Freaks (Ticci Toby) ((Sequel to Outcasts))

Chapter Eleven;

Chapter Eleven

Kerigan

My blood ran cold and my whole body tensed. "What?" I whispered, my voice shaking. He sneered, and pushed his hair back, looking angry and betrayed and sad. Fuck, how'd he...

"I know th-that look in your eyes. I also r-recognize the bags beneath your eyes. You snuck into the woods to practice magic." He hissed accusingly. I looked down and sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't sleep and I figured "I fell asleep" was better than "I lost track of time throwing flames around." I'm sorry, Toby..." I whispered, and he hugged me tightly.

"Don't.. Don't fucking- wait." He sniffs the air, and I frown. "Who's- axe body spray? The only person I know who wears that is-" he stops, and I feel his body tense a moment before he steps back and pushes me. "Y-you were hanging with GROSSMAN?" He hisses, and I throw up my hands as I see him reach instinctively for his hatchets.

"I-I had to pay him back so I'm teaching him-"

"Pay back for what?!" He snaps, and I wince, my throat closing up. "Kerigan what do you- you..." He stops, furrowing his eyebrows. "You... It was you all along. It was never Richard getting us pills, it was-" I cover his mouth, frowning deeply.

"Shush! Yes, yes, you got me, okay? But don't tell them. Let them keep thinking its Richard. I've seen how happy it makes him to hear you guys happy." I whispered, and he stared at me for a moment. I removed my hand when I was sure he wasn't going to talk. We made very awkward eye contact for a very long time before his hard, dark brown eyes softened into honey, and a small, shaky smile slid across his face.

"Y-You, my dear... Are amazing." He whispered. I smiled and punched his arm.

"Yeah, I know." I replied, stepping onto the stair case for bed. "And don't you forget it."

-(✖️)-

It was starting to get hot: like, really hot. Even without a sun. It started one night when suddenly Toby and I slept as far away from each other as possible with the fan full blast and the blanket on the ground. We still woke up in a puddle of our own sweat.

This particular night, we all laid sprawled in the living room, me in literally the smallest shorts I owned and a tank top, and everyone else topless besides Sally, who wore a one piece swim suit. I had tied her hair back into a braid to keep it off her neck.

"Oh my god, fuck this." LJ suddenly snaps and stands up, stomping through the living room towards the kitchen. We all shared a confused look an stood up, following him as he walked outside, and a bit into the woods behind the house. "That's better!" He yelled as there was the sound of splashing water. Upon approaching, we found Jack splashing around in a small stream, well, it was small but it was up to his sternum deep, which is pretty deep considering how tall the motherfucker was.

"Holy fuck yes." I whispered and ran forward, jumping in, plugging my nose. I landed, submerged in the water and popped up as Toby and Jeff followed. I went to the edge and helped Sally in, watching as she doggy paddled around. EJ, Brian and Tim all sat at the edge, splashing themselves to cool down. I watched as Ben stood a bit farther back, looking pale and terrified.

"Ben, come on in! It's gr-" Toby grabbed my arm suddenly, and I looked back at him to find him shaking his head. I looked back at Ben to see him retreating into the house. I frowned and sighed gently to myself.

Later, climbing out, Slender suddenly appeared in front of us. We all jumped, guiltily, and looked up at him.

"What- What are you all doing?" He asks incredulously.

"We're swimming." I answer sassily, which earns me a few snickers. Slender rubs his forehead from sweat, and I stand up on the bank. "It's really hot so we decided to go for a dip." I grin, envisioning a ball being filled with water, and lifting out of the stream. I heard LJ gasp just as it launched over my head and broke over Slenders. Everyone Froze, and Toby was out of the stream faster than I could blink, pushing me behind him, standing protectively as Slender stood there in shock, water dripping down his face and his suit soaked.

"R-Richard, d-don't do a-anything r-rash-" Toby tried negotiating, when Slenders tentacles suddenly explode forward for us. I scream, but they shoot past us and suddenly water is propelled into my back.

"Water fight!" Sally yells as she gives EJ a face full of water. I laugh slightly, still shaking from expecting Slender to skewer me with those terrifying appendages.

"You alright?" Toby asks, and I nod, shivering from the cold now that a breeze had started up. Was that natural or is that me? Toby took me inside and found me a towel as I made us some hot chocolate. He sat down, and supper his as I held mine in shaking hands.

"Toby? Dont ever jump in front of me." I whispered sternly, closing my eyes.

"Wh-What? No, I'm gonna-"

"No you're not. I can handle getting beaten down but I can't handle the thought of you getting hurt because of me." I snapped, watching his face change from shock to soft understanding. We sat for a while in silence.

"Then you can't jump in front of me." He replied after a while, and I grit my teeth, already imagining him launching in front of me as black tentacles impale his stomach, or me jumping in front of him as bullets rip through me.

I considered it. Beneath the table, I crossed my legs and toes.

"Deal." I whispered. He smiled and reached for one of my hands, holding it across the table.