𝚁𝚊𝚗𝚋𝚘𝚘'𝚜 𝙻𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚂𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛

Chapter 13

[Third pov]
(flashback)

Tommy and Techno could hear what was happening while driving to Ranboo's place, since Tommy had left the call on speaker.

"I WILL NOT HESITATE TO SHOOT," they heard before some shuffling.

*click*

Tommy looked back at his phone screen. "He- hung up..."

Tommy sighed and fixed his gaze out the car window. Techno glanced over to Tommy symphatically, then concentrated back on the road. Tommy spoke what was flooding his mind.

"How long has he been keeping this from us? He's just- he was suffering. In the call, he was just taking those hits like it's normal...but he sounded-"

Tommy leaned his head back, tearing up. A wave of sadness laced with anger went through Techno's veins.

"What did Ranboo do that was so bad to make his dad abuse him?" Techno asked, softly.

"I don't even know, but he clearly didn't want us to know about it. I hope he's okay."

(present time)

Techno and Tommy had reached Ranboo's street. They saw three police cars outside his house. Techno spoke to the officers, letting them know everything that happened.

"He's 6'3, dirty blonde hair," Techno described Ranboo. "Can we speak to him?"

"Unfortunately, when my colleague here brought your friend's dad out and called for backup," the officer answered, "your friend ran off."

"I'm going to call him," Tommy replied, glancing at the officer and Techno before going back to the car.

Tommy leaned against Techno's car, bringing his phone up to his ear. Ranboo picked up almost instantly.

"-make sure you're happy. I failed at that."

"Ran, she didn't know all this was going to happen. What- What're you doing?"

"Texting Tommy."

Tommy felt his phone buzz. He put the call on speaker, clicking on the notification from Ranboo. It was two texts that read 'we're at the park down the road' and 'we don't have anywhere to go'.

"You told him about Dad?"

"He knows."

Tommy muted his side of the call, to inform Techno about where Ranboo is. The police told them how to get to the park, and so they did.

Meanwhile, Riley sat beside Ranboo, leaning against his shoulder. She had grabbed a stick and was peeling off the bark. Ranboo sat on his knees, staring at his phone screen, hoping for help, a voice, a calming presence. He wasn't sure why, but the situation made him very uneasy. Ranboo's stomach rumbled, interrupting his thoughts.

Riley looked up at him with sympathy. "You didn't actually eat, did you?"

"Hm," Ranboo mumbled, "I did."

Riley shifted to face her brother. "Ran," she called, her tone quickly melting into genuine concern. "Seriously."

Ranboo remained eye contact with her. He felt a wire of nervousness tighten inside him, pinching his gut.

"Okay," Ranboo sighed. "I didn't."

"Why did you lie to me?"

"I was trying to protect you."

Riley frowned. "You're just using an excuse like you always do, it's not fair!"

"It's not an excuse!"

"How is it that I tell you everything that goes on in my life but you don't?"

"I just," Ranboo stopped and jerked back at the confrontation, unable to put his feelings into a sentence.

A door shut and chatter from their right made them turn and look. It was Tommy and Techno. There goes the hint of peace he felt.

Ranboo held Riley's hand and stood in front of her protectively. He had tried to act brave but his sweaty skin and dazed eyes revealed the truth.

"Ranboo!" Tommy yelled his name.

Surprised at the bruises and cuts all over his friend, anger quickly made it's way through Tommy's veins. He wished he had seen what Ranboo's father looked like. He had never wanted so badly to punch someone. Techno very well knew that look on Tommy's face, he had only gotten mad and hurt like this a few times. He put his arm on his younger brother's shoulder, taking responsibility of the situation.

"Come on," Techno spoke. "We'll take you two to ours and explain everything to Phil. You can stay with us for now, sound good?"

Ranboo nodded.

"Oh, my gosh," came a whisper behind Ranboo.

They looked down at Riley to see her bright smile.

"It's The Blade."

Tommy lightens up a little, anger immediately flushed away at the appearance Ranboo's little sister. He then turned to see Techno's surprised look.

"Oh, uh," Ranboo stuttered. "This is my sister, Riley, she loves your lore character."

Techno smiled, nudging them both to follow Tommy and him in the car. Halfway through the drive, Ranboo couldn't help but feel nauseous. Phil called Techno while he was driving, Tommy picked it up for him.

"Hey, is Tommy with you? Where did you go?"

"I'm here," Tommy answered, "we went to get Ranboo and..."

Tommy stopped himself to eye Ranboo. The other nodded sleepily, knowing what he wanted to ask.

"And...?"

"And his sister."

"His sister- Wait, why? I have so many questions."

"It's a long story but two of them need to stay the night. That's fine, right?"

"Of course. They can stay for as long as they like."

"I'm driving," Techno said quickly, "we're on our way back."

"Okay," Phil answered. "Drive safely, Techno. Stop somewhere if you need a break, don't rush."

"I know."

"Love you guys, bye."

"What?" Riley mumbled from the backseat.

Tommy cleared background apps on Techno's phone before clicking the lock button.

"Nothing," Ranboo replied to her.

"No," Riley insisted, "tell me."

"Just- I just feel sick, that's all."

Riley was agitated for her brother's well being, before remembering their little argument not long ago.

"That's what you get for not eating."

"Wait," Tommy turned to them. "What did she mean by that?"

After a ton of deliberation, Ranboo decided to keep his mouth shut. He looked at the window absently. They didn't converse much for the rest of the drive back, mainly because Ranboo refused to make eye contact or say anything.

It was a quarter to 8pm when they had reached back. Ranboo felt fidgety, as if he'd go nuts if he didn't move. He stepped out the car with everyone else and followed them inside. The icy fear and panic Ranboo had experienced so often in the past few days swept over him once more in full force. He knows he can't stay silent forever. Ranboo's been having walls up around his feelings and wasn't ready to break it down. He wasn't ready to tell everyone everything. Realizing his hands were squeezed up into fists, he relaxed them and wiped his sweaty palms on his pants.

Ranboo took a deep breath and gulped. He was afraid Riley would be uncomfortable, or Phil would force them to talk, or they would have to figure out where to live. He didn't know how to react, what to say. He just wished someone could understand the way he felt.