdue rushing to help them up. Ushering the first away, they move to do the same with Liam. However, when they pull him to his feet, he whirls upon them, and they flinch away. Facing Mono and Six once more, he snarls at the sight of the girl unsteadily rising to her feet. He pays no mind to the gash that had sliced itself across his forehead, all the boy can seem to care about is getting to them. He hobbles in his first few steps, shoving a boy away when he attempts to stop him. 

“Enough of this!” Mono protests, standing tall, shielding Six from view. “Six is right, what’s the point!?” 

“The point is that you are trying to abandon us! And I won’t let you!” 

Flabbergasted, Mono sputters out, “What? I’m not trying to…!” 

“You are!” Retorting, Liam’s eyes gain an affect close to despair. “You’re leaving all of us to fend for ourselves out here! Alone!” 

“No! I’m going to make it right again! I just have to…!” 

“IT WON’T WORK!” Liam screeches. “There’s nothing you can do about it! And you…” he takes in a gulp of air. “You… You were supposed to protect us!” 

“We tried!” Mono protests. “And we will! We just…!” 

“NO! You think you can just leave us here?! So they can do it all again!?!” Liam’s cry is intermingled with rage and anguish, blood dripping from the slice across his forehead as he roughly staggers ahead. “I won’t let you! You,” he motions to Mono. “You’re staying here. And YOU!” His finger whips over to Six. “I’m gonna make you pay for everything you did.” 

Swiftly, as though he’s made the motion a thousand times over, he slides a knife out from his sleeve. Glancing to each other, it’s clear to Mono and Six that the same thought is running through their minds. Are you kidding me?  

Even Liam’s companions appear jolted by the move, demeanors uneasy with the shift. Liam pays them no mind, dashing forward without care. Six briefly goes invisible, disappearing with a puff of black smoke as Mono’s mind is sent into a panic. He doesn’t want to hurt Liam, but how is he supposed to get out of this clean with him doing something this drastic?! 

“COWARD!” Liam shouts to the empty spot where Six had disappeared as he rushes Mono. “Come out and fight! You stupid, filthy...!” 

Before the boy can conclude his insult, darkness tangles over his legs, and he trips over himself. Six emerges seemingly from nowhere, looming over Liam with a sneer. “Don’t make me hurt you, Liam. If you really make me do this, it’s not going to be you who comes out okay.” Shooting a glare to his companions, they at last appear to recognize the facts as her shadows dance erratically over her. With that, they make a swift retreat, Liam watching wide eyed as they do. 

“Get back here! We can still...!” 

“No, you can’t!” snaps Six, lip curling. “Just go! You’ve already lost!” 

“I CAN’T!” Shrieking this out, Liam’s face glows with his fury, yet his eyes scream desperation. “I know what you’ll do if you get the chance! To me! To US! You’re taking our only hope away from us!” Pointing to Mono again as the boy makes his way to Six, Liam almost wails. “He’s the only one left who can protect us, and you don’t even care!” 

Stunned, Six goes to speak again, when Liam just wilts . Huddled in on himself, the boy lets out shaky, ragged gasps. Drops of blood and salty tears drip onto the pavement. He appears utterly shattered, and a stab of pity shoots through Mono with the sight. It is not an unfamiliar one, all things considered. Liam’s breaths uneven further, and Mono figures he may as well try one last time. 

Leaning over him, Mono whispers softly, “Liam, you...” 

Abruptly, Liam launches up, shoving Mono aside and grabbing Six by the back of her hair. Caught off guard, Six is unable to do anything but shriek when he yanks it harshly, using his other hand to flip the knife into position. 

Just as Liam is about to plunge the blade into Six’s side, an arm from behind wraps around his collarbone. Surprised, Liam doesn’t have time to react before it whips him away from the girl. He falls flat on the ground, and the figure kicks the blade away from him. Greeted by the figure of Sam, Liam’s eyes blow out in shock. He doesn’t have the chance to get a word out before the tawny eyed boy goes to chastise him. “What were you thinking?!” 

Rushing to balance himself, Liam attempts to stammer out an excuse. “Sam, I...” 

