Chapter Text
The flashlight bobbed, bathing the room in a shaky light. The light flickered intermittently as Tommy’s fingers fiddled with the switch. It was a forced habit for his hand to hold the tool as he wandered the halls, pulling from the loop on his belt where it typically rested. At some point, the mindless hold had evolved to his thumb running up and down the ridges of the button keeping his brain occupied as he walked his routes.
The light barely dimmed before he replaced the switch to its full-on position. His footsteps echoed off the walls.
He had little else to do but fiddle in an empty building, long past when the city fell asleep. Each step was well walked by many before him but the museum was a ghost town at the moment. It was odd to see such a public place in dead silence. Each time, the bustling people fade into eerie quiet, and menacing shadows.
If he had to use one word to describe his job, Tommy would probably go with peaceful… or boring but that response would depend on the night. For a large portion of his days, he was more than willing to put an earbud in and wander the halls. He would listen through albums and albums of both new and old. He was caught up on most of the podcasts he followed and there was no one to bother him while he walked the halls of the Antarctic Empire History Museum.
On other days, the silence was a bit too much. He could feel the cold stone walls creeping in. The empty halls twisted and bent, yet there was no one there whose footsteps could match his.
That didn’t use to be the case. Just a few days ago he would have had his brother by his side. Well… not by blood but who gave a shit about that anyway. Tubbo had been the perfect coworker, he knew when to give space and he knew when to ask. He knew what days were better to walk alone and which required a friend by his side.
Unfortunately, every day from now on was a solo endeavor. With Tubbo moving to Snowchester, ranting about a marriage and a child to raise, the museum was left short-staffed.
Tommy did not mind the pay raise that came with being the only one patrolling the exhibits but he did hate that lingering presence that never seemed to leave his shoulder. The traces of a man who had left him behind, yet Tommy could feel the traces of his eyes watching his every move.
He couldn’t be mad at his friend for finding someone who had been able to settle his student debts. He could never fault the man for finishing his degree early and seeking out his happier ever after.
That being said, he was very clearly disappointed with the event’s effects on his life. It was not fun being alone with nothing but wax and fossils.
There were other struggles that came with this employment but most of them came from the late schedule and having to be a functional human being by noon.
Besides, his job held the practical significance of a scarecrow…
Who would want to explore these dusty old fossils during the day, let alone at night when the doors were closed and locked. It would take a hell of an effort for minimal payoff despite the potential for bragging rights for some buddy or something prompted by a game of truth or dare.
He never had a problem with encountering anyone who was not supposed to be there.
It was the perfect gig for a college student. Sure, his sleep schedule was not exactly normal but his earliest class was at 2:50pm, with his shift ending at 6 he had plenty of time to squeeze in what he needed before starting all over again.
It was exhausting but there was no other way he would be able to afford college.
Plus, what other job would allow you to sit down and complete your homework during most of the shift?
It gave him plenty of time to ensure that he was ahead on every class and an excellent audience to read out his papers. Though, with that being said, Tommy did not imagine the wax figure of the great General V.O. Pete appreciated the boy practicing his Speech assignments on his frozen figure.
Not many were envious of his situation but he couldn’t be too upset. It had been his love of history that had driven him to the museum in the first place the Hiring Now sign had seemed like fate.
It had taken some time to adjust but he could make this job work.
Tommy had a history essay that was due soon… something that no one should really be thrilled for but Tommy found he did not mind them as much.
For one, it was the easiest subject to study while on his route. All he had to do was pay extra attention to the carefully detailed plaques lining the wall. For another, it was a particularly interesting topic.
The Antarctic Empire’s history was rich with wars and betrayals and battles that would satiate the mind of any teenage boy. It was fascinating to put himself in the head of the rulers back then, to attempt to rationalize their decisions or conceptualize what had led them to make the mistakes that caused the fall of the empire that once ruled.
Tommy himself was a big man who preferred democracy so he could do nothing but thank the final emperor for his hand in its creation. That specific time frame was the topic of his up-and-coming assignment, a focus on the fall and the events that had led to it.
Unfortunately for him, there was not much provided when it comes to sources. There are multiple theories all substantiated by numerous documented accounts. No one knew for sure which was the truth and obviously, no one who was currently studying the topic was alive to witness the series of catastrophes.
Tommy diverted his typical route down a familiar hallway. It was one that he had practically memorized, not out of duty but out of interest.
The Hall of Emperors
Rows and rows of glass cases hold the families in power from the creation to the destruction of the empire. It was an area of the museum that was lightly trafficked but that did not sap the boy's love for the information it held.
He knew where the case he sought was, and he placed himself on the bench in front of it without thought. It only followed a line of logic to write a paper viewing the subjects themselves.
He pulled out his laptop and flipped it open, creating a new document and staring for a few seconds at his blinking icon.
Tommy sighed, seeking solace with a familiar view. He may enjoy the material but that does not mean that the act of writing the paper was any more pleasant.
Though as his eyes met the glass, he immediately knew something was wrong. The computer slipped off his lap, barely caught before it smashed into the cold; hard floor. As he stared at the back of the display, he couldn't help but realize…
The case was empty.