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He sniffled, keeping a hand close to his mouth while he peered out into the room in front of him. A sliver of light from the open closet door kept him from falling into pure darkness. Dad told him that they were going to play a game, that he had to promise never to come out or to make a noise. The monster had followed him all the way from Eret’s castle, the scent of heavy dust hanging in the air despite the floral scent that had been there before. Dad said he liked the flowery scent, and he did too. It made him feel happy and peaceful. He hugged his knees closer to his chest, hearing the sharp sounds of footsteps approach his hiding place. He curled up against the back of the closet, pressing his back against the smooth wood wall. For a moment, there was silence. Then dad appeared within his view, well, the little doll that looked like his dad appeared in between the open space of the closet door. He gave the doll a little wave of hello.
A small smile appeared on its face, its porcelain hand moving in the same motion before the doll disappeared behind the door. He shivered, wiping his nose against the sleeve of his jacket, feeling terrible that he’d already ruined the outfit that his dad had sown for him. He wished papa was there with them, papa would protect them. Papa would protect them from the evil monster. Grandpa said that his papa was on his way, but he wished he was there right now. The monster wanted to hurt him, of that he was sure. Why else would it be chasing him? It had already hurt Tubbo, Niki, Ranboo, and Eret. He felt tears form at the corner of his eyes. He didn’t like crying.
His breathing came to a stop once he heard the thump of heavy footsteps against the floor, the low growls that echoed through the house rang through his ears and haunted him despite his best efforts to be brave. Its snarls and grunts grew closer, a heavy shadow falling against the bit of floor that he could still see from the closet. Small tremors ran through his body, his finger shaking against his knees. His teeth were chattering, his throat impossibly dry. The monster let out a series of loud howls and deafening shrieks, and through the noise, he heard his dad’s voice. His dad was speaking, but he couldn’t hear his words through the monster’s growls. He wanted to bury his face in his arms, scared of what was to come. For a moment, there was silence. Then there was a high-pitched scream, pain mixing with the fear until he heard it, the sickening thump of something falling to the ground. He saw his dad’s hand hit the floor, blood coating his fingers.
He also heard the crash, the sound of glass shattering through the air. His heart froze, a small gasp escaping his lips despite his dad’s warning not to make a noise. He couldn’t help it. Small sobs tore through his throat while his tears fell past his cheeks. Dad said he was never to leave, that the monster would get him if he did, but his dad was gone… and maybe this time for good. He flung the door open, the monster - horrible, mean, disgusting, scum of the earth - reeled back with a high whine. He threw himself against his dad’s unmoving body, little hands digging into a chest that would no longer move. He screamed, burying his face against his dad’s black cloak. He wanted his dad. He wanted his dad. He’d just gotten him back. Why was he losing him again? “Daddy! Daddy, wake up! Wake up, please! Daddy don’t leave me again! I’m scared…”
He felt a hand wrap around his waist.
He shrieked, the floor disappearing from underneath him while the monster pulled him away from his dad. Its clawed hands gripped him tightly by the waist, slimy arms holding him close to a chest that he couldn’t even begin to describe. It felt squishy, like rough pudding molded together. If he looked, he could see eyes peering up at him through the wall of flesh. A head - at least he assumed it was a head - moved itself closer to his face. Its mouth opened, revealing sharp teeth that lined every inch of the monster’s mouth. He could feel its breath against his cheek. A hand suddenly reached up, claws ready to strike at him and tear him into tiny pieces, just like what the monster had done to his friends. He screamed, and bit the monster’s arm.
It let go of him, a pained howl tearing through the air while he tried to scramble towards his dad. He knew he had to go, that he couldn’t stay there or else the monster would hurt him beyond repair, like he’d done to his dad. While the monster reeled from the pain, he reached out a hand towards his dad’s cheek. It was cold. He sobbed, pressing a goodbye kiss to his dad’s forehead (just like he did the first time) and turned towards the doll that was left of his dad. It had been dropped to the ground, pieces of the porcelain doll had broken and had fallen to the floor. He reached out his hands towards it, gently pulling the doll up until it finally settled in his arms.
He felt the palm of his hand catch on the doll’s broken arm, a small whimper seeping past his lips when he felt the glass dig deep into his skin. Drops of red blood fell to the floor. The sight seemed to catch the monster’s attention, its head turned towards him. It let out a guttural shriek.
Its arms tried to reach out to him, claws growing sharper and longer. He screamed, hugging the doll closer to his chest despite its broken parts catching against his skin. He turned on his heel before running out the house. Grandpa said that the lords would protect him, that he should seek them out if he was in danger. The kind fish lady would protect him. He’d be safe with her.
“FUUuNnDhiH一” The monster called out to him. But he kept running.
He cursed, hands grabbing at air while his son disappeared into the vast snowy wasteland outside. He had been so close. He had his son in his arms and they were finally leaving that wretched place. Wilbur groaned, pressing a hand against the bite wound on his arm. He’d gone through worse in the span of a few hours, but that was nothing compared to what he had seen in his son’s eyes. His son was scared. Oh him. They’d done something to his little champion.
He glanced down at the… body, wincing at how painfully familiar this lord was to his husband. It had been years since he’d last seen his husband, too many years of trying to forget. But even in this hell, his past continued to haunt him. The lord - because that was all he had been - looked just like his dead beloved. He could see why Fundy had trusted him. He had mistaken the man for his dad. Wilbur ran a hand through his face. It stung. It stung to see his husband again - even if it was just a stranger who wore the same face. But it felt real, the lord’s words still rang in his ear, “I’d make a much better parent than Wilbur. Please won’t you stay with me - forever?”
In the end, his husband - the real one that he loved - really had been the better parent.
He shook his head, turning to leave the house. His boy was out there, lost and confused. They’d done something to him, it was the only reason he could think of. Fundy wouldn’t be scared of him. He wouldn’t. He needed to save his little champion, and damn it, he was going to save him.
If he’d looked back, he would have seen the dark-winged man staring at him from above.