“Get out of here!” 

“Sam...!” 

With a single scathing glare from the taller boy, the previously still air surrounding them picking up speed seemingly in time with Sam’s breaths, Liam draws back. Only three words exit Sam’s mouth. “Leave. Them. Alone.” 

Gaze darting between the three, Liam takes slow steps backwards, until he turns tail and bolts down the alley from whence he came. Sam watches his retreat, unmoving, until at last his friend fully disappears from view. With that, his shoulders droop, Sam pulling his shoddy cloak closer to him. The air goes still. 

Mono and Six remain in position next to each other, hesitant on their approach. Silence holds for a long stretch, until at last, Sam whispers softly, “Are you really going to leave us here?” 

Throat tightening, Mono responds drearily. “We don’t have a choice.” 

“And what if Liam’s right? What if you can’t save him? You’d be... you’d be leaving us to die out here. Nothing would change...” 

“But if we don’t do this, everything will stay the same. Forever. I can’t let that happen.” 

From their angle, they can just manage to see the back of Sam’s head tilt to the side somewhat from beneath the shape of his hood. Finally, he turns to them. Sam regards them contemplatively, emotions flickering over his face in what seems like double time. “Everything I had, it’s gone now. My home, my town, my... my sister. I lost all of them. I can’t let that happen to my friends. And this place, it was starting to be something for us. I don’t want us to lose it. You can’t fail.” 

Grieved, Mono and Six nod. “We won’t. We... we promise.” 

“Good,” he responds to Six’s airy statement. Tapping the tip of a shoe upon the edge of the sidewalk, Sam exhales heavily. “I’ll do my best to keep things calm here, but I’m not sure how much I’ll really be able to do. Some of them are... well, you saw.” 

“Just do your best,” whispers Mono somberly. “Sometimes, that’s all we can do I guess.” 

A smirk plays at the corner of the other boy’s mouth with that. “Guess I'll try. Guess we all have to. Take care you two.” 

“Take care...” Murmuring this out, they watch as he too rotates away from them, vanishing just as his friends had before him. It takes a long breath for them to follow his example and continue on their journey as well, endless as it may seem. Mono’s words linger over the duo. For they are aware, all they know will forever be wiped away into oblivion, unless they do anything but uphold that promise. 

******************************************* 

By the time they arrive at their apartment, Mono and Six are thoroughly drained. The marks of their journey are on full display, however short that journey may have been. For them, it certainly felt like it stretched on forever. 

Leaping up to open the latch, Mono steps into the living room first. It is just how they left it. Scattered toys, drawings hanging on the wall, the Thin Man’s armchair with a children’s book resting up against its side. It’s almost a comfort to see it in this state, yet the notable absence of the Thin Man in his classic seat sends a small jolt through them. Perhaps some ignorant part of them wished that all of what they’d endured had been a mere haunt of the night, and they would wake to find everything as it was.  

No comment is made one way or another on that idea however, the first thing being spoken a simple, “...I’m tired.” 

Hardly aware of the fact, Mono nods along to Six’s wispy words. “Me too. Let's just sleep for the night. He'll be waiting for us tomorrow.” He has to be, the unbidden thought whispers its way through the boy. It’s not like the Tower’s letting him go anywhere as it is.  

Climbing the stairs that will lead them to the upper level, the two bid each other goodnight, and close the doors to their respective rooms. Leaning against the door, Mono scans the space over once. His bed is made, the Thin Man probably tidied it before their journey to the Maw. His stuffed animals are placed against the bedrest, waiting patiently for their owner’s return. Switching on the lamp, the light is warm and cheery. He would almost think... No, he can’t let those thoughts seep in, not again.  

Clambering up the sheets, he wriggles his way underneath the soft blankets, letting himself sink into the mattress. Switching the light off, he tries to close his eyes and steady his racing mind. Maybe if he imagines that the Thin Man has tucked him in, sung him a lullaby as was their routine, he will slip into that deep slumber he so desperately needs. Maybe if he imagines those quiet moments spent in each other’s presence, perhaps sitting upon the rooftops watching the stars blinking above them, or the first time he saw the sun rise over the horizon in its golden glory. Will he ever see the sun again? Great, now that horrifying idea has crossed his mind. It won’t last, he reassures himself, cursing the very thought that such a future could come to pass. He will be strong, for his elder’s sake. He has to be. 

