Separation || A Different Twist On Exile

-chapter thirteen-

(sorry for double tommy chapters, if I didnt the storyline would be off !!)

Tommy quickly opened his eyes, his mouth wide in a smile. He quickly had to shut them though, a stinging pain ringing through. He tried to gasp in, let out a small wince, but the sound was muffled and liquid poured into his mouth.

Tommy's hands instantly rushed up to his neck as he tried to breath, his throat starting to be filled as well the moor times he sucked in. It hurt.

He couldn't breath.

He thought he was going to pass out.

His nails dug into the sides of his neck, choking out water just for it to be put right back in. He forced his eyes open, despite the sting, looking for a way out.

This, and only then, was when he released he was stuck in a vast pool of water. He tried ro swim up, kicking his feet until they got tired.

If there wasn't water all around him he would have been in tears dripping from his eyes.

Tommy couldn't focus on anything else, his limbs were too tired, his vision was blurry, and his throat was in unbearable pain.

But..the surface.

It was so close.

He just needed to go a little further.

Tommy closed his eyes and forced out a breath, using all his strength to push himself up as he suffocated.

--

Tommy started coughing violently, sitting up from his bed. He held his neck in one hand, the other propping himself up.

"It's just another one of those stupid fucking dreams again." Tommy fell back, sighing.

How can those be so fucking realistic? It's so stupid..I've never even drowned. Do I want to drown? No, I shouldn't think like that. Dream said not to. Right? But..what if Dream is lying? I mean, I've had experience with people - friends - lying before. No..it's Dream. He wouldn't lie. I'm overthinking things.

"Sides, it's the party day."

--

Tommy could see the sun just about to go down, the sunset approaching fast. People would be here any minute. His heart was racing, so much that he couldn't think straight.

He was practically jumping in anxiousness, unable to keep himself calm. He paced back and forth around the table, just waiting.

Finally, Tommy decided to go check the portal to see if anyone was near, since it was getting a little too dark, and still no one was there. He was even starting to get a little down, afraid no one would show, but he wouldn't admit that.

He hung into the side of the portal, stepping through. He turned his head from side to side, looking. He even checked behind him, but no one was there.

Tommy's heart sank. His expression had completely changed, looking like he was about to cry. He swallowed back this feeling, hoping this was all just one big joke that he could laugh at.

The boy stepped forward, examining everything, looking for a hiding spot. Nothing had changed from the previous day, no signs of anyone coming through since Dream's visits.

He felt a lump in his throat, making him unable to muster out a thought. The only thing he was able to do was stare, not believing what he saw.

Something about the warmth, the comfort of the lava drew him in. His emotions only egged him on, but he bit his tongue, stumbling back instead of towards it.