Chapter Text
Mono winced, crouched on the muddy, rancid earth, biting back a cry of pain. He'd seen the tripwire- he'd tried to step on it to trigger the trap without stepping under it. And he'd managed to slip on the muddy ground, and the edges of the metal trap had scraped up his back.
He was outside it- and as the pain subsided, he slowly moved and stood. His back stung- but he was alive. He could keep going- he had to. He didn't know what he was looking for- but- there was Something out here. Something he had to find. Something he had to- he wasn't sure.
Had to hold- had to protect, maybe? He'd figure it out when he found it, whatever-it-was, he was sure.
Steeling himself, he carried on through the woods. More wary of traps this time around- using sticks and pinecones to trigger them while standing well away.
Until finally- he came upon the house. It was giant- the house of an Adult. He shouldn't have gone in- the remains of humans had lined Mono's path all the way here. This person was dangerous.... but- there might be edible food. Or what he was looking for...
He headed in, cautiously, making his way deeper within, freezing when he heard- Music. Thats- music!! he thought frantically. The little tune, haunting and beautiful, and so- painfully familiar. Mono's vision blurred and his cheeks became damp. He patted his cheeks, then scrubbed at his eyes, clearing away the unexpected tears. No tears now- stay alert-
Mono dried his face and followed the hauntingly familiar tune, down into the basement- and through the cracks of a door, he saw her. Another child with messy black hair, in an old stained nightgown. He tried calling out to her- but she didn't hear him. And Mono was too afraid to call out louder, in case he caught the attention of the Adult. He couldn't reach the door handle- and even if he could, it was locked tight.
The wood was cracked and weak.... he looked around for something to break it open. He found an axe in another room, and hauled it over. With all his strength, he swung the axe- wincing as the music cut off suddenly and splinters flew through the air. A second hit- a third- a fourth! And the door was broken open. He dropped the axe, and went straight into the room.
The other child was hiding under a table- he crouched down and offered his hand, calling out a soft, "Hey,"
The girl slowly crept out, eyeing Mono warily. He would've called it fear- but some part of him knew better. That part of him whispered that she was gauging how much of a threat he was.
She got closer, slowly reaching out a hand to Mono's- before shoving past him. He made a startled huff, and heard her footsteps thumping up the stairs.
He got himself up, and hurried after her. There was such deep anxiety pulsing through his chest- telling him not to let her out of his sight. Telling him that he couldn't lose her (again). A terror rising up into his throat, smothering his voice, of what might happen to her (because of him- all his fault, all his fault, somehow-)
Because she was what he was looking for. The thing he was meant to protect. He was sure of it.