Chapter Text
The first thing Tom recognized was the faint whispers that crawled up his skin. It stung and dug into his flesh like spiders spinning webs. Hanging as the faint winter winds bitterly licked at his face. The blood that ran down his shoulders stained the rocky earth, turning the dirt into red mud. The stinging in his legs and neck was the only thing keeping him awake. Watching the bleary night sky as it became harder to breathe in fresh welcoming air. Slowly, agonizingly, he moved his arm to feel his mask. The only thing that was his and connected him to his twin. Speaking of the twin he could hardly recognize the looming figure that tightly wrapped itself around him. Shaking violently while wet hot tears dripped into puddles of crimson. He wished he could tell Tim that he was sorry that he was so broken. He was sorry that every day he got in his brother's way. Tom wished that he wasn't destined to die like this, but death was always inevitable for him.
Tom was being shaken very lightly, a hand gripping his arm to wake him from whatever horrible nightmare he was having. He slowly opened his eyes then groaned tiredly just to see Tim sitting over him.
“Tom?” Tim spoke gently, But he was always gentle towards his brother anyways. Tom made a sound before meeting his twin's eyes.
“Is it already time to get up?” He asked sitting up so he could loosen up a bit. Tim adjusted the mask sitting on his twin's face.
"Yea, we’re leaving remember?” he jumped up and off the bed before straightening his uniform. Tom watched his brother for a moment, pondering what exactly happened the day before. He recalled it being a rough day, his mother yelling and throwing them out the house. He remembered being cold, remembered crying in Tim's arms while the other shielded him. He had fell onto some rocks too after finding a berry bush deep in the woods. Then he was really hurt when he had broken his arm. There were blue and red lights blaring loudly in their vision before Benny ran to them and practically squashed them in his own worry. Throwing a soft wooly blanket over the shivering twin who was quickly taken care of before he met his mothers eyes. Her angry and disgusted eyes, That bore into him like arrows from the long forgotten natives. He wasn't sure he could forget last night if he wanted to.
“Where are we going?” Tom asked, shakingly getting up from the bed while he reached for his brother's hand. Tim gracefully took it then led the way down the stairs.
“Somewhere new, I think, At least not here. Don't worry brother, everyone else is going too.” The more collected twin stopped to put his shoes on then helped the other put his on. Tom took the words in and despite worrying he didn't say anything. Tim took a comb from his pocket and straightened their hair before turning and organizing some boxes. Tom observed, before helping in the best way he could. Then from the door stumbled Benny and Caleb, looking anxious but relieved to see the twins up and about.
“Tim! Tom! Good morning, how's your arm?” Benny, who was always good mannered, came up and greeted. Tom let his big brother fret over him as the other two took up a few boxes. Sometimes it made him nervous to be fretted over so much, but today he would allow it. Afterall, they had all gone through some trauma the past week.
“Caleb, would you mind getting Lillian?” Tim asked foot just out the door, looking calmly back inside at the other. Caleb hopped to his feet and carefully shoved the box he was holding into Benny's arms. A moment later Lillian was beside him holding her brown plush bunny close to her body. She was still wearing her pink rabbit Pajamas and purple skirt that hung just above her knees. The two younger siblings seemed content on leaving and Tom guessed it wouldn't be so bad, maybe.
It took much of the morning to finally finish packing. Outside there was a green and black car, shining an odd emerald in the sunlight that was seeping through the trees. It was Filled with small wooden boxes and a tall lean man in the front. The air was filled with a thick smokey smell that made Tom feel worried. He wandered over to Tim who was sitting on a large fallen log, fiddling with his knife. The frowning masked twin sat next to his brother and kicked a rock with his good foot.
“I'm glad mothers gone.” Tim lightly touched the tip of his whittling knife. He slightly turned his face to look at his twin, “she cant hurt you, but…” Tim squeezed his hand into the wood of the log. His shoulders hunched just a bit as he looked towards the green vehicle. “I'm not sure we should trust more nasty adults.” He kept his gaze on the strange tall man in the front. Wrinkly arms on the steering wheel as he boredly stared forward. Only looking back when the crunch of leaves and rocks approached from the woods. Another car of the same brand, except black, drove right next to the other. Tim gripped Tom's hand then stood to observe the newcomer. Tom shakingly stood as well, taking a better hold on his twins arm. Somewhere towards the house Benny was rushing Lillian and Caleb towards the other two. The biggest sibling stood somewhere between the car and his siblings as he looked them over one more time. A woman, tall and skinny, walked over to them with a dignified look on her face. Nervously Tom looked up at her a bit more while cradling his injured arm closer to his chest. He hadn't realized Tim taking a step in front of him to block most of his body from view. The lady had the face of someone who had a purpose. Her blue dress reached her ankles before curling upwards. Her pale green eyes scanned the few before her lips curved upwards into an awkward smile. She clasped her hands together and rested them in front of her chest.
“Hello children, my name is miss Page.” She spoke calmly but not the eerie calm Tim would emit. Her long brown hair bounced from her shoulders as she bent down to look at them more closely. “I'm going to take you to your new home, okay?” her eyes looked them all over and landed on Tom. Her smile faltered into a sympathetic look that burned into his skin, and it must have caught on to his twin too because Tim's shoulders tensed even more.
Benny looked back at them then spoke as politely as ever, “ Thank you ma’am, but it doesn't look like there's enough room in your car.” one look proved his words true too. Miss Page stood up straight and nodded her head slightly.
“We can make room I'm sure, but first how about you guys tell me your names hm?” she approached Lilian first taking her small hand. “What's your name sweetheart?” The girl in the bunny pajamas bounced on her feet excitedly.
“Lillian.”
“Caleb!” the youngest boy exclaimed smiling widely.
“I'm Benny” the oldest grimaced a little but he held himself protectively.
Tim tightened the hold on his twins hand, “Tim, he’s Tom.” his voice was bitter. Tom watched the lady let go of the youngest’s hand. Her smile turned into a look of disappointment and possibly worry, but it was hard to tell the difference.
“Those are some lovely names, come on let's get you all home.” She turned on her heels and began to walk towards the black colored car. Benny threw one more concerned look at his siblings before he followed. Lillian and Caleb came next, Caleb situating himself in the backseat while Benny sat Lillian in the front with himself. Tim glanced back at his brother before they also started their way towards the nerve racking car. Taking their own seats next to their little brother who gave them a reassuring goofy smile. Miss Page’s door slammed shut before the engine came to life and the machine moved towards the town. As they left the front gate of their old home’s yard something in the woods rustled and moved. Tom thought it was a squirrel, Frightened by the loud terrible roaring of the car. So he settled himself a bit more and tried to cool his running nerves. Missing the figure that was staring through the thick brush. Its hand running through a small white bunny's fur.