******************************************* 

In the safety of the Thin Man’s arms, Mono almost nuzzles into the elder’s coat. He feels everything. The warmth, the softness of his embrace, the pure comfort, it is something the boy will never get enough of. Holding him tenderly, the Thin Man hums one of their songs, Mono shortly joining in as the Thin Man rocks him away.  

“I’m here, my little one,” his voice soothes. “I’m right here, and I always will be.”  

Satisfaction is all Mono feels with those gentle words. He’s home, and he will never leave again. He will always be with him. Nothing will change that. How could it?  

******************************************* 

Mono wakes with tears in his eyes. Blindly, he reaches out, searching for the figure he knows should not be there. But the dream, it was so real, it had to be real. It isn’t. Numb with the reality of his awakening, his throat tightens, and he rushes to wipe the salty droplets from his face. He nearly jumps out of his skin when a series of soft knocks raps at the door. 

“Mono? You awake? It’s morning, I think... Hard to tell with how dark it is, hehe...” Six’s soft, sad laughter breaks through, and Mono’s muscles lose the tension they’d briefly gained. 

“Yeah, I’m up.” Answering quickly, Mono leaps down onto the carpet, Six slowly opening the door and peeking in at him. 

With her friend’s haggard appearance, Six sighs in melancholy. “Bad dream?” 

No. It was a good dream. But how is he supposed to explain that, what with the state in which he woke? So he merely nods, keeping his gaze downcast. 

Six regards him in pity. “I’m sorry… I… I didn’t have a good one either.” Swiping her hair out of her face, she exhales heavily. “Let’s… let’s get what we need and go.” 

“…’Kay. I’ll meet you downstairs.” 

Dipping her head in a quick motion of acknowledgement, she leaves him without another word. Turning to regard his space, Mono wonders exactly what it is he does need, if anything at all. It’s not like anything here will help him, how could it? But perhaps a little trinket or two will keep him focused, give him a sliver of comfort that he so desperately requires. 

Sweeping through his room, he wriggles underneath the small bed. Scattered toys, the occasional stray piece of clothing, and... his beret. At the sight of it, everything comes rushing back to Mono, hitting him like a tidal wave. That day in the city, the first time the Thin Man had protected him, the first time they’d embraced. Pulling it out from under the mattress, he holds it tight against his chest, mouth wobbling. He can’t help himself when he feels hot tears streaking down from his eyes once more, sobs wracking through him. 

“I’ll come back for you,” is his solemn vow. “I promise...” 

Gently folding it and placing it as delicately as he can into his trench coat's pocket, it takes a moment for him to slow his breathing and stall the flow of his tears. Although well aware how puffy his eyes must look currently, he tries to steel his expression for both his and Six’s sake. There is no use for that weakness currently. 

Marching down the stairs, he stonily lifts his gaze to meet Six’s own. Sporting her classic yellow raincoat with her hair hanging fully down just above her shoulders, he is struck suddenly by just how much both of them have grown in all this time. No longer does the girl hunch over herself to protect herself from the biting gusts that whistled through the city streets, instead she faces them straight on with her head held high. While what’s occurred may have utterly devastated them both, there is no one he trusts more to help him see this task through. As for him, well... he’s not letting anything hold him back any longer. 

Donning the hat that mirrors his elder’s, Mono’s face is set with resolve unlike any Six has ever witnessed. “You know what you have to do.” 

Somberly, she nods, and reaches into her left pocket. Unwrapping it from the delicate napkin, Six’s lip curls somewhat at the sight of the golden trinket. “Wonder if this’ll even work...” 

“It’s worth a try.” Mono scans her over one more time, the weight of what they’re about to do hanging heavy on their shoulders. “You ready?” 

“Ready as I'll ever be...” With an unsteady breath, she rings the bell.